Tag: emergency roof repair

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Emergency Roof Repair Services

The Steps To Take When A Tree Falls On A House

What happens if a tree falls on a house?

No one wants to think about what would happen if there’s a storm, and major damage happens to your home. However, you can’t plan for everything and you may experience damage to your property. If a tree has fallen on your roof, what do you do?

Here’s a step-by-step guide as to how to put it right.

Create A Safety Plan 

You’ll have some safety plans already in place, such as what to do in case of a fire, but do you have one in case of a fallen tree? If you’re in an area that’s prone to storms, it’s something that you should have in place. Your plan should cover what to do if the worst does happen, so everyone knows what to do.

Designate a meeting spot that’s away from the home outside, where everyone knows to gather in case of an emergency. Ensure that everyone knows where all the exits are, including windows. You should also have an emergency bag near the front door, which contains clothes, water, food, and so on. This will cover you if you’re not able to get back into the house for some time. Finally, have an emergency roofing contractor on call, so you can put the roof right as soon as possible.

Go over your plan with your family, so they know what to do if anything does happen to your roof. The more you prepare, the easier it will be if something does happen. 

Evacuate Your Home

The very first thing you must do, if a tree has fallen on your home, is to get out as soon as possible. That tree will pose a danger to you while you’re still there, so you need to get out as soon as possible. It’s best not to move around more than necessary while you’re in the home, so call out to others to find out where they are. Get everyone out quickly and efficiently, assisting those that need it.

As soon as you’re all outside and away from the home, check for any signs of injury. Many injuries will be obvious, but others, such as concussions, won’t be. That way, you’ll be able to report any injuries to the medical staff as soon as they arrive.

Call 911

Even if you think no one is hurt and nothing’s damaged other than your home, you’ll next need to call 911. They will be able to send the right people out and help you take your next steps.

For example, you may think that everyone got out unhurt, but someone may have a head injury that has gone unnoticed. It happens more often than you’d think, so everyone should get checked out sooner rather than later. Plus, a fire crew will need to be sent to evaluate the area and ensure that there’s nothing that can cause harm to you or the public. Public utilities will need to visit too, to check for downed power lines or broken gas lines. Even if you can’t see the damage, it may have happened.

Call A Trusted Roofer

Now that everyone is out and safe, and there are no immediate safety issues that need to be addressed, your next step should be to call a roofing contractor. Ideally, you’ll have found one and saved their number before the tree hit your roof.

It’s not as hard as you’d think to find a good contractor. For these issues, you’ll want to find one that’s local to you, so they can come out and do repairs quickly. That also ensures that they aren’t ‘storm chasers‘, and won’t just take your money and run.

Also, check their experience. Have they been around for a long time? Do they have good reviews on their site? That shows they’re good, as they wouldn’t have stuck around for so long if they hadn’t.

Once you call them, they should come over right away to assess the damage. If there has been a storm, it’s very likely that water is leaking in. They will move to cover up holes with tarps right away, to ensure that there will be no additional damage to deal with. Then, they will fix up any structural damage, to ensure that the house doesn’t take on more damage.

Get A Place To Stay

Now the roof is secured, ensure that you have a place to stay. In some cases, the home will actually be safe to stay in. Your roofer will be able to let you know. If so, this won’t be a problem. If not, you’ll need to find somewhere that you can stay overnight. In some cases, you’ll be able to stay with a friend or family member, so plan this with them in advance if anything happens. If you can’t do this, you’ll need to book a hotel as soon as possible so you can have a place to sleep.

Call The Insurance Company

You have all the basics covered, so now that everything is secure, you can call your insurance company. You’ll need to talk to them as there may be some extra steps that you need to take with them. Also, you’ll need to see if you can claim the costs of repairing the roof on it. If you can, you need to be sure you’re following the right procedure. Ensure you’re taking pictures of the damage, so you’ll have evidence of what happened.

Secure Your Home And Leave

If you need to stay elsewhere, you’ll need to secure your home before you head out. That includes locking all the doors and windows, removing any important documentation, and any valuables. This stops them from being stolen or damaged by the weather.

If a Tree Falls on a House?

Now you know what to do, should anything happen in a storm. Make your plan now, and be prepared to handle everything should a tree land on your roof. Having a plan, and the number of a local emergency roofer in your phone is key. With that, you can make arrangements right away.

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Emergency Roof Repair Services

When To Contact a Professional About Roof Storm Damage

Roof storm damage can be detrimental to the integrity of your roof. It’s important to be able to assess your roof and to know when to call a professional.

No matter how well you take care of your roof, if a storm blows in, it can sustain damage. While it is worrying to see roof storm damage, you don’t need to panic. Most damage is easily corrected; you need to ensure that you get it done quickly to avoid any further damage such as leaks.

If you have experienced roof storm damage, can you fix it yourself, or should you call the experts? Here’s how to assess the damage and get the help you need.

Assessing Types Of Damage

If you’ve had a storm come through, the first thing you should do is assess your roof. This will show you if it has sustained any damage, and you’ll be able to check the severity of it. Remember to be safe while you do this. Usually, it’s best to do your assessment from the ground and see what your roof looks like. You can use a pair of binoculars to get a closer view if needs be.

There are a few different types of roof storm damage that you may encounter. Here’s what to look out for:

Rain damage:

If you’ve had heavy rains, then you need to be on the lookout for this. Rainwater is the number one enemy of the roof, as it can get in through any crack or gap and start wreaking havoc.

There are a few different ways water can damage your roof, most of them over more extended periods. Rotting roof timbers is a surefire sign of water damage from storms. If this is leftover some time, you’ll see some fundamental structural issues with your roof.

Water will often lead to roof leaks, too. You may see water dripping somewhere in your home, or there may be water stains on the ceiling. Follow these up into the attic, where you can see where it’s coming from. Be aware that not all leaks are due to roof damage, so be on the lookout for other causes too.

The last thing to look for is mold in your attic or elsewhere in your home. Mold thrives in damp environments, so if your roof is leaking, it’s perfect for it. If you do spot mold, it needs to be dealt with right away, as mold is dangerous to your health.

Wind damage:

Storms will often come with high winds, and this is problematic for your roof. If your roof was installed by professionals, then hopefully, the damage will be minimal. However, depending on your roof type, wind can be a real problem for you.

If you have a shingle roof, you may spot missing shingles when you go out to inspect it. It’s very easy for them to be lifted and blown away by high winds. These need to be replaced quickly, as those gaps in the roof will let water in if you see rain in the near future. 

If the wind is severe, then you may find other debris on your roof afterward. Some larger debris, such as tree limbs, can cause damage to the roof as it lands, so you need to be on the lookout for this, too.

Finally, high winds can blow debris such as leaves into your gutters. If this is allowed to sit, it will block them and let water back up onto the roof. This again leads to water leaks, so this needs to be addressed quickly too.

Hail damage:

The final kind of roof storm damage you’ll see is hail damage. It’s less common but can cause all types of damage. Usually, the damage you’ll see will include ‘bruising,’ where hail has hit the shingles and cracks and tears in them. If this is left for long enough, then again, water can make its way into your roof and start causing damage.

What Damage Can You Fix Yourself?

Now you’ve assessed the roof storm damage, and you’ll need to get it fixed. What can you handle yourself? If you’re a confident DIYer, then there are some minor repairs that you can easily do yourself and get your roof back into top shape.

For example, you can replace some shingles if only a few have come off the roof. Ensure you’re taking the proper safety precautions as you do this, so you can be secure as you do this repair.

If there’s debris in your gutter, this is another simple fix. You can scoop it all out into a trash bag to unblock the gutters, avoiding future issues. You can also install a gutter guard to stop it from happening again.

You can do some preventative work to avoid damage, too. For example, you can remove trees or trim tree branches near your roof to stop high winds blowing debris onto it.

When To Call In The Experts

So when should you avoid doing repairs yourself and call in an expert? Usually, if you’re at all unsure about a repair, you shouldn’t handle it yourself. Your roof is crucial to the health of your home, and so you want to ensure all repairs are done well. If you’re not sure how to go about a repair, always call in the experts.

You should also call professional roofers if the damage is severe. For example, if falling debris has left a hole in the roof, or you’ve spotted wood rot in the timbers, you’ll need their help. Again, you need an expert to handle the job and ensure your roof is left in top condition.

There are a few different ways roof storm damage may occur, and now you know how to assess that damage. With this knowledge, you’ll see what you can fix yourself and see when it’s time to call in the experts. Whatever you do, it’s always essential to call them in quickly so you won’t see ongoing roof storm damage.

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Emergency Roof Repair Services

How To Protect Your Home During The Atlantic Hurricane Season

With Atlantic hurricane season approaching, it’s time to think about how you’ll prepare for it. It’s frightening to think about, but with the right preparation, you’ll be able to handle anything that comes your way.

Here’s your full guide to preparing before the Atlantic hurricane season hits.

 

Preparing For the Atlantic Hurricane Season

1. Prepare an evacuation plan:

This is the very first thing you should do. If a hurricane happens, how will you evacuate?

Make a plan (and include pets in your plans too, if you have them). Be sure everyone in your home knows the plan. Are there evacuation shelters nearby? If so, decide which one is closest to you. If you’re looking to stay at home during a storm, make sure you’re allowed to do so in your area.

Also, tell loved ones your plans as well, so they’ll know where you should be if you need to evacuate in a hurry. 

2. Check your insurance:

Before anything even happens, you’ll want to check what your insurance covers.

Will your policy cover the costs of repairs in case of a hurricane? Depending on the severity of the storm, you may need help repairing your roof, windows, or even whole walls of your home. If you rent, remember you’ll need insurance for your belongings, as they could be damaged in a storm.

3. Put together an emergency kit:

You’ll need a kit to tide you over should you need to evacuate quickly.

In it, you’ll need things like blankets, water, food, first aid supplies, clothing, and any medication that you’ll need. You’ll want enough supplies to keep you covered for around two weeks. Pack everything into air-tight plastic bags, and have your kit somewhere you can easily grab it.

4. Document your home and valuables:

It’s a good idea to go around your home taking photographs of anything that’s valuable before the worst happens. That way, you’ll have evidence of your expensive possessions, which will make filing an insurance claim in the future much easier.

If A Hurricane Is Probable

1. Clear your gutters and down spouts:

If a storm is coming, you want to ensure that as much water as possible will be directed away from your roof. Excess water will cause damage and lead to costly repair bills afterwards.

It’s fairly easy to do, you just need a ladder and some gloves as you unclog them. It’s worth investing in a gutter guard, to ensure that they don’t get clogged up again during the storms.

2. Go over your plans:

Now’s the time to talk to your family and determine what you’ll do if the hurricane hits.

You should already have a plan in place, so make sure everyone knows what it is, and practice it if necessary. Work out where you’ll meet up if you need to, and how you’ll get there. The more planned out this is, the better.

3. Get reinforcing materials:

You’ll need to stock up on materials such as plywood, which will reinforce your windows and doors, including your garage door. If a hurricane happens, you’ll need to ensure that the weather can’t get into the house. With windows and doors protected, you’ll have much less damage to contend with after the fact.

4. Keep an eye on the news:

Local news channels should be keeping you up to date on the weather in your area. If you’re living in the Atlantic hurricane season, they will let you know when a hurricane approaches – so make sure you’re keeping an eye on them. You can also watch the progress of hurricanes online, so you can keep track of them in real time.

If A Hurricane Is Coming

1. Secure your home:

As soon as you know the hurricane is coming your way, it’s in your best interests to fortify your home as soon as you can. Secure any cars or boats, and board up doors and windows. Bring in any loose items from outside, such as trash cans.

2. Have your phone set up for alerts:

If you’re in an area at risk of hurricanes, you’ll know that you can get alerts sent straight to your phone. Set this up ahead of time and keep a close eye on your phone. If you get any official information or advice, make sure you pay attention to it and more importantly, follow it.

3. Charge your devices:

Speaking of your phones, as soon as you hear a hurricane is coming, plug everything in and get them charging up. The more power you have on your phones and devices, the better. It’s a good idea to invest in some portable chargers and keep them charged up too.

4. Stock up on water:

If you’re going to be without utilities for a while, you need to ensure you have enough water. You should have plenty in your emergency kit, but don’t forget you’ll need water for flushing toilets, brushing teeth, and cleaning, too.

Fill up your bathtub and larger containers with water that you can use for this and other tasks, just in case.

5. Fill the gas tank:

If you need to evacuate from a hurricane, you need to have enough gas to get you where you’re going. Go fill up your tank so you know you have enough fuel, no matter what happens.

6. Keep food safe:

You may be without power for a while. What’s the best way to keep your food safe while you wait out the storm? Check out the Department of Agriculture‘s site – there is plenty of advice there you can follow.

7. Evacuate if need be:

If you need to evacuate, make sure you do so as soon as possible. Follow your plan and get to your shelter in a safe manner.

 

Conclusion

With this guide, you should be able to stay safe during the Atlantic hurricane season. Plan your evacuation route, have an emergency kit ready, and keep a close eye on the local news. Stay prepared, and you’ll be safe should a storm head your way.

 

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Residential Roofing

Filing A Homeowner’s Insurance Claim For Roof Damage In Virginia

Discovering roof damage can ruin your whole day. Filing a homeowners insurance claim for roof damage can be tricky, but it’s important to do this immediately to prevent more damage in the future.

Nothing is worse than finding out your roof has suffered damage. The effects of the damage will affect your whole home, so you need to get it handled as soon as possible. That’s going to cost money, so filing a homeowner’s insurance claim for damage is essential to get the money you need.

Here’s how to make the claim and get the repairs done as soon as possible.

 

How Your Roof Can Be Damaged

There are several ways in which your roof can suffer damage, leading to you needing to repair it.

These include:

1. Weather damage

If you suffer bad weather, then you’ll find that your roof can be damaged by it. This includes strong winds, which pull at shingles and loosen them. It also includes heavy rains, which get under the shingles and cause water damage.

2. Debris damage

Related to weather damage, storms will bring debris with them. If the storm is particularly bad, then you’ll see that debris is blown onto your roof. This includes leaves, which gather up in your gutters causing problems, and even tree branches, which can punch holes if they fall with enough force.

3. Ice damage

This happens when the weather turns colder, and you weren’t prepared for the weather. Ice dams happen when snow melts off your roof, cannot escape your gutters, and so refreezes. It allows snow and water to sit on your roof, causing more water damage.

 

How To File A Homeowner’s Insurance Claim

If you’ve found that you have roof damage, you’ll need to get the homeowner’s insurance claim process underway as soon as possible. The longer you leave it, the more damage your roof will undertake. This leads to damage in your house, such as ceiling water stains and even rotting wood, so get the claim filed as soon as you can.

First, you’ll need to ensure you know what your policy covers. This is important, as what you’ll get from your company will depend on this.

For example, if your roof is under 10 years old, then they may cover the full cost of the repairs. Others may only give you the depreciated value of the roof, no matter how old it is.

Be aware that if the damage is considered normal wear and tear on your roof, then your insurance company may not cover the cost.

At this point when you get in touch with your insurance company, they’ll send out an inspector in order to inspect the damage. You can hire your own roofing expert to do a check too, so you will have an idea of how much the repairs will cost.

After the inspection has taken place, your insurance company will let you know how much you can expect to be given for the repairs on your roof.

 

Before You Need To Claim

If you’re a responsible homeowner, you’ll be doing regular checks on your roof to ensure that there’s no damage to it over the years.

When you do this, it’s a very good idea to take photos of your roof. These will show any normal wear and tear that happens, so you have something to compare to if damage does happen.

Ensure you take photos after you do any of your own repairs and maintenance, to ensure you have up to date pictures.

It’s also a good idea to have a roofing company in mind, should you ever need them to inspect your roofing damage. You can even hire them to do annual checks, to keep your roof in good condition.

A good company will be able to walk you through the claims process, should you ever need to.

 

 

How To Avoid Most Roofing Damage

If you want to avoid having to make claims if you don’t have to, then regular maintenance on your roof is a must.

Here’s how you can keep your roof in top condition:

1. Inspect your roof

The most important thing you need to do is inspect your roof regularly. If you’re not keeping a close eye on your roof, then you won’t know when anything goes wrong. Take a look at the outside, looking for any damage to the shingles, flashing, and so on.

Don’t forget to go into the attic and take a look at the roof there, too. Any gaps in the roof will let light shine through, alerting you that there’s a problem.

2. Insulate your attic

Insulation is so important for your roof. Without good insulation, you may find that you’ll get moisture in your roof that damages the wood.

As well as this, bad insulation will make your energy bills higher, as you’re losing valuable heat through your roof. Get good insulation installed for your peace of mind.

3. Clear out the gutters

It’s amazing the difference clean gutters will make to your home. When leaves and other debris are allowed to build up in there, they will stop the gutters from working as they should. Water will overflow back onto the roof, causing problems.

Get up on a ladder and pull away any debris you find in your gutters, and consider installing a gutter guard.

4. Replace loose or missing shingles

When you inspect your roof, you may see that there are shingles that are coming loose, or are missing entirely. If this is the case, there’s no need to worry. You can replace them yourself quite easily.

Many roofers recommend buying an extra box of shingles when you replace your roof, so you’ll have spares to hand whenever you need them.

 

Conclusion

If you’ve had damage occur to your roof, you’ll be worried about making the claim with your homeowner’s insurance company. If you’ve been taking good care of your roof and taking pictures though, it shouldn’t be a problem.

Hire a roofing company to walk you through the process, and get the right information to make a homeowner’s insurance claim.

Using this information, filing a homeowner’s insurance claim for damage will be simple, and you will get your roof repaired quickly.

 

Read More:

7 Simple Tips For Filing A Roof Insurance Claim
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Blog Residential Roofing

How to Avoid Roof Leaks In Heavy Rain

Discovering roof leaks in heavy rain or during a storm is often a nightmare.

They can be sneaky and show up in any number of spots around your home – it’s not always the stereotypical drip from the ceiling.

With the heavy rains we’ve experienced already this year, you may have been eyeing your roof and ceilings with trepidation. Stormy seasons will show you what is good and bad about your roofing situation – and if it’s the latter, it’s at the worst possible time.

 

Can You Avoid Roof Leaks In Heavy Rain and Wind?

Absolutely.

Protecting your roof is imperative during storms or heavy rain. However, there are steps that must be taken before the storm hits.

So, let’s work on avoiding this problem.

There are plenty of ways to assess and prepare for any existing roof damage that can lead to a big problem down the road. We’ll cover what to look for, and how to figure out if and where the problem exists.

Preventive maintenance is the way to keep the rain out. If you’re ready to head up on the roof, here are some of the common problem areas that lead to roof leaks in heavy rain.

 

Problem Area 1: Around roof vents

There are two kinds of vents that can allow leaks to enter. They’re installed differently, and will require different treatment.

The first type is a plumbing vent boot. This will look like a plastic pipe that is sticking up out of your roof, about a foot high. These are connected to the roof by a metal flashing at the base level. They will also have a rubber “boot” that extends part-way up the pipe to help seal it off.

It is common for the rubber to split and crack after several years. This can lead to failure of the seal at the main metal flashing attachment and a leak that will show up on the ceiling below. The best way to deal with this is to replace the entire unit. There have also been some improvements in the boot construction that can reduce the chances of future leaks.

The second type has different looks but the same function – to keep air circulating under the roof. Depending on your home, you may have a turbine style, a ridge vent, or a flatter vent that rises a few inches above the roof. These can all leak, whether from the rain being driven into the sides from strong winds, actual damage to the vent hood, or because of leaking around the unit.

You’ll want to check each of your vents for visible damage, loose flashing or shingles, or for areas that need to be caulked or sealed. It is also possible to add a shield around the vent to slow down the driving rain, or to completely replace a damaged unit.

 

 

Problem Area 2: Chimneys

Chimneys are a common problem area for roof leaks in heavy rain or storms.

This is because there are several points of weakness that can fail over the life of your home.

Starting at the top, you’ll want to check the chimney cover for any cracks or holes. Another area that can deteriorate is the chimney crown. Depending on the material used, you’ll want to check for cracks or breakage in the mortar, stone or brick.

Further down the chimney, check for any flashing or shingles that are loose or need to be replaced. You may have a clue about this sort of leak if there are already stains on the underside of the roof below.

Some problems with water building up during heavy rains and snows can be handled with the installation of a new “cricket” – this diverts the rain and moisture away from the chimney, so that it can drain to a better spot on the roof.

 

Problem Area 3: Skylights

It’s essential to consider your skylights when avoiding roof leaks in heavy rain.

These are prone to leaks as they age in place. As shingles age and move slightly, and as debris catches on the upper portion of the unit, they can allow rain in.

You may already be aware of issues, since this is a pretty obvious point of leaks during a heavy rain. The way that skylights are installed will always make them vulnerable to the degradation of their connecting pieces. It’s really just part of regular home maintenance to help keep them sealed tight.

With a visual inspection, you can also get an idea if the unit needs to be caulked or sealed, or if any shingles or flashing around the unit need to be replaced.  It’s normally the attachments that need maintenance, not the actual skylights.

 

Problem Area 4: Gutters

Gutters get clogged with leaves and other debris. If you haven’t cleaned them recently, they’re liable to overflow during heavy rains.

The issues with gutters that fail to do their job are pretty broad-reaching. If the water does not go down the gutter spout as intended, it can overflow and run directly down walls.

With heavy, long-lasting rains, this can actually take out flower beds, damage the foundation, flood basements, and damage walls. Fortunately, this is a fairly simple fix: clean and maintain your gutters.

 

 

Problem Area 5: Roof valleys

These are the “V” shaped joins on your roof. Just like gutters, they can be subject to clogging up with tree debris and leaves. They can not drain well during heavy rains.

If there are some loose shingles or poorly placed nails from the last roofing installation, you may be looking at a source for leaks in the next storm.

During your inspection, make sure that these valleys are clean of any debris, and check for damaged shingles. It’s possible that they may need to be replaced in these areas, if they are showing signs of weathering beyond the rest of the roof.

 

Problem Area 6: Shingle problems

Sometimes, you have a bad shingle – or a bad section of shingles. Or sometimes the whole roof is over 15 years old and up for replacement. Because of this, you’ll want to check for problems all over the roof.

Shingles can fail in many ways. They can begin curling, they can break off, they can crack, and they can simply be worn and start losing their ability to hold out the elements. Or, they can just be missing.

All of these will point to existing or future roof leaks in heavy rain, storms, or wind. Often, if one shingle has gone bad, there will be others in that section that will need to be replaced. It’s important to determine if this is localized to one spot, or if you are looking at a problem that could extend over your whole roof.

 

Conclusion

Once you’ve determined where the leaks are, or could come from, you’ll want to get ahead of the problem.

It’s unusual to find just one item that needs attention on a roofing inspection.

Roof leaks in heavy rain are a common problem for many homeowners, but they are preventable.

Some simple repairs might be suitable for a homeowner, but it’s best to go ahead and consult a professional roofing company to diagnose and repair all kinds of problems from clogged gutters to flashing repairs and entire roof replacements.

Don’t wait for the next leak to start before you get help – one leak can create problems from top to bottom in a home.

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Residential Roofing Blog

Identifying Orange County Roof Repair Problems

Homeowners find themselves needing roof repairs frequently in the Piedmont plateau. High summer humidity and even the sun can break down a roof, and that eventually leads to problems. Leaks occur, the structural integrity deteriorates, the appearance changes, drafts get in, and numerous other problems can occur. Restoring your roof early is imperative to extending its overall lifespan. Here’s how your local Orange County roof repair professionals identify and address those pesky rooftop issues when you call.

How to Identify Orange County Roof Repair Problems

Sometimes, you can notice Orange County roof repair and problems easily just by standing outside. Those are the problems that need to be addressed quickly, and they’re often the first sign of trouble. If you can clearly see that shingles are warped, the roof is sloped, a tree is touching down on the rooftop, or there is otherwise damage done to the surface, you should assume a larger issue exists.

In other cases, you may notice your problems first indoors instead. If you find that your ceiling is leaking, it could mean a leak in the rooftop. Feeling a draft could also indicate a problem, as it means wind is finding its way indoors. The most common place for this to happen is at the ceiling and wall joints.

When you notice a problem from the inside, it indicates a serious problem that needs immediate attention. The issue has developed from the roof and made its way to the ceiling and the rest of the house. Leaving these issues alone will result in significant damage to the home or disaster for your family.

Structural Integrity

A roof needs to be structurally sound if it is going to hold up well to the elements. If the integrity is compromised, it could spell trouble for the remainder of your home. It’s important to look for signs of diminishing structural integrity. If you see any, call an Orange County roof repair professional right away. The ceiling may start to cave under the weight of a sloped roof, the walls can become damaged, and pieces may fall through and cause harm to those who live in the home. Look for signs like bubbling paint, chipping drywall at the joints, and water stains in the ceiling as your first sign of trouble.

As soon as any sign of structural issues are noticed, you should call an Orange County roofing contractor. This nearly always represents a problem with the overall roof.

Appearance

The appearance of your roof matters, too. An unsightly roof can drag down the value of your home and make it unpleasant to live in, especially if it has sunken spots and broken shingles. Never feel like you need to suffer through these issues simply because they’re cosmetic; most issues are fixed quite easily in a single service call to an Orange County roof repair company.

Leaks

When you start to notice water stains on your ceiling, it is a good indication that a leak has developed from your roof. The rain is getting inside and causing damage to other components of the home. If you have an attic, climb up inside and carefully inspect the support beams and ceiling. You’re looking for rivulets and stains; when you find them, track them back and you should find the entry point. Let your Orange County roof repair expert know where the leak is starting. He can reapply caulking and repair the damage so no more water drips down and causes problems. He can then locate the exterior leak and fix that, too.

Drafts

Homeowners typically do their best to keep the temperature in their homes comfortable. When a draft gets in, it can upset the temperature in the house, and may even throw off the thermostat and kick it on at inappropriate times. This can raise energy prices and cost homeowners money.

When you feel a draft, it is best for you to find where it is coming from immediately. A draft can come down from the roof if there is a damaged area at the joints or along crown moulding. The shingle that’s allowing air in should be replaced by an Orange County roof repair professional so the draft stops coming through and throwing off the temperature.

Drafts can also be a symptom of a larger issue–where there is one, there is often many. Any drafts coming from the roof are cause for a full multipoint inspection.

Shingles

Shingles are affordable, easy to install, customizable…and unfortunately, prone to problems over time. They can come loose, sink in, warp, crack, and otherwise become damaged. With just one shingle out of place, your entire roof system can be compromised. To avoid Orange County roof repair, check your roof often to see if any shingles are damaged, missing, or out of sorts. A repairman can replace just one shingle at a time if needed, or all of them at once.

Organic Invasions

Because a roof is exposed to the outside, organic invasions are bound to happen. No, this doesn’t mean your roof is about to be attacked by aliens (though that would certainly be an issue, too). It means organisms may begin to call it home.

Mold can grow on a roof if it is not kept clean and maintained, especially if that side of the roof is exposed to rain or precipitation first. While a little bit of mold isn’t an issue, too much can weaken your roof’s structural integrity. It can even cause holes in your roof–a much, much bigger problem.

Look for roots and moss growing along the shingles, especially along 90-degree angles and in full sun. There are special products that will kill off the organic compounds growing on your roof and help keep it free from them in the future.

If all of these issues sound startling, understand that most homeowners don’t have problems with properly maintained roofs for decades. A single maintenance call a year can ward off potential issues, and includes any fixes and replacements you might need along the way. Whether organic invasions occur, shingles come loose, or leaks start to develop, a an Orange County roof repair professional can restore the roof to its usual appearance. Then, you can get back to the business of enjoying your home rather than worrying about your roof.

Categories
Blog Emergency Roof Repair Services

How to Check Your Roof After a Heavy Rainfall

If you’re like most homeowners, you don’t pay much attention to your roof. It’s probably taken for granted more than any area of your house. However, it shouldn’t be. After all, it protects you and your family from the sun; it helps to keep you warm; and when a high wind kicks up, nobody inside feels it. It’s actually very important to consistently check your roof, especially after bad weather.

But arguably the most important function it performs is keeping everything inside your house, including its occupants, dry. When it fails to do that, you’ll start paying attention.

It makes sense to check your roof occasionally, and there’s no better time to do that than after a heavy rainfall. Here’s the story:

Heavy Rains can Expose a Faulty Roof

Heavy rains are a cause for concern, even if your roof is relatively new and has been maintained. The fault doesn’t always rest with the roofing material. There could be issues of workmanship where the roof meets other structures like a chimney or skylight.

Of course, if you have an aging roof, heavy rainfall, especially one accompanied by high winds, will expose its flaws. That’s why experts recommend that you check your roof after any downpour, rather than waiting until you notice a trickle of water running down one of your interior walls.

Start looking at the top and work your way down. Then go inside where most of the inspection will take place.

First Off, Grab Your Ladder

Yes, you will need to grab your ladder and check your roof. An old roof will eventually turn into a leaky one, so look for signs of old age. If you see cracked, curled, or missing shingles, take it as a warning sign. Also, asphalt shingles have layers of granules covering them. If you see “bald” shingles, that’s another red flag.

If the shingles look intact, inspect other areas of the roof that are most likely to spring a leak. These parts include:

Check the Visible Areas Inside the House

Check your bathrooms first. Vent pipes that are attached to the exhaust fans extend through the roof. You can often trace leaks to the vent pipe collars around the pipe. Made of a metal base and a rubber boot, the boot can deteriorate and allow water to seep in.

Look at the walls where they meet the ceiling. Stains there indicate a leak that most likely is caused by an issue with the gutters. Sometimes just cleaning out the gutters will remedy the problem.  Other times the problem is a missing drip edge that is allowing rainwater to seep behind the gutter. If this is the case, call a roofing contractor to install a drip edge, or do it yourself if you’re handy. Either way, don’t ignore it; it can destroy your roof decking, fascia boards, and soffit.

Look at Your Skylights

Skylights are notorious for leaking after a heavy rain. Some homeowners get rid of them because they are tired of dealing with them, but you don’t have to go that far. Most skylights are either damaged or were installed incorrectly. In other cases, condensation from rain and runoff is leaking in.

Sometimes roofers will shortcut a roof replacement, and use the old flashing with a new roof. Sometimes it’s found around skylights and chimneys. Caulking can also age and leave gaps through which water can seep.

If your inspection shows a leaking skylight during or after a heavy rain, place a bucket underneath to catch the leak temporarily, and call an experienced roofing company. This repair is typically not something for a do-it-yourselfer. You’ll want it fixed correctly.

Your Chimney is Vulnerable to Leaks

If your house has a chimney (and most do), you might be facing problems with roof leaks at some point. Here are a few things to check after a substantial rain:

Climb into the attic and look for leaks and stains on the floor near the chimney.

Check downstairs for peeling wallpaper, stains on the walls, and dampness near the hearth.

Look at the mortared area around the top of the chimney. It can become loose or cracked, allowing rainwater into the fireplace.

Check the mortar joints for deterioration and holes.

Although they can be hard to spot, leaks around the chimney flashing can let in a sizable amount of water during a heavy rain. Hire a sheet metal or roofing company to redo the flashing.

Ridge Vents: Friend and Foe

Your attic needs adequate ventilation to maintain the condition of the structural wood and sheathing. Reduced temperatures up there also lead to prolonging the life of the roof covering. So there’s no question that a ridge vent serves a valuable purpose.

There’s also no doubt that if there are problems with these vents, they have the potential to allow significant amounts of water into your home. It’s possible that heavy rains, especially those accompanied by high winds, can cause the vent to come loose. In fact, they can come off altogether in a violent storm, leaving a gaping hole for water to enter. Always check them after any substantial rainfall to ensure that they’re still intact.

Be Extra Vigilant with Flat Roofs

Many flat roofs lack the drainage required to keep up with heavy rains. After a storm, check your roof for cracks, tears, blisters, and wrinkles. Make sure that it’s still properly sealed, and that all eaves and flashings are undamaged.

Flat roofs don’t usually leak like pitched roofs. You may notice a wet spot on the ceiling or larger patches down your walls. If you have a flat roof, it’s a good idea to have it inspected regularly.

Call a Roofing Company for Emergency Roof Repair

If you can make simple repairs to your roof after a heavy rain exposes a leak, you can extend the life of your roof. However in most cases, it’s safer to call a professional roofing company immediately. If you don’t check your roof, you may not know that there are problems. The longer you wait for emergency roof repair, the more water-damage your interior will suffer.

 

Categories
Roofing Blog

Homeowners: Why You Need Roof Repair Contractors

Something’s wrong with the roof, but you are not exactly sure how to go about correcting the problem. Instead of trying to figure it out on your own, the smart move is to call roof repair contractors and get some help with the roof. In the long run, this approach is in your best interests. Here are a few things that the roof repair contractors can handle without you trying to manage them on your own.

How Roof Repair Contractors Will Help

Roof repair professionals have extensive knowledge on roof repair, and will be able to help you. Whether you are in need of emergency roof repair, or a standard inspection, they can help. Here are the most common things a professional will help you with.

Properly Assessing the Situation

You know something is wrong and you even have an idea of what type of repair is needed. What you don’t know is the extent of the damage and whether what you have in mind will produce the desired outcome. There’s a good chance that more is going on than you realize.

The best thing to do is call a roofing contractor and arrange for the roof to be inspected. If the problem is more complicated than you realized, rest assured the roofer will identify every issue that must be addressed. As part of the process, the professional can tell you if it’s worth your money and effort to make the repairs. Depending on what’s wrong, it may cost you less to have the roof replaced.

Learning About All the Repair Options

Some roofing issues can be remedied with more than one approach. This is where the expertise of roof repair contractors comes into play. You may be familiar with one way of correcting the problem, but the roofer knows of three different solutions that would work in your case. The professional will sit down with you and explain how each approach works. You’ll learn the pros and cons of each solution, and have the chance to weigh the probable outcome of each strategy. That allows you to make the decision that you think is best.

There’s Less Danger Involved

As agile as you happen to be, working on a roof is a little outside your wheelhouse. The odds that you could slip and sustain a serious injury are real. While it’s true that a professional does assume some risk by ascending to your roof, that individual has the right equipment and knows exactly what safeguards to take. The potential for an accident to occur is considerably less when the roofer is dealing with the repair.

Your Home Insurance Provider Will Love You

By extending coverage to you, your home insurance provider is taking on a certain amount of risk. Any action on your part that helps to prevent further damage to the house is beneficial. The fact that you chose to hire a pro to make the roof repair will generate some love, since roofing professionals usually provide some type of guarantee for their work.

In addition, roof repair contractors will complete all repairs in compliance with local standards. That further helps to minimize the risk that your provider takes on by continuing to provide you with coverage.

As tempting as it may be to tackle the roof repair yourself, resist the urge. The best approach is to have a professional take a look at the roof. Once it’s clear what is wrong and what can be done to remedy the problem, it will be an easy decision to authorize the roofer to take care of everything.

Categories
Emergency Roof Repair Services Blog

Signs You Need Your Roof Repaired

Your roof is one of the most important components of your house, and if it fails you could be a in a world of hurt. That’s why it’s important to look for signs both inside and outside your house. These signs mean that your roof could be near failure. These four signs typically mean that you need to have your roof repaired. The earlier you spot these signs, the easier the repair will be, and you may avoid a full replacement.

Water inside your home

One major sign that you need to have your roof repaired is if water is inside your home. If you notice wet spots or dampness in your attic or you see water stains on the ceiling or walls on the upper floors of your home, it’s a likely sign that your roof is leaking. A leaky roof is always a sign that you need roof repair, but if you call in professionals soon enough, they will not have to replace the whole thing.

Missing or broken shingles

If you have any shingles that are broken or missing completely, you could have a real problem with your roof. Any place that shingles aren’t protecting can damage your house. They create a place where water can get in, or where wind and hail can wreak havoc. If you notice any missing or broken shingles, have a roof contractor inspect your roof as soon as possible. Missing shingles are typically a sign of only a minor repair.

Shingle dust

When shingles are damaged or excessively worn, it isn’t always readily apparent. Instead of breaking off in big chunks that you can see, your shingles may degrade slowly. They begin shedding small pieces known as shingle dust or shingle sand. If you see a fine dust or sand in your gutters or around the foundation of your home, it’s a likely sign that your shingles are starting to degrade, which can lead to an eventual failure.

Sagging roof

If your roof appears to sag, you’ve got a big problem. A sagging roof is a sign that the structure of the roof is starting to fail, which can lead to major damage and, in a worst-case scenario, injuries to you and your family. A sagging roof is an issue that needs immediate attention. Instead of having to get your roof repaired, you will most likely need a full replacement.

If you see any of these signs of roof failure, you need to have them evaluated right away by a roofing contractor for possible repair or replacement.



		


	


	

		
		


			

		


		
	


	






	



	


		
			

				
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					Blog Emergency Roof Repair Services				

			


			
Winter Roofing: How To Deal With Ice Dams

		


			

		


		
	





	


		


			
		


	


	
	


		


			
If you happen to live in a part of the United States that gets very cold during the winter, you have probably had ice dams on your roof. Ice dams can cause problems that result in damage to your home. We’ll go over why these occur, and what you can do to prevent them from happening.


What Are Ice Dams?


Ice dams occur when melting snow flows from the top of your roof. The resulting water gets re-frozen at the edge of the roof.


This makes the water run down the length of your roof and get turned into ice when it reaches the areas that aren’t heated. An ice dam will grow in size as more water accumulates at the edge of the roof and becomes frozen.


If the problem isn’t dealt with quickly, it can result in horrible water damage to your home that will require emergency roof repair.


Preventing Ice Dams


The most effective way to handle these is to prevent them from forming in the first place. In order to protect your house from ice dams, there are various actions you can take.


Steps to Prevent Them:


• When there is a storm, make sure you immediately clear your roof after it passes. A roof rake is a good tool to use to take the snow off of your roof. Inspect your roof afterward to make sure that there isn’t a large amount of snow remaining.

• Clear out your downspouts. If you keep your downspouts clean, it will be easier for the melted snow to run down your gutters instead of piling up at the edge of the roof.


If these two steps are done immediately after storms, you greatly reduce your chances of creating them.


Removing Them


If you were unable to keep the ice dam from forming, you have to remove it as soon as you can. If you don’t, it will cause water damage. This can result in costly repairs later on.


• Go to your roof and push the ice dam off of your roof.

• Buy some calcium chloride and use it to melt the ice. The best way to do this is to pour the calcium chloride vertically along the length of the dam.


It’s important to deal with ice dams as soon as they appear. Otherwise, they can cause a lot of damage to your roof.


		


	


	

		
		


			

		


		
	


	



	
	


		

		
	
	


	




			

		
		
		




		
		
		
		

		
		  



		

			
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