by siteadmin | May 31, 2019 | Roof Inspection, Roof Repair
When was the last time you had your roof inspected? Even if everything looks good to you, there could be damage or deterioration under the surface that a cursory glance won’t reveal. Every so often, it’s important to have a professional check out your roof and update you on any potential work needed.
Don’t underestimate the importance of roof inspections. Even if you can’t see any damage and nothing major has happened to cause any, roof maintenance is still key to a long-lasting home. Aside from natural wear and tear, consider scheduling a roof inspection if any of these circumstances apply to you.
Major Weather Events
High winds, heavy rain, or hail can give your roof a beating. Even if your roof looks intact after a severe thunderstorm, you may still need some emergency storm repair. Let a professional decide how bad the damage is.
Pro Tip: While severe weather can damage your roof quickly, normal rain and sun can still take a few years off your roof’s lifespan. Don’t assume you’re safe just because a thunderstorm missed you.
Preventive Maintenance
Think of a periodic roof inspection like a wellness visit to your doctor. There may not be any outstanding problems, but a check-up can catch bad conditions before they become severe. Routine maintenance and inspections will provide the proper maintenance your roof requires, keeping it in good shape for years to come. Inspectors will easily catch and inform you of any necessary work so they can fix the problem before it becomes a disaster.
Mold Prevention
Those dark streaks on your roof are most than just annoyances. Mold and algae on your roof, especially on shingles, can eat away at the protective coating and make your home vulnerable to leaks. Thankfully, a roof inspector can catch the problem in its infancy and help you schedule a professional cleaning to keep the mold from spreading.
Curb Appeal
Finally, a well-maintained roof just looks pleasing, particularly if you’re looking to rent or sell your home. Your roofing professionals can keep your home looking nice. Stand out from the crowd with a clean, fully repaired roof!
Avoid Roofing Problems
Even if your roof looks perfect right now, it may require some leak repair or reinforcements that you can’t easily spot. Let a professional roofing contractor take care of the inspection for you and discuss any problems to keep an eye on. Not only will this keep your roof in good condition, but it will also decrease any future roof repairs you need and save you money!
Ready to schedule your free roof inspection? Connect with us to speak with our roofing experts about what your home needs.
by siteadmin | May 24, 2019 | Home Renovation, Roof Replacement, Roofing Materials
As important as your roof’s functionality is, no one wants an ugly rooftop. A pleasing color can complement your home and increase your property value. Plus, different roof colors absorb heat at different rates, helping balance your home’s energy consumption. This choice can make a big difference!
Your choices in shingle colors are generally restricted to a few shades. Unfortunately, you’ll probably never get a neon green set of shingles. But the choices you do have can make your home look classy and help balance heat flow. Which color is best for your home? These factors can help you decide.
Local Climate
For Houston homeowners, keeping out the heat is a constant problem. Fortunately, a wisely chosen shingle color can reflect a decent amount of sunlight. Darker colors tend to absorb huge amounts of heat, so if your home gets a lot of direct sunlight, consider a lighter earth tone or even off-white shade. This color will prevent your air conditioning from working overtime and keep your energy bills low.
Pro Tip: A lighter shingle color will repel heat more effectively, but it will also show algae and mold growth pretty clearly. Keep a light-colored roof clean!
Your House Color
A shingle roof will last between 10-30 years depending on environment and maintenance. You’ll want it to look good and complement your house color! While you could definitely find a matching color for a seamless house, why not go for a contrasting color that just looks good? For instance, for a brown or earth-tone house, go for a grey or dark blue shingle color. A white-walled house might look good with slate gray or black shingles. Some roofing companies will even mix different shades for a checkerboard pattern! It all depends on your preference and what looks best with your house.
The Neighbors’ Roofs
What decorative choices did your neighbors make for their roofing shingles? You don’t have to copy their ideas, but cool roofs could be a source of inspiration for you. Are there any colors or patterns that catch your eye? Would they complement your own home too?
A Decorative and Functional Choice
Choosing a shingle color may seem largely trivial until you consider its potential impact on your energy efficiency and property value. Don’t settle for a boring shingle pattern. Ask about different colors you can choose from and find one that works best with your home and preferences.
Ready to schedule a roof redesign? Connect with us to browse our roofing materials and speak with our experts.
by siteadmin | May 17, 2019 | Roof Repair, Roof Replacement
Depending on the roofing material you choose, your roof could last you between 10-50 years! Of course, bad weather conditions and other problems can shorten your roof’s lifespan and make a full replacement necessary. Hopefully, you won’t need to replace everything too often, but it’s important to know the telltale signs of something going wrong.
Each type of roofing material has its pros and cons, so the signs of decay or damage will differ. It’s difficult to predict what can damage your roof so badly you need a full replacement. If you notice any of these warning signs on your own roof, it may be time to call a professional.
Cupping, Curling, or Cracked Shingles
Heat or ventilation escaping through your roof can cause the shingles to warp or “cup”, ballooning outward and making them more vulnerable to damage. Meanwhile, if the corners of the shingles are curling upwards or the shingles themselves are cracking, rainwater can easily seep through your roof and damage your house. If you own a house with a shingled roof, keep an eye on it, especially during the hot summer months. Damaged or curling shingles will crack easily and make the damage worse.
The Neighbors Have New Roofs
If you notice your entire neighborhood is suddenly upgrading their rooftops too, consider asking around for the reasons. If everyone suddenly experienced roof damage from a bad thunderstorm, chances are your roof needs some work too. The damage might not be visible, but don’t assume you just got lucky. Have a professional assess your roof and tell you about any repairs you may need.
Mold or Algae Damage
In its early stages, mold or algae growth on your roof is easily washed off with the proper equipment. But not everyone catches the problem in time. Algae can eat away at your shingle granules and reduce your roof’s lifespan. Worse, the leaks and damage caused by algae can spread to the inside of your roof and damage your home. If you notice mold growth on your roof, don’t wait–schedule a professional roof cleaning immediately.
Shingled rooftops are particularly vulnerable to algae and mold growth, but this damaging condition can affect any type of roofing material. Keep your roof clean regardless of what material you choose.
Protecting Your Houston Home
A durable, well-maintained roof is your first line of defense against the elements. If you notice damage getting worse with time, don’t waste your money on a repair that will just have to be repeated later. A full replacement will guarantee you protection for a long time to come.
Wondering if your roof needs replacing? Connect with us to speak to our experts and let us see how we can help you.
by siteadmin | May 10, 2019 | Roof Repair, Roof Replacement, Roofing Materials
Getting a new roof for your Houston home? It’s probably time to consider what material the builders will be using. In the Texas sun, the longer your roof will last, the less heat you’ll have to deal with inside your house.
Popular Roofing Materials
When shopping for roofing materials, most people consider durability and cost to be the most important factors. But don’t forget about appearance! Your roof doesn’t have to be ugly. Between cost, appearance, and durability, three types of roofing materials have shown themselves to be the best choices for Houston homeowners:
- Shingles
- Metal roofing
- Roof tiles
1) Shingles
Arguably the most commonly used roofing material today, shingles can be seen on thousands of Houston homes. Most shingles used on homes today are asphalt shingles, made of fiberglass covered in light-resistant, colorful asphalt. These types of shingles are widely popular in Houston due to their average 30-year lifespan, high wind and water resistance, and affordability. Just make sure to find high-quality asphalt shingles! In the Houston heat, a cheap shingle can crack and peel, exposing your roof to damage.
Some homeowners opt for wooden shingles instead. With proper treatment and maintenance, wooden shingles are surprisingly resistant to both water and fire. Just keep in mind that wooden shingle roofing costs more compared to asphalt, and some residential areas prone to fire won’t allow it.
Pro Tip: Poorly cleaned roof shingles can provide a perfect place for algae to grow. Don’t let algae eat away at your roof and create leaks! Call a professional cleaning service to keep your roof algae-free.
2) Metal Roofing
With modern improvements, metal roofing has retained its high durability while improving its appearance. Metal rooftops are now available in colors or patterns to mimic more conventional rooftops. These roofs can also be installed in large sheets instead of hundreds of small tiles, creating fewer cracks to rain to seep through. Just remember that this is also by far the most expensive option for Houston homeowners. The higher cost of a metal roof is usually negligible compared to its long lifespan, but emergency repairs can cost you more than just replacing a few shingles.
3) Roof Tiles
Tiles, ranging from clay or slate to even solar panels, also appear frequently on Houston rooftops. A tiled roof has significantly more curb appeal than most shingles or metal roofing, in addition to easily keeping out the Texas heat. Plus, tiles of any kind easily resist fire, insects, and water leakage. They’re certainly a fantastic choice!
Of course, any roofing style has its disadvantages. The durable nature of tiles makes them very thick and heavy, so roof installation or repairs can be a chore. They can also break if a homeowner walks on the roof, requiring further work. The best way to maintain a tile rooftop is to hire professionals to do the installation and prevent additional maintenance work for a long time to come.
A Long-Lasting Houston Roof
While appearance is certainly important to homeowners, most Houston residents give more attention to keeping out the sun and rain and cultivating a long lifespan for their roof. Texas homes are particularly vulnerable to heat and direct sunlight for most of the year. Consider how much sun your house gets every day and research different roofing types to find the best option for you.
Still not sure what the best choice is for your new roof? Connect with us to speak with our roofing experts and get started remodeling.
