by royalcrownroofing | May 19, 2021 | Homeowner Questions, Roof Cleaning, Roof Damage, Roof Inspection, Roof Replacement
Most homeowners are concerned primarily with having their roof protect all the valuable things under it. But the roof itself is important because it adds sizeable value to your home, especially if you are considering selling in the future.
Home inspectors usually make a beeline for the roof when they come to appraise your property, because the health of a roof is a big factor in determining a home’s value. A new or updated roof will usually offer an excellent return on investment as it vastly improves the overall “health” of a home.
If you’re selling your home and the roof obviously needs repair, it can be a big negative on the appraisal value of the property. Your home might be considered a “fixer upper” if the roof looks like it’s not up to standard. And it could also mean a reduced price offer if the buy anticipates having to do costly roof repairs later. And worst case scenario, your roof could actually kill the sale altogether.
Doing regular roof maintenance and repairs and even replacing your roof, if necessary, can ensure that your house puts its best foot forward when it comes time to sell. Contact Royal Crown Roofing to learn more about the steps you can take now to protect your roof and value of your home. We look forward to discussing your roofing needs and sharing our expertise with you. You can expect only the best when you choose Royal Crown Roofing.
by siteadmin | Apr 10, 2020 | Gutters, Roof Cleaning, Roof Maintenance
Gutters are arguably the least interesting and certainly the least glamorous parts of a roofing project. However, they are among the most important parts. By removing rainwater from the roof and diverting it safely elsewhere, gutters provide a valuable service and give your roof a longer lifespan.
The problem with gutters arises when it’s time to perform maintenance. How do you clean gutters? More importantly, how do you clean gutters safely? Here’s a closer look at your home’s rain gutters and how you can take care of them.
Why Do You Need Gutters in Houston?
Homeowners in arid climates with little rain may not have as much of a need for rain gutters. But Houstonians do not fit the bill. Houston summers are especially well known for bringing heavy thunderstorms and downpours. It’s definitely in your best interest to install quality gutters to deflect the rain and prolong your roof’s lifespan!
Cleaning Your Gutters
Without proper gutter guards in place, your rain gutters can become clogged with leaves and other organic debris over time. Clogged gutters are unable to do their job of diverting water and thus require a thorough cleaning. If your gutters need a quick wash, find a sturdy ladder and wear protective gear like gloves and goggles to protect yourself. You never know what critters may be hiding in the gutter debris, after all. Use a special spray attachment on your garden hose and flush out as much of the gunk as possible.
Pro Tip: Try not to use a scraping tool to remove dead leaves from your gutters. You could accidentally scratch the finish and encourage rust to form, further damaging your gutters and roof.
When to Call a Professional
For many homeowners, calling in a professional to clean their gutters is a better choice than attempting to do so themselves. Experts will naturally have all the right equipment to do an excellent job and keep your gutters clean for longer. Additionally, professional roof contractors understand proper safety measures and can do their job without putting themselves or the homeowner in danger. If your rain gutters need significant work and especially if you live in a two-story home, call your local Houston roofing company for help instead of trying to take care of them yourself.
Keeping Your Gutters in Good Shape
Gutter maintenance is a tricky job and not one you should always tackle on your own. But whether you choose to go DIY or hire a professional for gutter cleaning, it’s an important job that must be handled with care to keep your roof in good shape.
Connect with us for more information on roof maintenance and repairs.
by siteadmin | Mar 27, 2020 | Gutters, Roof Cleaning, Roof Maintenance
Gutters are an important addition to your house, protecting your roof and landscaping alike from excess water damage. But as any homeowner knows, clogged gutters do no one any good and are truly a pain to clean. Letting them fill up with leaves and debris prevents free water flow, but trying to remove those leaves is a chore. How can you handle it?
Cleaning Gutters & Downspouts Safely in Spring, Texas
The most obvious concern when cleaning gutters is safety. After that, you’re probably wondering how to scoop out all the debris and what supplies you’ll need. Here are several important factors to consider as you prepare to clean out your gutter system:
- Protect your hands and eyes
- Use a sturdy ladder
- Find the correct equipment
- Clean the roof and downspouts
- Take preventive measures
1) Protect Your Hands & Eyes
Simply put, you have no idea what’s hiding in those dirty gutters. Homeowners have experienced rats, bees, and more hiding under organic debris. And even if you escape having critters hiding in your gutters, who wants to scoop out dead leaves and stagnant water with their bare hands? Play it safe and protect yourself from whatever might be in those gutters.
2) Use a Sturdy Ladder
This should go without saying. A strong, sturdy ladder, ideally with a friend holding it at the bottom, is essential to a safe cleaning job. Use a new ladder and find a strong place on the ground to balance it while you work. And if possible, use a metal ladder rather than a wooden one. Wooden ladders tend to be less stable than their metal counterparts.
3) Find the Correct Equipment
Use a gutter scoop to remove debris, rather than scooping out the blockage with your hands. This streamlines the process and makes things more pleasant for you. Once you’ve removed the worst of the debris, use a trigger spray attachment on your garden hose to remove any remaining pieces and clean the gutters more thoroughly.
4) Clean the Roof & Downspouts
Freshly cleaned gutters won’t do much good if the downspouts are clogged too or the roof is covered in leaves that the next rainstorm will wash down. Spray down the roof and flush your downspouts with the hose to remove any and all potential blockage. This will ensure that rainwater cannot pile up on your roof again.
Pro Tip: Don’t walk on the roof during a gutter cleaning session! The roof will be slick from the garden hose and dangerous to walk on. Stay on the ladder while you work.
5) Take Preventive Measures
Finally, don’t let your gutters get too clogged up. Plan on cleaning your rain gutters at least twice a year, more often if you live in an area prone to falling leaves. A few minutes of work could save you a lot of trouble later on.
Keeping Your Spring, TX. Roof in Good Shape
Cleaning gutters is no one’s favorite chore and must be done with care. However, the payoff of a clean, solid roof is absolutely worth it. Make sure to check your gutters periodically and clean them clear to prevent costly damage later on.
Connect with us to schedule your free roof inspection today!
by siteadmin | Feb 21, 2020 | Roof Cleaning, Roof Maintenance
According to groundhog Punxsutawney Phil, spring is around the corner sooner than you think. If you’re a homeowner, the spring season might be a reason for you to start completing those home improvement goals. With the arrival of warmer weather and longer days, it’s a great time to organize and clean your home, including your roof. Consider these roof cleaning tips to jumpstart your spring cleaning routine this season.
Roof Cleaning Advice in Spring, TX
Whether you’re a first-time homeowner or not, cleaning your roof is an important task of maintaining your home. If you’re not regularly cleaning your roof, your home could suffer from subsequent damage, moss growth, or premature depreciation. Consider these 3 cleaning tips to keep your roof in good shape all year long.
- Keep your gutters clean
- Inspect for loose shingles
- Rinse dirt off with a garden hose
1) Keep your gutters clean
Did you know that gutters are one of the most important defenses against roof leaks? However, if leaves and small twigs begin to pile up, your gutter system will get clogged and become unable to drain water. This spring season, clean your gutters and remove any debris that has started to accumulate to protect your roof.
2) Inspect for loose shingles
Cleaning and inspecting your roof for damage tend to go together. Failing to do so could cause ceiling leaks, or in more serious cases, extensive damage to your roof. Before you can actually wash mold or mildew off of your roof, it’s important to check for loose shingles. Whether you do a self-check or hire a professional, inspecting your roof should be apart of your home maintenance.
Pro Tip: Request a free inspection from our trusted roof contractors to determine whether loose shingles are due to deterioration or a more serious, underlying issue.
3) Rinse dirt off with a garden hose
Have you noticed black streaks or moss growth on your shingles? Black streaks are usually the first sign of a dirty roof. While they may look like mold, these roof imperfections are actually algae colonies that form in your shingles and feed on moisture. Using a garden hose with a spray nozzle, and a push broom, wash your roof with an algae-resistant roof cleaning agent to get rid of debris.
Residential Roofs Need Regular Cleaning
Whether you hire a cleaning service or decide to clean your roof yourself, the state of your roof can’t be overlooked. If you have an asphalt shingled roof, our roofing experts recommend yearly cleaning to keep your roof maintained. From fallen tree limbs to algae growth, it’s important to keep your roof clean to extend its longevity.
Do you suspect a problem with your roof? Connect with our roofing team for a roof cleaning solution or roof repair for your house.
by siteadmin | Jan 3, 2020 | Roof Cleaning, Roof Maintenance
The new year is a great time to reevaluate your progress and set goals for the future. As you start setting resolutions for 2020, don’t forget to think of ways to take care of your home, especially your roof.
Roof Maintenance Goals
Setting new year goals is important for your personal life, but what about home improvement? In order to extend the lifetime of your roof, it’s important to practice regular maintenance and preventative care. Make sure these roof maintenance goals are on your list this year!
1. Clean Your Roof
Our top roofing contractors recommend homeowners to clean their roofs at least once a year or as needed. Without proper care, extra moisture can cause mold to grow on your roof shingles or tree limbs can cause leaks. If you don’t have the tools necessary to clean your roof, be sure to contact a professional so that you can avoid costly repairs.
2. Empty Your Gutters
The gutter system attached to your home is an essential part of protecting your roof. This year, be sure to clean your gutters at least 3-4 times a year, especially after a major thunderstorm. If your gutters are kept clear of leaves and debris, runoff water will be able to drain properly which will keep your roof dry.
Pro Tip: Did you know that excess water in your gutter system could be a breeding ground for mosquitos and other pests? Protect your home by having your gutters cleaned regularly.
3. Schedule a Roof Inspection
When is the last time you inspected your roof? In addition to a professional roof inspection, homeowners should individually inspect the quality of their roof at least twice a year. Instead of waiting until issues cause extensive damages, keep the condition of your roof system under control with regular inspections. Contact one of our associates to schedule your free inspection!
Lifelong Roof Protection
No matter what may have transpired in 2019, the start of a new year welcomes a fresh start and room to achieve your goals. Due to the weather conditions in Houston, many homeowners choose to take care of their roof during the spring and fall months. Whatever time you choose, it’s important to make roof maintenance a priority for your home. By ensuring protection, you will be able to extend the life of your roof for years to come.
What are your new year’s resolutions? Share with us on social media!
by siteadmin | Nov 15, 2019 | Roof Cleaning, Roof Maintenance
If you’re a homeowner or business owner, taking care of your roof should be a top priority. Right next to dusting the cobwebs out of your bookshelf, keeping your roof clear of any debris or stains is the first roof cleaning solution to keep in mind.
To preserve the life of your roof, you should have it cleaned annually or as needed. If moss and lichen have started to grow or if tree limbs have fallen on your roof, it’s recommended to clean your roof immediately so that further damage doesn’t occur.
Why You Should Clean Your Houston Roof
Your roof is exposed to many elements throughout the year. From strong winds to extreme downpours, your asphalt shingles can deteriorate over time without proper cleaning. Extra moisture in the air can create the perfect environment for mold and algae to grow on your roof shingles, which is not only unattractive but damaging. Whether you decided to do it yourself or hire a professional, regular cleaning is the primary way to extend the life of your roof.
The Best Time to Clean Your Roof
While your circumstances might change, it’s usually best to clean your roof during the summer months when there is an adequate amount of sunshine and minimal rain. That being said, if your roof starts to show signs of needing a roof wash or has suffered damage, it’s best to not delay. Keeping an eye on your roof’s condition and scheduling yearly inspections will ensure that your roof is maintained properly.
Pro Tip: Installing gutters will minimize damages caused by mold and mildew. A gutter system will ensure that rainwater drains properly and keeps exterior surfaces dry.
Cleaning Your Roof
When the time comes for you to clean your roof, it’s important to not use harsh chemicals or other cleaning products that will end up damaging your shingles. Be sure to clear limbs and leaves before using a cleaning solution to remove stains and kill mildew. With a garden hose or light water sprayer, wash the roof before applying a preventative treatment. NEVER use a pressure washer for composite shingles; the high pressure is strong enough to remove shingles and will result in costly roof repairs.
Conclusion
When’s the last time you cleaned your roof? If you own a home or business, it’s important to add roof cleaning to your yearly home maintenance. You’ll save money by guarding against a roof replacement and keep your roof looking like new by removing the stains.
Connect with us to see how our professional roof experts can keep your roof looking like new with our roof cleaning solutions.
