Old Man Winter Is On His Way – Get Your Roof Ready Now!

School is about to start and right behind that is the holiday season and cold, wet weather. 

Before we know it, the dog days of summer will be gone and old man winter will be arriving. So

what does all this mean?

It is time to get your roof ready for that cold ice, rain and snow that will be piling up soon. Here

are some of the most important things you do before that first cold snap arrive:

GUTTERS

All summer long, debris and leaves have collected in the gutters and in time, that will clog up the

downspouts and the rain can’t drain off like its intended. So the gutters get overflowed and start

back up under the shingles and behind the siding.  Not to mention the weight of the wet leaves

can pull the gutters loose from the house. 

Clear The Roof Top

Get the leaves and limbs off the roof while you’re cleaning the gutters. When allowed to sit there

and the ice, rain and snow are sit on them, it can start to rot and cause moisture build up and

mold is soon to follow.

DAMAGE AND DETERIORATION CHECK

After you have the roof cleaned off, check the shingles for damage or any missing ones and

have them repaired or replaced. Make sure the flashing around the chimney, skylights and vent

stacks is in place good.

INSULATION AND VENTILATION IN THE ATTIC

Make sure your attic is well insulated and that all the ventilation is in place and good working

order. This will save on your energy bills not to mention avoid any possible damage that winter weather can bring.

Commercial Roofs Need Winter Preparation Too

We’ve covered getting your home’s roof ready for winter but today we’re going to talk about getting your commercial building roof ready for winter. Commercial buildings should have regular professional inspections 2 to 3 times a year to stay on top of any potential problems.

But just in case that inspector missed something, or something has happened since the last one, getting the roof inspected before winter is recommended. Correcting any possible problems and winterizing the roof now shouldn’t be underestimated. If there is any problem or weak areas, once the ice, rain and snow start, the real problems begin.

Cold Temps Increase Risks

A premature roof problem’s biggest risk is neglect. Neglecting to look for and make repairs as needed. These defects are with the flashing, sealant that protects penetration from the ice, rain and snow. Once there is a leak and the membrane splits, the seams will separate and then there are blisters, deterioration and ridges to look for and get addressed as soon as possible.

Protection with Roof Coating

As single-ply membranes get old, they become brittle and are prone to leaks. Simply patching that membrane is risky, but inexpensive for most businesses to do. If your roof membrane has been repaired, have it coated with a sealant before winter.

Make A Snow Plan For The Roof

When the roof has excessive snow on it, collapsing is always a risk. Create a plan for snow removal before the snow hits and adds as much as 20 pounds of weight per cf. And if it is wet snow, it can add as much as 60 pounds per cf. A prevention plan now can save you headaches and money later.

Things to Consider About Getting a Slate Roof Installed on Your Home

Considering a slate roof for your home? Here are the top six features of a slate roof that will you decide if slate is right for your home's roof.

Many homeowners have questions when it comes to picking a material to put on their roof. Slate is a unique roofing material that is often overlooked because customers are unfamiliar with its value and capabilities. Before choosing a slate roof, make sure you have all your questions and concerns answered by a professional roofing contractor. Below are a few of some of the most frequently asked questions regarding slate roofing. You can watch the full interview here.

What are the style and color options of slate roofing?

There are numerous slate roofing styles that range from textural and graduated installations to mixed colors and patterns. Two of the most common styles found in the US are the standard pattern style and the random width style. To view all various styles and examples search slate roofing. Not only can slate vary in style, but also in texture, which can range from very smooth and uniform to very rough and rustic. The color of slate ranges from muted to vibrant colors.  Greys and blacks are the most common colors but there are also greens, purples and reds.

What is the lifespan of slate roofing?

Slate is essentially a rock, a homogeneous metamorphic rock that is derived from an original shale-type sedimentary rock composed of clay or volcanic ash through low-grade regional metamorphism. Therefore, this roofing material is millions of years old. Slate is incredibly durable and can last several hundred years, often with little to no maintenance. It is safe to say that you will get at least 75 to 100 years or more out of your slate roof. However, it’s important that you do not put anything on your slate roof such as sealant or paint because this can cause the roof to age prematurely.


What are the benefits of slate versus shingle roofing?

Slate is something we like to call a ‘forever roof’ since homeowners will only need to put only one on in their lifetime, but a shingle roof may need to be replaced two or three times. Another benefit of slate roofing is its ability to increase the resale value of your home due to its natural beauty and durability. Slate is recognized as an elegant roofing material and will enhance the architectural style of your home and maintain the same appearance over the years. Other benefits of slate roofing include its natural ability to be fire resistant and mold resistant and slate’s low water absorption makes it very resistant to frost damage and breakage due to freezing.

What should you do to prepare your roof for slate?

Slate is an extremely heavy product and can add an additional 500 pounds to your roof. If your home is not engineered for slate, you will need to have a structural engineer inspect your roof. This will ensure that your roof is prepared to hold the weight of the slate roofing. What is the price difference of slate versus shingle roofing?

Slate is an expensive product and you can count on it being two or three times more expensive than a standard architectural shingle roof. The price can range from 15 to 16 dollars a square foot installed. The price of a slate roof will also vary depending on the size of the home and the roof pitch.

Can you repair a slate roof?

You can repair your slate roof at any time. It is important to have a licensed roofing contractor examine your slate roof to find the damaged pieces, and the repair is as simple as sliding out the damaged slate and replacing it with a new piece. Having a professional inspect your roof once a year will also help you keep your slate in the best condition possible.

How Not To Get Taken By a Commercial Roofer Again

A few years ago you hired a roofing contractor after a hail storm to make repairs on your commercial building. Unfortunately, it was not a good experience and now you’re in need of another roofing job but you’re afraid you’ll get burned again.

The roof is one of the most expensive things you can have done to your home, so it isn’t any surprise that you want to get your money’s worth.

Here are a few tips to follow when choosing the next roofing contractor for your commercial building:

Specialty

You probably realize now that commercial building roofs aren’t done by all roofing contractors. The majority of roofing contractors are residential only because commercial roofs are little more intense. As you call around to roofing contractors, ask for references for commercial jobs.

Certification

Manufacturers of roofing materials award their top contractors. Ask the contractors you’re considering what certifications and award they have been given.  If they don’t have a big name award or certification, you should keep looking.

Knowledge

A new roofing contractor in town most likely won’t have the experience and knowledge of weather and roof types where you are. The roofer from New York City isn’t going to be familiar with things in Oklahoma City. Ask the roofing contractors you’re considering if the roofing system they’ve quoted meets standards of FM Global.

Service

Your needs and requests should come first with any roofing contractor. If they are pushing a certain roofing system too hard, back away.