Getting Ready For That New Roof

No matter whether it’s from just getting old or storm damage has caused you to get a new roof, it is a major expense. It is also an exciting time too. DunRite Roofing has helped many home owners choose the right type material and provide advice and suggestions when it comes to colors. After all, that new roof will be with your for 20-30 years, so you want to get something you like.

After you get your finances together or the insurance claim file, then you have the color, style and type of roofing you want, your part isn't over yet. There are some preparations you need to take before our crew arrives.

Getting a new roof is a minor construction job, thus your home becomes a construction site. The first thing you need to be aware of, we will have a lot of stuff that will need to be close to the structure in order to do our job right. This means we will be in your driveway and your yard.

So first thing is to move all your vehicles, including any boats or other things you have parked around your home. Keep your children and pets indoors or away from your home while we are working. You may want to mention to your neighbors with children and pets what is in store as well.

Roofing is not a neat and tidy job, so you can expect some debris in your flower beds and lawn. Protect any flowers, plants or shrubs with sheets. You should also cover anything of value in your attic because there will be debris falling through the rafters. Our crew will check but take the step to turn any attic fans off too.

Roofing is not a quiet job either, so be prepared for hammers and nail guns as well as possible sawing. Remove your satellite dish or have your provider do it. You'll also need to be prepared to either reinstall it or have arrange for your provider to.

When our crew is completely done, you and a crew supervisor will inspect the final job together. This is your time to ask about anything that doesn't seem right and point out any issues you're concerned about. Check for any debris left behind and note any damage do your property as well.

Create an Indoor Outdoor Area to Enjoy

Wouldn't it be nice to sit outside, sipping your cold beverage in the hot summer or your hot beverage during the cold winter, but yet, not be outside? If that sounds like a confusing statement, think about the idea of enclosing your deck or porch and how nice it could be. You'd be outside the confines of your home, yet not exposed to the elements.

Just a simple place to sit and relax as you watch the traffic go by or watch the birds and squirrels run around your yard ... without having to hose off the lawn furniture or worry about pesky mosquitoes bothering you. An enclosed porch with screened windows can give you just that. It would be year-round, all season room of sorts.

Sit on your enclosed deck or porch and with 4-track screen porch windows, you can enjoy the fresh air just about any time of the year. What a wonderful way to pass the time when there is nothing on television and nothing on the internet but politics!

If you are a DIY-er, you can probably do this yourself and if you aren't a quality contractor with experience can do this for you and it may not be as expensive as you think. After all, the space is there already, you simply just need a few screen porch panels installed and a screen door maybe. The door could be optional unless you have indoor pets or small children to keep in. Or you want to make sure you keep other critters out of your new sanctuary.

Dormers – One Way to Make More Space

Adding dormers to your home is more than just giving your home a new look, but the conversions can also increase the square footage of your home. It is one of the best ways to utilize that unused roof space and without requiring a huge budget and most popular among those with bungalow or terrace styled houses. By adding dormer space to your home, you can add more than just the space, but you also add value to your home.

Depending on the size of your attic will depend on how much more room dormers will give you. This is an area a professional construction team can advise you. You may only enough room for one bedroom with two dormers added or you may have an attic large enough to add two rooms with one dormer window each.

However, it is not something that the average homeowner can do themselves, because it is a construction process. Among getting building permits from the local governing body where you live, but the logistics of whether or not your home can handle that extra weight. It takes a professional like Dun-Rite Roofing to verify your home is a good candidate for adding dormers and that living space. Even you just want the dormer window look, there is still a good amount of construction involved.

Why Asphalt Shingles?

Asphalt shingles are probably one of, if not the most popular, roofing materials for residential structures throughout North America. Why? It's economical as well as versatile while being durable, tough and waterproof, thus lasting longer than many other types of roofing materials. They are easy to install and an average size home can be completed in one day in most cases.

So how is this popular shingle made? The process of manufacturing is taking the asphalt substance and binding it together with ceramic granules. This binding process keeps the granules together which makes the shingle strong.

Another option are premium asphalt shingles which are a laminated, providing a different look, muck like an old-world roof. They have better wind resistance and make a better insulation layer. They also reflect the hot rays of the sun better as well.

Don't Wait To Get That Roof Leak Fixed!

Once you discover a roof leak, you need to take action quickly. When you don't address those roof leaks right away, you are leaving your home, and your check book, open for some major damage that is going to be costly to fix. There can be any number of things that cause a roof leak, some of which are:

● Insufficient Attic Ventilation

● Missing Shingles

● Overflowing Gutters

● Seam Gaps

Roof leaks are sneaky, making them hard detect. You often won't know you have a leak until you see a wet area on the ceiling. However, that wet spot is not necessarily where the leak is located. The water causing the damage to the ceiling has most likely traveled from another part of the roof along the ceiling joists or along electrical lines, gas or water pipes.

In a multi-level home, it is even possible that the leak isn't the roof at all, but a plumbing issue. Once you have notice a possible roof leak, you need to call a certified, quality contractor that has experience in roofing. A roofing contractor will be able to make the determination where the leak is coming from and provide you an estimate or advise you if it is another problem altogether.

By letting a leak go unrepaired, you are leaving your home open for mildew and mold to build up, thus making your home unhealthy. It is also possible it will become more widespread and start leaking worse.

Why Does My Roof Need An Overhang?

Have you ever wondered why your roof has that overhang? Is it just a décor thing or does it serve an actual purpose? Well there are many useful functions and purposes to the overhang on your roof and Dun-rite Roofing offers you a brief overview of what and why:

Water is kept off the Walls

This may be the most important function of roof overhangs. They won't keep the hard driven rain off 100%, but the difference in having an overhang versus not may surprise you. If your home was built with very narrow overhang, you will notice the paint, siding or stain will get damaged over time. Your home's doors and windows are protected with roof overhang as well.

Rain Is Directed Away From the Foundation

The wider the roof overhang, also referred to as the eaves, the better it keeps water away from the foundation, which in turn keeps your basement and crawlspace dry. Eaves also minimize splashback when it rains, which can cause damage such as rotting siding.

Windows Are Shaded

The eaves of your home also provide shade, which in this part of the country is a blessing during the hot summers.

Too Wide of an Overhang

Usually home builders will cut corners when it comes to the eaves however, it is possible to have them too wide. When the overhang is too wide, it darkens the house on the inside, making it gloomy looking. Even during the hottest time of the year, you want some sunlight coming inside. You also don't want the wider overhang to catch the high winds, which could rip the roof off.

Don't Forget To Winterize The Roof Too!

It may be August right now, but it is going to be time to put the Christmas lights up again soon. This also means that winter weather is on the way and while you are getting things ready for winter, like checking the doors and windows for leaks, getting your home's heat system checked out and all that, you should make sure your roof is ready too.

The winter we had in this area last year was a rough one with all the ice, rain, sleet, snow, and winds. Al that can wreak havoc on the roof that you may not even realize. Take the time to winterize your roof starting with a visual inspection. Do you see branches hanging out over and rubbing against the roof? Are the gutters clean of debris? You should climb up on the roof and look over all of it for loose or missing shingles, too.

If you don’t feel comfortable and safe about climbing up there yourself, a professional like Dun-Rite Roofing offers free inspections. A professional will know what to look for in the way of water damage caused by roof dams. Roof dams are created when there is inadequate ceiling insulation, poor soffits, or poor ridge ventilation.

As you start cleaning up and preparing the summer outdoor furniture for winter and throwing out the pool toys that are worn, keep your roof in mind. Finding issues now can save you headaches and pocket book stretches this winter.