When the time of year comes that all the stores are starting to put out their Christmas products (and it seems to be happening earlier and earlier), its time to put on your amateur roofer hat and get that part of your house ready for not only Santa's sleigh, but of course the winter season. Many homeowners overlook this aspect of home maintenance, but it is to their detriment. By keeping up with the maintenance when the weather is still warm, you can avoid having to get up there when the cold is chilling your brow. Not to mention avoiding potentially costly repairs. Here are the things you should be doing.
It doesn't take a professional roofer to clean out your gutters, but it does take the willingness to do it yourself. And do it you should, as clogs can lead to severe damage if left unchecked. Take a Saturday afternoon and your favorite cold beverage and head up to tackle this menial chore. If you leave the clogs there too long, they could cause water from the rain or snow to go up under your eaves. In turn, this could lead to the kind of damage that empties out your wallet. Better to take care of problems before they arise by staying on top of the leaves and other debris that tend to get caught up in the gutters.
If you've not done so already, now would be a good time to buy some waterproofing products and apply them. This will not only prevent leaks, but it can protect the surface of the roof as well, allowing it to last as long as possible. Most materials these days are designed to last many years, but they will only do so if you give them the tools and maintenance they need to survive. Take a trip to your local hardware store to see what they offer. If you're not comfortable or willing to do this yourself, check with a local roofer and see what they charge for waterproofing.
Of course, there comes a time in every home's lifespan when maintenance just isn't going to do it anymore. When it is time for a full replacement, find a good roofer in your area and discuss re-shingling. With a little searching, you should be able to find someone who is honest, hardworking, and will offer you a fair price. If you don't have any leads, try asking your neighbors who they've used in the past and whether or not they come recommended.
Tag : roof,roofer,metal roof,roof tiles
Roofing Shingles Prices - Factors To Consider Before Deciding On Your Next Roofing Material
0 comments Posted by ariya at 22:09When it comes to replacing your roofing shingles there are many options available to a home owner. In fact the large number of choices can complicate the decision-making. Home owners are likely to decide based on a particular roofing shingles price. But this can end up becoming a costly decision if you go for the cheapest shingles. Cheap roof shingles won't last long and they will need replacement in a few years' time.
Going for more expensive but durable materials will cost more in the short-term but in the longer term this can work out cheaper. Take for example metal roofing shingles. These cost a lot of money but they last for 150 to 200 years. If you divide the cost of your roofing by the number of years they will last this will work to be very cheap or comparable to other roofing materials.
Composite roofing shingles are a popular choice but they don't last long. Made of different materials these shingles come in attractive colors, textures and patterns. But, some of the cheaper types don't last more than a couple of years. These types of shingles roofing should be avoided at all costs. Select good quality, durable shingles that will save you not only time but also money and effort in the long-term. Asphalt shingles are good choice when it comes to roofing shingles. They cost about $180 for hundred square feet of roofing.
Other popular choices for roofing are steel, copper, aluminum, roll, and laminated asphalt shingles. The last choice is fairly new and is priced very low. It's a green option and 3 bundles of these shingles will cover 100 square feet of roof.
Other factors to consider include where you live, the type of weather you have, the design of your home, your style and your budget. Hot weather all through the year will need shingles that help keep the home clean, colder climates will need shingles that retain warmth, places that have lot of strong winds will need shingles that won't fly away. Rain and wet weather can cause algae and moss growth so you need something that is moisture proof and so on.
If your roof is in good condition, but you're tired of looking like all the other houses in your neighborhood, you might consider changing the shingles on your roof as a way to jazz up the exterior of your home. While the long-term investment can add considerable value to your home, it should not be undertaken without careful thought, as it is an expensive and time-consuming project.
The first thing you will want to do is sit down and discuss any future plans for changing the rest of your home's exterior. Are you planning to paint the house or even the shutters any time soon? If you have siding on your house, will you be replacing it in the near future? Also, consider landscape in the equation, as well. If you select shingles that yellow as they age, you'll want to select the color of other plants in the yard carefully, to avoid having a circus colored property. If you aren't going to be painting or residing in the immediate future, look for colors that will compliment your home. If you need help, search through magazines the contractor can give you, or drive through your community and take note of homes that are of a similar shade, as well as the roof colors. If you are a joint decision maker, talk it over with your spouse or significant other before the work begins. Once the shingles are up, it's no easy thing to change them if one of you changes their mind.
Next, pick out a type of shingle. There are a number of types currently available, including slate, wood, laminated and two styles of asphalt: fiberglass or organic. Look into the advantages and disadvantages of each type, including the cost of installation and maintenance. Also, look for benefits that may be associated with a particular type. For example, because asphalt shingles are fire resistant, they can help lower the cost of your homeowner's insurance, by giving you a higher fire safety rating. Make sure that the design of the shingles is a good fit with the architectural style of your home. There are a number of styles on the market and a wide range of edges and thicknesses that should compliment almost any home.
Finally, select a roofing contractor that is within your budget to do the installation. Making sure that the shingles are installed correctly is essential to avoiding more costly repair or replacement costs. If shingles are loose or not put on correctly, they can blow off in high winds or severe storms, or cause serious water damage through leaks. Also, be sure to check on any guarantee that is provided.
It is common for most shingles to last between 25 and 50 years, though some can survive as long as 75 years or more, Make sure you read the fine print on any advertisements used for the purchase, as the roofing manufacturer often determines the conditions under which the guarantee will or will not be honored.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Dalton
It has been done on the continent for many years. The technique consists in using a quaternary ammonium biocide to kill the "bio layer", that is all live organisms on the roof. Quaternary ammoniums are powerful algaecides, and deplete moss and lichen from their embedded algae. As they rely on the algae for food, they simply die. The dark discolourations sometimes mistaken for sout deposits are in fact micro-organisms dwelling at the surface of most concrete tiles. The micro-organisms will also die and gradually wash away, revealing the original colour of the roof.
The chemical then breaks down into residues eaten by ground bacteria. The environmental footprint is limited to the roof. The downside of the mechanism is that after the breaking down no latent effect can be expected. A normal roof needs one cleaning every 8 to 10 years only. If it is under shadow, or - worse - under trees the growth will come back faster particularly on a porous tile. No chemical will solve the problem. It is a design issue.
The key to success is to apply the right concentration and the right amount. Concentrations recommended for cleaning a driveway or a patio are often too weak for a roof. The tiles should be drenched to saturation, and the moss balls soaked through and through. The right product can be sourced on internet, preferably from a company showing a degree of experience in this specialised field.
The cost of cleaning a roof the non aggressive way is significantly less than using wire brushes or jet cleaning. Typically one third. Some companies will do it, but the technique is available to a private individuals as well. The ideal solution is to hire the specialised equipment: A chemical injection box and a light weight boom is often sufficient to carry out the spraying from the ground.
Tag : roof,roof in,metal roof,roofing
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Francois_Moal
One of the most important criteria that make your home safe and a haven to live in is the roofing of your home. Most people tend to ignore this part of the house and do not give the matter enough significance, but it is only when something happens to your roof will you understand how important the roofing of a home is. A roof is not eternal and is one of the most exposed parts of your home that has to withstand the hot sunlight, rain and all the ever changing weather conditions.
So it is an absolute must that you choose your roofing material with utmost thought and care. It would be best to assign this job to a roofing company who are professionals in this filed. Make sure that the company is a reputed firm, has been in the field for a long time, have professional people to do the job at reasonable prices and offers excellent customer care.
Another important factor to be considered is the kind of roofing material that you want to choose for your roof. With the unbelievable strides that are occurring in all walks of life, there is a stunning range of roofing materials for you to take your pick from today. The most popular among them are ceramic tiles, asphalt, concrete, slate and metal to name a few of them. Remember to choose material that is weather proof and is best suited for the climate where you reside in according to your budget.
One of the most common trends in roofing today is fiberglass roofing. This is not very expensive but at the same time looks extremely stylish and classy. This roofing is totally water proof and so the usual problems of tearing, cracking, leaking and blistering are reduced to a great extent. This material also comes with a guarantee of eighteen to twenty years which is another great advantage. It is manufactured from recycled materials which makes it eco-friendly also.
Whatever be the material that you finally opt for the roof of your home, ascertain that it is properly installed and will be durable. Another good idea is to install solar panels into your roofing which are eco-friendly and will help you to lower your energy bills to a considerable extent. You can also decide whether you want a sloping roof or a flat one according to the design of your home. It will be ideal to get professional advice before you decide what kind of roof to opt for.
Tag : roofing material,roof,roofing
