4 Steps For Preparing Your Roof For WinterWinter is almost here and it is important that you prepare your roof for the possibility of severe weather. By preparing your roof for winter, you will prevent the need for more extensive roof repair in the future. These are a few basic maintenance steps that should be followed to get your roof ready for winter.
**Before you start, consider that climbing on a roof can be dangerous. Roofing professionals are specifically trained to navigate roofs, and they have the equipment and expertise to see a potential problem before it escalates into a major issue. If you do decide to perform these maintenance steps, be sure to follow all the necessary safety rules for your protection. There are websites such as www.gaf.com/roofing/residential/diy/learn_roofing_safety, which lists ways to be safe while working on your roof. 1. CLEAN THE GUTTERS Leaves and other debris will collect in your gutters and downspouts and can prevent rain water from being removed from your roof. This water will overflow and damage your roof, trim and siding. Cleaning out your gutters will also prevent the weight of this debris from causing the gutters pull away from the anchors which secure them to the house. Periodically checking your gutters and then doing a final cleaning once the trees are bare, will keep your gutters clear. Consider installing screens or gutter guards to prevent leaves from collecting in your gutters. 2. CLEAN YOUR ROOF It is important to remove leaves, pine needles, dirt and any other debris from your roof's surface to prevent moisture and rot which will break down your roofing material. The best way to clean debris off of your roof is by hand using a broom or soft brush. Remember that applying too much pressure will remove roof granules which can reduce your roof's lifespan. Another method to remove debris is with a blower. Pay special attention to the valleys which can collect water. Using a pressure washer to clean your roof is definitely not recommended. Pressure washing a roof can blow off granules or even take off shingles. These granules protect the asphalt in the shingle from the UV rays of the sun. Shingles have sealing strips on their backs and a pressure washer can sever the strip allowing water to get under the shingle. In fact, if you use a pressure washer to clean your roof, you may no longer qualify for your roof's warranty. Algae, moss, or mold can be especially damaging to your roof's lifespan. Cleaning and treating these may require a professional to prevent damage to your shingles and prevent further growth. There are DIY cleaners on the market, however, to prevent damage to your shingles, always try the cleaner on a sample shingle. 3. CHECK YOUR CLEAN ROOF FOR DAMAGES After your roof has been cleaned, a visual examination of the surface is needed. Check for missing, cracked, curled, or frayed shingles. This would be the time to repair or replace shingles. Also examine the flashing around the vents, chimneys, skylights or other protuberances because this is where water tends to collect. 4. CHECK YOUR ATTIC'S INSULATION AND VENTILATION Your attic's insulation and ventilation are extremely important to the health and lifespan of your roof. Your energy bills are also impacted by having the right amount of insulation and ventilation in your attic. When sunlight hits your roof, it heats the air in your attic. Proper ventilation prevents the hot air from condensing, which causes moisture and mold from rotting your roof's supports. Additionally, the correct amount of insulation will prevent the hot air from seeping into your living space, causing higher energy costs. In conclusion, preparing your roof for winter makes perfect sense. Not only will you have the peace of mind knowing that you have done everything possible to prevent damage to your roof, you will also know that there are no potential repairs waiting in the wings. Harper Roofing offers a professional roof inspection and will give you an honest assessment free of charge. Check out our A+ rating with the Better Business bureau and our 5 star rating on Houzz. If you found this information helpful click "Like" or "Share" below and post this to your social media pages. Your "Likes" and "Shares" help others like you find the information they need. We are happy for you to re-publish this article on your website or in your company newsletter with credit to Harper Roofing as the author and a link to our website http://www.harperroofingcharleston.com/. The URL for this article is http://www.harperroofingcharleston.com/blog/preparing-your-roof-for-winter. Email us with any questions. Adding Value To Your HomeWhen deciding where to put your money in home improvements, it is always wise to know where you will get the most return on their investment. Knowing what buyers look for and the things that turn them off will help homeowners get the most resale value. There are some home renovations which will help homeowners to recoup most, if not all, of their money.
Most people assume that a new kitchen or bathroom will add the most resale value. Let's face it, a new kitchen with granite counters and new appliances can be a drawing factor in any home on the market. Renovated bathrooms are number one on the list for prospective buyers. These remodels can be counted on to add over 80 to 90 percent return on investment, according to The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI). These are the most expensive areas of home renovation because they are the areas where people spend most of their time. First You Have To Get The Buyer In the Door Realtors will tell you that in every home sale, you first have to get the buyers in the door. Very often buyers are already planning for interior renovations when they purchase a home. Primarily, buyers want to know that the home's existing structure has been maintained. They want to know that the plumbing and air conditioning are in good working order because maintenance issues can cost a bundle in the long run. A remodeled kitchen will not make up for a leaky roof or siding which needs replaced. New Roof Value According to homeadvisor.com, a new roof adds an average of $12,000 value to your home while improving its curb appeal. With the choice of colors and materials available today, it is possible to duplicate a rustic slate roof with asphalt shingles. Warranties on asphalt shingles used to be 15-20 years. However, premium-quality asphalt shingles may offer warranties as long as 50 years. Today's asphalt shingles can even help reduce cooling costs due to their ability to reflect solar heat. A new roof will also avoid building inspection issues at the time of sale. Curb Appeal Sells Homes A well-maintained home has a welcoming appeal. This is why vinyl siding and vinyl replacement windows are also updates that are worth consideration. According to ISoldMyHouse.com, vinyl siding can add $8,000 to the asking price of a home with an 89 percent return on investment. Vinyl windows can improve a home's energy efficiency while bumping up the asking price of a home about $8,500 with an 85 percent return on investment. Adding More Space Adding more space can be an alternative to buying a bigger home in your current neighborhood. The National Association of Realtors says that for every 1,000 square feet added to a home increases its value 30 percent. Bathrooms have an 86 percent return on investment while adding bedrooms, sunrooms, and family rooms have a 70 to 80 percent return on investment. Home Theaters Home theaters are also high on the list for potential buyers. According to hgtv.com, "What you'll get back on your investment depends on the value of your house, the value of houses in your immediate neighborhood, the housing market where you live, how soon you sell after making improvements, and the quality of the project itself. " However, remember that you don't want to price yourself out of the neighborhood. Keep your additions so your house value is at the higher end of the neighborhood. Home Maintenance And Personal Enjoyment Finally, when deciding where to put your money in home renovations, keep in mind two things; home maintenance and personal enjoyment. Keeping your home's structure sound should be your first priority. If you're not planning on moving in the immediate future, put your money in the areas where you will enjoy it most. Harper Roofing offers a free roof inspection. We have built a solid reputation with an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. Check out our customer reviews and our 5 star rating on Houzz. If you found this information helpful click "Like" or "Share" below and post this to your social media pages. Your "Likes" and "Shares" help others like you find the information they need. We are happy for you to re-publish this article on your website or in your company newsletter with credit to Harper Roofing Charleston as the author and a link to our website http://www.harperroofingcharleston.com/. The URL for this article is http://www.harperroofingcharleston.com/blog/home-improvements-that-add-the-most-value. Email us with any questions. What should you do if you find a leak in your roof? A leaky roof is serious business because, if left unattended, it can cause major damage to your home. In addition, the sooner a leak is attended to, the less chance of more expensive repairs down the road. According to fixr.com, minor leaks can lead to damage such as mold, rotted framing and sheathing, damaged insulation and ceilings. Some of the most common causes of a leaky roof are broken shingles, cracked vent booting or flashing, gutters that are clogged, condensation in the attic or a cracked chimney. Some leaks can be difficult to find. Hiring a professional to do a thorough roof inspection is important, especially after a severe weather event.
A roofing contractor usually charges around $3 per square foot for leak repair or $45 to $75 per hour. The labor hours range between 8 - 16, making the repair cost range from $360 to $1200. If your roof is steeper than average, repair costs can increase by 20% or more. This is also true if your roof has many architectural details to work around. You also may need to buy a permit from your county or homeowners association, without which you could be heavily fined. Permit fees average around $75. REPAIR VS. REPLACEMENT? Replacing shingles can be a relatively easy and inexpensive job. However, even if you saved some spare shingles from a previous roof replacement, this patch job will probably not match the rest of the roof. This may be a relatively small consideration if your roof is not very old and will extend its life for ten or fifteen years unless you plan to sell your home. A prominent patch can be a negative selling point. If the damage is confined to one side of the roof, a partial re-roofing can cost thousands of dollars less than an entire replacement. This can make the color differences less noticeable. Partial re-roofing can be more expensive on a cost per square than a total replacement and all layers will need to be removed. This can add to the cost and result in a lopsided effect due to the old roof being a couple of inches higher than the new side. According to Angieslist.com, the determining factors on whether to fix or replace your roof are the following:
According to bobvila.com, if you do decide to replace your roof, choosing to tear off the old roof or install the new roof over the existing one is another decision you will have to make. Installing the new roof over the existing one will save you a little money now but runs the risk of greater expenses in the future. The International Residential Code (R907.3) states that a new roof cannot be installed over two or more applications of any type of roof covering. Much of this has to do with the weight on the structure of your home. Covering a roof with 1,500 square feet of shingles is almost equal to the weight of a two-ton SUV. Removing the old shingles will allow you to inspect the roof deck and sheathing for damage, plus the shingles adhere better if fastened directly to the roof deck. This will also allow you to check for wood rot and the presence of inadequate sheathing fasteners. Additionally, starting with an undamaged roof deck allows you the option of adding an ice-and-water shield membrane along the eaves. Having your roof inspected every one to two years is a good way to protect your roof from potential problems. Having your roof inspected after any severe weather event will also catch any damage before it becomes even more extensive. Harper Roofing offers a free, no obligation roof inspection in the Charleston area. We will show up on time and give an honest assessment on the condition of your roof. If you found this information helpful click "Like" or "Share" below and post this to your social media pages. Your "Likes" and "Shares" help others like you find the information they need. We are happy for you to re-publish this article on your website or in your company newsletter with credit to, Harper Roofing Charleston as the author and a link to our website http://www.harperroofingcharleston.com/. The URL for this article is http://www.harperroofingcharleston.com/blog/what-to-do-if-you-have-a-leaky-roof. Email us with any questions. Hurricane Irma is now classified as a Category 5 Hurricane. Its 180 mph winds are well above the 157 mph threshold set for hurricanes classified as Category 5. It is heading west and could hit the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico on Wednesday. Depending upon where Irma tracks, the storm could hit Florida, Georgia and/or the Carolinas early next week. According to the National Hurricane Center, "when a Category 5 hurricane hits land, a high percentage of framed homes will be destroyed." with power lost in some areas possibly for weeks or even months. As we watch the path of this catastrophic storm, there are things you can do to prepare your home and specifically the roof for the hurricane season. ![]()
If possible, have your roof inspected by a roofing contractor to check for leaks or weak spots. A well constructed roof is better able to withstand hurricane force winds. Inspect the roof from the inside of the attic looking for points of light coming through the roof. These can also let wind and water in. Watch for protruding nail tips in the rafters or trusses can indicate the roof decks may not be secured properly. Replace missing or incorrectly hammered nails in the shingles or the points where the roof deck connects to the rafters. With a caulking gun apply roofing cement to the edges of shingles. Where the rafters or trusses connect to the roof deck, apply a bead of construction adhesive. Also, if possible, have a roofing contractor install hurricane clips to connect the roof to the home's walls from the inside. Those roofs with access via an attic can have metal roof straps attached for about $400 to $600. Windows, doors, skylights, and areas where wires enter the house should be sealed to prevent water entering the home. Trees, dead or hanging limbs should be trimmed back before a hurricane. Check your drains and downspouts to make sure they are clear during heavy rains. Check support posts to porches, carports, or other structures attached to he home to make sure they are firmly attached to the ground. Finally, check your homeowner's insurance to make sure the coverage you have is adequate. Some insurance companies offer discounts on hurricane insurance to homeowners who have specifically tried to minimize damage from storms. These can include storm shutters to roof attachments. Also, make arrangements with your roofing contractor to inspect your roof after the storm. Harper Roofing will inspect your roof for FREE. They will work directly with your insurance company to make this process as simple as possible. Check out our A+ rating with The Better Business Bureau and our 5 star rating on Houzz. ![]()
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Resources: markkaufmanroofing.com floridaroofing.com onesourcecps.com How About A Free Roof Inspection in Charleston, S.CSooner or later every homeowner will have to have a roof inspection. Why would this be necessary? In many states when buying a home, it is required that the roof be certified from inspection. Many lenders require an inspection before they will issue a check. Most homeowners assume their roof is properly installed and ready for severe weather. However, some roofs are vulnerable.and even the strongest roof can hide some weakness. In fact, The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) recommends that homeowners inspect their roofs twice a year. This is what your roof inspection should include:ATTIC - Your attic should be inspected for:
Having your roof inspected allows the homeowner to avoid all kinds of potentially expensive repairs. In fact, a professional roof inspector can help you avoid possible structural damage to your home. Roof inspections can determine the strength of a roof, its longevity, and when it will need to be replaced. According to homeadvisor.com, roof inspectors have special procedures and super-technical equipment which help determine the lifespan of a roof without having to tear into it. Because you would not want anyone putting holes in your roof to inspect it, roof inspectors don't have to touch the surface of the roof to determine its integrity. Infrared rays locate parts of the roof that may have higher or lower temperatures than the other parts of the roof. "Heat may be escaping from these "hot spots." The industry's best roofing companies will provide a professional roof inspection free of charge. This inspection should be free of add-on service charges or anything else involving a fee. There should be no obligation to purchase services or products. This inspection will also help with the insurance claims process for storm damage. Many homeowners aren't knowledgeable about what repairs or services are needed and covered by their insurance policy. A professional will inspect your roof, identify the areas of concern, provide advice on how to have these areas repaired, and help you prepare the insurance claim. Finally, having a professional inspect your roof will bring peace of mind. Climbing onto a roof is a job for a professional who knows how to maneuver around a roof in a safe manner without causing damage to your roof. Knowing that your roof has been professionally inspected, what repairs, if any, are needed and having an expert available for help and advice will prevent the need for more extensive repairs in the future. We hope you have found this article informative and helpful. Harper Roofing will provide a free roof inspection. We will answer all your questions and give you an honest assessment of the condition of your roof. Check out our A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and 5- star rating from Houzz. If you found this information helpful, click "like" and "share" below. Summer Storms - Is your roof ready?
Everyone knows that tornadoes and hurricanes can cause extensive damage to your roof. However, moisture and rapidly rising warm air often brings furious summer storms. The summer weather, especially in humid climates like the south-eastern United States can bring intense storms. These summer storms, which tend to be fast and fierce, can bring rain, wind, hail and can be as serious as a blizzard or hurricane. What kind of damage can hail do to your roof? The amount of damage a hailstorm can do will vary greatly. Travelers.com states these factors that affect the type and degree of damage impacted by a hailstorm:
What does hailstone damage to your roof look like? With asphalt and composition shingles, the hail damage can look like the following:
The lightning accompanying a summer storm can occasionally cause a power surge (an unusually high amount of electricity briefly surging through the wiring). This can damage sensitive electronic equipment and appliances such as computers, digital washing machines, and televisions. The following are ways to safeguard your home before, during and after a severe storm according to networx.com:
As soon as the severe weather has passed, you should inspect for these common issues:
A severe summer storm can happen quickly and cause a great amount of damage. However, being prepared and knowing what you can do before, during and after a storm will help keep any damage limited. Harper Roofing offers a free roof inspection. We will work with your insurance company to make any repair process as easy as possible. Check out our 5-star rating on Houzz. If you found this information helpful, click "like"and "share" below. How important is an online review when choosing a service?According to invespcro.com, 90% of customers check online reviews before visiting a business. Even more surprising, 88% of customers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations. In fact, customers are more likely to spend more on a business with "excellent" reviews and 72% say that positive reviews make them more likely to trust a local business.
In other words, customer reviews are extremely important to any business. At Harper Roofing, we value your review for many reasons. Your online review helps us understand how and why you found our business. We gain knowledge about the ways our company can better serve the needs of our customers, what products are valued and those that are not, and how to better improve our service and communication. Fifty-six percent of customers read between two to six online reviews before trusting a business and 98% of Yelp users intend to make a purchase. Online reviews make a real difference to a company's competitive edge. Are you a past customer of Harper Roofing? Leave us a Google review! It's quick, easy, and your neighbors will thank you! Not only is your review important to our business, it provides much needed information to your friends and neighbors. Reliability, expertise, and professionalism are the most important reputation traits for a local business according to 76% of consumers. These are qualities that can only be evaluated by real customers who take the time to thoroughly evaluate the company and its service. Online reviews help a business grow by making their presence on the web easier to find. This benefits the business and the consumer. The business is able to attract more customers and customers save time and energy searching for a reputable company. This makes online reviews a win-win solution for everyone. Finally, submitting an online review is simply the right thing to do. When a company has met and/or exceeded their commitment to their customer, giving this company a superior review is a simple, easy, and free way to show your appreciation for a job well done. Harper Roofing is working hard for your trust. An online review will help us help you and give your friends and neighbors helpful information so that they have confidence in choosing us for their roofing needs. If you found this information helpful, hit the "like" and "share" buttons below. ProArmor® Synthetic Roof UnderlaymentHarper Roofing is now using ProArmor® Synthetic Roof Underlayment. This is because ProArmor is made with Fusion Back Coating Technology™ that is strong, durable and repels water. It’s also light, easy to install and contributes to safe working conditions. Dual-surface slip resistance: Fusion Back Coating Technology™ paired with a non-woven surface provides excellent walking conditions during shingle application even on steeply pitched roofs. This also helps to resist stretching and tearing around fasteners. ProArmor also repels moisture and helps provide protection against water infiltration which allows for the life of your roof to become much longer. It is available in 42-inch lightweight rolls for easy installation and comes with a 10-Year Limited Warranty*. **For use under asphalt shingles only Here is a list of reasons why ProArmor® Underlayment outperforms conventional #15 organic felt: ProArmor ® Underlayment with Fusion Back Coating Technology™is strong for the roof and safe for your crew. When it comes to doing a job right, few things are as important as reliable product performance and the safety of your crew. Our exclusive Fusion Back Coating Technology™ practically eliminates the underlayment from sliding against the roof deck. The result? A stable walking surface and minimal tearing around fasteners that could lead to water infiltration.
Harper Roofing is excited to be working with ProArmor and know their customers will value its high quality aspects. If you would like to read more about ProArmor ® Underlayment with Fusion Back Coating Technology™click here> to download a brochure. If you found this information interesting give us a "Like" or "Share" below. Roofing companies in the Charleston area fall into several categories. One category of roofing company is a construction or remodeling company that also does roofing. This type of company is great for those big disasters or remodeling jobs. There are also vinyl siding or window firms that also offer roof repair and replacements. Lots of roofing companies are part of larger firms that have satellite offices, but there are some that are locally-owned and/or family operated. Deciding between the two is strictly up to you, neither is a bad choice. Checking out the companies online customer reviews is a great first step in deciding if that company is right for you.
Here are a few common questions you should ask yourself when searching for a roofing company:
In trying to answer the above questions, we Googled roofing companies in the Charleston area. These are some of the companies listed along with some basic information found about each.
If you found this information helpful, click "like" and "share" below. Check out our work on this adorable John's Island homeWe recently replaced the roof on this adorable John's Island home, and the homeowner is so pleased!
This roof was ready for a replacement due to age and wear. Harper Roofing to the rescue! Check out the photos in the gallery on this page. The roof looks awesome, and we left the property looking clean and fresh. Click 'like' if you think the house looks great! Your likes help other homeowners like you find Harper Roofing when they are looking for a reputable roofer in Charleston. |
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