Home Improvement Roofs and Gutters

Gutters are a necessity for every homeowner, particularly if you live in a windy, rainy climate. Leaves and debris that enter your gutter can cause sagging, clogs, and expensive damage. Gutter guards are a way to get around expensive gutter maintenance. So, do gutter guards work with existing gutters?

Leaks in your roof are not only a nuisance, but they can be expensive to fix. Many homeowners search for cheap, quick fixes for roof leaks so that they can avoid costly repairs. Roof coatings have tons of benefits, but are they effective in stopping leaks?

A tree has fallen onto your roof or there are leaks from long-term roof disrepair. You know you need to replace your roof but can’t do it just yet. The quickest fix is to add a tarp. A tarp is a large sheet of strong, water-resistant or waterproof material that’s typically made of canvas or polyester and is coated with polyurethane or made of plastics such as polyethylene.

On average, roofs last about 20 years. However, homeowners with wood shingle or shake roofing may get 30 years out of their roof but asphalt roofs can last as little as 15 years. The lifespan of your roof is also impacted by how severe the weather is in your area. When the time comes to perform extensive repairs or replace the roof completely, it’s important to understand what’s involved in hauling away the waste.

Buying a house can be stressful; there’s so much to look into, inspect, and evaluate! One aspect of purchasing a home that you may not have considered is the roof warranty. What happens to the warranty when ownership of the house changes hands?

No homeowner is prepared for the day a tree falls on their roof. Not only is it a terrifying experience, but it’s also the first step in a long and expensive process that involves many phone calls and repairs. Understandably, you’ll want to know what to do if a tree falls on your roof.

The purpose of a roof is to protect the ceiling above you from natural elements. When a roof works effectively, all water will slide down it and eventually find the gutters along the roof’s perimeter. Normally water can flow with the force of gravity naturally to the ground. 

Black roof shingles are a common choice due to their versatility and aesthetically-pleasing appearance. But does the common knowledge that the color black absorbs heat apply to roofs as well?

When you picture the roof of a home the odds are the only object you imagine sticking out of the roof is a chimney. Indeed, chimneys are the most iconic object to stick out of a home’s roof. They are not, however, the only type of pipes on a roof.

For most homes, the roof is the biggest form of defense. Roof ventilation permits air flow through the metal roofing system to keep your roof performing as best as possible. The proper roof ventilation system is crucial to extending the life of your roof, saving you money on your energy bills, and ensuring that your home is a much healthier environment.

One of the most significant differentiators between roofs is the slope, or the roof’s vertical rise over its horizontal run. Roofs with a low slope are nearly flat, while roofs with a high slope are steeper. But what constitutes a roof as a low-slope system?

Gutter helmets, or gutter guards, are systems designed to protect your gutters. Nobody likes gutter-cleaning. It’s quite gross. Therefore, gutter guards can help you keep leaves and debris from creating clogs in your gutters.

The best type of gutter for your home is the one that quickly and effectively directs the water away from your foundation and guards your siding from water damage. All other considerations come down to looks and pricing. Fortunately, gutters come in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and prices to fit your particular budget and aesthetic desires.

Whether you are in need of a new roof on your current home or coming to a decision about a roof for a new build, there are different varieties for everyone. Traditionally speaking, 3-tab shingles are the preferable route. They are much more cost-effective, and that is oftentimes what drives these projects.

Roof leaks are extremely common, particularly around vent pipes. Many components protect your vent pipes, and any of them can get damaged. Home repairs usually cause headaches, but leaks near your vent pipe are typically easy to remedy.

Your gutters are crucial. They help keep water off your roof and away from the side of your house. But what happens when your gutters start overflowing? Is there a way to fix them fast? Here’s your answer.

Roofing repair is a headache for any homeowner. It can also be costly as contractors are not cheap. If you have experience doing home repairs, you may be able to save money by sheathing your roof yourself.  

Understanding roof pitch is vital, especially when having any work done to your home. But, what exactly constitutes a steep roof pitch versus a low pitch?

While there’s no way to completely protect your house from a flood, you can at least reduce the risk of severe damage. All it takes is a few steps to minimize the devastation of a flood, such as:

Keeping a roof over your head is only half the battle. That roof must also be waterproof and sturdy enough to handle all weather conditions. So, homeowners usually install flashing to help improve their home’s appearance and keep it protected.

Drip edges and gutter aprons are essential when installing a roof system. It’s also applicable to gutter systems. This will have an impact on the effectiveness of your entire gutter system if it is not built properly.

There is a feeling of nostalgia when you see a thatched roof. It brings up memories of a colonial past, when things were simple and wholesome. If the thatched roof is made of palms, there may be an added feeling of tropical relaxation or an exotic thrill. Regardless of the feeling, thatched roofs always seem to evoke more emotion than other roofs.

You may be wondering how many layers of shingles you can put on a roof. This is a question that comes up often, and the answer depends on the size of your roof as well as the number of layers that have been installed in previous years.

It pours when it rains. When the rain stops, all of the rainfall ends up in your gutter system. We have a big problem on our hands if your gutter system captures little to no rainwater at all. A drip edge is frequently built on your roof to divert water towards the gutter. However, this isn’t always enough.

If you’ve been looking for an elastomeric roof coating, then you’ve probably noticed that most of them are white. But what if you want the coating to match the color of your roof? You may wonder if tinting is a valid option or if it will damage the coating in some way.

Without proper ventilation, humid air can stagnate and lead to build-ups of mold in your home. Including a ridge vent on your roof is one of the most effective ways to avoid that unhealthy situation.

Throughout the years, you’ve probably seen the terms ‘eavestroughs’ and ‘gutters’ used interchangeably, and you’ve probably wondered if they actually mean the same thing. There are a few tiny differences between them, even though they both pertain to similar characteristics of a property.

The roof is an extremely important part of a home. After all, it protects you and your loved ones from the elements and keeps you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. When your roof starts to leak, you may think your only option is to get a  roof replacement. Luckily, this isn’t always the case.

When the clouds open up and a downpour begins, your roof better be able to withstand the relentless onslaught of rain. If it can’t, leaks are bound to happen, and these can compromise the structural integrity of a building while also paving the way for mold, mildew, and other dangerous spawns.

Believe it or not, your roof is one of the most important aspects of the exterior of your home. Since roofs typically last around 20 years, the shingle color you choose is a major decision to make and one you will likely be stuck with for quite a while. As such, choosing the right shingle color will ensure that your home has curb appeal and looks beautiful for years to come. In order to make an informed decision, you must consider the style of your home, the climate you live in, and the look you’re trying to achieve.

Are you getting ready to replace your roof system? Across most regions in the United States, fall is the busiest time for roofers as most property owners are trying to deal with any roofing issues prior to wintertime. Conversely, the winter months are easily the least busy times. So, can you replace a roof in the winter?

Watching the rainwater pour off your roof, splash against the walls of your home and run down into the gutters can give you pause. Where roof surfaces meet to form valleys, literal waterfalls can result from hard rain. Many people wonder if gutters are required by code with all the other codes in place to protect your home, many people wonder if gutters are required by code?

Gutter guards are a sought-after solution to clogged gutters that are a no-brainer for most homeowners. It is tempting to go out and install gutter guards right away to experience the benefits, but there are many variables. So, do gutter guards attach under shingles?

Roofing is a complicated endeavor. There are more than a few reasons why it is not recommended that you take on major roofing work yourself. That is because these are professionals that not only know what they are doing but follow codes and regulations that hold them to a standard of quality.

Many homeowners are likely unaware that different-sized gutters exist, and we’d venture to suggest that even more homeowners are unaware of the size of the gutters on their property! It’s a crucial detail to understand because it affects the performance of your gutter system significantly.

Houses with gambrel roofs are a lovely sight to behold.  The image evokes feelings of home, the countryside, and sunsets on the porch.  But romanticizing aside, gambrel roofs can sometimes be a pain to maintain and even harder to shingle, so how do you shingle a gambrel roof? 

When you’re trying to fortify your home and shed, roofing is going to be a major part of your investment. Roofing is what keeps your stuff dry and acts as the barrier between your stuff and the elements. Roof felt is a layer of waterproof, tar-based paper that is meant to help keep water outside of your rooftop and slow down rot. In recent years, people have been searching out different alternatives to roof felt, but what are they?

The roof over your home takes a beating on a regular basis. Protecting it with some kind of coating can prolong its life while also enhancing its appearance. Coating your metal roof with either Galvalume or paint are among the options you can consider.

While a specific shape and size may come to mind when you think about gutters, they are actually available in numerous shapes and sizes. Gutters are more diverse than many assume, and understanding your options can help you decide which gutter product is the ideal fit for your home. So, this brings us to the question that is likely on your mind: “What size gutters do I need?”

For a contractor to get a permit, they must prove that they are licensed with each city where they work. As a homeowner, this is important for your insurance and to cover anything on your property. Pulling a permit is just a phrase contractors use to state they are applying for a permit, but what if your roofer did not pull the permit?

The roof is one of the most important parts of your home because it protects you from all of the elements and provides insulation. However, if your roof is old or in poor shape, then it could be making your house unbearably cold during the winter months.

Keeping your home cool, especially during the summer months, is crucial. When people usually think of comfort during hot summer days and nights, they usually think of having the air conditioning going at full blast. However, the reality of the situation is that proper roof ventilation can do more for comfort than air conditioning.

Your roof is a crucial part of your home. It prevents the elements from leaking into your home, and it also helps keep your home insulated and secure. For some, a roof is even a beautiful and relaxing part of the dwelling. Roof decks and rooftop living areas have become increasingly common.

The structure of a building can be quite complex. Your eye normally only sees the walls, exterior and roof shingles. There is, however, a plethora of more intricate structures and networks hiding behind the facade.

How long a steel roof lasts is one of the most pressing concerns potential home renovators, who are looking to upgrade the top of their house, have. These roofs can be pricey, so it’s important to understand their lifespan and how to prolong it.

Gutters are one of the many home essentials that are easy to forget about until something goes wrong with them. While gutter cleaning and maintenance should be performed on a seasonal basis, they are otherwise rarely given much attention until they fall apart. If you are hoping to replace your gutters before they are ruined and cause damage to your home, you might wonder how long gutters last.

Reshingling a roof is a project you won’t frequently encounter if you keep up with regular roof maintenance and cleaning. On average, reshingling a roof should happen every 20 years or so, depending on the shingle material. When it’s time to reshingle the roof, though, how long can you expect the roofing crew to take?

There is a never-ending list of codes that your home must be compliant with in order to pass inspection. Roofs are among the most susceptible to inspection issues and can be the reason why your house doesn’t pass. So, is drip edge required by code?

The roof is one of the most important parts of the home. To ensure the roof is secure and leak-proof, roof felt—otherwise known as tar paper—is put down before the shingles are. The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) recommends using roof felt to waterproof a roof. But can roof felt be put down on a wet roof? Such is the question this article answers.

The terms “hot roof” and “cold roof” come up frequently when discussing roofing, but what do they really mean? What’s the difference between them? And which one is the better choice for your home?

Many homeowners may never experience having to replace the roof on their homes. If you are like me and live in an area prone to high winds and large hailstorms, roof replacement is a fact of life. Many people don’t realize that a roof is a complex system of layers that protect your home. Many homeowners raise one question: Does the drip edge go under or over the tar paper?

If your cutters snag too many leaves, they won’t work correctly. Then, you’ll have streams of water coming down the side of your house. And excess moisture can cause expensive damage. So, how do you keep leaves out of gutters in the first place?

If your home doesn’t already have gutters, then installing them is a must. Doing so will help you protect the investment that you’ve made in your home and outdoor landscape.

Birds are beautiful. But that doesn’t mean you want them nesting in the gutters hanging from your roof. Letting birds make nests in your gutters can spell trouble. So, what are you supposed to do?

In areas that experience high rainfall throughout the year, effectively moving water away from your home is critical. Unfortunately, many homeowners are unaware of the importance of protecting their foundations from water infiltration. Gutters, downspouts, and drains are critical components of protecting your home’s foundation from water infiltration.

Roof systems come in all shapes and sizes but can generally be classified into two categories: flat and pitched. Both types of roof systems can be ideal for a wide range of buildings.

Gutters are a critical part of any home or building. Their primary purpose is to keep your home or property structurally sound by directing water away from your property’s foundation. This will help prevent erosion, flooding, staining of the property’s exterior, discoloration of paint, and prevent mold and mildew growth.

There are many areas of the home that homeowners don’t typically pay much attention to, like the roof. This may be a simple case of out of sight out of mind, after all, how many of us walk around looking up? This lack of attention could also be because these are parts of the house that don’t usually require or need much attention. That is until there is a problem that demands our attention, like a roof leaking around the chimney.

Let’s face it, most people can’t wait for the winter to end. The prospect of a colorful, warm spring is enough to get you through even the coldest winter days. However, you can set yourself up for a perfect spring if you prepare at the end of winter.

Gutter cleaning is a time-consuming and often risky task. When you have to climb up on a ladder to clean your gutters regularly, you put yourself in danger of falling and injuring yourself. Gutter guards keep gutters from becoming clogged, deter unpleasant creatures from breeding inside.