We’ve all seen the unbelievable pictures of the record-breaking snow that recently buried the Buffalo, NY area.  While homeowners have been asked to stay in their homes and off the impassable roads, a new worry has surfaced – can their roof handle the pressure?   Here’s some information you can share with your homeowners while they are stuck inside.

Signs that a roof may be at risk from bearing the weight of the heavy white stuff:

• Visible sagging
• Noises that sound like creaking or popping
• Leaking coming from the roof

Flat or low-pitched roofs are more vulnerable, but pitched roofs can still be at risk when the snow is very heavy.

When it’s safe to travel, contractors in the area or within driving distance have an opportunity to help homeowners repair an unsafe roof (see our article “The Benefits and Risks of Replacing a Roof in Winter”). In general, as much snow as possible should be raked off their roof, but leave a few inches to avoid damaging the shingles.  Also, make sure the snow is thrown away from the building and be careful using metal tools around power lines.  Contractors should advise homeowners to call their insurance company to see if they are covered in the event of a roof collapse.

Liza Barth (2014 November 14) How Much Snow Can a Roof Handle? Retrieved on December 10, 2014 from GAF.com

It may be the most wonderful time of the year, but installing festive lights on a home can be a headache and potentially cause damage to your roof. Avoid the hassle and make decorating more enjoyable with these tips for contractors to share with their customers to avoid roof damage.

1. Don’t let your shingles jingle. Never hang Christmas lights from your shingles. To properly put up lights, they need to be secured to something (that’s why it’s so easy to wrap them around trees). Making even the tiniest of holes in a shingle or roof component will let moisture or leaks in and potentially rot the roof. The best way to put up lights is with clips that hang from the gutter or eaves. Also, before you even climb up to work, untangle the strands and test them to make sure they all light up.
2. Don’t let ‘er rip. We know you don’t want to be that house that leaves decorations up until summer, but don’t dissemble hastily either by pulling lights off the roof from the cord.  This can cause damage to the gutter or potentially your shingle if you didn’t clip them correctly in the first place.  Take the time to remove each clip individually. It’s cheaper than replacing gutters or shingles.
3. Avoid the shock. Make sure decorations, including inflatable items, are away from power lines and plugged into a portable outdoor circuit. In addition, don’t overload the breaker, which can be a potential fire risk.
4. Bring a buddy. Another person should be on hand to help secure the ladder, carry items, or to help in case of an injury or emergency.
5. Call a pro. We know most people don’t have extra money lying around during the holiday season, but if you want elaborate decorations, are not comfortable on a ladder, or have areas that are hard to access, it’s best to leave it to a professional to install lights properly without risking damage to the roof—or yourself.

By sharing these tips you can help protect a homeowner’s biggest investment from damage and allow them to safely bask in the season’s glow.

5 Tips for Holiday Decorating Without Damaging the Roof. Retrieved on December 10, 2014 from GAF.com

You may think that just because you can’t see any signs of damage, or because your roof isn’t leaking, you don’t have damage. Remember, hail damage can be particularly difficult to identify and many homeowners discover major roofing damage years down the road, after it’s too late to file a storm damage claim with their insurance company. If you have any reason to suspect hail damage after a storm, you should have a full property damage inspection performed by a reputable contractor, right away.

Roof Hail Damage – Roofs are the most commonly damaged part of a home or business in hailstorms. A damaged shingle may allow water to seep through the roof causing additional damage to the roof deck, support structure, interior walls, or windows, and can cause leaking, staining on walls and flooding inside your home. Leaking roofs lead to costly damages and many insurance policies have strict time limits on submitting claims after hailstorms, so it’s in your best interest to act fast after hailstorms and start the repairs process, if necessary.

Asphalt Shingle Damage: On an asphalt roof, hail damage looks like a dark spot, or bruise, where the roofing granules have been knocked away (look in gutters for accumulation of granules). In some cases you may find holes, cracking, or missing shingles on roofs with hail damage. This can result in leaking and serious water damage, which can lead to mold formation and wood rot, which can compromise the structural integrity of your roof resulting in collapse. In severe wind storms, it is common for shingles or sections of the roof to be missing altogether.

Other Types of Shingle Damage: Shake (wood), metal, tile, and slate roof shingles can all suffer damage from hailstorms. Due to the materials, each type of shingle shows unique signs of damage from hail. If shingles are cracked, missing, torn or split at seams, you should definitely have a damage inspection performed. Similarly, if you notice leaking inside your home after a hailstorm, get an inspection right away.

More about Shingle Damage

Siding Damage often results from wind-driven hail. The three most common signs of damage to siding are cracking, chipping and holes. Read more about siding damage here.

Window Damage is similar to siding damage, but usually more obvious to identify. Wind-driven hail can strike windows and break the glass itself, or cause damage to the seals on windows. Read more about window damage here.

Exterior Appliances can also sustain damage in hailstorms. Denting and intake of excessive amounts of water often affect AC / HVAC units after severe hail. Read more about exterior appliance damage here.

How to Repair Hail Damage

Hail damage can be very difficult to detect and often occurs to roofs, siding and windows, all of which are difficult DIY repair projects that could void your homeowners insurance or manufacturer warranty, if not performed by a licensed contractor. Due to the risks associated with hail damage, it is recommended to cut to the chase and have a storm damage repair contractor inspect your damages right away.

Staff Writer (2014 November) How to Identify Hail Damage. Retrieved on November 17, 2014 from the National Storm Damage Center

Even the most well-built, durable, high quality roof will only last for so longer before repairs or a replacement is required. While there are many factors that can lead up to this situation, including lack of regular maintenance, there are 10 factors that are considered the top culprits affecting your roof today. Learn how to identify each.

Sun

Sunlight is not just detrimental to the human skin. The UVA and UVB rays can also degrade and deconstruct roofing materials over time. Add in heat and in time shingles will begin to deteriorate.

Rain

Rain will affect a roof if it is not properly maintained by seeping into cracks and crevices and damaging the interior.

Wind

High wings are a major culprit in tearing off or damaging shingles. Even if shingles are not completely torn away, debris can collect beneath damaged shingles and in time degrade the quality of the roof.

Snow and Ice

As snow and ice accumulates during the winter season, the sheer weight can cause cave-ins. As well, ice and snow can block debris, which can then block gutters and drainage pipes, leading to the need for gutter cleaning and sometimes shingle replacement.

Condensation

Condensation forms in humid conditions and can lead to wood rotting. The moisture really affects shingle wood and compromises its integrity.
Moss and algae

Trees and leaves

Trees and leaves can cause degradation of the roof’s integrity in more than one way. The weight of falling tree limbs or branches can damage or tear away shingles. Leaves and debris can also collect and build up, leading to dangerous blockages.

Missing/torn shingles

Missing or torn shingles will cause leaks in the roof and in time will cause adjacent shingles to also begin to tear away.

Shingle deterioration

As shingles get older, moisture, the elements, and other causes can create weakened wood. Affected shingles may curl, tear, break, or even fall off.

Flashing deterioration

“Flashing” is the sealant material used to ensure no cracks or fissures between the roof and ducts, vents, and other pipes can create leaking. As the flashing material ages, it degrades and pulls away from the roof, creating dangerous situations where moisture and debris can contact wiring, insulation, and interior spaces.

When these situations occur, the best solution is to contact roofing specialists to advise and guide you. Click the button Contact Us

Homeowners often look to bathroom or kitchen remodeling projects to boost a home’s value, but a new roof is another viable option. The exterior of the home is the first thing buyers see as they pull up for an open house. Depending on the roof type and local real estate values, a new roof may increase a home’s value from 15 to 40 percent. Several factors influence this percentage, however, which should be considered as owners select materials and a contractor.

Color Palette

Roof materials are not relegated to basic brown or black hues. Take a look at alternative colors that match the overall exterior decor. Try green, red or orange as a roofing color. Making a home stand out increases the chances of a rapid sale at a desired price.

Material Type

If a home is located in a more expensive real estate area, select high-end roofing materials, including ceramic or clay tiles. For most homes, owners select composite asphalt shingles. This budget-friendly material comes in several colors along with good durability for many years. Along with durability, these roofs have a long warranty that is a perk when selling the home. With the guarantee that the material is new and covered with a manufacturer’s warranty, a buyer has the
assurance of a sturdy rooftop.

Energy Benefits

If the new roof is installed by a quality contractor, it should have an insulating effect on the home. For example, the home remains cool in the summer and warm during the winter. Poorly constructed roofs allow drafts to whisk interior air away and cause high energy bills to compensate for the loss. Solar shingle materials are also available. Acting as miniature solar panels, contractors intersperse this roof material with regular shingle sections to lower energy bills with solar energy absorption.

Curb Appeal

The home’s overall style either draws buyers in or deflects them. Choose roof materials that have an interesting style, but with a timeless appearance. Bold angles and colors may turn some buyers off. Keep the contractor’s advertising sign handy for open houses. Stating that the roof is new with the associated contractor’s contact information, these small signs catch buyers’ eyes and remind them of the value topping the home.

Consider replacing the roof before listing a property. A clean and newly installed roof makes a statement before buyers open the door. It also reflects on the care of the entire structure, enticing buyers to place a bid immediately.

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A leaking roof is the most obvious sign that it’s time to replace your roof, but it’s hardly the only one. Many of these signs will eventually lead to a leaking roof, but identifying these problems early enough can prevent water damage and save you money for your roof replacement project. Sometimes this early intervention can also be the difference between repairing your roof and replacing your roof. You should consider part of this decision, however, the age of the roof, otherwise you may find roof repair a constant burden.

Signs of an Impending Leaking Roof

Missing or torn shingles expose the roof to water damage and rot, and make nearby shingles more susceptible to being blown away. Old shingles will curl, split and lose their waterproofing effectiveness. These weakened shingles are more likely to be blown away by wind gusts. Rusted or missing flashing can result in a leaking roof. Flashing is the metal that surrounds chimneys, skylights and vent pipes and often is found in the valleys where roof sections meet. Check gutters, downspouts and splash pans for evidence of decay or damage. Broken pieces of paint and scraps of roofing may be visible. Indoors, look for discolored plasterboard or cracked paint and peeling wallpaper.

Replace a Roof without Removing the Roof

You have two main roof replacement options: You can either remove the old roof or put a new roof down on top of the old one. Putting a new roof down on top of the old one is almost always cheaper but often doesn’t last as long—a typical situation where you get what you pay for. However, some considerations can make one choice better than the other. If you have more than two roofing layers already present, your roof can get heavy, cumbersome, and the sub-layers may end up rotting through to the point where your new roof is no longer stable. Pickett. M (2013) If It’s Not Leaking, Why Does My Roof Need to Be Replaced? DIYNetwork-A ROOF OVER YOUR HEAD: MATERIALS FOR THE ROOF. Retrieved November 22, 2013 From HomeAdvisor.com. Click contact us for more information Contact Us

Check out this information regarding the various types of materials that can be used to cover a roof, as well as which ones might be best for you.

“For choosing a roof, there’s a really wide variety of choices, from specialty roofing products, which include tile, slate, metal roofs,” says Brian Chambers, the roofing products manager for Owens Corning. “But most roofs today are fiberglass shingles. That makes up the majority of roofing products that are available.” Fiberglass shingles are made from a thin layer of fiberglass, which is surrounded and coated first in weather-grade asphalt and then in specially designed granules on the surface that give fire protection and color. Like shingles, tiles come in a wide variety of materials, all of which can be incorporated into a roofing system. There are many tile options — lightweight or standard weights and different designs, colors and finishes. And if clay, wood, asphalt and fiberglass don’t work for you, give concrete a try. Note: Concrete tile is a very popular product, in fact, and it comes in many shapes. And the colors and styles of concrete tiles are widening every day. Because concrete tiles are heavier than clay tiles or wood shingles, you’ll need to make sure that the frame of your roof can support them. Otherwise the added weight can damage the roof framing over time. Another popular roofing material that will help keep out the elements is metal, which has been around for a long time, especially in commercial markets (the new information, by the way, is in the residential market). There are different shapes and styles, and they look like any other type of roofing that you might see on the house down the street. Note: A metal roof is installed in much the same way a tile or shingle roof, in that it uses an underlayment. It’s a highly durable roofing and extremely windproof.

Which Roofing Material Is Best for My Roof?

The best roofing material for your roof could depend upon three factors: What style do you want for your roof? You really need to determine what look you’re going for and the style you want. Also consider how long you think you’ll be in the home, which will dictate the type of product you should use. If you
think about a lot of new construction (where perhaps 30 percent to 50 percent of the exterior that you see is roofline), it’s important to consider whether this look complements your entire exterior. And you should always think in terms of dollars per year — for example, if you use the thinnest and cheapest composition shingle roof in a “hail” area, you can’t expect to get too many years of life out of it. Note: A composition shingle is anything made from asphalt and a base material such as fiberglass, polyester or any other matte material that may be impregnated with asphalt — covered in a granular surface. The second factor should be cost. Composition shingles are the best value for the money, but tile roofs are extremely durable and offer an indefinite lifetime. They can be fragile and subject to breakage, however. Just make sure the material you choose fits within the budget you’ve allowed. The final factor to consider when choosing roofing materials is location. If you live in a heavy snowfall or rainfall area, the harsh conditions may dictate what kind of materials, as well as how steep a pitch, your roof should have. For example, snowfall areas should avoid clay tile because they can easily become damaged. You also want to avoid flat roofs, which can allow snow to accumulate and which, left unchecked, can seriously damage your home. In the Midwest and on the East Coast, you’ll tend to see steeper roofs than you will on the West Coast. That’s a matter of function as well as form since homeowners like to get the snow off their roofs as quickly as possible. Roofing in the South takes on a different flair than roofing on the West Coast, generally speaking, because of the rainfall amounts. Southerners are dealing with a much greater threat of heavy rain than their Western counterparts, and their roofs not only are designed to handle the rain but should also be designed to evacuate that rain from the surrounding property. Some of the roofing materials that work well in areas of heavy rainfall are concrete tiles and composition shingles. This is because they do a great job of evacuating the snow and rain from the roof.

DIYNetwork-A ROOF OVER YOUR HEAD: MATERIALS FOR THE ROOF. Retrieved November 04, 2013 From DIYNetwork. Click contact us for more information Contact Us

Professionalism and Experience That You Can Trust.

When the time comes for roof work to be done on your home; Tri-County Exteriors is the company to call. We are the roofing contractors in PA that have been serving four counties in the Philadelphia area as well as southern New Jersey for more than three decades. We offer the highest quality service among Doylestown roofers and all other roofers in Bucks County.

Our services include both repair and installation of new roofs. Both small and large repairs are offered, so there is no reason for a home owner to endanger themselves by attempting a do-it-yourself repair. A professional roofer from Tri-County Exteriors can come to your home and give a free estimate for the repair. Have the work done quickly and professionally. Don’t think about doing this type of work yourself, as thousands of home owners are injured every year trying to do roof work. Needed roof repairs should be done as soon as possible. Small repairs can become big repairs as the damage becomes increasingly large. In addition, when the weather turns bad, a roof can leak requiring the need for expensive emergency repairs.

New roofs are also available and can be installed in several materials. Tri-County Exteriors can explain the different possibilities as well as the benefits of each and give an estimate for the cost of installation.

Along with quality and experience, what makes Tr-iCounty Exteriors so attractive is the range of services for the home owner. Along with roofing, they offer installation of siding. This can help bring down the cost of a home owner’s utilities and by using stone facing among other materials, the homes’ value can increase by giving it more curb appeal.

The windows and doors of a home can also be replaced if needed. Both of these can be a source of leaking hot air in the winter time, and a new door or window can help insulate a home better.

Tri-County Exteriors is also an excellent choice for residents of Doylestown PA who want to have a new deck installed for their patio. Available in wood or composite materials, there are several designs available that can be built quickly and professionally to make a patio more attractive and add value to a home.

Call Tri-County Exteriors today at 215-322-0110 to receive your FREE estimate!