Leaks & Service Repairs

757-399-3066 ext 3 (Leaks & Service Repairs)

Reroof Estimates & Inspections

757-399-3066 ext 1 (Reroof Estimates & Inspections)

Category: Safety

3 Signs You Need Help from a Professional Roofer

Your home’s roof is one structure where you should always get professional help. Many people enjoy doing projects around the house, but it is dangerous to work high up on a roof with no professional training. While you should have a professional roofer come out once a year to inspect your roof, you also need to contact one if you notice any of the following signs of damage.

1. Sagging Roof Deck

Every so often you’ll want to take a good, hard look at your roof from the sidewalk. By paying attention to your roof’s foundation, you should be able to tell if it’s beginning to sag. Even if you only suspect sagging, you’ll want to have someone come out to inspect it, as this can be caused by a few different things.

2. Clogged Gutters

Your gutters always need to be clear of debris so that they adequately move water away from your house. Homeowners need to inspect their gutters often, especially during the fall and winter when leaves are falling more frequently. If any of your gutters have previously sustained damage, then you should have a roofer come out and inspect around it to make sure the roof hasn’t been impacted.

3. Broken Shingles

Your roof’s shingles should always be in good condition, however, you may notice over time that some shingles are starting to crack. It’s also common for shingles to fall off entirely leaving behind patches. This is more likely to happen if you live in an area that is prone to high winds. One or two missing shingles is not overly concerning, although you still want to have it looked at to avoid additional damage. If your roof is missing a large amount of shingles, then you may have an underlying structural problem that needs to be addressed.

At the first sign of any of these or other roofing problems, contact the professionals at Andrews Roofing right away by calling 757-296-0553 or using our contact us page. Prompt repairs help you avoid more serious problems and save your roof. With our help, your roof will last for years to come.

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How To Deal With Water Stains on Your Roof

When the outside becomes treacherous, a solid roof is your first line of defense against the elements. You can imagine how disheartening it is when the protective covering of your home starts to change in appearance—a clear indicator that your roof is feeling the impact of inclement weather over time. Water is among the most common causes of aging in a roof, leaving unsightly moisture stains that threaten to compromise the security of your house if left untreated. Consider the color of water stains and extent of damage when coming up with a solution for your roof.

Black or Green Roof Stains

Black or green water stains on your roof indicate growing organisms, such as algae or moss. The presence of constant moisture and sunlight makes for a delicious and cozy harvesting area for such microscopic tenants. They can lock in unwanted dampness or invite other, larger creatures to wreak havoc on the top of your house. Power-spraying or scrubbing the problem on your own is possible, but likely to cause further, irreparable damage.

White or Yellow Roof Stains

White or yellow discoloration on your roof suggests hard-water buildup from an air conditioner or evaporative cooler. This type of staining often occurs on lower areas roof beneath cooling units and sticks out like a sore thumb. Similar to algae-type staining, attempting to scrub or power-wash will probably make things worse. Rather, you can try fading the damage with a vinegar solution, which works to gradually dull mild stains without risk to the plants or animals around your home. Be careful of any harsher home remedies, as they can become dangerous if mishandled.

When in doubt, professional roofing companies are better equipped to eradicate roofing stains with special chemicals, sealers or new repellent shingles when necessary. Expert solutions work quicker and last longer, saving you the hazardous trip up the ladder. Call Andrew’s Roofing at 757-296-2897 or use our contact page for more information.

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5 Mistakes you’ve been making with Your Roof

Having a good roof over your head is something that we all need but often take for granted. Unfortunately, your roof won’t take care of itself, so it is up to you to maintain your roof and address issues when they arise. There are many roofing myths several of which can result in severe damage. Learn the common mistakes people make when caring for their roofs and learn the correct way to maintain yours.

1. Over-Insulating Your Home

Yes, you read that right! There is such a thing as using too much insulation for your roof. If your home has an attic, too much insulation won’t allow the room to ventilate which can cause mold to grow and other issues.

2. Cleaning Your Roof With a Pressure Washer

Cleaning your roof can help enhance its appearance and prevent mold from growing. Many people will use a pressure washer to do the job which can damage the surface of your roof. Next time you clean your roof, opt for a hose instead.

3. Not Regularly Inspecting Your Roof

Just because you don’t see any leaks doesn’t mean there aren’t issues with your roof. Take the time to inspect your roof so you can handle small repairs when needed.

4. Not Checking Your Attic

If you only inspect the outside of your home, you may be missing out on some obvious signs that your roof needs to be replaced. Always check your attic to look for signs of mold growth or excessive humidity.

5. Re-Roofing Over Shingles

No matter what you do, do not simply nail new shingles over old ones. You’re only making things worse. Old shingles need to be removed and replaced by new ones for a proper seal.

Call a Professional!

Roofing problems can be complicated and need to be handled by people who know what they’re doing. Call Andrews Roofing at 757-296-8562 or use our contact us page to avoid these mistakes altogether, and let the professionals do what they do best!

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Top 3 Reasons to Have a Well-Ventilated Attic

Most people don’t pay attention to the ventilation in their attic. After all, you don’t live up there, so why does it matter how the air circulates? It only takes you a few seconds to drop things up there that you don’t plan to use for a long time. While it may be true that most people don’t spend much time in their attic except for storing or retrieving items, having a well-ventilated attic is actually quite important. Here are three reasons you should make sure that air is properly circulating in your attic.

Heat and Moisture

Everyone knows that their attic gets extremely hot during the summer. However, most people don’t know that some of the structural components that make up the attic are vulnerable to too much heat and moisture. Parts such as the roof deck, trusses and rafters can become warped when exposed to extreme heat for an extended period of time, which can lead to a weakened structure and eventually a collapsed roof if not addressed in time.

Mold and Mildew

Where there is heat and moisture, you can expect mold and mildew. This is true for anywhere in your home, but the attic is especially at risk for heavy growth because you don’t spend too much time up there. It’s possible that by the time you notice it, the mold and mildew infestation has gotten out of control and caused serious damage.

Damage to Insulation

It’s also possible for heat and moisture to get absorbed by the insulation in the attic and cause them to become damaged. If this happens, then your home’s energy efficiency can be thrown off which can lead to a significant increase in your monthly utility bill.

It’s clear that proper attic ventilation is more important than most people think. If you’re concerned about the air circulation in your attic or want to speak with a professional about a consultation, contact the experts at Andrews Roofing today by sending an email to [email protected] or completing our contact form to get a free estimate for your next project.

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Hurricane Preparedness

In preparation for Hurricane Joaquin and any other tropical storms that may crop up this year, there are many ways to prepare yourself and your family should you find yourself in an emergency situation.

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Here are a 12 tips to remember:
1. Have an evacuation plan.
2. Watch and beware of storm surges/potential flooding locations.
3. Avoid driving in water when you do not how the depths.
4. Check your disaster supplies, such as food, medicine and water. You ideally need a 3-7 day supply of food and 1 gallon of water per day per person. Have medicines ready for 7-days.
5. Make sure you have candles and flashlights, as well as back up batteries.
6. Fill your car’s gas tank.
7. Secure anything that could be picked up by the wind, such as bicycles and lawn furniture.
8. Turn your refrigerator to the coldest setting so that if the power goes out, the food can remain cold for a longer period of time.
9. Have a multi-purpose tool handy.
10. Have cell phones charged.
11. Have a generator available if possible.
12. Set aside your homeowner’s warranty contract and contacts in case any damage is sustained to your property. Take pictures of any valuable possessions that may have been omitted from your homeowner’s policy in the event that damage is incurred.

Should you sustain any damage to your roof, please do not hesitate to contact us at 757-399-3066. We do have a 24-hour emergency service response if a call is placed outside of normal office hours. Stay safe!

Robert Andrews, II
757-286-7400
[email protected]

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Roofing Work Safety

Most work related deaths are caused by falls or being run over or hit by heavy equipment, as per an O.S.H.A. inspector I talked to last month. The rule is that when working six feet or above the ground one must have fall protection. So, this would include pretty much all roofers all the time. The most common type used is a full body harness. Any good roofing contracting company will have a written safety program which thoroughly covers fall protection. Think about it, even a 1 story residential shingle roof has a 12-14 feet high eave. At the ridge it may be 25 feet or more. A fall from these heights would do some serious damage to the body. There are times when fall protection is not required. One could work on a flat or low slope roof even 50 feet high without it if the parapet wall is 42 inches tall for example.

Bottom line is this: whether a contractor is going to do shingles, metal, flat, single-ply membrane, built-up, commercial, residential,  industrial, roofing replacement or roof repairs for you, make sure they have a written safety program and they have workers’ compensation insurance in case something does happen.

Just about every other year I hear of a local roofer falling to his death. It happens. Be sure it doesn’t happen on your property.

Robert Andrews ll, President                                                                                               [email protected]

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