Leaks & Service Repairs

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Reroof Estimates & Inspections

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Tag: Residential

How Good Communication Makes for a Better Roof

When it’s time to replace your roof, it’s important to choose a reliable company. You want a company that has the skills, equipment, and training to put a strong roof over your head. One important aspect of this is good communication skills. It’s possible that a roofing company can complete the job in a satisfactory manner without good communications, but even if this is the case you are likely to be frustrated. You could be unsure of the final cost, or the timeline for completion of the project. More likely, though, a good relationship with your roofing contractor will improve all aspects of the job, resulting in the roof you want for a fair price and finished in a timely fashion.

The Traits of Good Communication

You deserve a contractor that is available to answer any questions that arise before, during, and after the job. These important traits should inform all of your interactions with your contractor:

  • Regular discussions: These could come in the form of regular meetings or informal phone calls. These discussions keep you in the loop and let you know if any problems or complications have occurred. It also allows you to express any concerns about the progress of the job.
  • Good records: You should write down any important discussions you have with the crew or the supervisor, especially concerning the budget. Also, jot down any questions that occur to you, to ask the next time you speak with the contractor,
  • Mode of Communication: Let the contractor know which types of communication you prefer: email, phone calls, texts, or face-to-face talks.

The Hallmarks of a Strong Roof

Many factors go into getting a solid roof over your head. Good, regular communication is certainly an essential one. It keeps you informed about the progress of the job and answers your questions. Contact Andrews Roofing by calling 757-296-0553 or sending us an email to learn more about a trouble-free roof replacement.

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Use a Beautiful Roof to Improve Curb Appeal

America has steadily moved into what more closely resembles a residential seller’s market. However, buyers are not without options. As home prices go up, many buyers are also withdrawing from the market. Nevertheless, a beautiful home can help to motivate even the most reluctant buyer, because it’s the first impression in deciding the value for money.

The Shape

The first thing many people recognize about a roof is the shape of it. In fact, some people prefer homes with certain roof shapes over others. For example, some owners prefer flat roofs that can hold a terrace, while others prefer steep A-shaped roofs that can fit an attic with standing space. You can’t create a roof that suits all preferences, but you can make sure yours is a high-quality option of its type.

The Material

First-time home buyers often do not have a preference for roof types beyond aesthetics. If they have lived in an apartment for years, then this is all the more likely. Seasoned home buyers may know exactly what kind of roof they want based on prior experience with roof maintenance. Consider this when choosing a roof.

The Color

Winter snow, fall leaves, and spring blossoms are just some of the things that may disguise a roof’s color. However, this does not mean that the color of your roof doesn’t matter. When choosing the color for your roof, consider the overall exterior of your home. Make sure the color of your roof complements the color of your siding, trim, shutters, etc.

The Condition

If people remember nothing else about a house, they remember the state it was in. Was it clean or dirty? Did it look stately and sophisticated or old and broken? The roof plays a big role in this. If there are missing shingles or the colors do not line up well together, it may give the wrong impression and subtract from the curb appeal.

If you need help visualizing your new roof, Andrews Roofing can help. Contact us today by calling 757-296-0553 or sending an email for more information.

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Should I Worry About Frost on My Roof?

Have you ever walked outside on a cold morning and noticed the frost that covers the ground? You might have to scrape your car before you can drive, and your grass may look like a sparkling wonderland. Direct your view upward to have a look at the roof. Is there frost on it? Do you know whether frost is good or bad for your residential roof? How do you know when to worry?

Is Frost Good or Bad?

The frost itself that collects on your roof isn’t necessarily good or bad. Roofing materials are made to withstand the weather, and roofers who work in cold environments know which materials will hold up best. As long as your roof is in good repair, you shouldn’t have to worry about water damage.

The fact that there’s frost on your residential roof could actually be a good thing. If you look around and notice all your neighboring houses have frost, but yours does not, it could be an indication that your attic insulation isn’t quite up to par. The frost may be spotty, which also means the insulation isn’t properly in place. Without proper insulation, the heat that should be warming your home is leaking out through the attic and the roof, which is melting the frost.

Should I Worry About a Lack of Frost?

If there’s a lack of frost on your roof, there could be cause for alarm. You should only worry if your neighboring houses have the same amount of sun exposure as yours. For example, your neighbor’s house might be blocked from the sun by tall trees or a taller building, while your home is in direct sunlight. As soon as the sun hits, your frost could melt away, but will remain on your neighbors due to the shade. If that’s the case, you would not need to worry.

Contacting a Roofer

If your house is not in direct sunlight, and everyone else has frost, you should contact a roofer to see if there’s a problem with your roofing and insulation. Contact Andrews Roofing by calling 757-296-0553 or emailing us today for more information.

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Avoid These DIY Roofing Hazards

DIY projects are all the rage, and some can certainly save homeowners a significant amount of money. However, residential roofing is an area that’s best left to the professionals. If you’re considering repairing or replacing your own roof, here are some common hazards that might make you reconsider a project of this scope.

Leaking Roof

Improper installation of roofing elements can create an ineffective roof. While nailing asphalt shingles may look straightforward, you’ll need to carefully install underlayment and flashing in order to create a leak-free roof. It’s very easy to create gaps, holes, and other imperfections that can create major headaches later on as your roof begins to leak.

Personal Injury

Perhaps the biggest hazard when tackling DIY roofing is personal injury. There are a number of dangerous situations you may get yourself into. Here are just a few ways that you could be injured while attempting to work on your own roof:

  • Improper use of tools
  • Falling through weak points in your roof
  • Losing awareness of your roof edge
  • Slipping on a steep roof pitch

Many of these issues are particularly dangerous if you have a two-story house. Even proper personal protective equipment doesn’t offer adequate protection for falls, improper use of nail guns, and other hazards.

Additional Expenses

In the end, many homeowners find they actually invest more in a DIY roofing project. From the significant time devoted to the added materials required to fix any mistakes, you may have more invested than a straight-forward professional project. Spend your weekends and evenings relaxing or working on another, more manageable home improvement project.

If you need to replace your roof, don’t risk your time, money, and personal health attempting a DIY solution. Contact Andrews Roofing today to receive a quote. Discover how safely and affordably you can enjoy a professional roof replacement and avoid the time, effort and risk of a DIY project. Call 757-296-0553 or email us today!

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The Basics of a Residential Roof Replacement Project

Letting professionals handle your roof replacement project means putting the protection of your home into someone else’s hands. Understanding what a roof replacement entails, may help put your mind at ease. The following are some basics.

The Materials Used

You no doubt want the highest quality materials used for your home, but you may not know what those are. Speaking with your residential roofer about the options available can help you make that decision. Some materials commonly used for home roofs include asphalt composition shingles, metal roofing, wood shakes, and slate roofing. These materials come in different colors as well, so you can match a variety of exterior home features to your roof.

The Professionals Doing the Job

One thing you don’t want to do is trust the job to someone who doesn’t know what they’re doing. Contacting a professional residential roofer will ensure the job will be done correctly and last a long time. You want a company that does what they say they’ll do, as well as exceeding your expectations. Look for a roofing company with a great reputation that hires roofing professionals and ensures they are properly trained. With all these components pulled together, your roof will get done correctly.

The Cost of the Project

The cost of your residential roof replacement project will depend on the size of the job, the materials used, and the pitch of the roof. Speak with your roofer about the specifics of the job to truly understand what you’ll be expected to pay by the end. If the cost doesn’t work with your budget, you can work out a different arrangement beforehand to ensure you receive a nice roof within your price range.

Getting Started

Understanding a few basics of residential roof replacement can get you ready to face the project head on. Contact Andrews Roofing at 757-296-0553 to get your roof replacement scheduled.

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Top 10 Roof Problems

The health of your roof is crucial to the integrity of your home. Knowing the 10 most common roofing problems can help you to catch the damage early enough to make adequate repairs. Here are the most notable problems.

Roof Leaks

Your roof has to handle the elements. Rain, snow, hail and wind may lead to moisture inside the roof. If this happens, rot and mold are the next step.

Faulty Installation

A badly installed roof leads to bigger problems. If you want your roof to have a long lifespan, it needs to be installed up to standards and by a professional.

Critter Infestations

Small birds and animals may cause a lot of damage to your roof. If you have an animal infestation, you want to take care of it as soon as possible.

Poorly Installed Flashing

Flashing seals areas such as vent pipes, chimneys, skylights. When flashing is not installed properly, it leads to open seams and blown off tiles.

Pooling Water

If water pools on your roof, this problem normally arises from debris buildup or from HVAC units that don’t properly drain. It may also be due to gutter problems.

Ventilation Problems

Ventilation regulates temperature and moisture levels. Ventilation problems lead to costly energy bills and mildew issues.

Shrinkage or Blistering

The roof membrane may shrink and cause cracks in the upper layer. Watch for blistering, splitting and surface erosion.

Overhanging Limbs

Tree limbs may rub the surface and wear away at the top layer of your shingles. Trim your tree limbs back as much as possible. No tree should be a threat to your home.

Improper Maintenance

Your roof needs checking regularly. With proper maintenance, you can control any problems that occur to your roof.

When it comes to taking care of your roof, it’s crucial that you know the most common problems. The more that you know, the easier it will be to ensure that your roof lasts. Contact Andrews Roofing today at 757-296-0553 for help with your roofing needs.

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