Leaks & Service Repairs

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Reroof Estimates & Inspections

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Tag: roof

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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Top Reasons Roofs Fail

When you install a new roof, the last thing that you want to happen is for the roof to fail. Unfortunately, when a contractor does a poor-quality job, this is exactly what happens. Here are some of the most common reasons for roof failure.

Poor Ventilation

Good ventilation keeps a roof in good health. You should have a ventilation system that pushes heat and moisture out during the summer. This will minimize expansion due to temperature changes. Also, it will keep your attic cool throughout the year.

Poor Installation

When it comes to home renovation, it is important that the projects are finished right. Even with the best materials, if the roof is not installed properly, it is not going to function correctly. You need to ensure that your roof is installed right the first time, by a contractor who knows what they’re doing.

Poor Quality Materials

When it comes to choosing materials, you want to take more than cost into consideration. Even if the low-cost products look appealing, you need to keep in mind that the lower costs can also mean lower quality materials. When you have high quality materials, your roof is more likely to last.

Poorly Chosen Flashing

You need to protect the protrusions where exhaust pipes, chimneys, and dormers connect to the roof. These areas are prone to leaks and other problems. Metal flashings are the best way to seal this area. You do not want to use caulk or any other type of sealant. These products degrade over time.

Roofs can fail for a number of different reasons. If you want to make sure that your roof doesn’t fail, then you’ll have to invest in regular maintenance and inspections. The higher quality the job, the more likely you are to have a roof that lasts. For a roof that will last, call a company you can trust. Contact Andrews Roofing by calling 757-296-0553 or sending us an email 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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Roof Warranties: What Is Covered?

Roof purchases are crucial investments for your home or business. If you invest in a roof, you’re going to want to put money into a warranty. Before making the purchase, be in the know about what types of warranties are available as well as what is covered through the warranties.

Installation Only

The installation only warranty covers roof defects. These defects have to be due to improper installation.

Labor Only

Labor only covers the labor costs. This warranty does not cover materials. It’s important that you have a clear idea of what’s covered under a labor only policy.

Materials Only

Material only warranties are a guarantee that your roof holds up to specified roofing defects. They do not protect against roof damage if there is a faulty installation or if you do not maintain your roof.

System Warranty

System warranties cover labor cost and materials. The roof manufacturers offer these warranties and they may protect you in the case of an installation failure. However, they will not cover you if your damage arises from lack of maintenance.

Manufacturer’s Warranty

Manufacturer’s warranties can cover material, labor and system warranties. These warranties last for about 10 to 30 years. These warranties will not protect your roof from all damages, but they are a safeguard against roof damages to non-manufacturer provided components of the roof. Of course, not all warranties are the same. You need to understand precisely what goes into your warranty.

When you purchase a new roof, you need to pay close attention to the warranty options that are important to you. After all, to invest in a roof is a big deal. These are expensive investments that should last you a long time. It’s crucial that you have a warranty in case anything goes wrong. Most of the time, if something does go wrong, it’s simple enough to be fixed with your warranty before the problem gets out of hand. Email Andrews Roofing or call at 757-296-0553 today to get a free estimate on your new roof!

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