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Maintaining your roof means knowing the possible threats it faces and taking steps to avoid or minimize the damage they cause. By ensuring precautions are in place, you can lower the cost of maintaining or repairing your roof, while also extending its lifetime to get the most from your investment in terms of performance, longevity, and curb appeal. Keep reading to learn more about a few of the summer-specific threats your roof faces every year, as well as how to minimize their impact on your home.

Sunshine

Summer days often bring more direct sunshine and longer daylight hours. Sunshine is hard on your roof in many ways, heating up the materials that comprise your roof and causing them to dry out, warp, peel, or crack. Although there is no way to stop the sun from shining on your roof, you can take steps to protect your roof from the damage it causes. Talk to your roofer about applying a reflective roof coating, which will minimize the amount of UV radiation from the sunlight that your roof absorbs. By causing your roof to reflect most of the incident sunlight, you’ll reduce solar heating and its side effects to prolong the lifetime of your roofing materials. Alternatively, painting your roof a lighter color can also increase its reflectance, thus also lowering the amount of damage caused by the sun.

Storms

Summertime storms often bring heavy rains, high winds, and damaging hail. Preparing your roof to weather these storms isn’t difficult and will make a big difference any time bad weather hits. First, keep any overhanging branches trimmed back from your home to prevent them from falling on and damaging your roof during a storm. Second, clean your gutters regularly to prevent debris from accumulating and blocking the flow of water, which can cause significant damage to your roof and your home during heavy rainfall. Address any damage you do see on your roof promptly, such as missing shingles or loose flashing, to prevent leaks and water damage from affecting your roof and your attic. After a storm has passed, make a quick visual inspection of your roof to determine whether it has sustained any storm damage—contact your insurance company and your roofer immediately if you notice any issues.

Pests

The warm summer season is also the time when many common pests are most active, including insects, rodents, and birds. These pests can damage your roof as they look for ways to enter your home or create nests and colonies, so it’s especially important to schedule a roofing inspection if you have recently dealt with a pest infestation. The sooner you identify pest-related damage, such as torn up or missing shingles, damaged flashing, or holes in your roof’s underlayment, the sooner you can have them addressed to prevent other types of damage, such as leaks, from affecting your home. Eliminating the access points through which pests entered your home in the first place will also ensure you don’t suffer a second infestation after you have spent the time and money to remove the initial pests from your home.

Your Columbia roofer can help you protect your roof from summertime threats to maximize its appearance and performance. We invite you to take a look through our comprehensive website to learn about our products, services, and solutions or read through our blog for more tips on preventing and recognizing roof damage before it can affect your home or business.

Installing a new roof is an easy yet extremely effective way to improve your home’s energy efficiency and eco-friendliness. If you’re considering roof replacement near Alexandria, there are several ways to ensure your new roof is greener than the last, ranging from the materials you choose to the way in which your roof is installed. Your roofing contractor can offer personalized suggestions and ideas to help you make the choice that is right for your home in terms of eco-friendliness and cost-effectiveness to ensure you get the roof you want.

Green Materials

There are several roofing products available today that are considered “green.” Green roofing materials may be durable and long-lasting, or their manufacture may contribute minimally to the creation of greenhouse gases and other waste. Some of the most popular residential green roofing options include tile, metal roofing, wood shingles and shakes, and asphalt shingles. Additionally, many of today’s new roofing materials are made with some percentage of recycled material, reducing the overall impact of their manufacture on the environment and the limited pool of natural resources. Depending on how your roofing product is manufactured and applied, it can offer various levels of solar reflectivity, product longevity, and even recyclability at the end of their lifetime of your roof. The use of lighter roof colors and reflective coatings are a simple way to reduce solar heating inside your home, lowering the environmental and financial cost of maintaining a comfortable indoor environment even further.

Green Installation

Green installation practices will prolong the lifetime of your roof while minimizing the amount of toxic chemicals or non-sustainable materials used to give you the roof you want. The key to roof longevity is its quality, which means hiring a trusted and experienced roofing contractor to ensure the job is completed properly. A longer-lasting roof will not only save you money, it will reduce the amount of waste associated with roof replacement as well. When installing an asphalt roof, talk to your roofer about using mechanical fasteners and water-based adhesives, rather than solvent-based chemicals that could be harmful to your health or the environment. If you’re designing a new roof entirely, installing a roof with a steeper pitch will encourage water runoff and prevent leaks or pooling, which can damage your roof and shorten its lifetime significantly. Other green installation options include installing roof-mounted solar panels for your home electrical needs, a solar pool heater or home water heater to augment your hot water supply, or radiant heat barriers to increase your roof’s solar reflectivity, regardless of the material you choose.

Whether you need roof repairs or a complete roof replacement, your Alexandria roofer has the options you need to install an eco-friendly roof to green your home. Please click through our website to find out more about green roofing, or take a look through our blog to read about smart, sustainable roofing practices and solutions.

A leaky roof can have many negative effects on your business. First, roof leaks are an obvious cause of annoyance and project a poor image to employees and customers, who see your building in poor repair. Second, roof leaks can invite mold and pests, which pose a health hazard to those inside your building. Third, water damage can cause property loss, as well as the loss of files and other important information, thus costing you more in terms of finances than simply the cost of roof repair in McLean. Protecting your commercial roof from leaks means not only taking steps to prevent leaks but recognizing possible trouble spots and the signs of a leak as well so you can act quickly to contact your roofer for repairs.

Common Commercial Roof Problem Areas

Flat commercial roofing is subject to different problem areas than sloped roofs. One common trouble spot is the area around any roofing penetrations, such as plumbing, exhaust, or HVAC vents. Flashing and sealants are used around these areas for weather-tightness, but these materials can become loose or deteriorate over time, leaving vent openings and the roofing materials around them vulnerable to leaks. Additionally, roof drains are notable problem areas, as the seals around these drains are subject to constant water flow as the drain funnels water away from the roof. Leaks may also form around the perimeter of flat commercial roofing, particularly near expansion joints located at the perimeter of your commercial roof.

Protecting Your Commercial Roof

Protecting your commercial roof from leaks means addressing problem areas to reduce the likelihood of developing leaks. Have your roof inspected once a year by a professional roofer, who can identify areas of deterioration, damage, or weakness and take action before a major leak or other water problem develops. Roof drains should be covered with mesh to prevent debris from being carried over the edge of the drain and into the pipe; debris buildup will result in backups that cause additional damage to drain seals and the surrounding area of your roof. Perimeter leaks are more likely on flexible membrane roofs; make sure your roofing inspection includes a thorough check of your roof’s perimeter and make any repairs your roofer suggests promptly to prevent leak formation. In many cases, roofing accessories manufactured from metal can cover vulnerable areas to prevent deterioration and leaks as well; these accessories can be installed and removed easily to allow for inspection and repairs of the membrane underneath. If you notice any signs of a leak, including dark streaks on the interior or exterior walls, a musty smell, standing water, or other signs of water damage, contact your roofer immediately to schedule repairs to restore your roof’s integrity and eliminate the source of water damage.

Your commercial roof provides protection and comfort for your property. Our roofers serving Alexandria offer installation, maintenance, and repairs of commercial flat roofing, metal roofing, and shingle roofing. Please visit us online to find out more about our commercial roofing solutions and services, or click through our blog for more tips and information about your roof.

Composite roofing, also called composition roofing, is a broad category that encompasses all types of shingles made from multiple (composite) materials. The materials used in composite shingles can include metal, wood, fiberglass, plastic, asphalt, and even recycled paper and other materials. These layers are combined and held together by resins or laminates to create each shingle. Composite roofing is a popular and versatile material—in fact, asphalt composite shingles are the most popular type of shingles used in homes across the U.S. today. Your roofer can help you determine whether composite shingles are right for you, as well as explain the maintenance needs of your composite roof to protect your investment throughout the years.

Composite Roofing Options

Because composite roofing may be made from a variety of different materials, it can be made to look like nearly any other kind of roofing available. This offers homeowners unique benefits, particularly in cases where other roofing materials may not be practical. Composition roofing can be used to achieve the look of wood or slate shingles at a lower cost than these roofing materials; composition shingles also weigh less than slate and other stone roofing options, eliminating the need for additional structural support to accommodate the weight of natural stone. The most common type of composite roofing is asphalt shingles; these shingles have a fiberglass mat core and an exterior coating of asphalt for UV protection, as well as water- and weather-tightness.

Composite Roofing Care

Because composition shingles are made at least in part from synthetic materials, they offer exceptional durability and weather protection. Most composite roofs can be expected to last 30-50 years before replacement is a consideration; composition roofing can also withstand heavy rains and winds of up to 100 miles per hour. The key to getting the greatest performance and longevity from your composite roof is good maintenance. Keep your gutters clean and in good repair. This allows water and debris to flow away from your roof and home without putting excess strain on the roofing system due to gutter clogs. Composition shingles can be vulnerable to moss and algae, so keep overhanging branches trimmed back to prevent the accumulation of debris on your shingles and clean your roof or have it cleaned periodically to remove any debris and dirt to eliminate moisture buildup. Although composite shingles can withstand most foul weather, hail can damage asphalt shingles and other types of composite roofing. Check your roof for damage after a hailstorm and contact your roofer promptly for repairs if you notice damaged or missing shingles. Additionally, schedule a professional roofing inspection once a year to identify and address signs of wear or damage to prevent larger problems from developing.

If you’re considering updating your roof near Fairfax, our roofers can help you choose the best type of roofing material and provide expert installation at your convenience. Take a look through our website to explore your roofing options or to contact a roofer in VA; you can also find additional roofing information and recommendations on our informative blog.

While it’s true that your roof provides your home with necessary protection from the elements, it also plays an important part in the overall style and appearance of your home. There are a variety of different roof styles and shapes, ranging from traditional to contemporary. In many cases, the style of roof your home employs will also influence your choice of roofing materials, which can enhance the visual you want to create when your home and roof are viewed together. If you’ve ever wondered which type of roof your home features and whether it requires any special care, keep reading to find out more about some of the most popular residential roofing styles in Alexandria.

Gable

Gabled roofing is one of the most popular roof styles in the United States—it is also likely the first thing you picture when you think of a roof. A gable simply refers to the triangular shape formed by the two sides of a sloped roof, which meet together at the top. A home can have one or more gabled portions of roof; cross-gabled roofs have gables on the front and sides of the home, while a home with only a single gable may have a front-facing or side-facing gable. Gabled roofs are less prone to accumulation of dirt and debris because of their slope, but your gutters will require regular care to keep them clear.

Gambrel

Gambrel roofs are a form of pitched roof in which each triangular portion has an additional sloped section. Their look is often associated with barns and cottage-style homes. Gambrel roofs offer more interior space under the roof than other styles, which is ideal if you’d like to use your attic as an additional living space. A gambrel roof can be more difficult to access due to its steeper pitch—you’ll need a roofing professional to inspect and clean your roof, rather than opting for some types of maintenance yourself. You’ll also need to make sure your gutters are clear to allow water and debris to run off the roof more easily.

Shed

Shed roofing derives its name because it is a style of roof often used on sheds and other functional outbuildings. A shed roof slants from top to bottom in only one direction, meaning one side of your home’s roof will be much higher than the other. Shed roofing is also a popular style of roof for dormer windows, due to its simplicity. A shed-style roof is typically easy to access, clean, and repair, depending on its pitch, which can range from high to low.

Flat

Although many individuals associate flat roofing with commercial buildings, residential flat roofing is quite popular as well. Flat roofing is not completely flat—even a flat roof must incorporate some pitch, typically 1/4 inch per foot, to accommodate runoff. Residential flat roofs offer a unique look that many find appealing; these roofs often require more maintenance than more highly-pitched roofs but are easier to inspect and repair because they can be accessed more safely. A flat roofing system may not use traditional gutters, but employ scupper or perimeter drains that should be checked and cleaned regularly to prevent water accumulation on the roof.

Whether you’d like to know more about caring for your existing roof or are ready to consider installing a new roof, your residential roofer in Fairfax is here to help. Please visit our website for more information about our residential and commercial roofing services, or check out our blog to read through our informative roofing articles.