Wheel Barrow Roofing London

How Should Homeowners Handle A Need For Emergency Roof Repairs?

When sudden, substantial damage occurs to a roof, homeowners must arrange for emergency roofing repairs as soon as possible.

Delaying these repairs can lead to further damage that can endanger the roof as well as the entire home, depending on the type of damage.

Still, it is not always possible for emergency roof repair contractors to show up immediately, especially after storms when many people may be seeking their help.

To get through until emergency roof repairs can be made, homeowners can follow these simple tips.

Photograph the Damage - Snap some photos of the damage that can be passed to insurance providers or emergency roof repair contractors as needed, to help with the damage assessment. Most insurance companies will require pictures of the damage, anyway. Continue to document the repair process so there are before and after photos, and keep all work receipts for insurance purposes.
Contact the Insurance Company - Once the extent of any obvious damage is located and photographed, homeowners should call their homeowner's insurance agencies and start the claims process. They may send out an adjuster over the next few days and recommend a contractor, or simply give the okay to start arranging for emergency roof repairs to be made by a contractor of the homeowner’s choosing.
Make a Temporary Repair If Possible - After starting the insurance claims process, make temporary repairs to minimize additional damage if possible. Slide loose shingles back into place and nail them down, or slide spare shingles where some may have broken or blown off. If there is active leaking inside the attic or house, make efforts to catch that water and protect personal items.
Cover the Damaged Area With A Tarp - Avoid more damage to an already damaged area of the roof by covering it with a tarp and affixing it to the surrounding roofing material. This can be done by laying the tarp over the area of damage, then nailing it to the shingles around the damaged area. To prevent water from getting under the tarp, hang and affix one end of it over the roof ridge if possible.
Call An Emergency Roof Repair Contractor - Once any temporary emergency roofing repairs have been made so the damaged area is protected from more weather, reach out to a local emergency roof repair contractor to make plans for a permanent repair. Send the damage photos if requested so the contractor can get an idea of the scope of the repair as they schedule the most convenient time to come and take care of it.

Roofing emergencies happen.

The best way to handle them is to first minimize the chance of additional damage occurring if possible, then get the insurance company and a local emergency roof repair contractor involved.

A reliable emergency roofing repair contractor will fit urgent repairs into their work schedule as quickly as possible.

Everything A Homeowner Should Know About Roofing Hail Damage!

Hail can be extremely damaging to a roof, in more than obvious ways.

Many times, homeowners do not even realize they need hail damage roofing repair until it is too late.

To prevent that, this brief primer on how this damage occurs and when to seek hail damage roof repair services should help homeowners understand what can happen and when to seek hail damage roofing repair services from roofing professionals.

Hail Is Unpredictable

Hail damage roof repair services advise that the first thing that homeowners should understand about roofing hail damage is that hail is unpredictable, so the damage it can cause is equally so.

The basic cause of different degrees of hail damage is impact, which can affect shingles in a variety of ways.

Small hail may bounce right off, but once hail is ½” to 1 inch in diameter, it can be much more damaging.

Hail that is 2” or greater in diameter can destroy a roof by causing widespread damage over the whole installation.

What Is Common Hail Damage?

Dents and divots on the shingles are a common type of hail damage caused by larger hail.

Per hail damage roofing repair services, dark spots and areas where the granules are broken off are another type.

Dinged flashing is another sign that hail has potentially damaged the roofing materials.

Broken-off granules collected in the gutters after a storm is yet one more suggestion that hail damage repair may be necessary.

Can There Be Hidden Damage?

None of these obvious symptoms are the most common type of damage that requires extensive hail damage roofing repair, as that tends to be impacts that leave hidden damage on the underside of the shingle.

Shingles that have been pelted with larger hail, even if not displaying any obvious signs of damage on the top, are frequently seriously damaged on the underside with cracks through the shingle materials.

These hidden cracks can result in a fast deterioration of the whole roof due to leaks and other water damage.

Inspect Roofs for Hail Damage After A Storm

Based on the different ways that hail damage can occur per hail damage roofing repair services and considering that not all of it is obvious to the untrained eye, seeking hail damage services in the form of a post-storm roofing inspection is recommended.

While small hail is unlikely to cause a major problem, hail damage roof repair services know that much of the damage may not be visible to the homeowner.

Unless this damage is detected in a timely manner before it can lead to other, long-term damage, homeowners insurance claims for hail damage repair may be rejected.

In Summary

So, the next time a hailstorm blows through, homeowners should do a little detective work.

Note the size of the hail, then look for the damage it is likely to cause.

Look to the shingles to detect surface damage from small hail and call a hail damage roofing repair service to check for other damage from larger hail.

That contractor will make the best repair recommendation based on the degree of damage present.

Top Reasons Not to Skip Regular Roofing Maintenance!

With the roof so high up there on top of the house, it is easy for some homeowners to forget about necessary roofing maintenance when they fall prey to the ‘out of sight, out of mind’ concept.

It is easy to forget about roof cleaning and other important maintenance when the roof seems to be doing just fine.

Unfortunately, these are the circumstances that many roofers see leading to costly damage, most of which could have been prevented with good roofing maintenance.

Why Roofing Maintenance Shouldn't Be Ignored

Instead of ignoring their roofs, homeowners should consider these reasons why roofing maintenance, inspections, and occasional roof cleaning are so important to protect the longevity of this essential component of their homes:

Longer Roof Life - A roof that does not receive regular roofing maintenance like gutter cleaning, ventilation checks, and minor repairs made when necessary will age faster than one that does.
Fewer Repairs Needed - Homeowners who invest in periodic inspections, roof cleaning, and required roofing maintenance will experience fewer problems that require expensive repairs, as the conditions that cause them can be prevented before damage occurs.
Money Savings - In addition to saving money on unnecessary repairs, good roofing maintenance that prolongs the lifespan of the roof helps homeowners get their money’s worth out of their current installation. A well-maintained roof also provides more energy-efficient protection that saves money on utility bills.
Protects the Warranty - Hiring roofers to perform required maintenance can protect the homeowner’s warranty on their roof, as many roofing materials manufacturers consider the warranty voided when maintenance is overlooked.
Safety of Home and Family - With good roofing maintenance including regular inspections, homeowners can rest assured that the structural integrity of their roofs is intact and easily able to protect their homes, families, and possessions against the weather.
Higher Home Value - Periodic roof cleaning and required roofing maintenance keeps a roof and the entire home looking and functioning at its best while maintaining the value of the home.

As easy as it can be to forget about roofing maintenance or assume that it is not necessary because the roof seems to be fine, homeowners do a disservice to themselves by doing so.

To protect their installations and prolong the life of any roof, homeowners should arrange to have their roofer do an inspection every couple of years and while doing so, perform any necessary roofing maintenance or cleaning.

These basic steps can prevent damage that requires costly repairs and keep the roof on any house looking its best and resisting damage for years to come!

Can A Few Missing Shingles Cause Roof Leaks?

Shingle roofs installed by residential roofing services are designed to remain watertight through their layered, offset application that prevents water from seeping beneath them.

This installation arrangement also helps to keep the shingles lying flat, which adds to the water-tightness of these roofing systems.

Noting this, residential roofing contractors are frequently asked whether one or even a few missing shingles cause the roof to leak.

The answer is both yes and no.

Does One Broken or Missing Shingle Cause Problems?

One of the great qualities gained when having a residential roofing service install shingles of some type is the peace of mind knowing that shingles all act to provide multiple layers of protection to the same spot on the roof.

This suggests that in most cases, if a single shingle breaks or gets blown off the roof, this minor damage will not automatically result in a leak or any water damage, at least not initially.

There is still a layer of underneath shingles providing protection in place where the top shingle used to be.

What If A Missing Shingle Problem Is Ignored?

The problems usually start when a missing shingle or two are ignored for a while, without residential roofing repair being made to replace the missing one.

After some time, the nail heads on the now exposed under-layer of shingles will start to corrode or pop up due to being exposed to moisture and that invites additional troubles.

Loosening or corroding nail heads allow the now exposed layer of shingles to loosen, letting water underneath or through the nail holes, eventually resulting in a leak.

What About Several Missing Shingles In One Location?

Alternately, while a single missing shingle here and there may not cause extensive damage and take a while to start leaking, residential roofing contractors warn that when a few shingles are removed from the same area, the added protection of those different layers may be removed with them.

Multiple shingles missing from the same spots often leave the underlayment exposed and that will definitely lead to leaking sooner rather than later.

Missing Shingles? Call A Roof Repair Service Right Away!

What should homeowners who notice missing shingles do?

If there is one or a few shingles missing from various parts of the roof, arrange for residential roofing repair when it can be conveniently scheduled for both parties, as there is no real emergency as long as there is only a single shingle missing from each location and the under-layers are intact.

If there are multiple shingles missing from the same area, arranging for those residential roofing services as soon as possible and protecting the area of damage in the meantime is recommended.

In Summary

Missing shingles, whether one or many, should always be replaced by a residential roofing contractor.

Rest assured that one or two missing shingles are not likely to cause immediate leaking.

When in doubt, homeowners should call a reliable residential roofing repair service and discuss the issue with them.

If Your Roof Doesn’t Have Crickets – Does It Need Them?

There are many components to the systems installed by roofer companies to create a sound, leak-proof roofing installation.

From ridges to rafters and soffits to flashing, roofers advise that all of these parts make up a complete system that protects a home by preventing the passage of water under the main roofing materials and into the living space.

One lesser-known part of some roofing systems according to the roofer services that install them is a cricket, also known as a roof saddle, that protects certain areas of the roofing installation.

What Is A Roof Cricket?

In the simplest explanation, a roof cricket is a roof ridge designed by roofer companies to direct water away from chimneys and similar protrusions that extend up from the surface of the roof.

Humorously named after the lovable character Jiminy Cricket due to the similarity to the phrase “chimney cricket,” these saddle ridges provide important protection for chimneys that protrude through pitched roofs by covering the back side of the chimney, preventing water from collecting where the back of the chimney meets the roof.

What Does The Area Around Chimneys Commonly Leak?

Chimneys are common locations where roofer services see leaks and widespread water damage, as it is challenging to protect their high sides from the presence of water.

Even after it finishes raining, water can sit in the crease behind the chimney for days, prematurely aging the shingles and eventually resulting in water damage.

Even the best flashing and sealant installed by roofers can sometimes fail in these locations.

In the worst cases, it can lead to a chimney collapse or widespread water damage like rot and substantial leaks under the roof.

How Do Roof Crickets Help Prevent Leaks?

Roof crickets installed by a roofer service can prevent this damage and keep a chimney dry and leak-proof by covering the high side of the structure and directing water away from it and down the pitch of the roof.

Designed by roofer companies to look like a small dormer extending from the roof surface and meeting the back of the chimney, roof crickets are designed to have the same pitch as the roof itself so they look aesthetic while preventing the water rolling down the roof from collecting behind the chimney.

Water rolls down the roof pitch, then onto the cricket and down the additional pitch to slide around the back of the chimney and continue down the roof.

Ask Your Roofer If Your Roof Needs a Roof Cricket!

Roofers advise that roof crickets can be instrumental in protecting chimneys and roof installations, especially in regions that see frequent or heavy rains.

Any house with one or more chimneys that extend through the surface of a pitched roof should be protected with a cricket behind each structure.

Homeowners experiencing leaks around their chimneys or who wish to avoid them can hire an experienced roofer service to install helpful crickets that will protect their installations and chimneys from costly water damage!

Roofing Design for Withstanding Extreme Weather!

Different parts of the country experience different types of extreme weather.

In the south and midwest, that tends to include hurricanes and other storms bringing high winds and torrential rains.

Knowing this, residential roof design should always be done in such a way that the architecture, plus the materials installed by residential roofing services, offer the most protection.

What Affects The Durability of Roofs?

Factors that affect the durability of a roof in extreme weather include its pitch and slope, the height of the home, the type of system installed by residential roofing repair professionals, and the quality of the materials used.

Overall, steeper-pitched roofs are more durable against high winds and torrential rains, while low-slope roofs tend to see more damage in these conditions.

Also, the taller a house is, the more important it is to have a pitched roof.

Regarding roof systems and materials, metal roofing systems tend to fare better than shingles, but residential roofing installations using premium wind-resistant shingles are durable as well.

What About Roof Architecture?

In terms of roofing architecture itself, there are a number of designs that are recommended in areas where extreme weather like hurricanes and high winds occur and would like require some type of roofing repair, which include the following:

Gambrel Roofs - One of the more protective roofs against high winds, the weight of heavy snow loads, and heavy rains, gambrel roofs are popular for homes, barns, and other buildings.
Hip Roofs - Another exceptionally sturdy roof design, the popular hip roof incorporates four angles that meet at the top, two at the ridge, and two at the ends of the ridge.
Shed Roofs - Shed roofs are a great option for homes in areas that receive a large amount of rain, as their long slopes and pitched overhang divert water off the house and away from the foundation.
Gable Roofs - Tall, sloping gable roofs have a high pitch and a steep slope that make them especially suited to withstand heavy rainfall and snowfall.

Seek The Advice of Local Roofing Services

Whether building a new home or renovating the roof on an existing one, homeowners should speak to experienced contractors from local residential roofing services about how to best protect their homes from local weather extremes.

Between the right physical design and the best residential roofing installation for it, it is a worthwhile investment in home protection.

Let's Add This Up

Fortunately, sticking with some of the more popular roofing styles like gambrel and hip roofs can protect most homes from all types of extreme weather.

Talk to a reputable local residential roofing service about roof design and whether it should be improved to be more durable against weather extremes!

What Is The Difference Between 3-Tab and Architectural Shingles?

Homeowners hiring asphalt roofers to do a new installation have many types of shingles to choose from today.

While 3-tab shingles have been in use for many decades, asphalt roofer services also offer beautiful architectural shingles as well.

Choose the right shingle from an asphalt roofer company by knowing the difference between the two!

3-Tab Shingles

Standard 3-tab shingles have been a staple used by asphalt roofers for a long time.

They provide years of roofing protection at a reasonable price, which is why they have been so popular for so long.

Though they have declined in popularity since the advent of more attractive and durable architectural shingles, 3-tab shingles are still a good option for sheds and other buildings or for lower-cost home roofs in some areas.

Visually, 3-tab shingles offer a uniform, flat appearance with no dimension to them.

Performance-wise, they can typically withstand winds of up to 70 MPH, which is the lowest wind rating.

Architectural Shingles

Architectural shingles, also called dimensional shingles, are higher-quality shingles available from asphalt roofer services that have grown in popularity for their more attractive appearance and improved durability.

Made using thicker shaped layers of matting materials, architectural shingles have a thicker, 3-dimensional profile that makes them more durable and able to withstand higher winds.

These shingles are available in a wide variety of shapes and styles that mimic other materials like wood shingles, which are less durable, and slate shingles, which are heavier and much more expensive.

When expertly installed by a professional asphalt roofer company, architectural shingles can make any type of home look more appealing with a roof that is more characteristic of different eras and materials.

Benefits of Designer Shingles

While architectural shingles do cost considerably more than 3-tab shingles, the many benefits gained by using them according to asphalt roofers usually outweigh the cost.

Architectural shingles last longer, are more resilient to extreme weather, and can be found in a variety of premium styles designed for specific conditions like high winds, impact resistance, and improved UV resistance.

Developed as designer upgrades to the standard 3-tab shingles that have been in use for so long, most homeowners prefer the dimensional looks of architectural shingles over the flat uniformity of 3-tabs.

Let's Add This Up

As with any roofing material, it is important that homeowners choose a reputable asphalt roofer service to install their shingles, regardless of the type they choose, to ensure a perfect installation.

When choosing beautiful architectural shingles, always protect that investment by finding an asphalt roofer company trained to install that specific product that will warrant their workmanship!

Find A Great Fencing Contractor for a Great New Fence!

When putting up a new fence, finding the right fence contractor to do it is important.

To ensure a good installation and a fence that will not encounter problems as it ages, fencing contractors must be experienced in their trade and know the correct techniques for installing many different products.

These easy tips can help any home or business owner find a trusted fencing company within their community so they can rest assured that their installation will be a great one.

How Reputable and Reliable Are They? - The best place to find out whether a fence contractor is respected within the community and a reliable contractor to hire is online. Seek out their social media pages, website, and business directory pages and see what past customers are saying about them. Most people can get a good impression of the fencing company by investigating whether they have happy customers or lots of complaints.
Do They Deliver Quality Workmanship? - View example galleries on the fencing contractor’s website and those posted online by past customers. New potential customers can also ask for references from the fence contractor that they can drive by and look at in person, too.
Are They Well-Trained? - Inquire about training and skill levels as well as any special experience the installers have for the type of fence being considered. A great fence demands that fencing contractors use the proper techniques to install it.
How Is the Pricing? - It is always a good idea to compare pricing to see how competitive a fencing company is with others in the area. Do understand that fencing contractors offering superior work and premium materials will have higher prices than those using cheap materials and untrained workers. Be wary of gauging but know what the service is offering for the money to truly find the best deal and workmanship for the money.
Are They Compliant? - Always confirm that a fence contractor is appropriately insured and that they observe safety practices to prevent injury or property damage. Also, discuss local zoning laws with them and confirm whether they will obtain any necessary building permits or if the contractor requires the property owner to get the permit on their own.

Fencing contractors are a dime a dozen in some areas, but that does not mean they are all reliable and skilled.

Before hiring any fencing company, always do the research required to get these questions answered.

The time spent finding a fence contractor who has the skills, experience, and positive reputation necessary to do a good job provides more peace of mind that hiring them is the right choice!

How Fire Resistant Are Asphalt Shingles?

One of the positive qualities of the asphalt shingles installed by roof contractors is that they are fire resistant to varying degrees.

This can be a critical feature for owners of homes and buildings in locations that are affected by wildfires, excessive heat, and also in congested neighborhoods where houses are close together.

Yet not all asphalt shingles are highly resistant to embers or flames and homeowners planning for roof services in the future must understand how fire ratings work to ensure they choose the right asphalt shingles to protect their homes.

What Is The Fire Resistance of Roofing Material?

Fire resistance refers to the ability of roofing materials to not catch directly on fire when affected by embers or fire.

All asphalt shingles installed by roof services are rated in their level of fire resistance.

A Class A rating is the most fire-resistant shingle, while those rated Class C are only somewhat fire-resistant.

Shingles with a Class B rating fall somewhere in between the two.

More Asphalt Shingles Available With an A-Rating

Today, many high-quality asphalt shingles like dimensional and architectural shingles are A-rated, meaning they provide a high level of protection to the roof deck of the building.

This rating, which is also given to metal, slate, and ceramic roofing, is met by shingles made with a high fiberglass content as this material is both lightweight and extremely fire resistant.

Flying embers are less likely to ignite these materials on an installation that receives regular roof maintenance, and they are also more resilient to high heat.

As such, Class A fire-resistant shingles are the preferred materials for homeowners to have installed by roof contractors if fire resistance is a concern.

They may also cost slightly more than lower-quality, non-premium shingles that have lower fire-resistance ratings.

What Are C-Rated Shingles Like?

At the bottom of the list are Class C-rated shingles, which provide only the minimum fire resistance and protection, making them somewhat riskier to use in fire-prone areas.

They are commonly some of the less expensive shingles that roof services can install.

As noted above, Class B-rated shingles are mid-range in their fire resistance and also their cost.

Assess Your Risk Dangers

Because some roofs can catch fire from just a few burning embers landing on them, roof contractors highly recommend that homeowners choose premium Class A-rated asphalt shingles whenever possible for the greatest protection.

Class A premium shingles made with fiberglass are affordable, durable protection against conditions that could destroy the entire structure if the roof catches on fire.

Contact a reputable roof service to talk more about fire resistance and choose the best shingle for any home!

What Are All the Materials Needed for a Roof Replacement?

Roof replacements may look easy, just pull off the old materials and nail on the new ones, but that is a very simplistic view of what is really involved.

In reality, roof replacement contractors go to great lengths to properly install many different materials, not just the ones that lay on top.

To fully understand the complexity of roofing, this list of all the different materials that roof replacement companies use in their installations should help homeowners understand why the job takes so long, and costs so much!

Wooden Decking - Decking is the main support for all the other roof replacement materials installed by contractors. It lays over the spaces between the rafters and trusses, covering the roof area and providing a flat surface on which the other materials can be securely installed.
Felt Underlayment - Underlayment is a water-resistant, yet breathable covering that protects the decking by preventing moisture from seeping through the external materials and down to the wood.
Ice Shields - Ice shields are waterproof barriers that get installed in valleys where water flows and ice can form, providing an additional layer of protection in these vulnerable areas on the roof.
Metal Drip Edges - To prevent water from rolling down a roof and then clinging to the roofing material and soaking into the decking underneath, roof replacement contractors install drip edges at the ends of the decking to prevent those droplets from hanging on so they instead release and fall off the roof.
Shingles or Panels - Available in countless types and styles, the external shingles or metal panels are the main protective roofing materials that cover up everything previously mentioned.
Ridge Caps - Ridge caps are shingles or metal pieces that protect the ridge vents and the upper edges of the roofing material by covering those areas while still leaving space for the vents.
Roof Vents - Installed in various places by roof replacement companies to ensure good attic ventilation and prevent heat damage to the external materials, vents are critical roofing components. Contractors will install gable vents, standard roof vents, and soffit vents as needed to regulate the roof and attic.
Flashing - Flashing is the pieces of metal that cover the seams in roof valleys to protect them from moisture and seal off those vulnerable areas.
Pipe Boots - When exhaust vents and other pipes extend through the decking and other materials, roof replacement companies protect those areas with rubber boots which are like flashing for exhaust and vent pipes.

Based on this long list of essential materials, it is easy to see how roof replacement involves much more than just putting on a new set of shingles.

Experienced roof replacement contractors use all these items to ensure a perfect, leak-free roofing system!