How to Protect Your Roofing From the Elements

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A roof is a covering on the top of a building that protects it against rain, snow, sunlight, wind, and temperature extremes. It can be flat or pitched, vaulted or domed.

Harrisburg Roofing will examine and repair all components in and around the roof, including the flashing that prevents leaks at chimneys and where roof planes meet. The contractor also will look for ridge vents and vented soffits that improve attic air flow.

When protecting your home or business from the elements, you must ensure that your roofing can stand up to whatever Mother Nature throws. That’s why there are roofing materials that are designed to withstand better things like hail, wind, and rain than others.

For instance, some roof tiles are more likely to retain heat and transfer it downward into a structure, while others are designed to reflect heat and light upward. This can help reduce the energy needed for heating and cooling a home or commercial building.

Weather resistance also includes handling the impact of large pieces of debris. For instance, if you live in an area that gets hit by frequent hurricanes, you want to ensure that your roof can hold up against the force of the winds without being ripped off or severely damaged.

Additionally, the quality of roofing material can affect how well your property stands up to other forms of natural disasters. For example, a roof made from slate can withstand extreme temperature changes and the occasional earthquake. It’s also resistant to fire and can withstand the pressure of a snowstorm or other types of heavy precipitation.

The roof’s flashing is another element of weather resistance. This protects the water-tight seal of your roof from the elements. For example, it can prevent rust from developing in your roof’s metal valleys or joints. It can also help protect the waterproof membrane from damage caused by repeated hail or other debris impacts. For this reason, it’s important to choose a high-quality flashing and have it installed properly by an experienced professional.

With skyrocketing energy costs, it’s no wonder there is a push for more efficient building materials and roofs in particular. A well-insulated roof can greatly save money on energy bills by lowering heating and cooling costs.

Proper attic insulation is one of the most important things homeowners can do to increase their roof’s energy efficiency. Adding enough insulation helps moderate extremely high temperatures that strain air conditioning units and can cause utility costs to soar. The best time to bring attic insulation up to code is during a reroofing project, but you don’t have to wait for that opportunity to improve your home’s energy efficiency.

Another way to increase a roof’s energy efficiency is to use a radiant barrier. This special reflective coating on the underside of the roof deck helps keep sunlight from heating your attic, thus reducing your energy bills. A radiant barrier is a great addition to any reroofing project that involves the replacement of the roof’s deck or sheathing.

Green roofs are another way to save energy and help the environment. Studies show that green roofs can reduce energy bills and even offset them by generating electricity through solar panels.

The type of roofing material you choose and the climate in which your home is located will greatly impact the amount of energy savings you can realize from a new roof. It’s also good to consult with your local environmental agency regarding energy-efficient rebates and incentives, often available for new or reroofing projects.

If you have questions about which roofing is right for your home, contact us at Sears Home Services today. Our experienced roofers are happy to help you select a roofing system that will maximize your energy efficiency and provide years of comfort for your family.

It takes a lot to keep a roof in good shape. Like the rest of a building’s exterior, it gets assaulted by wind, rain, snow, bitter cold, bright sunlight, and other weather elements. Regular maintenance and inspections can extend its life. Roof maintenance includes a periodic check of the flashing, which is the material around chimneys, and where roof planes meet; replacing it prevents leaks. Regular inspections look for interior damage in the form of water stains, mildew, mold, rot, and structural stress from leaks. A property owner should also regularly clean the roof, keeping it free of debris and ensuring that safety signs remain visible. Remember that documenting this maintenance boosts a home’s resale value should it ever be sold.

Architectural shingles are the most popular, as they offer a more textured and layered appearance to the roof. They have an average lifespan of 25 to 30 years and can withstand strong winds. They’re also fire-resistant and can protect your house from fire-related damages.

Clay shingles have a natural, earthy look that adds charm and coziness to any home. They’re a great choice for homeowners prone to severe storms, providing extra protection from high winds and rain. In addition, they’re naturally fire-resistant and can prevent the spread of fire to other parts of the house.

Luxury shingles are the highest-end type available and come in various colors and textures to complement any home. They’re often designed to mimic the look of natural materials like slate and wood shakes, which can add a touch of elegance to any property.

Some shingles are pre-bent to create unique architectural features, such as curved eaves and gables. They can be used to create the quaint, fairy tale feel of a cottage-style home or enhance the visual appeal of an English Tudor Revival-style building. Others are shaped to create eye-catching designs like bellow towers, onion, or “herringbone” roofs.

Shakes are a rustic-looking roofing material made from split wood that provides an earthy, natural look to your home. They are a great choice for homeowners who want to add a unique and distinctive feature to their house. Shakes are thicker than shingles and can be used for sidewalls and roofs. They are available in two main classifications that vary depending on how they are sawn; hand split and resawn shakes have a rough texture, while taper-sawn shakes have a smoother appearance.

Like shingles, wood shakes are typically manufactured from high-quality cedar. They are more durable than shingles but can be prone to mold and insect infestation. Because of their vulnerability to moisture, shakes are typically treated with preservatives to protect them from insects and other pests. This treatment can also increase the lifespan of the shakes, making them a great option for homeowners who live in a wet climate.

Because shakes are handmade, they tend to have a more natural look than shingle roofing materials. They are often textured and have variation from piece to piece, which some people find attractive. They may also be sturdier and better able to withstand the elements than other roofs, such as metal or asphalt.

Another benefit of shakes is that they can help lower your energy bill. Because they are thicker than shingles, they can better insulate your house and prevent air escaping. They can also help keep your roof cooler in the summer, reducing the money you spend on electricity.

Some downsides to using shakes are that they can be more expensive than shingles and have a harder time adapting to weather conditions. Because shakes are prone to moisture, they can swell and harbor mold, leading to warping or rot over time. They also don’t offer the same degree of fire protection as shingles, so you might need to pay more for homeowner’s insurance if you choose shakes.

When installing a shake roof, it’s important to use an experienced professional. They can recommend the right type of shake for your home and provide proper installation and maintenance.

The Internal Workings of a Roof

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Your roof may seem like a simple structure that sits at the top of your house and protects it from rain, snow, sunlight, extremes of temperature, and more. However, the internal workings of a roof are much more complex than they appear.

Roofer Round Rock is a main part of a roof’s structure. They form a triangle that meets at the ridge.

roofing

Shingles are typically composed of asphalt with granules that give them their color protect the asphalt beneath from ultraviolet radiation and help the roof shed rainwater. When shingles are damaged or deteriorating, they can allow water into the home and cause leaks, which can damage walls, ceilings, insulation and other parts of the house.

If you find areas of your roof that seem darker than the rest, this can mean either that the protective granules on the shingle are falling off, or that the shingles are deteriorating and need to be replaced. The most common way that shingles become damaged is when they are pelted by solid objects, such as hail or rocks, at high speeds. Shingles can be bruised by such impacts, which expose the asphalt to further damage and leave the roof vulnerable to storm damage.

Over time, shingles can also wear down due to normal weather conditions, including sun exposure and changes in temperature. When a shingle loses its granules, it can be spotted by looking at the dirt or debris in your gutters and on the ground near your home. This is because the granules are what keep the shingle waterproof, and without them the shingle can deteriorate quickly.

A shingle can become creased or damaged by wind forces or even by the weight of snow and ice on the roof. The creases or damage can be difficult to spot, as they are often hidden by other shingles. In a recent test, researchers used a fan to generate wind at speeds up to 175 mph and found that creases were present in nearly all the shingles tested. In some cases, the creases were so severe that they created a visible “v” on the roof surface.

Another problem that arises is that some manufacturers do not list uplift force ratings (at design wind speeds) for their shingles on the material packaging or reference documents. This makes it harder to compare field-measured shingle strengths to the strength ratings originally determined by the manufacturer. The difference can be significant, and it can lead to a mismatch between the design wind speed of the roof and its actual performance.

The shingles on your roof are the first line of defense against rain, snow, and wind. They’re designed to withstand storms, reflect UV rays, and prevent water penetration. But there’s more to a roof than just shingles. The underlayment on your roof is just as important, especially if you live in an area with harsh weather conditions.

Roofing underlayment is a base layer that protects the roof while allowing installers to work more easily and quickly. It also helps keep moisture from penetrating the roof sheathing and causing damage to the home’s interior. There are a few different types of roofing underlayment, including felt paper, rubberized asphalt, and non-bitumen synthetics. Each type has its own pros and cons.

The type of underlayment you choose will depend on your budget, climate, and the type of roof you have. Felt paper is a common choice for homeowners on a budget. It’s also easy to install and lasts for many years. It’s available in 15-pound and 30-pound thicknesses, with the latter being more damage-resistant during installation.

Rubberized asphalt underlayment is a durable option that’s great for steep sloped roofs. It’s also water-resistant, and it resists tearing better than felt. However, it’s not as easy to install as felt.

Non-bitumen synthetic underlayments are a more environmentally friendly option than asphalt. They are waterproof and resistant to mold, mildew, and fungus. They’re also easier to install than rubberized asphalt underlayment.

It’s a good idea to use an underlayment with a low permeance rating to avoid trapped moisture that can lead to wood rot, mold, or other roof problems. However, it’s important to understand that no underlayment is completely waterproof.

The underlayment on your roof is critical to the function of your entire roof system. It’s essential to always read the building code guidelines for your region and seek usage instructions from underlayment manufacturers to ensure that you don’t negate any warranty coverage. Additionally, it’s important to know that all types of underlayment can be damaged by poor installation or exposure to certain elements. For instance, asphalt felt can degrade if exposed to ultraviolet light.

A roof’s flashing seals the edges of your roof around its various components and corners, preventing rainwater, snow, and excess moisture from getting into your home. Without flashing, water would seep into these spaces and eventually damage your roof structure and walls. Flashing is also used to protect against pests, such as birds and squirrels, which are known to nest in holes in roofs.

Generally, flashing is made from metal and is custom fabricated for each roof to fit the crevices and contours where it’s installed. It’s typically made from copper, aluminum, zinc alloy, or galvanized steel roofing materials. Some types of flashing are made from other materials, such as lead or rubberized asphalt, but these are less common.

Some types of flashing are more complex than others. For example, chimney flashing usually requires two pieces of flashing to adequately protect the area where the roof meets the chimney and the wall. The bottom piece, called base flashing or apron flashing, is a continuous strip of flashing that runs along the edge of the chimney. Above it, counter flashing is installed. This is a pair of squares of flashing that overlap, like fish scales, to prevent voids from developing.

Another type of flashing is gutter apron flashing, which lines the intersection of your roof’s slope and the fascia trim board and gutters. It’s designed to direct water into the gutters, preventing it from running down the fascia boards and damaging other parts of your home. Gutter apron flashing features a drip edge that extends slightly over the edge of the roof, ensuring it’s waterproof.

Other roof flashings include valley flashing, which resembles a V-shaped channel for water that runs into areas where the slopes of a roof meet, and pipe flashing, which fits the cylindrical contour of pipes. Most flashing is installed using mortar, but some is secured with nails.

It’s important that you regularly have your roof and its flashings inspected to make sure they’re in good shape and functioning properly. Without regular inspections, water and debris could get into these vulnerable spots and cause serious problems for your roof and home. Eagle Watch Roofing can perform seasonal roof inspections to catch any flashing damage early and determine the best course of action for repair.

If you have a flat roof, it’s important to fit it with the proper drainage system. Without one, the water that falls on your roof will pool around the edges, which can cause a lot of damage to your building. It will also lead to rotting of the wood, which can result in serious structural problems and leaks. Standing water is also a breeding ground for mildew and mold, which is bad for you and your family’s health. Finally, the continuous flow of water will erode the soil around your house’s foundation and could cause cracks in your walls.

Gutters and drains prevent this from happening by diverting the water from your roof into a gutter or downspout, which dispenses it a safe distance away from the building’s foundation. They also keep the water from rolling off of your roof and running down the sides of the building, which could damage your windows, siding, and foundation. Downspouts are especially useful in cold climates, as they can help to prevent ice dams from forming on the roof.

Internal drains are a more sophisticated version of gutters that run water through pipes that travel through your roof and dispense it on the other side of the structure. They are usually installed in areas where the most water gathers on your roof. In addition to being more durable than other types of drains, they are often easier to install as they don’t require a sloping roof surface.

Exterior drains are a type of downspout that is placed directly on your roof. These drains can be used to replace or supplement existing downspouts or to add drains in places where the current ones don’t work well. They can also be used to create a rain garden, which can be a good way to reduce your property’s flood risk and help protect the environment.

It’s important to address any issues with your roof drainage as soon as possible. This will help you avoid more expensive repairs later on and ensure that your roof is in good condition.