Roof Shingles Care and Maintenance

Your roof is a major part of your home’s value. One of the most important things you as a homeowner can do is make sure that your roof is properly maintained.

Perform annual or biannual inspections to assess how well the integrity of the roof is holding up. You also want to check for missing or damaged shingles and look for anything that might cause problems down the road. Potential problems would be low-hanging branches or clogged gutters.

However, it is important to remember that not every roof is the same as far as maintenance goes. Different roofing materials require different types of attention to maintain.

In this article we will discuss the most common types of shingle materials used and how to make sure you get your money’s worth out of them by taking care of them.

Asphalt Shingles

The most common material used for roof shingles, depending on location, is asphalt. Economical and typically low-maintenance, they are unfortunately susceptible to a lot of weather conditions. Without a protective coating, enough exposure to the sun can speed up the cracking and decaying process. Hail is another environmental nuisance causing granules to be knocked off and leaving marks and dents in the roof.  Wind can rip shingles from the roof, leaving the roof open to damage from the elements. Asphalt shingles require a protective UV coating and a flexible base to protect them from sun and wind damage.

 

Wood Shingles

While this material requires more upkeep than other shingles, it is highly sought after due to the wonderful aesthetic they bring with them.This type of shingle needs to be made with a strong type of wood, like redwood or cedar. A few things you need to consider before opting for this type of roof:

 

• the quality of lumber
• average humidity in your area
• how close you are to saltwater
• qualified wood shingle roof installer

All these factors can either make or break your wood-shingled roof. Wood shingles need to be pressure-treated and maintained with sealants or coatings that protect against constant exposure to sun and rain. Without that protection, sun rays can cause your wood shingles to cup or curl. This can lead to fractures. If properly looked after, these shingles can last 10-15 years longer than your typical asphalt shingles.

Tile Shingles

This sturdy, long-lasting contender can take on the damage that the sun, rain and wind can dish out. While concrete and stone tiles are typically more durable, porcelain and clay tiles can become fragile and break in a hailstorm or high winds. Clay tiles don’t keep well in colder climates that see a lot of snow and ice. They do hold up well in higher temperatures with a lot of sunshine, however. This makes them more popular in the arid climates like the southwest U.S. In order to have a healthy tile roof, you need to make sure the tiles are properly installed.  Hire a professional  familiar with weight restrictions and architectural structures that can hold these heavy shingles. The tiles themselves can last upwards of 50 years, however the basal layer needs to be replaced about every 10 years to prevent cracking and leaking in the roof.

Slate Shingles

This material can withstand high winds, keep the rain and moisture out of your attic and even repel hail. These traits make them one of the most durable types of roof shingles out there. Because these shingles are heavy, they will require a very skilled roofing installer to make sure they are done correctly. They will need extra architectural reinforcement due to their weight. You will need to have these checked regularly and fix any problems immediately, in order to maintain the durability and long life of your slate roof.

Metal Shingles

As can be expected, metal roofs are one of the most durable roof systems you can have. Their ability to keep out moisture and rain, along with their ability to reflect heat rays from the sun makes them a popular choice. Hail and wind are the enemies of the metal roof.  Hail can dent your metal roof, while wind can cause even more damage to metal roofing than a typical asphalt roof,  if the metal roofing is not installed properly.

Conclusion

Choosing the right shingles and knowing how to maintain them can be tricky. Don’t worry! We have experts standing by who can help with all of your roofing questions. If you have questions about types of materials for your shingles, contact us today! We would be more than happy to help you on your roofing journey.

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Flashing for Your Roof

Whenever you get your roof fixed or have a new one installed you need to make sure that not only are the shingles installed properly, but also the flashing. Shingles are the first line of defense against the harsh UV rays.  In the same way, your flashing is the first line of defense against moisture and water damage.  In this article we will talk about what roof flashing is, why it’s important and what damages can occur if your flashing is neglected or not properly installed.

What is Flashing?

Roof flashing is a roll of thin metal. It’s made to withstand all weather conditions, including high wind and excessive rain. Flashing can be made from several types of metal including copper, aluminum, galvanized steel and lead. During the roofing process, it is rolled out into place and sealed. Flashing ensures that no water can get into your roof and damage it. The way flashing works is relatively simple: it collects pooling water and channels it away from where it was pooling. All types of flashing work in basically the same way.

What Does it Do?

Roof flashing is very important because it helps to close joints in walls or roofing applications. This makes sure no water is able to seep into materials used in the construction of your roof. The most typical places you’ll find flashing is around valleys, vents and skylights. Installing flashing is a key process in roofing. If done correctly, it can help lengthen the lifespan of your roof and the lumber supporting your roof. Once installed, quality flashing will continue to protect your roof for a long time.

 

 

Flashing: Valleys and Chimneys

 

Valleys

A valley in your roof is the area where one slope of the roof joins another. This creates a low area on the surface of the roof–a valley.  Valley flashing is installed under the shingles of the roof at the edges.  The flashing leads down to a gutter close by. Water will drain from the shingles into the valley. From here, it flows down the flashing metal, to the gutter and out the spout. Valley flashing streamlines the way your roof protects against water.

 

 

Chimneys

Chimneys are very common areas where water can get into your home. Flashing around chimneys has to be completely water-tight. Your roofer will place smaller, L-shaped metal pieces between shingle courses all along the chimney. Atop the chimney, a cricket–sometimes referred to as a saddle roof–is built. This helps create a slope to keep water from pooling behind the chimney.  Flashing covers the cricket, running along the shingle run above. This cover is mortared into the chimney itself, creating a water tight lock. Counter flashing is mortared along the sides into the brick or stone and run down the step of flashing. Lastly, flashing is mortared in the front of the chimney, at the lowest point of the roof. This flashing is placed flush on top of the next shingle course, so water will run down away from the chimney.

 

What Happens When Flashing Doesn’t Work?

Since flashing is what keeps your roof safe from water damage, its safe to say that without it your roof would suffer from water damage. Roof rot, mold, mildew and even broken beams can be a result of poor flashing. Also, damaged or improperly installed flashing on your roofs eaves will cause water damage on your exterior walls as water seeps into the inner workings of your wall. Without properly installed flashing, you as a homeowner could be looking at getting a whole new roof, having to re-plaster and paint your inside walls and ceiling due to water damage.

Don’t let water damage from poor flashing ruin your new year! Contact us today so we can help you make sure your roof flashing is water-tight and ready!

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Types of Roofing Shingles

There is a lot more to roofing shingles than most people think.

Choosing the right type of shingle and material is crucial to any homeowner. Not only do your shingles protect your home from water, snow and ice, but they also add to curb appeal — an important factor in determining your home’s value.

Roof shingles also affect household temperatures and energy efficiency. A  cool roof will generally be lighter in color to reflect heat from the roof surface. This, in turn, helps maintain cooler temperatures inside the home.

The type of shingles you choose also affects the lifespan of not only your roof, but your home as well. In this article, we will discuss the most common styles of shingles, and what they are typically made from.  Remember, types of shingles are not the same thing as shingle material.

3-Tab Roof Shingles

This is the most common shingle style in North America. It is usually made of asphalt, and they create the rectangular shingle style you see. One of the reasons this type of shingle is so popular is it is a simple design, and it is also cheap and virtually hassle free to install. They come in a wide range of colors which is great for homeowners on a budget.

Architectural Roof Shingles

This style of shingle is a jack-of-all-trades in the roofing industry. These shingles are also typically made of asphalt and come in a great variety of colors and shapes. The Architectural Roof Shingle would be the perfect choice for virtually any type of roof. This style of shingle is more aesthetically pleasing than a basic 3-tab roof shingle.

Tile Roof Shingles

These roof tiles are mainly found in the Southwest due to them being more energy-efficient compared to asphalt shingles. This terracotta clay tile is typically used on historical homes and buildings with old world, California mission architecture stylings. They are most easily recognized by their “wave-shaped” Spanish tile, they are readily available in different styles and colors. Higher quality tiles can last anywhere from 50 years or even longer than 100 years.

Wood Roof Shingles

Wood shingles are also a very common type of shingle. These sustainable shingles have been used for centuries because they offer better insulation than asphalt. When its used on eclectic construction styles, it can drastically change the ambiance of your home. There is a difference between wood shingles and wood shakes. While wood shakes are split on either one or both sides, to make a textured grain effect, wood shingles are sawn on both sides to make a smoothed tapered shape.

Shake Roof Shingles

Like the wood roof shingles, these shingles have also been used for a very long time. Wood shakes are different from wood shingles because they are more rustic and textured in appearance. In recent years, there have been new types of composite materials that are used to make more durable and longer lasting shakes that maintain their color and have better resistance to wind and fire.

Slate Roof Shingles

These tiles are quite popular because they make a stone roof that is natural and provide colorful distinctions in the surface of the stones. They are eco-friendly, fireproof and very durable. Some of our oldest structures still have the original slate roofing. Large slate deposits discovered in the colonial Northeast prompted the development and refinement of these beautiful and distinctive roofing materials

Metal Roofing

This type of roof is made up of flat or corrugated metal panels. It is usually referred to as the standing seam roof  and is the most common style of metal roofing systems. These types of roof systems are typically made from coated steel or aluminum, but can also be made using copper, steel, zinc alloys and stainless steel.

 

 

 

Hopefully this article gave you heads up that a roof is more than just a roof. Your roof provides shelter, adds aesthetic appeal and helps regulate temperature in your home. One major factor in putting on a roof is the choice of shingles to be used. Whether it’s time to put a new roof on your existing home or you’re having a home built, we have experts standing by to help you make the best choice of roofing shingle for your home. Give us a call today!

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Tips on how to find the best commercial roofing company

If you are planning to repair, replace, install or do any other roofing service but you don’t have expertise on how to do it, then you might consider hiring a commercial roofing company. Before finding the right roofing service provider, it’s always good to learn some vital information about different types of roofing services offered by professional roofing companies.

Installation of Solar panel

The sun is a sufficient source of energy if you want to harness solar energy; you can call commercial roofing companies to offer solar power installation service. Solar panel installation is one of the valuable roofing services, and this is the reason why most companies install solar panels on the house with a roof that will last for long. According to some roofing professionals, the typical payback for the solar installation project is about 20 years.

Daylighting services

This is a roofing system which uses sun rays to maximize building’s lighting needs. Using a daylighting system can reduce the demand for electrical lighting in your house for about 80%. Companies, commercial buildings integrate the daylighting system to their roofing systems because it doesn’t only improve productivity in the workplace but also it offers an opportunity for money and save energy. Commercial companies have materials and expertise to install daylighting services to your house.

Waterproofing services

Apart from roof installation, you can also get waterproofing services from commercial roofing services. It’s applying a kind of coating to garages, concrete walkways or decks. The system offers an alternative way for surface restoration and flooring for both existing and new concrete surfaces. When waterproofing is applied to a damaged concrete surface, makes it look like new while minimizing the cost.

Fluid applied roofing services.

Fluid applied roofing is a system which commonly used to low flat and slope commercial roof – A roof that can either be new or old. The main aim of installing them is to prevent water from entering the structure while it provides effective energy-saving advantages because of the reflective surface. Roller, brush or sprayers are used to apply the fluid which creates a monolithic membrane with no seams.

Single-ply roofing services

This is a system which uses one layer of flexible membrane as the primary roof covering, mostly made up of thermoplastic or thermoset. Single-ply roofing materials are generally applied over the insulating materials and secured with an adhesive, ballast or mechanical fasteners. This type has many benefits, which include a reduction in both cooling costs and the building’s energy.

How to find the best commercial roofing company

To Install commercial roofing needs an excellent financial investment, and the investment value depends on the quality of the commercial roofing company. If your building requires a new roof, consider the following tips before making the final decision.

Business Location

A company with a temporary business location, or permanent location but outside of your place, is financially risky, most companies do the best work where their customer is located. Companies located far from your area especially that have a temporary location, have been known to do poor jobs, and then leave town or place.

Area of Specialty

Some companies specialize in certain roofing services while others are not. Unless a company specializes in providing the type of services you need, it should not replace, install or repair your roof. On top of that, the company should show previous examples of the services it provided to other people. Don’t hire a company which cannot prove it specializes in the type of service you want.

Insurance, licensing and Bonding

Always prefer a company that is bonded, insured and licensed. Licensing should show that: the company is licensed to offer commercial roofing in your area of location.

Customer References

You cannot speak to customer references before you decide the company to hire, but ensure you speak to at least seven of them, and ask straightforward and important questions about services provided:

Warranty

A manufacturer’s warranty ensures materials for roofing, but the contractor’s warranty provides their quality. In case your roof has a problem that results from poor installation, the latter specifies that the company must install again or repair it at zero cost to you. A reputable company should always provide this warranty, don’t hire a roofing contractor who doesn’t provide a warranty.

Contact Us today!

If you need commercial roofing service, at Beneficial Roofing you will get the best roofing service. Beneficial Roofing has a good reputation for providing roofing services over the years. It has the experience and expertise to offer high-quality services to the customers. Call now for more information or for free quotes.

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Top 5 Creepiest Things Found in the Attic and the Basement

You find attics and basements in horror movies and nightmares for a reason. There’s something about these two places that creates a dark, dank, and dangerous aura that lends itself to making one’s imagination go wild. While your basement or attic can be inviting with the correct preparation, you should always get a warning about the strangest things that lurk around every corner.

ATTIC FINDS: 1 (possible?) mummy

A ten-year-old boy in Germany found a mummy in his grandmother’s attic that could potentially involve a real-life body. Though there is some indication that his discovery is real, due to the sarcophagus, death mask, and canopic jar, a machine created the cloth-wrappings around the corpse. As a result, experts moved the body to a hospital in Hamburg, Germany for further testing.

 

ATTIC FINDS: 1 ex-boyfriend

Okay, so a South Carolinian mother of five heard strange noises in the ceiling. She asked her nephew to check the attic and what he found was the mother’s former boyfriend asleep next to a vent. The guy rigged her home, stayed there for two weeks, and spied on the family during that time. In fact, the even more disturbing fact is they broke up 12 years ago.

BASEMENT FINDS: 2 fetuses in a jar

The name of where these fetuses were found lends itself to this story. In Hannibal, MO, the people found two fetuses preserved in formaldehyde down in a basement rumored to be an illegal abortion clinic in the 1940’s era.

BASEMENT FINDS: 1 weird roommate

College is a mixture of fun, but weird times. The weirdest is when in September 2013, Ohio State University students found a basement locker that led to a secret room with textbooks and photographs on the wall. While “Jeremy” did leave peacefully after the students spoke to him, the students don’t exactly know if more people have the potential to come into their home. There’s no headcount of how many keys may exist to their house.

ATTIC FINDS: Hitler’s record collection

Hitler’s record collection is historically significant, yet a little disturbing to find, due to the background of the former owner. Alexandra Besymenskaja’s father happened to be a Russian captain during World War. He found them after their forces captured the Reich Chancellery in Berlin and left them in the attic.

After someone told Alexandra Besymenskaja to fetch a badminton racket down from the attic, she discovered these artifacts. The composers included names like Peter Tchaikovsky, Alexander Borodin, and Sergei Rachmaninoff. Under Hitler’s ethics, these individuals would not survive his tactics.

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Learn Some of the Roofing lingo

Here are some terms to help you learn the roofing lingo…

Whether you’re building a new home and want a professional to install the roof or you already own a home and you’re needing a new roof installation due to damage or age, Beneficial Roofing has you covered. We install all kinds of roofs for residential and commercial buildings.

Ever wonder what’s going on when the “roofing guys” are on your roof? Read on for a brief version of what’s happening up there.

A discussion of roofing comes with its own vocabulary. Below are some of the most common terms and their definitions. (Definitions from: here, here, and here)

1. Deck: The surface installed over the supporting framing members to which the roofing is applied.
2. Eaves: The horizontal, lowest edge of a sloped roof that extends beyond the exterior wall.
3. Rakes– The vertical edges of gable-style roof planes.
4. Flashing- Pieces of metal or roll roofing used to prevent seepage of water into a building around any intersection or projection in a roof such as vent pipes, chimneys, adjoining walls, dormers, and valleys.
5. Step flashing: Flashing application method used where a vertical surface meets a sloping roof plane. Individual pieces extend on the roof plane and up the vertical surface and are overlapped and stepped up the roof as shingles are applied.
6. Drip Edge: A non-corrosive metal lip that keeps shingles up off the deck at roof edges and extends shingles out over eaves and rakes
7. Underlayment: A layer of asphalt-saturated felt (sometimes referred to as tar paper) which is laid down on a bare deck before shingles are installed to provide additional protection for the deck.
8. Valley: The internal angle formed by the intersection of two sloping roof planes to provide water runoff.
9. Ice dam: Condition formed at the lower roof edge by the thawing and refreezing of melted snow on the overhang. Can force water up and under shingles, causing leaks.
10. Ice-and-water shield: Thin, self-adhering rubberized asphalt membrane applied before underlayment, but over the drip edge at the eaves to help mitigate potential leaks from ice dams
11. Ridge: The uppermost, horizontal external angle formed by the intersection of two sloping roof planes.
12. Sheathing: Exterior-grade boards used as a roof deck material.

 

Upon the rooftop…

So, now that we know a little bit of the roofer’s lingo, let’s see just what they do up on your roof.

1. Preparation
   1. The old shingles and flashings will be removed.
   2. The decking will be swept as clean as possible. Loose sheathing will be reattached, and sheathing will be inspected for damage prior to new shingles being placed.
2. Barrier placement
   1. Drip edge installed at the eaves
   2. Ice-and-water membrane applied over the drip edge at the eaves
   3. Metal flashing and ice-and-water membrane applied in the valleys as well as any protrusions (plumbing stacks and attic vents, for example) from the roof
   4. Ice-and-water membrane applied to the rakes
   5. Felt underlayment is applied to the whole roof, each strip overlapping the previous layer by several inches
   6. The drip edge applied to the rakes, OVER the ice-and-water membrane and underlayment
3. Shingle placement and finishing
   1. Starter shingles placed along the eaves extending past the fascia, drip edge, ice-and-water barrier, and underlayment
   2. Shingles applied in overlapping rows from eaves to ridge
   3. Metal step flashing applied with shingles at joints where the roof meets a wall or chimney.
   4. Roofers finish roof using specially-made pieces for capping the ridge.
   5. Roofers make a final pass across the entire roof, ensuring every nail is sealed with a professional strength sealant.

Congratulations! Your New Roof Rocks!

Thankfully, you won’t need a new roof very often. But, when age or weather damage keeps your roof from doing its job and threatens further damage to your home and belongings, we’re here to help. Beneficial Roofing offers a free consultation and award-winning professional roofing and customer service. With special pricing and financing available, we help you work with your homeowner’s insurance to make sure you get what you need at the price you can afford. Give us a call today! We’ve got you covered.

 

 

 

 

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Animals: 5 Steps to Keep Them from Living in Your Roof

Efficient Procedure for Controlling Critters from living in your roof

Everyone including animals deserves a good place to stay during the winter season. Even small animals such as rodents, bats, birds, and squirrels search for shelter during unfavorable weather conditions. Your upper roof could be the shelter they want to use.

However, these small creatures could end up bringing the unbelievable quantity of damage on the insulators, trim, wirings and ductwork. To make the matter worse, they can as well spread dangerous infections to your family. The following steps are efficient ways to eliminate and to prevent these critters away from your premises.

Step 1. Trim the Trees to Keep Animals Away

To prevent these small animals into the house, trim the trees closest to your house. The tree branches that head to your roof will make a pathway for these small living creature.

Step 2. Keep food unreachable

Food sources such as garbage bind and pet’s dishes can attract animals nearby. Therefore, you should try and keep them all inaccessible by covering or blocking the food.

Step 3. Set a trap

To prevent the rodents or whichever small animals that are causing damages and also spreading diseases, set up traps particularly at the place where they often were seen.

Step 4. Renovate the gaps in your roof

Find those small holes and do several patchworks because even the tiniest openings can invite those little creatures to develop nest inside.

Step 5. Schedule roofing inspections regularly

For certainty, to make sure for good condition of the vent pipes, chimneys, eaves, and soffits have Beneficial Roofing’s contractors come for checkups. They will seal spaces to keep those small animals away and to avoid pest infestation as well. Don’t allow your premises to become ground zero for nests during the winter. Go through these simple procedures to make you home no-go zone for these creatures, or you can call the experts from the Beneficial Roofing Company for complete surety.

Beneficial Roofing analysis is conducted by certified and experienced roof specialists. These services include roof surveying and roofing checkups on their condition. Additionally, the structure of your roof and weather resistance can be examined in detail. Through all those processes, they prepare a customized report about the current roof condition and its durability.

In short, they want to provide you with the complete information that you might need for caring for your roofing, hoping that you never have the similar problem again. Also, a roof survey offered for free. Beneficial Roofing has highly trained specialists that will survey your roof.

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