Roof Talk-101  The Importance of Good Roof Drainage Systems

One of the most important things that helps divert water away from your home or building is a properly-installed roof drainage system. These “unsung heroes” of your roof system play a vital role in effectively removing water and debris from the roof, and minimizing groundwater accumulation around your foundation.

Improper Roof Drainage Can Cause A Variety of Costly Home Problems

However many times they are overlooked when it comes to proper maintenance and care, and can become the culprit for many types of damage if they are not properly maintained. This includes wet basements, mold growth, and even a weakening foundation.

Gutters and roof drains are designed to divert water away from your home, and allow for the proper flow of water during a heavy rain, reducing the risk of interior water damage caused by water backing up into the roof. For those who may experience snow, they also provide a conduit for melting snow in order to reduce the weight loads on a roof.

The basic design of gutters makes them extremely susceptible to the accumulation of debris, which in turn limits the drainage function. This also leads to the possibility of ice dams that trap snow and ice on the roof, and presents an increased opportunity for fire risk from wind-borne embers gathering and igniting during a wildfire.

Additionally, improper sloped gutters and misaligned downspouts can lead to water accumulation that can damage the gutters of the roof itself, and cause potential water accumulation against the building.

Your roof drainage systems – including gutters, interior drains, and scuppers should be free of accumulated debris such as twigs, leaves, and granules from roof systems, such as modified bitumen on flat roofs and asphalt shingles on sloped roofs.

Below are some tips that will help ensure that your roof drainage system is operating properly when it is needed.

• Inspect and clean the roof drainage system at a minimum of two times per year. If there is a history of clogs from tree leaves, inspections should be done more frequently.
• Remove any loose objects and accumulated debris from the roof that could end up in the drainage system.
• Remove any roof granules from the gutters, as they can alter the slope of the gutter when they accumulate and in turn impede the gravitational flow of water.
• Keep trees trimmed and away from the roof. This will help prevent branches from rubbing against the roof and leaves from accumulating and clogging drains and gutters.
• Check for any long-term standing water in gutters and clear any blockage that may be causing this condition. If no blockage is found and standing water is still present, this could be a sign that the gutter is improperly sloped to the downspout.
• Check all drainage systems for leaks and ensure that they are properly secured and operating after severe weather.
• Make sure that the downspouts funnel water away from the building and do not allow for water to accumulate around the building’s perimeter.
• If you have to replace gutters, consider larger sized gutters, which will allow for greater flow of water.
• If located in hurricane prone areas, make sure that the gutters are anchored by gutter straps designed to resist high winds.

ROOFGUARD-LLC has been installing commercial roofing systems for over 30 years. We have the solutions you are looking for if you desire a new commercial roof or need a re-roof. ROOFGUARD -LLC only uses the best products and installation practices to insure you have a worry free commercial roof. For more information ROOFGUARD-LLC visit us at. www.roofguardtexas.com and we also invite you to Like Us on our Roofguardtexas Facebook Page .

Roof Talk-101 How to Get Rid of Birds in the Roof

Unwanted birds are not only annoying, they can also cause a lot of damage to property. Bird droppings are acidic and eventually destroy paint. Bird nests can block proper ventilation and produce offensive and dangerous odors. They are especially dangerous in chimneys because they can cause carbon monoxide buildup and become a fire hazard. Bird nests also contain mites, ticks, fleas and other parasites.There are number of things that homeowners can do to prevent birds nesting in your roof. 

Step 1

Locate the bird nests in and around the roof. Birds naturally seek warm places to build their nests and these places usually include chimneys, attics, vents and eaves. Listen for bird noises and watch where birds are landing. Bird nests will also give off offensive odors.

Step 2

Clean out all the nests and block future access. If birds are roosting in the chimney place a mesh topper on the chimney after removing all the old nests. If they are inside the roof or eaves, remove the nests and patch the holes. Put a cloth or mesh netting over the vents. This will allow the vents to work but prevent the birds from building new nests.

Step 3

Place bird spikes along the roof where the birds are landing. Bird spikes are stainless steel tack strips similar to the ones that police use to stop vehicles.

Step 4

Apply sticky repellents on the roof. This will make it uncomfortable for the birds to land. There are various products such as Tanglefoot and Roost-no-More.

Step 5

Set up visual and audio decoys. Bright shiny objects, plastic owls, rubber snakes or devices that emit the sound of a predator will frighten birds and prevent them from landing on the roof.

ROOFGUARD-LLC has been installing commercial roofing systems for over 30 years. We have the solutions you are looking for if you desire a new commercial roof or need a re-roof. ROOFGUARD -LLC only uses the best products and installation practices to insure you have a worry free commercial roof. For more information ROOFGUARD-LLC visit us at. www.roofguardtexas.com and we also invite you to Like Us on our Roofguardtexas Facebook Page .

Roof Talk-101 4 Reasons A Healthy Roof Is Important

Roof Talk-101  4 Reasons A Healthy Roof Is Important

Cate-Morgan Harlow

The average homeowners give little thought to their roof until there’s an issue, but consistently maintaining the health of the roof can save you thousands over neglecting it and reacting to the issue after it occurs. Waiting until there’s a problem means costly emergency service and possible damage to the home’s interior. Here are a few reasons why a good roof is important.

1. A healthy roof protects your investment in your home

One of the largest investments people make is their home. Performing ongoing maintenance on your roof will help prolong it’s life, and by extension the life of your whole property. Roofs are a fundamental element to your home. It makes sense to see about maintaining it even before a full replacement is required. Because, this is a short cut to protecting your investment in your home all around.

No one wants to replace a roof early because of unforeseen damage. It’s a traditionally quite a costly undertaking, so it’s important to do what you need to extend its life with regular inspections. In some states, like Florida, homeowner’s insurance companies will refuse to extend a policy without an updated roof certificate stating the amount of life left on the roof.

2. A healthy roof increases home value

A roof is also a selling point on a home and increases its value. From beautiful materials such as tile and metal, to an energy-efficient roof, many homebuyers take those extras into account.

Extras aren’t the only thing buyer’s notice. According to Remodeling Magazine’s 2013 Cost cs. Value Report, a new roof increases resale value by $12,000 on average. If you’re planning to sell, this might be one update to make.

Achilles Metal Roofing – Embossed Shingles Collection “Black” / 28 Gauge

3. A healthy roof guards against costly hidden damage

A major leak in your roof will be evident quickly as it will soak through your ceiling and potentially damage your dry wall. But if you’re not performing routine maintenance on your roof, there could be quieter, more insidious damage occurring without your knowledge. A small leak, one that doesn’t enter your living space, could be happening in your attic at this moment.

Dripping water every time it rains, even a small amount, can cause rot damage to beams in your attic. The repair can be quite costly (not to mention unhealthy, if it promotes the growth of molds), if it’s not found and fixed quickly. Preventative maintenance would expose such hazards and remedy them before they became major problems.

4. It Saves Money on Heating and Cooling

Your roof braves the elements. A properly ventilated and insulated roof will also save you money on heating and cooling. The roof releases humidity and heat from your home. Heat and humidity coming from your home can be as damaging as rain from the outside. If the roof vents are not working properly, that heat and humidity become trapped, and they will eat away at the wood rafters in the attic and underpinnings of your roof.

Achilles Metal Roofing – Embossed Shingles Collection “Charcoal” / 28 Gauge

Ensuring you have good insulation is key to cooler summer temperatures and warmer winter ones inside your home. You pay a lot to heat and cool your home. Don’t let your money escape out of a poorly insulated roof.

Least thought of, most important

A roof is one of the least thought of components of a home but one of the most important. It protects your investment, adds value to your property, and saves money on heating and cooling costs. If you’re not maintaining it, you’re doing yourself—and your wallet—a disservice.

ROOFGUARD-LLC has been installing commercial roofing systems for over 30 years. We have the solutions you are looking for if you desire a new commercial roof or need a re-roof. ROOFGUARD -LLC only uses the best products and installation practices to insure you have a worry free commercial roof. For more information ROOFGUARD-LLC visit us at. www.roofguardtexas.com and we also invite you to Like Us on our Roofguardtexas Facebook Page .

Roof Talk-101  10 Things That Will Damage Your Roof 

While the roof of our home is an important part of life, we rarely give it a close look. We may not notice there’s a problem until something goes wrong. It’s a good idea to know what causes damage to a roof so even if you can’t get up there to inspect it first hand, you’ll be aware of what may create a potential problem.

1. Tree limbs from nearby trees may fall on the roof due to wind, heavy snow or ice. If the tree limb is weakened by disease it might not take much for it to snap. It’s a good idea to inspect the trees around your home and remove any branches that may cause a problem.
2. Those same trees may cause a build up of debris on the roof, especially in the valleys created by dormers or extensions. Leaves, sticks and pine needles can form a pile of mulch on your roof that remains constantly wet underneath causing the shingles to deteriorate and the roofing structure to rot.
3. Animals can cause a lot of damage to a roof. Wood peckers, nesting birds, squirrels, raccoons, mice and bats can all work at pulling apart your roof. Wood peckers will look for insects under shingles and in rotting fascia boards while raccoons will pull off vent covers or tear off shingles searching for an entrance.
4. Gutters and downspouts are designed to channel water away from your roof. If the gutters are poorly maintained or full of debris the water can back up and seep into the edges of the roof. Over time this can cause the roof to develop areas of rot.
5. Wind can lift shingles and even minor damage can become a big problem if rain seeps in and leaks through the ceiling or down the walls. Sometimes you may notice a stray shingle or piece of shingle on the ground after a storm. It’s a good indication that the roof needs inspecting.
6. Hail can damage the protective mineral coating on asphalt shingles, leaving bare spots. This exposes the shingle to other forms of damage such as moisture and UV rays. Excessive hail damage can shorten the life span of a roof.
7. Ice may not be a problem in all parts of the country but where the temperatures drop enough for snow and ice to develop, they can create problems for a roof. Ice can freeze along the eves causing the snow to back up. As freezing and thawing lifts the shingles, melting ice and snow can leak into your home.
8. Roof flashing around chimneys, vents and along the edge of a roof are designed to keep water out but if the flashing is damaged it can let water seep underneath causing rot or leaks to the interior of your home. The roofing compound that seals the flashing down can also dry out and come loose causing water damage.
9. The sun’s UV rays play a big part in the life span of a roof. Over time shingles can dry out and crack. They can actually fall off the roof leaving sections with little or no protection. UV damage is just a part of aging for a roof but is also a sign that a roof may need replacing.
10. While all of these problems can cause damage to a roof, they have one thing in common. They can let moisture in and moisture is the number one culprit when it comes to harming your roof. Take care of all the other problems as they happen and you can prevent water from destroying your roof.
11. ROOFGUARD-LLC has been installing commercial roofing systems for over 30 years. We have the solutions you are looking for if you desire a new commercial roof or need a re-roof. ROOFGUARD -LLC only uses the best products and installation practices to insure you have a worry free commercial roof. For more information ROOFGUARD-LLC visit us at. www.roofguardtexas.com and we also invite you to Like Us on our Roofguardtexas Facebook Page .
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