Roof Talk-101 How to Maintain and Repair A Wood Shingle Roof

Roof Talk-101  How to Maintain and Repair A Wood Shingle Roof

Just a reminder, keeping your gutters clear of debris and removing hanging branches near the roof will help keep your shingles in top shape.

Clean moss, lichen, and molds with a solution of water and chlorine bleach or other solvent.

But what if your wood shingle roof needs repairs?

Types of Wood Roofs

First of all, there are two basic kinds of wood roofs. Shingles are smooth. Shakes are rough-hewn and rustic. They come in varying lengths, and are typically 16, 18, or 24 inches long. Most are made from red cedar, which is durable and resists insect damage. Sometimes manufacturers use preservative-treated pine or other woods. Maintenance and repair for both types are the same.

Whatever type you choose, when you first have your roof installed be sure to keep a bundle of shingles that can be used for future repairs.

Commercially Available Treatments

If you protect your wood roof with a commercially available treatment, it will last longer. Left unprotected, a wood roof will begin to decay within ten years; but could last as long as 30 years with proper treatment.

Home improvement stores carry a variety of products for this. Each comes with its own specific directions, and it is important to follow those explicitly. You will typically get the best protection if you dip the shingles into the solution, or apply the treatment with a brush for maximum coverage.

Curled Shingles

If your wood shingle curls away from the roof, it can usually be flattened and reattached.

1. If the shingle is brittle (as often happens in cold weather), you must soften first. Do this by using a propane torch with a flame spreader nozzle. Use it to warm the curled edges; of course be careful not to burn them!
2. Once they are warm, you should be able to easily flatten the edges and reattach the shingle with asphalt roof cement. Apply roof cement generously to each corner and press back into place.
3. Use a brick or other heavy object to hold the shingle flat while the roof cement sets.

Repair a Cracked Shingle

It is better to repair small cracks than to replace the shingle.

1. To fix a crack that is smaller (under ¼ inch), first pull out loose splinters.
2. Now only the large pieces remain. Nail the large pieces down with galvanized roofing nails, being careful not to drive the nail heads into the shingle; that will damage the shingle surface.
3. Cover the crack and the nail heads with roofing cement.
4. For cracks wider than ¼ inch, you will need to use a sheet metal patch. Drive a piece of sheet metal under the crack of the shingle, until the top of the metal reaches past the upper edge of the crack.
5. Nail the shingle pieces down with galvanized roofing nails, being careful not to drive the nail heads into the shingle, which will damage the shingle surface. Cover the crack and nail heads with roofing cement.
6. Remove shingles that cannot be repaired
7. Remove pieces of broken shingle that can be chiseled out or pulled out with your fingers. When you pull, move in a down and out motion to avoid damaging other shingles.
8. Use a hacksaw to cut nails that held the broken shingle. Cut them even with the sheathing or wood slats. You will probably have to pry the shingle above it up enough to get all the nails. Be careful you don’t crack the good shingle.
9. Completely remove the broken shingle and then use the hacksaw to remove the nails that secured it, being careful of the decking underneath.
10. Cut a replacement shingle, making it approximately 3/8 inch narrower than the empty space. This allows the shingle to expand when it gets wet. Drive in the replacement shingle using a wood block and hammer. Nail it down and cover any exposed nail heads with roofing cement.

ROOFTEC-LLC and 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. ROOFTEC-LLC only uses the best products and installation practices to insure you have a worry free commercial roof. For more information visit us at. www.rooftec-llc.com and we also invite you to Like Us on our RoofTec-LLC Facebook Page .

Roof Talk-101  10 Top To-Dos for Fall Maintenance

Get your home and yard in top shape for winter with these essential fall maintenance tasks.

1. Take Care of Your Furnace. Schedule a professional maintenance visit for thorough inspection of switches, burners, and safety controls; the motor and blower need to be both checked and cleaned by a skilled technician. A task you can -- and should -- do yourself is changing the air filters every 1-3 months.

2. Install a Carbon Monoxide Detector. A carbon monoxide detector can be a lifesaver when you operate equipment powered by an internal combustion engine -- a generator, for example -- or fuel-burning appliance -- a furnace, range, water heater, or space heater. Fuels that produce CO when burnt include natural gas, oil, wood, coal, and more.

3. Maintain Your Ducts. Maintaining ductwork is one of the best ways to lower your fuel bills while enjoying more efficient, healthful heating this winter. Check for leaks and cracks; then use duct mastic and metallic tape to repair. Insulate ductwork. This will pay off in the good ol' summertime as well, preventing unnecessary loss of your A/C's cool air. While you're at it, clear out any mold or dirt hiding in the ductwork.

4. Check Doors and Windows. Another place where you may be losing precious heat is your doors and windows. If you can see daylight through their frames, there are cracks that need attention, pronto, with the help of caulk or weatherstripping. In an older home, consider replacing windows with energy-efficient versions. Over time, the amount you save on utilities will more than offset the cost of replacement.

5. Adjust Your Ceiling Fans. Adjust ceiling fans to rotate clockwise in the cold weather. Simply flipping a switch on the fan housing will change the rotational direction and allow the paddles to better circulate heat produced by your HVAC. The result? You'll feel much warmer for a minimal cost.

6. Clean Your Fireplace and Chimney. Check your chimney (with the help of a flashlight) for leaves, nesting animals, or other blockage, which require removal by a professional. Clean out dirt and leftover ashes from the firebox. To go greener, consider purchasing an EPA-certified insert or a clean-burning electric fireplace.

7. Shield Your Outdoor A/C Unit. Protect your air conditioning unit as it "hibernates" for the season, by means of a special A/C cover. This will shield it from the elements -- wind, rain, snow, and hail -- as well as mice, rabbits, or other pests looking for a cozy winter home.

8. Inspect Your Roof. From the vantage point of your attic, check for daylight peeping through cracks or worn spots in your roof. Then go outside and inspect the roof for "bubbles" or shingles that are missing, curling, loose, or broken. Look at the condition of the flashing too. Trim any overhanging tree branches. When you're in the market for a roof replacement, consider impact-resistant roofing materials.

9. Clear Your Gutters. Clogged gutters will overflow, potentially causing major damage to your home's foundation or roof.  Remove the fall's accumulation of dead leaves, pine needles, and twigs by hand (wear sturdy work gloves) or with a trowel. Then scoop out any residue from asphalt roofing shingles. When relatively clear, flush the gutters and the downspouts with water from your garden hose. Repair gutter leaks with silicone sealer and replace damaged hangers.

10. Care for Your Yard. Rake up the remaining fallen leaves to let your lawn breathe and to promote revitalization of cool season grasses like bluegrass or fescue. Dethatch and aerate the lawn. If you haven't already done so, bring potted plants inside till spring. Wrap delicate shrubs in burlap, or build a rudimentary shelter from repurposed poles or pallets to protect them from winter storms. Empty your kiddy pool and remove water feature pumps. Turn off the water supply to outdoor faucets. Disconnect hoses and put them away indoors.

ROOFTEC-LLC and 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. ROOFTEC-LLC only uses the best products and installation practices to insure you have a worry free commercial roof. For more information visit us at. www.rooftec-llc.com and we also invite you to Like Us on our RoofTec-LLC Facebook Page .

Roof Talk-101 L.E.A.F Winterizing Your Roof

Roof Talk-101  L.E.A.F  Winterizing Your Roof

It’s that time of the year again. The blistering heat is subsiding, and trees are changing colors. You can drink apple cider, go pumpkin picking, dress up for Halloween and do all of your favorite fall activities. However, this seemingly magical time can also be a huge headache for homeowners, as they worry about how the ensuing weather changes will affect their homes. It is no secret that rain, snow and frigid weather can really take their toll on your roofing system. Luckily, you can stand up to Old Man Winter if you take the necessary steps and prepare in advance. Since it is autumn when most homeowners start to get worried, you should remember the acronym L.E.A.F. This symbolizes the four major areas of which you should pay attention to in order to protect your roofing system: Leaky gutters, Excessive debris, Attic ventilation, and Flashing. Whether you hire a professional roofing contractor or you do it yourself, you should get in the habit of inspecting your roof twice a year. This is especially true for these four important factors listed above, so that you can catch any damage early and save yourself time and money in the long run.

Let’s Begin with Leaky Gutters

One area that is important to keep a vigilant eye on, especially with winter rapidly approaching, are leaky gutters. Autumn and winter are chockfull of rain and snow; and you will absolutely need healthy, well-running gutters if you want to avoid damage to your roofing system. Gutters allow pesky precipitation to drain from your roof. One thing you can do to ensure that your gutters are up to par is remove leaves, branches or other debris that may be clogging them. In addition to clearing debris, make sure that your gutters are securely fastened. Improper installation can lead to build up and overflow, which can affect your roofing system negatively. 

Free Your Roof of Excessive Debris

When you embark on spring-cleaning, you should not just focus on the interior of your home, but you should include your roofing system as well. When the weather is nice, it’s the perfect time to inspect your roof and make sure that the valleys and linings are free of twigs, branches, leaves, and other debris. Excessive debris, if ignored, can block rain and melted snow from exiting your roof, which adds an unhealthy amount of weight on top of your roof. This extra mass can lead to extensive damage, including leaks, deterioration and shingle damage. 

Assess Your Attic Ventilation Efficiency

As stated above, heavy snow and ice on your roof can cause damage to your roofing system. It can even warp your trusses and rafters, as well as inflate your heating bill costs. To combat this problem and save your roofing system, it is essential to install an attic ventilation system. This technique will help your attic circulate air in and out. Improved air circulation decreases the chance of snow and ice buildup, which minimizes potential damage, as well as your heating costs.

Don’t Forget about Flashing

Finally, when inspecting your roofing system in preparation for winter, you should pay special attention to flashing. Flashing is the structure used to protect the edges of your roof. It can also be seen on roof piping, chimneys and roofing vents. Flashing is very important because it is the main barrier standing between the under part of your roof and the outdoors. Unfortunately, your roof flashing can rip, tear and loosen, thanks to strong winds and substantial rain. If your flashing is damaged in any way, water can seep into your home and ruin ceilings, insulation, walls, and electrical work. Therefore, it is important to inspect your flashing before you have a huge problem. If you find any damage on your flashing, replace or fix it as soon as possible. It will cost you a lot less than it will to repair or replace your entire roofing system, which you will have to do if you let the damage get out of control.

You Can Now Start Winterizing Your Roof

In summary, it’s very important to inspect your roof in the spring and fall if you want to make sure it is working its best to defend against the brutal winter months. Regardless of whether you do the job yourself or hire a residential or commercial  roofing company, special attention should be given to four main areas – Leaky gutters, Excessive debris, Attic ventilation, and Flashing – which together make up the acronym L.E.A.F. If these four areas are taken care of in advance, chances are that you will have successfully winterized your roofing system. That should give you enough peace of mind to shake off the winter blues and enjoy all the wonderful things the winter season brings!

For more information visit us at. www.rooftec-llc.com and we also invite you to Like Us on our RoofTec-LLC Facebook Page .