All Roofing Solutions

Tag: roofing inspection

6 Main Causes of Shingle Roof Deterioration
The roof over your head is your home’s first line of defense when it comes to exposure to sun, rain, snow, wind and other weather elements. And if you live in Delaware or any other East Coast state, you’re sure to be exposed to all types of extreme weather conditions, from scorching heat to heavy rains, blizzards or hurricanes.

The unfortunate truth is that weather damage is inevitable. Your roof is constantly exposed to the elements, and it is only natural that it will wear and age over time.

6 Common Reasons Behind Deterioration of Your Roof

Harsh weather is the main reason shingles deteriorate sooner than expected and the following elements are the most common culprit:
- Rain, snow & ice – Moisture is roof’s enemy #1. It can damage its structure, cause mildew, rot decking and even damage the insulation. While rain is behind most roof leaks, melting snow often ends up re-freezing and forming ice dams, which block proper drainage of water into the gutter and can result in water backing up under your roofing materials. This can lead to serious structural damage.
- Sun – The most common roofing enemy, sun blasts your roof with damaging rays and heat causing shingles to break down over time. Thermal expansion, IR radiation and UV light from the sun are to blame for the majority of issues related to sun exposure overtime.
- Wind – High winds lift, curl, and pull shingles away from the roof exposing its underpayment which can leave your roof vulnerable to water damage and significant structural deterioration. The corners, the edges of the roof, and the ridge line are especially susceptible to damage from high winds, but the entire roof structure often ends up getting shredded and punctured by fling debris nonetheless.
- Hail – Hail can leave dents dislodging the tiny protective granules that typically protect your home from damaging UV-rays and improve the roof’s water-shedding capabilities. Loss of mineral granules can lead to the asphalt coating and even fiberglass matt being directly exposed to the elements which dramatically reduces the roof shingles life expectancy.
- Lichen – Moss and algae can cause wood rot and structural damage over time while also discoloring your roof. Lichen doesn’t trap as much water against the surface of the roof as moss, but it can be acidic and has strands that can penetrate into the shingles both of which can cause significant damage.
- Overgrown trees -Tree limbs can become a serious problem puncturing your roof. Leaves that accumulate on your roof can clog your rain gutters and retain moisture. Lack of proper drainage, the presence of water, and excess moisture can cause water to seep into your roofing materials and result in rotting and other damage.
The Importance of Regular Roofing Inspections

A typical asphalt shingles can be expected to last 20-30 years, depending on what they’re made of, weather conditions, quality of installation and maintenance. To prolong the life of your roof, regular roofing & gutter inspections should be a part of your regular roofing maintenance.

Homeowners can uncover those visible and hidden signs of damage through regular inspections. We recommend that only professional roofers climb up on the roof, so have your roof inspected by a contractor you can trust to provide an honest assessment. Your local roofer will assess the condition of your roof uncovering potential problems and suggesting steps you can take to increase the lifespan of your roof. And if there are any minor repairs that need to be handled, you’ll be glad to have caught them before they caused significant damage.

Homeowners should have their roofs inspected yearly, especially if the roof is 15 years old or older.

Schedule Your Roof Inspection Today!

Even if your inspection uncovers potential roof damage, it does not necessarily mean that you must re-roof. The age of the roof and the extent of the damage will ultimately determine whether repairs or complete replacement makes more sense.

If it’s been awhile since you had a Delaware roofing contractor look over your home’s roof and gutter systems request a comprehensive roofing inspection from All Roofing Solutions, family owned & operated Delaware roofing contractor with over 20 years of experience. We not only offer thorough roofing inspection and professional service but also a piece of mind that nothing was overlooked.

Call today at 302-725-ROOF (7663) in Delaware or 610-551-ROOF (7663) in Pennsylvania to schedule your inspection or request your Free Roofing Repair Estimate!
February 21, 2019
Shingle Roofing: 4 Winter Snow Storms Damage Prevention Tips
In protecting your home from the elements, your shingle roof takes a lot of abuse in winter. As a homeowners, you can help your roof perform best with a few preventative measures. Roof care is more important in around winter than at any other time of year. This is largely due to the threat of ice dams, which can wreak havoc on your roof and attic and potentially cause major, costly damage.

Shingle Roofing & Winter Snow: 4 Damage Prevention Tips

1. Inspect the roof & attic.

While it may sound like common sense, it’s important to perform a regular inspection of your roof. Look for curled, cracked, loose or missing shingles. Check flashings and other penetrations, including around chimneys and exhaust vents. Be sure these areas are properly sealed against the weather. If anything doesn’t “look right”, contact a roofing contractor for a professional inspection.

Look in your attic, as well as interior walls, for evidence of current or prior leaks. Roof leaks will often reveal themselves as stains on your ceilings, or as stains and wet areas in your attic. However, not all roofing problems are obvious, and the absence of drafts or leaks doesn’t necessarily mean your roof is structurally sound.

2. Clear roof debris.

Check your roof for any leaves, twigs or miscellaneous debris. These materials tend to collect in concentrated areas, where they may gather water or moisture which can break down the shingles on your roof. Roof debris concentrated in valleys also prevents water from properly flowing away from your roof and into your roof’s gutter system.

Don’t forget to trim your trees. If there are any limbs or branches hanging over your roof (or growing close), have them removed. Falling branches can lead to expensive roofing repairs.

3. Check the gutters and downspouts.

Keeping your gutters clear is important in allowing snow melt to properly drain from your roof and into the downspouts. In the winter, the weight of ice buildup from clogged gutters can cause significant damage. If they are clogged, gutters and downspouts can’t channel water and snowmelt away from your home which can lead to serious damage.

Additionally:
- perform a quick check of the gutter angle, making sloping adjustments as necessary
- look for gutters pulled away from the home
- check for leaks and holes (using a garden hose, spray water on your roof to see if your gutters are leaking)
- Inspect your downspouts for any leaks or signs of excessive wear.
4. Prevent ice dams.

Ice dams can form from the buildup of ice and snow inside gutters and along roof ridges. When a dam forms, water may pool up behind it, where it can seep into the interior of your home. Ice dams can cause significant damage not just to the surface but to the entire roofing structure.

While there’s no 100% effective way to eliminate ice dams, they can be minimized. Proper roof insulation, as well as a good attic ventilation system, are key elements in an effective defense against ice dams. Proper attic ventilation means a consistent & efficient flow of cool, dry air through your attic: intake through eave and soffit vents, and exhaust through vents in the gables, deck or ridge. Typically, a correctly sized exhaust fan coupled with adequate soffit venting will ensure proper attic ventilation.

Don’t Postpone Your Repairs Till Spring!

The integrity of your roof is critical in maintaining your home’s value. Proper maintenance and inspections, especially before winter snow storms, can significantly extend the life of your roof.

If you’d like to schedule an inspection to diagnose specific problems or evaluate the overall condition of your roof, contact All Roofing Solutions. Family owned and operated Delaware and Pennsylvania roofing contractor with 20 years of experience in residential and commercial roofing, we have the experience and expertise to handle your roofing problems, large and small

Protect your home by scheduling a roofing & gutters inspection/maintenance today! Call 302-725-ROOF (7663) in Delaware or 610-551-ROOF (7663) in Pennsylvania or request a Free Quote online!

Don’t forget to ask about our discount of 15% off any roof repair job!!!
October 23, 2018
Roofing Maintenance: Protecting Your Roof Through Hurricane Season

When a hurricane or other violent seasonal storm hits, your roof is one of the areas of your home that’s most likely to be damaged. Because roof problems can quickly lead to other, potentially more serious internal and structural issues, it’s important to be proactive about preventing hurricane and storm damage. This is especially true if your roof is older and already susceptible to leaks.

The good news is that it’s fairly easy to prepare your roof for hurricane season, even if you don’t have a lot of DIY experience. With some simple repairs and basic reinforcements, your roof will stand a much better chance of holding up if a hurricane or major storm strikes.

Protecting Your Roof Through Hurricane Season

1. Replace Worn Shingles

The standard asphalt shingles on the market today are generally able to withstand wind speeds of up to 150 miles per hour, and products with even more robust wind resistance capabilities are available. Take advantage of these technological and material improvements, and replace any worn-down, loose or damaged shingles with wind-resistant new ones.

All newly installed and loose but otherwise sound shingles should be treated with high-performance roofing adhesives. This adds a vital second level of protection against high winds, helping your shingles stay in place.

2. Reinforce Your Roof

Adding a roofing reinforcement is a more involved project, but It’s one that may well be worth the effort…and could even save your life in an extreme situation. Overlapping two-by-four lengths of wood across your roof trusses is the standard way to reinforce a roof. If you’re planning to do this yourself, be sure to leave about a foot and a half of space between each row of two-by-fours.

3. Seal All Gaps

Perform a careful check of all areas where your roof converges with the walls and ceilings of your home. If you find any cracks or gaps, close them off with a water-resistant sealant to prevent leaks and other forms of storm damage.

4. Redirect Rainwater

Finally, perform a check of all your roof gutters and downspouts. First, make sure that they are not clogged with debris like loose sticks, rocks, dirt, or decaying leaves. Clear out any such debris immediately. Second, test your downspouts to make sure they are properly redirecting water off your roof and away from your house. Malfunctioning downspouts pose hazards not only to your roof, but also to your basement, as rainwater accumulation can result in flooding.

If you have any questions or concerns about preparing your roof for the hurricane season, or you’ve already experienced wind or hail damage and need help dealing with the aftermath, contact All Roofing Solutions for assistance. Professional guidance is always a superior substitute for guesswork.

Call 302-725-ROOF (7663) in Delaware or 610-551-ROOF (7663) in Pennsylvania to schedule your roofing inspection today!

Ensure Your Roof Can Withstand High Winds

If you have an older roof or think your roof may be in need of repairs, contact us before more serious problems occur. The truth is, regular roof inspections can delay, and often prevent, expensive roof replacements, whether the damage is from high wind or other inclement weather.

Whatever your roofing needs are, we’re here to help. Family owned and operated, we are a local roofing contractor with 20 years of experience in residential & commercial roofing servicing Delaware and South-East Pennsylvania. Our team of skilled contractors is familiar with a myriad of roofing issues. We will check your roof for potential problems, answer your questions, and get the job done right!

September 25, 2018
Fall Roofing Maintenance: 8-Point Attic Ventilation Checklist
Attic ventilation offers year-round benefits that help homeowners save energy & prevent problems.

Attic ventilation check is a critical part of fall roofing maintenance. Proper attic ventilation is critical in controlling moisture/heat buildup in an attic space – and preventing winter roofing issues such as ice dams and structural damage due to pooling water and ice build up.

During the summer, adequate ventilation can help prevent heat from building up inside the home’s upper reaches, where warm air tends to collect and stagnate. In the winter, attic ventilation helps prevent excessive indoor moisture and humidity, helping guard against potential problems like mildew and mold.

Specific to roofing, it’s also important to remember that some shingle manufacturers list suitable attic ventilation as a warranty requirement, so it’s especially important to perform a thorough check in advance of any roof upgrades.

An Attic Ventilation Checklist Used by Home Inspectors

Professional home inspectors use the following 8-point checklist when evaluating the suitability of a home’s attic ventilation strategy:
1. Does the system follow the principles of balance? Exhaust vents, located near roof ridges, and the intake vents near the soffits need to be balanced one-for-one. Many homes have inadequate intake venting, a problem best relieved by adding continuous intake vents.
2. Are the vent holes properly sized? It isn’t enough to simply balance the number of vents; they also need to have holes that facilitate adequate airflow relative to the size of the space being ventilated.
3. Does the system feature insulation baffles? Baffles prevent soffit vents from getting blocked off, which essentially renders them inoperable.
4. Is there any evidence of moisture problems? Warped or degraded wooden framing and the presence of mold and/or mildew indicate problems with excess humidity, which itself is a sign that the ventilation system isn’t performing the way it should.
5. Are the vents free of obstructions? Over time, leaves, dirt and other debris can clog vents, limiting or even eliminating their efficiency. They also get painted over sometimes, a problem that should be remedied immediately if detected.
6. Do all vents use the same system? There are various attic ventilation systems, including gable louvers, power vents and others. These systems can’t be mixed and matched in a single home; all vents should use a single system to ensure operational viability.
7. Are there cathedral ceilings? If so, you’ll need to take a different approach to inspection, physically checking for signs of moisture penetration like cracked or chipped paint, stains and evidence of condensation, mildew and/or mold.
8. Does the vent meet code standards? There are two main types of code requirements: 1/300 and 1/150. Consult the International Building Code (2000) for specifics on how to calculate the standards to achieve specific airflow rates, guided by the principle that 1/150 ventilation is needed if the attic has no vapor inhibitor or has an uncorrectable imbalance, and 1/300 ventilation is needed if it does, or if the system is already balanced.
Have Your Attic Ventilation Checked

If you’re unsure whether or not you have adequate attic ventilation, consult a professional roofing contractor. Achieving proper ventilation can be a technical undertaking, so you’ll need to eliminate any possible guesswork from the equation to achieve optimal results. A small investment today can save you thousands of dollars down the road in unnecessary repairs, not to mention hours of inconvenience.

If you want a healthy and efficient roof system, you need to find a quality installer who won’t cut corners.

Contact All Roofing Solutions, a local Delaware roofing contractor with a team of skilled, loyal and hardworking crewmen. We serve customers throughout Delaware and southeastern Pennsylvania, and are happy to check the integrity of your attic ventilation or handle any other roofing issues.

Call 302-725-ROOF (7663) in Delaware or 610-551-ROOF (7663) in Pennsylvania to request your FREE ESTIMATE.
September 11, 2018
Residential Rain Gutters: 5 Fall Maintenance & Repair Tips
Rain gutters represent an important piece of your home’s defense against the elements. During a rainstorm, your home’s gutters handle the runoff from the entire roofing surface and drain it away from the home – a significant job indeed.

Gutter maintenance is critical to the longevity of the roof. The gutter system, in coordination with your roofing, protects your home’s siding, windows, doors, and foundation from water damage, and helps keep your basement from flooding.

Rain Gutters: 5 Fall Maintenance & Repair Tips

Like any of your home’s many systems, rain gutters require maintenance and occasional repair. And, with fall on the way, now is a great time to make sure your gutters are properly functioning. Here are a few tips to get started:
- Clear leaves & debris. Gutters and downspouts must be clear of leaves and debris to do their job. Clogged, dammed drain outlets lead to overflowing gutters, and may even pull the gutters loose. Avoid clogged gutters from forming in the first place by installing a gutter guard protection system, or grab a ladder and clear your regular gutters from all the accumulated debris, before fall rains start.
- Evaluate the gutter angle, making sloping adjustments as necessary. Properly installed rain gutters are slightly sloped toward the downspout, allowing water to drain efficiently. Improperly sloped gutters will result in pooling, which over time will rot or corrode your gutters. An easy way to test the slope is by spraying water into the rain gutters with a hose (do this only after cleaning your gutters to avoid potentially clogging it and making things worse). The water should flow smoothly toward the downspout – if it doesn’t, you may need to fasten a diverter that will better control the flow. Additionally, improper location of downspouts, or not having enough of them, can lead to standing water and overflows during heavy rains.
- Inspect loose gutters or gutters pulled away from the structure. If water pools in your gutters for any reason, the weight of the water may, over time, loosen the fasteners and allow the gutter to pull away from your structure. Loose gutters can be fixed by installing fascia hanger brackets. To check the integrity of your gutter system, an annual inspection is recommended.
- Check for leaks and holes. Using a garden hose, spray water on your roof to see if your gutters are leaking. If you don’t have seamless gutters, your system may begin to leak at aging seams. Leaks started at those rusty spots may be repaired with silicone sealant. Be sure to seal both the inside and outside of the gutter. Small holes can be easily repaired with roofing cement, applied with a putty knife. Larger issues may require more serious repairs such as replacing the leaky section altogether.
- Inspect downspouts. Inspect your downspouts for any leaks or signs of excessive wear. If your downspouts are joined to fascia boards, ensure that they are firmly attached.
Call Professionals For Help!

For expert advice and an inspection of your home’s gutter system, contact the professionals at All Roofing Solutions. Family owned and operated Delaware and Pennsylvania roofing contractor with 20 years of experience in residential and commercial roofing, we have the experience and expertise to handle your gutter replacement & repair needs. After examining your gutters, we will offer you maintenance tips, quote required repairs or discuss your other needs!

Protect your home by scheduling a roofing & gutters inspection/maintenance today – call 302-725-ROOF (7663) in Delaware or 610-551-ROOF (7663) in Pennsylvania or request a Free Quote online!
August 28, 2018