All Roofing Solutions

Tag: wind damage

  • From Roofing Inspection to Repairs: 5 Fall Maintenance Tips for Homeowners

    From Roofing Inspection to Repairs: 5 Fall Maintenance Tips for Homeowners

    Home maintenance experts point to fall as the year’s most important maintenance and repair seasons.

    Winter can bring all kinds of unruly and unpredictable weather, and if your roof has any minor or undetected structural or repair problems, you run the risk of having them get out of control at the worst possible time. Harsh winter elements can easily turn small problems into big ones, so be proactive and ensure your roof is ready for the cold weather before it arrives.

    From Roofing Inspection to Repairs: 5 Fall Maintenance Tips for Homeowners

    From Roofing Inspection to Repairs: 5 Fall Maintenance Tips for Homeowners

    These five key items should be on your fall roof maintenance checklist:

    #1. Inspect, Clean & Fix Gutters

    Gutters provide essential drainage, directing rainwater and melted snow and ice off your roof and safely away from your home. However, by the later part of autumn, chances are they need some cleaning. Falling leaves, sticks, twigs, branches, and all kinds of other debris can easily become trapped. If clogged gutters interferes with their proper function, you risk developing ice dams during the winter, and they are among the most notorious and costly problems a homeowner can face.

    • 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. Additionally, improper location of downspouts, or not having enough of them, can lead to standing water and overflows during heavy rains.
    • Inspect for gutters pulled away from the home. 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. 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. These leaks 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 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.

    #2. Inspect & Repair Your Roof As Needed

    During the fall, you should also make a careful and thorough check for any obvious signs of damage to your roof. Loose or missing shingles, loose roofing elements, cracks, blisters, chipped roofing cement…all of them should be dealt with before the first snowfall. Binoculars are your best friend if you don’t feel comfortable climbing a ladder onto your roof.

    • Check for broken, cracked, curled, or missing shingles, and any signs of a loss of granulation. Loose or damaged shingles is a common problem. Over time, high winds, hail, tree branches and other debris can take a toll. Often, a little roofing cement may be all that’s needed to repair a loose shingle tab. If the shingle is damaged, you’ll want to have it replaced.
    • Check for blisters, cracks, and tears around the edges of the roof
    • Check flashings for damage, corrosion, or holes that may need repair or replacement.
    • Inspect damaged chimney bricks and buckled or torn flashing, cracked or worn caps and joints. Check caulking/sealants around the roof for cracking or other damage. Old, worn sealants should be replaced before water seepage causes problems.
    • Assess the condition of exhaust pipes, valleys, outer edges or angles where the roof meets the walls.

    If your roofing inspection uncovers issues that require remediation, don’t wait until spring. Have them fixed now, before the snow starts to fall. Otherwise, you risk developing problems that may be far more difficult and expensive to repair later.

    Bottom line: Patch any ongoing roof leaks, or hire a contractor to handle that for you. As you work on repairing your roof, remember to stay safe and take special care to not inflict further damage to your roof.

    #3. Trim Trees That Hang Over Your Roof

    If you have trees with branches that hang over your roof, it’s a good idea to trim these branches away to prevent leaves from falling onto your roof. The accumulation of leaves, branches, twigs, and other debris can cause blockages in your gutters, leading to ice dams and other potentially serious issues, as mentioned earlier.

    This supplemental task serves multiple purposes. First, it eliminates some of the potential debris that could end up in your gutters as winter wears on. Second, and more importantly, it reduces your chances of suffering serious damage as the result of a winter storm. High winds and heavy snowfall accumulation can cause even large, sturdy branches to break off, and they can cause big problems if they land on your roof with a crash.

    #4. Don’t Forget To Check The Attic

    Some problems are less obvious, and you’ll need to track down clues that might be on the inside of your home rather than outside. Head up to your attic to check for signs of leaks. Check your attics and all walls and ceilings that adjoin your roof for signs of water damage, such as leaks or discolored splotches. The presence of mold and mildew, stains, and warped wooden elements all indicate leakage, or high humidity levels.

    Proper attic insulation and ventilation are the keys to fixing these issues and preventing the serious problems they can cause. Be especially vigilant about mold – roof leaks can give moisture and mold a way to get a foothold inside your house.

    #5. Make a list

    Keep a comprehensive record of any possible problems you find. This will make it faster and easier for you to obtain and compare quotes from roofing contractors, should you decide to hire a professional to perform any necessary repairs.

    If you encounter problems you don’t know how to repair on your own, reach out to a reputable local professional roofing contractor. Making an investment in proper repairs now can pay off in spades by helping you avoid more serious and more costly problems during the winter, when snowy and slippery conditions can make repairs difficult or impossible.

    Have A Leak? Hire A Repair Contractor

    A family owned & operated DE/PA roofing contractor, All Roofing Solutions has been serving Delaware and Pennsylvania for nearly 20 years! Whether you need help with inspection, maintenance or repairs, we’re ready to assist you!

    To schedule your free consultation, call 302-725-ROOF (7663) in Delaware or 610-551-ROOF (7663) in Pennsylvania. Contact us today and receive a discount of 15% off any roofing repair job.

  • Common Roofing Repairs: Dealing With High Wind Damage

    Common Roofing Repairs: Dealing With High Wind Damage

    High winds can be a huge concern for homeowners, especially those living in areas prone to hurricanes and severe storms, like the East Coast. Rainstorms, hailstorms and hurricanes can tear shingles from your roof, penetrate roof’s surface, and even lead to structural damage. Not to mention the beating your roof might endure with falling tree branches.

    Roofing repairs related to high wind damage are among the most common types of repairs you will encounter as a homeowner. To mitigate this kind of damage, schedule a roof inspection and appropriate repairs for your home immediately after a major windstorm.

    Roof repair Newark De 19713

    Common Roofing Repairs: High Wind Damage

    According to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI), approaching wind speeds can more than double as the air currents pass over your roof. The increase in wind speed can easily dislodge shingles and shakes from the roof, starting around the roof’s perimeter and quickly progressing further toward the center of the roof. The higher the winds, the more damage your home is likely to sustain.

    Dealing With High Wind Damage: Post-Storm Inspection

    Immediately after the storm passes — and only when the winds have subsided enough — assess the condition of your roofing, siding, and gutters. A thorough inspection is highly recommended, preferably by a roofing contractor trained to spot all signs of damage, including those less obvious.

    High wind damage inspection checklist:

    • Inspect your attic for leaks or water damage.
    • Check for broken, cracked, curled, or missing shingles, and any signs of a loss of granulation
    • Look for split or curled shakes or shingles
    • Check for blisters, cracks, and tears around the edges of the roof
    • Inspect damaged chimney bricks and buckled or torn flashing, cracked or worn caps and joints
    • Assess the condition of exhaust pipes, valleys, outer edges or angles where the roof meets the walls.
    • Check for bent, loose, or missing gutter sections
    • Look for any signs of siding damage

    Keep in mind that over time, missing, broken, or bruised roof materials can lead to a variety of problems in your home, including:

    • Water damage
    • Mold and mildew
    • Loss of insulation, leading to higher energy bills

    Regular roof inspections in the fall and spring can help you identify potential roof repairs related to high winds.

    Roof Replacement, Newark DE 19713

    Dealing With High Wind Damage: Contacting Your Insurance

    If your home suffered any damage, contact your insurance agent to determine whether you should file a claim. Coverage will often depend on the age of your roof, the area you live in, and many other factors, so it’s important to know the specifics of your policy.

    At this point, all your damage should be determined and well documented, and you should be proceeding with emergency repairs to stop further damage.

    Dealing With High Wind Damage: Handling Repairs

    Once you identify the damage and contact your insurance company, handle repairs as promptly as possible to minimize the damage to your home. Putting off an affordable repair leaves your home vulnerable to more damage, leading to more costly and extensive work later on.

    We’ve written extensively about roofing repairs. Here are step-by-step guides on various roofing repairs:

    Keep in mind that not all roofing repairs are easy. If your roof has suffered serious damage, or if you’re experiencing leaks or other problems you’re not able to fix yourself, you should consider hiring a professional contractor.

    Have a Leak? Hire a Repair Contractor

    A family owned & operated DE/PA roofing contractor, All Roofing Solutions has been serving Delaware and Pennsylvania for nearly 20 years! We’re ready to assist your with your emergency roofing repair, large and small.

    To schedule your free consultation, call 302-725-ROOF (7663) in Delaware or 610-551-ROOF (7663) in Pennsylvania. Contact us today and receive a discount of 15% off any roofing repair job.

    Why Choose All Roofing Solutions

    • Customer Satisfaction GuaranteedFamily-owned and operated contractor
    • Fully licensed and insured for your protection
    • Over 25 years of experience with roofing & siding installation and repair
    • A+ rated BBB member
    • Complimentary Extended Material warranty
    • 30-year workmanship guarantee on full roof replacements
    • Lien Waiver to protect the homeowners from material liens
    • Own crew—no subcontractors!
    • Full-service roofer handling all types of residential and commercial roofing, windows & siding projects.
    • Most re-roofing projects are completed in one day.
    • Because we are efficient we are able to offer very competitive prices compared to large contractors with bigger overhead.
    • Each roofing/siding project includes a meticulously performed, post-roofing inspection. We want to make sure that your roof replacement is done correctly and that it meets your complete satisfaction.
    • The company owner supervises all projects to ensure high-quality workmanship.
    • Customer Satisfaction Guaranteed!
  • 7 Steps to Locating and Patching Minor Roof Leaks

    7 Steps to Locating and Patching Minor Roof Leaks

    Many homeowners look to save money by making minor roof repairs on their own. If you’re up for the challenge, your first step will be to learn how to pinpoint and fix small leaks.

    While the location of the incoming water will often betray the leaky spot, identifying the source of the problem isn’t always as straightforward as it might seem. Your repair strategy will also be influenced by the location, size and orientation of the leak, but the good news is that both issues can be addressed with some simple investigation and action.

    7 Steps to Locating and Patching Minor Roof Leaks

    7 Steps to Locating and Patching Minor Roof Leaks

    Follow these seven simple steps to locate and fix minor leaks in your roof:

    • Check for any penetrations in the roof; these are, by a wide margin, the most common source of roof leaks. They are normally found within a few feet of the interior ceiling location where the leak appears to be centered.
    • Remove shingles in the area where you suspect the leak is located, and look for telltale signs like water stains and rotting structural underlayments.
    • If you still can’t find the leak, enlist the help of an assistant. Have one person stay inside at the apparent source of the leak and have the other go up on the roof with a water supply. Work systematically by wetting localized areas of the roof with the water supply until the person inside sees water start to dribble from the ceiling. By notifying the person on the roof when the interior leak appeared, it will be easy to localize the leak to a specific area.
    • Clear shingles from the affected area of the roof, leaving a few feet of open space on all sides of the leak.
    • Assess the condition of the shingles, as well as the condition of underlying elements of the roof. Identify elements that need to be repaired or replaced; some leaks are caused by relatively simple problems like curled or damaged shingles, while others result from damage to the roof’s underlying structural features.
    • Seal off any penetrations that are allowing water to enter your home through a hole or other breach in the integrity of the underlying roof structure.
    • Replace all damaged, missing and removed shingles with new ones, taking care to ensure they are fully adhered to the roof surface with nails as well as roofing cement.
    Roof Leak Repairs, Newark DE

    In the event that you uncover a major problem, it’s best to enlist the help of a licensed roofing professional to assess the damage. More elaborate and intensive repairs can be difficult and onerous, and in many cases, even experienced DIY-ers are better off investing in the safety and skill of a qualified roofing repair contractor.

    Hire Professional Roofer To Help!

    Don’t put off repairing a leak, as this can lead to additional structural problems, mold growth and high levels of moisture and humidity, all of which can be difficult and expensive to repair.

    If you’d like to schedule a roofing inspection to diagnose specific problems or evaluate the overall condition of your roof, contact All Roofing Solutions. We offer affordable, expert roof repair, replacement and installation services to customers throughout Delaware and southeastern Pennsylvania. We’re a family-owned business with nearly 20 years of experience in residential and commercial roofing. We are passionate about providing great service and excellent workmanship!

    To schedule your free consultation, call 302-725-ROOF (7663) in Delaware or 610-551-ROOF (7663) in Pennsylvania. Don’t forget to ask about our discount of 15% off any roofing repair job!

  • Residential Shingle Roofing: Hail Damage Inspection

    Residential Shingle Roofing: Hail Damage Inspection

    Hail is one of Mother Nature’s curiosities: small balls of ice descending from the sky in moderately warm temperatures. A hailstorm may be fascinating to watch, but can do real harm to your home’s roof shingles.

    If your area experienced a significant hail storm, you should schedule an inspection with both a qualified roofing contractor and your insurance company to determine if your roof sustained any damage.

    Hail Damage – Blistering and Bruising of Shingle Roofing

    Hail ranges in size from a half-inch in diameter to the general size of a golf ball. The combination of the weight of the hail and the direction and power of the wind is what creates problems for a shingle roof.

    Shingles are made from layers of material, usually asphalt. The striking of the hail on the surface of the shingle can remove some of the asphalt granules. This is called bruising or “blistering.” Hail can also cause shingle roofing to crack, split or become loose.

    Blistering and bruising of your shingle roof opens up the underlayment to the elements. Where previously there was a layer of protection, your roof is now exposed to UV rays from the sun and moisture. Light and moisture both play a role in the premature breakdown of your shingle roofing.

    Asphalt shingles generally last about 30 years; hail damage may lead to your needing a roof replacement well beforehand.

    Importance of Roofing Inspection

    Hail damage is not always apparent to the untrained eye of a homeowner. Call on your local roof inspection contractor to assess your roof and make the required repairs as soon as possible. Leaving your shingle roof exposed to the inevitable East Coast wet weather can contribute to leaks that damage not only your roof, but also the interior of your home.

    If you’d like to schedule an inspection to diagnose specific problems or evaluate the post-hail condition of your roof, contact All Roofing Solutions. We offer affordable, expert roof repair, replacement and installation services to customers throughout Delaware and southeastern Pennsylvania.

    We’re a family-owned business with 15 years of experience in residential and commercial roofing and are passionate about providing great service and excellent workmanship!

    For your FREE estimate, call 302-725-ROOF (7663) in Delaware or 610-551-ROOF (7663) in Pennsylvania. Don’t forget to ask about our discount of 15% off any roofing repair job!

  • 5 Steps To An Effective Winter Roofing Maintenance

    5 Steps To An Effective Winter Roofing Maintenance

    5 Steps To An Effective Winter Roofing Maintenance

    While roof maintenance may be the last thing on your mind during the chilly weather, one could make the case that roof care is more important in 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 cause major damage.

    5 Steps To An Effective Winter Roofing Maintenance

    Here is a winter roof maintenance checklist to help you cover your bases:

    1. Inspect your gutters regularly for signs of ice dams and icicles forming. Large icicles hanging off your gutters are the telltale sign of ice dams, but they aren’t always this conspicuous. Additionally, if too much ice builds up, gutters can become too heavy and rip away from the home, leaving you with damage and hefty gutter repair bills. If you find any ice dams blocking your down spouts, remove them right away.
    2. Clogged gutters and downspouts can’t channel water and snowmelt away from your home which can lead to serious damage. Ensure your downspouts and fascia are not clogged by ice, snow or other debris such as stray branches or dead leaves. And while you’re at it, inspect your downspouts for any leaks or signs of excessive wear.
    3. Scan your roofing surface for any sign of wind damage. If heavy winds accompany a winter storm, make a visual inspection of your roof once the weather calms down to see if any shingles have come loose or gone missing. Missing, broken, or bruised roof materials can lead to a variety of problems in your home, including leaks, mold and mildew. These will need to be replaced promptly to prevent leaks and other problems associated with shingle gaps.
    4. Use a roof rake to remove excess snow buildups on your rooftop. As a general rule of thumb, more than one foot of snow could potentially cause damage. However, to be on the safe side, some experts recommend raking any accumulation greater than six inches off your roof. Never stand on an icy roof! Rake the roof from a ladder, and make sure that someone is home or nearby when you are on the ladder. 
    5. If you haven’t already and weather conditions still permit, apply a weatherproof coating to all parts of your roof with gentle or even slopes. This will help you avoid roof leaks down the road.

    Contact Professional Roofer For Help!

    Do you need your roof inspected? Are you’re facing roof leak repairs and need help?

    If you’d like to schedule an inspection to diagnose specific problems or evaluate the overall condition of your roof, contact All Roofing Solutions. Serving residential and commercial customers in Delaware and southeastern Pennsylvania, we’ve been installing & repairing roofs since 1998!

    Backed by our satisfied customers and a proven track record for excellence, we offer generous warranties, top-quality materials and experienced contractors who get the job done right the first time. We are proud of our craft and stand behind our work 100% – please check our project gallery & read customer reviews on Google.

    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!