Here are a few things to look for:
On the roof

If you have composition roofing:

• Look for excessive granulation in your gutters coming from the roof surface.
• Check to be sure the asphalt under the granules is not exposed.
• Look for lifting, curling or cracking of the shingles.

As a composition roof ages, the essential oils in the asphalt will dry out and the shingles will actually begin to absorb water. At this point your roof is leaking “passively” into the substrate. This means your roof is leaking but the leaks are not yet showing up inside of the house. A leak you can see is called an active leak.
If passive leaking is allowed to continue, it can lead to expensive repairs to the roof deck.

For Cedar Shake or Shingle roofing:

• Look for discoloration at the butt ends or vertical cracking in the wood.

As Cedar ages, it shrinks, causing wide gaps between the shake or shingles. You may also notice curling at the corners of your Cedar shingles.

Siding

Siding is generally much easier to inspect then your roof. In many cases there is no need to climb a ladder and 1/2 the area to inspect is at eye level or lower.

For LP siding made of Cedar, Press board or cement fiber:

• Check the caulking first. Caulking at the trim, corners and laps can deteriorate well before the siding shows wear.
• You will also want to look for horizontal cracking or rot. Bottom runs closest to the ground and the ends of vertical trim can go first.

If your caulking is compromised, leaking into the walls can lead to expensive repairs later.
If the proper caulking was used on your job from the beginning it should last for the life of your siding.

Vinyl siding is easy to inspect. It will simply be broken (holes) or cracked, and components (j-channel, trim) will be falling off.

If you are not certain of what to look for you can email questions to Bart@rainshield.net or call 888-858-7663 to schedule an appointment for a free & honest assessment, done by a professional.

See you next time,

Bart Higgins

Rainshield Roofing, specializes in the installation of James Hardie Color Plus siding. The James Hardie family of fiber cement siding can replicate the warm look of natural wood siding with added benefits.

First this siding is offered in a variety of color options direct from the factory.

Second, fiber cement siding is fire resistant and may save you money on your home owners insurance.

Third, this siding will resist rotting, cracking, mold, mildew, insects and  many other common elements that weather and age your siding over time.

This is a perfect siding choice for those homeowners looking for a quality product to protect their home from moisture while maintaining an inviting warm appearance.

Contact us today for more information.

A: Technically, Yes. Realistically, No.

The UBC (Uniform Building Code) allows for two layers of roofing on your home. However, just because you can re-cover doesn’t make it a good idea. There are simply too many good reasons to remove your old roofing.

The first reason is money. For a qualified contractor with the proper equipment, the cost to the consumer for removal and disposal of your existing roofing material is a small part of the overall cost. Often as little as 10% of your total bid.

Second, If the contractor does not have the opportunity to properly inspect the substrate, there could be small areas of wet deck, either from condensation between the roof & deck or from passive leaks. These areas will continue to deteriorate and compromise your new roof system.

A third reason is warranty. Material manufacturers severely limit their warranties for the lifespan and wind up lift when their products are installed over an existing roof.

The fourth reason is peace of mind. As contractors, we strive to meet our customers needs and requests. A quality contractor will properly explain the facts to the customer so that they may make an informed and correct decision about their project.

For questions, or to meet with a qualified contractor contact us today.

Here are a few tips for Getting Ready for the Winter Weather.

Inspect Roof & Gutters:

Have your roof inspected, even if it looks great from the ground, by a trained professional. A professional can spot trouble before it becomes a major leak.

Add insulation in Attic Space:

When the temperature gets below 32 degrees, warm air can creep from your living space to the attic causing ice dams on roof.
Adding insulation will stop this and reduce your Energy Bill.

Have your gutters cleaned:

Consider installing leaf guards on existing gutters:

This will help to keep gutters free of clogging debris.

We are here to help with all of your roofing and weatherization needs. Contact us today by phone or email with any questions or to schedule an inspection with one of our roofing or weatherization experts.

]]> http://www.rainshield.net/services/weatherization/getting-ready-for-winter/feed/ 0 http://www.rainshield.net/services/weatherization/winter-roofing-problem-1-ice-dams/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=winter-roofing-problem-1-ice-dams http://www.rainshield.net/services/weatherization/winter-roofing-problem-1-ice-dams/#comments Mon, 12 Sep 2011 20:25:29 +0000 admin http://www.rainshield.net/blog/?p=189 Continue reading →]]> What is an ice dam?

An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms at the edge of a roof and prevents melting snow from draining off. The water that backs up behind the dam can leak into a home and cause severe damage to walls, ceilings, insulation, and other areas. 

What causes ice dams?

Many factors contribute to ice dams forming during the winter months. Heat loss from a house along with snow fall and fluctuating outside temperatures interact to cause snow melt and water retention.

The snow on a roof surface that is above 32°F will melt. As water flows down the roof it reaches the portion of the roof that is below 32°F and freezes this creates an ice dam.

The water that remains liquid behind an ice dam finds cracks and openings in the exterior roof covering and flows into the attic. From the attic, water can flow into other portions of your home .

Preventing ice dams during the winter is easily done.

We can perform a weatherization inspection and fix the areas of heat loss that help to melt roof snow. Contact us today to schedule a home inspection with our Weatherization team.

• You are responsible for the medical and time-loss costs of employees injured while working on a project.
• You may be liable for all unpaid taxes.
• Your homeowner’s insurance may not cover work done by an unlicensed contractor.
• The law requires disclosure of all work that has been done on your home if you resell, and you may be required to do work over again that has been done without permits or inspections. Nondisclosure can lead to civil action being taken against you.
• You may be placing yourself and your family in a life threatening situation, especially when hiring unlicensed people to install plumbing, electrical wiring, heating systems or wood stoves.
• Suppliers can place a lien on your home for nonpayment of materials by your contractor.
• Unpaid workers can place a lien on your property.

When problems arise, your only recourse is a lengthy and costly civil action if there are any assets of value to attach, and if you can find the contractor.

Always verify your contractor before work begins.

1. Always look for a contractor who will provide you with thorough advice and information on the products which will be used for your roofing project. Remember, a contractor that takes the time to prepare a professional proposal is more likely to do a quality job.

2. Beware of bids that are noticeably lower, the difference may be in the quality of material(s), the lack of experience of the crew, details and issues missed on the initial bid, or it can be an indication that the contractor is not covering all the legitimate business costs. Costs such as, insurance, or paying bills on-time costs that may come back to you in the form of liens against your property, or mysterious additions to your final bill.

3. Obtain a written contract and make the terms understood. If there are change orders, put them in writing.

4. Be wary of contractors who ask you to pick up the building permit. There could be a reason they don’t want to show up themselves.

5. Check with the Better Business Bureau (1-206-431-2222) to see if the company is in good standing.

6. Request that they show you copies of the bond and insurance coverage.

7. Check with the Contractor’s License Board (1-800-647-0982) to see if there are any liens against the contractor. If so please ask the contractor about them. Please use Rainshield Roofing and Construction, Inc. LIC #RAINSRC0639L when checking on us.

8. Call their suppliers to find out their financial status.

9. Make sure they provide customer references.

10. Ask what inconveniences may arise in the course of your job.

11.Look over your proposal and make sure you understand what will be done to YOUR home.

12. A good contractor will ask for payment upon completion and only when you have looked at the rood and are satisfied.

13. Be cautious about paying for work not yet completed.

14. Make sure there are written warranties on the proposal for workmanship and materials.

15. Consumer Protection. The Contractor Registration law exists to protect consumers from incompetent and/or fraudulent contractors. Requiring contractors to be bonded gives consumers some financial protection against unsatisfactory or incomplete work. While the law does not guarantee perfect performance, it improves the likelihood that a contractor will do competent work.

Cleaning your roof, gutters and siding not only helps your home look great, it prolongs the lifetime of the materials and reduces damages that could become costly to repair if left untreated.

Visit our past blog posts for information to help you D.I.Y or contact us today and schedule an appointment for our Handyman Division to come out and Do It For You.

The first step all homeowners or business owners should take is “Contractor Verification”.

Verifying that a contractor and business is licensed is an important step in protecting yourself and it’s incredibly easy.

Visit www.lni.wa.gov/TradesLicensing/Contractors/ and search for the contractor or company name . This quick search shows exactly how long a company has been licensed, and all insurance and bond information. Verifying that your contractor has remained current with their insurance and bond is added security for you.

Home repairs and remodels are costly. Take this step to protect yourself and your investments.

Imagine This! Home & Landscape Tour
Saturday & Sunday, June 25th-26th

The SUSTAINABLE CONNECTIONS 9th annual Imagine This! Home & Landscape tour features the BEST in natural, eco-friendly homes and landscapes and the businesses that create them.

Click here for more information