Here are a few reasons why a metal roof is a growing choice for protecting you and your family.

Benefits of a Metal Roof

• Low Maintenance – A traditional high-quality shingled roof is designed to need regular maintenance, while only lasting approximately 20 years. A metal roof is designed to last much longer, and the number of repairs needed will be nearly none. The most common repair for a metal roof is a simple, low-cost screw that may need to be replaced or tightened.
• Resistant to Weather – The quality and longevity of a metal roof can protect you from the harshest weather conditions. Water penetration is one of the most common – and costly – repairs with asphalt shingle roofs, but this is rarely the case with a metal roof. Water and snow will easily slide off and metal roofs are incredibly heat resistant.
• Very Energy Efficient – A metal roof is coated with a special sun-deflecting paint, making it very energy efficient. This kind of paint usually carries a 25-year guarantee, making it a huge bang for your buck.
• Environmentally  Gentle – The gentleness of a metal roof on the environment is probably not one of the first things that you think about when you choose your roofing system, but metal roofs keep thousands of tons of shingles and other material waste out of America’s landfills. This alone makes metal roofing an incredibly smart choice!
• Increasing the Value of Your Home – Statistics have proven that by installing a metal roof, that you can increase the value of your home. When comparing a shingled roof to a metal roof, a metal roof can increase your home’s value by more than 5%. This is not only a huge benefit to you, but also to any future buyers who may purchase your house.

Quick-Fact Benefits for Choosing Metal Over Shingles

• Has the potential to never have to be replaced
• Maintenance costs are next to nothing
• Incredibly weather resistant, no matter the climate
• Energy efficient and cost effective
• Environmentally friendly
• Can increase the value of your home by up to 6 percent

After considering all these benefits of a metal roof, you are probably wondering why everyone hasn’t made the switch. The biggest reason is cost. It is more expensive to install metal roofing systems, but as with any part of your home, you should consider quality and longevity. You get what you pay for, and a roof is no different. It might cost a little more on the front side to install a metal roof, but you will save a huge amount of money in the long run by avoiding all the costly repairs and replacements that come with asphalt shingles.

• The Bottom Line

If you purchase a home with traditional shingles and live there for 25-30 years, you can expect to have to replace your roof at least once. Between weather, wear and tear, and other leaks or damages, costly repairs are pretty much a given. Even though the initial cost is higher for installation, a metal roof will pay for itself over and over in just a few short years.

Finally, you may be thinking a metal roof just won’t look right or give you the curb appeal that you are looking for, but metal roofs have become very stylish. They are available in many styles, colors, and designs making them resemble more traditional materials.

• Ready to Make the Switch to A Metal Roof?

As we have discovered, a metal roof is a great option for any home, regardless of where you live. For more information on the benefits of metal roofs, call us today and let our experts show you the options!

• Water Stains
• Peeling Paint or Wallpaper
• Sagging Ceilings
• Mold
• Wet Spots
• Standing Water
• Damp Odors

Water will typically come into your home through damaged or missing shingles, vents, skylights, near the roofing planes, or any location in which the roof flashing is poorly secured or missing.

What is the Difference Between a Roof Leak and Condensation?

One of the easiest ways to tell the difference between a roof leak and condensation is the size and location of the stain on you ceiling.

When you are dealing with condensation, you may see several small stains on your ceiling and not just one large stain. Typically, these stains with condensation are close to the exterior walls of your home and can develop without heavy rains or storms. The color of the stain associated with condensation is typically dark with a white center. If this is the case, you are most likely dealing with mold and that is a good indication of a condensation issue.

With a roof leak the stain could be located anywhere on the ceiling, including but not limited to the exterior walls of your home. With a true leaking roof, the opposite is true of the coloring of the stain. In this case, the stain will be darkest in the center and gets lighter as it moves across the ceiling. The darker the stain, the better the indication of how old the stain is and how long your roof could have been leaking. If you see dark stains on your ceiling, don’t delay in reaching out for professional help. The longer you wait to have the problem addressed, the more serious the problem could become.

What Causes My Ceiling to Sag?

If the leak in your roof is severe and allowing rainwater into your home, it will cause the ceiling to sag. This is caused by the build up of water on the ceiling materials. The ceilings in your home are made from a material that will break down when wet. When the water has come through the outer layer of the roof, it accumulates and causes the materials to break down and sag. If this happens, it is very important for the source of the water to be found and the water drained. Only then can the leak can be properly repaired.

Dealing with Mold

Mold is normally a pretty good indication of a roof leak or condensation. During a roof inspection, a professional will inspect the chimney and vents first because that is typically where the mold will start. One of the most common underlying causes of mold is a leak in the flashing of a metal roof. This type of leak is much easier to locate and fix as opposed to the typical leak found in shingles and tiles.

Once the inspector has determined that you have a leak, they will be able to trace the evidence you are seeing to the location of the leak on your roof. If you have traditional shingles, fixing the problem is an easy process. In most cases, the leak is coming from damaged shingles and tiles. In a case like this, you will simply need to replace the tiles or shingles and seal the edges with roofing cement.

Mold can be a serious matter, causing many potential health problems. If you suspect any mold issues, take immediate action and call in a roofing expert to address and repair the problem.

There are many causes for roof leaks, but most can be handled quickly if a professional oversees the job. For more information on spotting leaks or other problems with your roofing system, call us today!

Inspect the roof at least once a year. Every roof will sustain some damage or wear and tear over time. Taking the time to do a roof inspection will save you a lot of money on costly repairs. You can easily do a simple inspection from the ground if you know what to look for.

If a leak is discovered during a heavy rain, wait until it is dry before attempting to repair it. The danger associated with climbing on a wet roof is far greater than doing it on a dry day.

Replace shingles regularly. If you notice any missing or damaged shingles, it’s important that you replace them as soon as possible. Inspecting shingles for signs of damage every so often is simple to do and will save you money on potential repairs.

Mow the lawn before any work is done on your roof. Having your lawn mowed will help the workers spot any nails or other debris that may have fallen from the roof. Obviously, this will help to prevent injuries from not seeing them on the ground as you walk around. There are magnetic nail finders to help with this task.

Don’t settle for the first sales pitch you encounter. If the roofing company seems pushy to you, then you need to consider looking elsewhere. Once that contract is signed, it’s tricky to get out of it.

Do your homework. Take the time to check several companies before deciding on which one to hire. Resist the temptation to settle for the first bid you get. Ask for references and follow up on them. You can also check with the BBB and see if there have been any formal complaints filed against the company or contractor.

Resist the urge to settle for just a quick-fix. While it might seem to be the best thing financially, keep in mind that if you only put a band-aid on the problem, it will come back to haunt you at a later date.

Make sure that the professional roofer has the proper credentials. Find out which credentials are required by law in your area and make sure the roofing company is complying with those.

Be sure they are insured. Any roofing company should have full liability insurance. This will protect you if any accidents or injuries occur while they are working on your home.

For more information on what to look for in a roofing company, call us today and let our experts help!

The Fascia

The fascia is a front board that runs along the line of the roof. This band runs horizontally and can also be referred to as roof trim. Fascia is installed under the edges of the roof and is typically made of sheet metal or wooden boards. These are the finishing touches that run vertically, linking the rafters, trusses, and the parts of the roof that connect to the gutters. This element of your roof serves two purposes: protection and curb appeal.
This band of metal or wood protects the home’s interior from the damaging effects of the weather by preventing rain or other outside elements from getting inside. Also, when it comes to the aesthetic purpose, this band provides a smooth, level appearance along the roofing edge.

With a fascia, the most important thing to remember is protection. Since the job of the fascia is to protect, it is important for homeowners to watch for any indications of decay or damage.

The Soffit

The soffit is the finished area located under the fascia and the rafters. In Latin, the word soffit means “to fix underneath”. Soffits are made from vinyl and are used to improve the flow of air and to draw moisture and heat away from your home. With the pulling away of heat and moisture, properly functioning soffits prevent the sheathing and rafters from rotting.

As a homeowner, you should check your roofing soffits for holes, cracks, and any decaying. If you run across any of these, it is very important to correct those problems immediately to avoid water, insects, and other tiny critters from getting in.

The Flashing

The job of the flashing in a roofing system is to close off any open areas in which water may penetrate and lead to the bigger problem of leaking. Depending upon the roof on your home, the flashing is generally made from steel or aluminum and are located around the drains, walls, valleys, system edges, chimneys, or around the skylights.

The most widespread problem that we see with the flashing is deterioration. This is caused by oxidation and varying weather patterns. Also, there are a few cases in which the flashing just simply comes loose. With that being a possibility, it is important for you to take the time to check these areas to prevent larger issues.

The Gutters

The gutters on your home protect the structure by directing water away from the foundation of your home. It’s important for you as a homeowner to inspect your gutters and make sure that the spout is facing away from the foundation of your home. Stopped up gutters and downspouts are the number one problems that we see. Also, there are some cases in which the gutter may become detached from the fascia. You may also want to consider using extensions on your gutters in or to protect the foundation of your home.

The Shingles

Shingles need to be inspected and fixed as soon as you suspect there might be a problem. Curling, discoloration, and insufficient ventilation can cause a large amount of damage in just a brief time if not fixed and handled correctly. Curling of shingles not only looks bad but allows water to seep in and damage other parts of your roofing system. Discolorations is a big warning sign of a leak in your roof. No matter what size discoloration, it is important to have it checked immediately because a very tiny spot can create a large hole in the ceiling of your home. Lastly, insufficient ventilation can result in buckling.

What should I do if I run across one of these problems?

The key to get the most from your roofing system is regular inspections and maintenance. Most people are not comfortable or qualified to do this themselves, so calling in a pro is your best bet. Call us today for one of our roofing experts to inspect your roof!