The Importance Of Rain Gutters
Two of the most important parts of your NC house are the foundation and the roof – and these two areas are actually very related. Obviously, a home’s foundation is what keeps a house standing strong, supporting the upper structure, and keeping out the elements. Similarly, a roof protects the inside of a home, keeping debris, the elements, and creatures from entering from above.
If your foundation is not strong, the entire house can be compromised. Furthermore, if the roof does not funnel water properly, it can actually cause deterioration in your foundation. A rain gutter installation expert can help you ensure that your roof works with your foundation, not against it.
How Gutters Should Work
As water hits a roof, it runs down the slope, to the edge. In roofs with gutters, this water is channeled along the roof’s edge, to the corners, where it runs through a down spout, then safely away from the home; this happens when accumulated winter snow melts as well.
This design keeps your head dry as you enter your doorway. But more importantly, it keeps water from dripping around the home, eroding the dirt slope at the foundation, and keeps it from puddling around the foundation. Gutters also look good, providing a finished look to a roof’s edge.
Inspecting Your Gutters
If your home does have North Carolina gutters, take the time each year to inspect them. First, look at the gutters on a nice day: ensure they are visibly undamaged and that they look good. If you see issues, call a gutter repair and replacement contractor.
Next, inspect your gutters on a rainy day. Watch as the water rolls off the roof, into the gutters. Ensure that the water goes immediately into the gutter, with no dripping or leakage between the gutter and the roof. Next, ensure that the gutter has sufficient slope so that the water flows towards the down spouts, with no puddling spots.
Ensure that your down spouts are clear, and that the water is traveling down them, coming quickly out the bottom. Finally, ensure that your down spout terminates at least two feet from your home’s foundation, moving the water away from the house. If you see any problems with water dripping or flowing, call a rain gutter installation and repair contractor.
Modern Rain Gutter Systems
As you look at your working gutters, know that there should be no leaks for the full run of the gutter. If you have older gutters, it is important to know that today’s modern gutters are seamless; this makes them not only attractive, but extremely leak resistant.
It might also surprise you how affordable rain gutter installation can be – an experienced professional contractor can install custom-made, seamless, low-maintenance gutters quickly, and for little more than you would pay for cheaper, potentially leaky, PVC gutters from a home supply store.
Getting A Roof That Stands Out
Homeowners are always looking for ways to improve their home. From self satisfaction, pride of ownership or just updating a home is eventually going to need it and your inevitably going to do it in some form or fashion.
Personally I’m an exterior person. There’s nothing better than a great looking exterior of a home and your roof always plays a huge part in the curb appeal. Roofs are one of the easiest and most affordable things on the exterior of your home to update and with the ever changing roofing industry, colors are becoming more vibrant, shingle patterns are changing and so on.
Below are just a few things you can do to make your roof stand out from the rest:
- Enhanced ridge
- Continuous ridge vents
- Max def colors – this is a true enhancement
- Open roof valleys
- Upgrading your shingle to one with more definition
We all know that at least once and most likely twice, we’re going to have to replace the roof on our home so why not do it right and add these additional features so you’ll be pleased with your purchase.
If your in need of a roof replacement or a new roof, call The Roof Maker. Our approach to affordable roofing solutions and customer service are second to none. Schedule your roof estimate today.
Common Roof Problems On Your Home
A suitably maintained roof covering is vital to a home’s structure. Roofing which is cared for and repaired by a competent roofer will last longer, and gives improved protection to all residents, and also their possessions, by keeping them protected from the weather conditions.
Correctly installed and repaired, roofing will definitely add value to your property and be sure to enhance its look. Whether it is a flat roof, or a tiled or slate pitched roof top, all are subjected to the toughest of the climate and are more than likely, sooner or later, to require work.
Detailed underneath is merely a few of the common roofing conditions that your North Carolina roofing contractor will come across on a regular basis:
In a standard roofing system the large ridge tiles are held in place with mortar cement that naturally break down over time. If this occurs rain water gets in and the mortar or the tiles can simply fall out creating serious threat. This really needs to be dealt with early on by a qualified roofer. It is important to have the ridge tile fully re-bedded to guarantee the repair will last. The modern and highly effective process to overcome this can be to fit a system that will need no mortar, and no maintenance – a dry ridge system
Anytime a slate roof actually starts to have missing roof tiles appear it is a clue that the securing nails are faltering. With some luck it is an isolated tile and a basic repair will likely be sufficient if not will be required to appraise the state of your remaining slates to find what can be utilized if a re roofing is needed. Often the existing slates can be utilised or it could be full replacement if the slates are very aged and beginning to split up.
Gutters and other rain water items which have been badly fitted (commonly incorrect space between the wall mounts) are liable to result in rain water penetration and dampness in to the walls of the house, particularly should they be sagging. Rain gutters and down pipes should also be checked out regularly by a roofing contractor and cleaned out and repaired and upgraded when needed.
Why You Should Consider A Metal Roof
If you’re a homeowner, there’s a good chance your house is protected by traditional asphalt shingles. These have been the standard for a number of years and the options for NC homeowners have increased dramatically as the manufacturers of shingles add different colors and types to ensure a truly unique look. However, asphalt is no longer the only option for buildings. North Carolina metal roofing is gaining in popularity, but why is this an excellent choice?
Reason # 1: Metal Roofing Is Sturdy And Long Lasting
Steel is the primary material for these types of roofs, but it doesn’t stop there. It’s possible to find stone coated steel roofing. As you might expect, these types of roofs are incredibly sturdy. A stone coated steel roof is typically installed directly over the existing shingles. Although many people originally worry that the additional weight of the steel coated roof could cause a problem, this new material actually weighs between 1/3 and 1/8 of the weight of a standard roof. Additionally, homeowners can take solace in the fact that it’s possible to find manufacturers that offer a 50 year warranty, which means their house will be protected from the elements for as long as they own the home and sometimes even longer.
Reason # 2: Why This Is A Green Option
Metal roofing is an environmentally friendly option for a number of reasons. First of all, because the existing shingles are left on the home, it keeps them out of landfills. Each year, 20 billion pounds of old shingles are left in landfills across the U.S., even though recycling options are available. Another reason is that stone coated steel options are made out of 25 – 90% recycled material. They also contain no petroleum products and are 100% recyclable whenever they’re eventually removed from a house. Lastly, because this material is so durable, many homeowners find that it doesn’t need to be replaced even long after the 50 year warranty is over. This means no new raw materials need to be sourced.
Reason # 3: Metal Roofing Looks Great
One last reason homeowners are looking to install this type of shingles is that it looks great. They can choose from shingles in a number of different appearances, which means that they can find a type that matches the style of their home. There are a number of different colors available too, ranging from a Mediterranean inspired reddish brown, to brown, to charcoal gray. Many of these color shades aren’t available in regular asphalt shingles, so homeowners who choose one can ensure their home stands out in the neighborhood.
These are only three reasons to consider making the change to metal roof. If your roof is leaky or you’ve recently had a storm blow through and damage the shingles, consider making the change to a metal roof. If you’re planning on staying in your home for a long time, doing this can help ensure that you’re only replacing the roof once in your home’s lifetime and provide you with decades of security knowing your home is well-protected from the elements.
Roof Inspection When Sunny
The roof is the first line of defense of a house against the rain, snow, heat, hail, etc. It needs to be of only the best quality or else as it is subjected to ordinary wear and tear, it will easily give up and get ruined. To check whether the roof is still okay, a person can simply go up the roof and make his own inspection. But an ordinary eye may not be able to see beyond the obvious problems in a roof.
Roof inspection may be done by an ordinary person. But to really be sure that nothing is wrong with the roof, and that in times of storm or any other kind of disaster it will not fail and compromise the safety of the people who are under it, your professional North Carolina roof repair contractor must be called upon.
A professional or a certified roof inspector knows when a roof needs repair whether it shows obvious signs of problems or not. He knows when a roof is in danger of giving up. A certified inspector of roofs has a checklist of what to check. He will thoroughly check the roof using this list.
We can report about rust, nails that are loose, shingles that are curled or blistered, tiles or shingles that are missing, nails that are exposed that can eventually cause leakage in the roof, granules that are accumulating in the gutters of the roof that means these are wearing off, the roof’s center part that are sagging, the vents near the chimney that are corroding, rusting or corroding on the part of the roof where the walls end, the gutters overflowing, any form of clogging, etc.
An ordinary eye would not be able to tell whether the above gave problems or not. An ordinary person does not have the knowledge, skills, materials and tools to make check these things.
Advantages of Having Roof Repairs Done by Professionals
Professional roofing contractors, or simply roofers, are people who do North Carolina roof repairs, installations and many other roofing services. These people are educated and trained, and they are certified and licensed by the states they’re working in. However, many people nowadays think twice about hiring contractors when they could just as easily get up a ladder, climb the roof and fix the problem by themselves. Why spend your money paying contractors when you could do it yourself and solve the problem?
Roof repairs are done best by professionals because their eyes are trained to look for problems. The moment they step in your house to look for the problem, they could very easily spot it..You would have spent your whole weekend looking for the problem and you wouldn’t even see the slightest hint that there is one. Professional roofers could look at your roof and tell you exactly what is wrong with it. You would be guessing where and what the problems are, but a roofer would pinpoint them one by one.
If you’re having problems with your roof in the rain, then you would have to check for many things to spot the problem. It would always start with your roof, but it wouldn’t end in there. This is also the reason why, though you know where the leaks in your ceiling and the walls are, you wouldn’t exactly know in what part of the roof the problems are. You might see a hole or two in the roof and cover it, but you would still get up from bed at night to observe if the problems are still there. And in many unfortunate cases, they are. If you get roof repairs from professionals, then you could have your peace of mind at night and day.
And of course, as someone who works from dusk till dawn, you wouldn’t have the time, much less the energy to repair the roof yourself. If you’re working from morning till night, it means that you would have earned money to pay for roof repairs and services by professional roofers. What is the money for? If you can’t think of anything better to spend your money on, spend it on your roof. Your roof is what protects you from the sun, the rain and all other weather extremes, and you might want to help it protect your home too. Don’t put off roof maintenance and repairs, as you’d be endangering not only your house, but also the lives of those who live inside it.
Roof repairs, though sometimes quite costly, are something that you should never think twice about paying for. Don’t wait for your roof to break down and crumble. Roofers are professionals when it comes to roofing services, and paying them to have your roof at its best condition would always be a good idea. And because they are trained to do the job, they know everything there is to know about roofs, and everything it takes to have them installed and repaired as safely as possible.
Shoo Fly, Don’t Bother Me
While some people are frightened of bugs, others may be fascinated. But the one thing most people will agree on is that insects don’t belong in your Brunswick County home. Not only do they create unsanitary conditions, but they’re also just plain annoying, from the buzz of a fly to the itchy bite of the mosquito. Bees, wasps and scorpions can cause painful stings, while fleas, mosquitoes and ticks can carry diseases that they transport to pets or humans. Even the common cockroach can be a major contributor toward allergies and asthma attacks, especially in children [source: Asthma and Allergy Foundation].
With more than 10 quintillion bugs in the world (that’s 10,000,000,000,000,000,0000!), bug-proofing the home can sometimes feel like a losing battle [source: Smithsonian Institute]. Fortunately, by understanding what attracts bugs to your Brunswick County home, you can begin making changes that will help get rid of them for good.
Just like humans, insects need food, water and shelter to survive. By eliminating their food supply and getting rid of bug’s favorite hiding spots, you can reduce the risk that insects will take up residence in your Brunswick County home. Of course, the best way to prevent infestation is to keep bugs out entirely. To do this, you’ll need to seal up the cracks and gaps in your home’s exterior. By tightening up the entry points that insects use to gain access, you can greatly improve your chances of staying bug-free.
10. Seal Your Doors
Just as a locked door can keep intruders out, a properly sealed door can help keep out unwanted pests. If you examine your entrance ways carefully, you’ll likely be surprised by the number of unsealed gaps you see, each of which makes an easy entrance path for bugs.
To keep insects from crawling under your door, install a sturdy steel or aluminum threshold under the door. For even better protection, combine this with a door sweep. A sweep is a cheap device that can be found at most hardware stores, and helps to cover the gap between a threshold and the door bottom. Choose nylon brush sweeps over vinyl or neoprene, as they offer the best protection against bugs.
Add weatherstripping or door-seal kits to the perimeter of the frame to keep insects from entering along the sides or top of the door. Use a clear caulk to seal the joint where the door frame meets the wall and also along the bottom of the frame, at the area where it meets the ground.
Remember, all of these door sealing techniques won’t help if the door is left open. If you have forgetful kids, consider installing a door closer. This hydraulic device will automatically close and latch your door after it’s been opened and can be adjusted to control closing speed and power. You can find affordable door closers at your Brunswick County home improvement store, and the average homeowner can install this device using only simple tools.
9. Add Screens
Many Brunswick County homeowners rely on natural ventilation from doors and windows to bring fresh air into the home. This can be especially tempting during the hot, humid days of summer. Unfortunately, summer is also the worst time of the year for mosquitoes, fleas and other pests to invade your home.
To enjoy the feeling of fresh air without the annoyance of insects, install screens in windows and doors. Choose a 20-mesh or finer screen to keep out most common household pests [source: Gouge, Olson, Snyder, Stoltman]. Screen installation is relatively simple and requires only basic tools.
Don’t forget that bugs can also sneak in through holes or tears in your existing screens. Try using a screwdriver or scissors to carefully push the broken wires back into place. Add a coat of household cement or clear nail polish to seal the hole and prevent insect entry. If the screen has simply come loose along one side or corner, use staples (for wood frames) or a splining tool (for aluminum frames) to reattach it to the frame [source: Ramsey].
8. Maintain Your Yard
Yard maintenance can have a big impact on bug infestations, especially when it comes to mosquitoes and fleas. Mosquitoes need a water supply in order to breed, so eliminating pooled water in your yard is one of the top ways to reduce the mosquito population. This can not only help you to better enjoy time spent in the yard, but will also reduce the number of bugs that are trying to enter your Brunswick County home.
To eliminate pooling, look for areas where water tends to collect in your yard. If you find standing water on your lawn, you may have a thatch buildup. Aerating the lawn can reduce this problem and allow water to naturally absorb into the soil. Another common problem is poor drainage, which is related to the slope of the Earth. You can try to add fill dirt yourself to correct this, or have the yard professionally regraded [source: Amundsen].
It’s also important to maintain regular drainage channels, such as gutters and drains. Keep them free from leaves, grass clippings and debris so they’re able to operate effectively. If you have a pool, keep it chlorinated and filtered, even when not in use. Change the water in your fountains or birdbaths twice a week to keep mosquito eggs from hatching in them.
While you’re working on your yard, be sure to remove any piles of leaves or debris. These areas are the perfect hiding spot for insects to hide and reproduce, preparing themselves for an infestation that can be difficult to eliminate.
7. Repair Cracks
Given the microscopic size of many bugs, it’s not hard to believe that they can enter your Brunswick County home through cracks or holes that are nearly invisible to the homeowner. That’s why sealing cracks on your home’s exterior can be one of the best ways to bug-proof your home. One good guideline to keep in mind is this: If a pencil can slide into a crack or gap, a young mouse can also fit through, as can an endless stream of insects.
Start by examining the exterior of your home with a critical eye. Look for damaged or missing sections of siding, cracks in foundations, loose or crumbling brick and rotted wood. You’ll be surprised by just how open and inviting your home is when you pay attention to the number of openings you find.
To keep bugs out, use mortar or cement to patch foundations and masonry walls. Clear away damaged bricks and add new ones, filling the joints with mortar. Replace rotting wood or trim, and repair or replace damaged sections of siding or cladding. Consider adding a layer of cementitious backerboard to areas susceptible to termite damage, including exposed foam insulation or wood sheathing. Pay particular attention to the roof line, where bees and wasps frequently build nests. Gaps or holes in the fascia board or soffit can lead to a dangerous encounter with a stinging insect in your home. Have your Brunswick County roofing contractor repair any issues immediately. [source: Amundsen].
To really seal your home and repair small cracks, take time to enjoy the wondrous properties of caulk. Caulk is cheap, easy to apply and can go a long way towards keeping bugs out. Add caulk around window frames, as well as around any air intake or exhaust grilles. Use caulk to patch small cracks in foundations and siding, or use it to seal joints where the siding meets the roof or foundation. Latex varieties are best if you plan to paint over them, while clear silicone caulk is more flexible and less likely to dry out and crack over time [source: Gouge et al].
6. Seal Around Pipe Penetrations
If you’re like most Brunswick County homeowners, you’ve had to deal with utility installation at some point. Whether it was a new cable line, Internet service or phone wiring, the installers likely ran the lines into your home through holes drilled in the exterior walls. The more conscientious installers may have added sealants or caulk around these lines on your home’s interior, but what about on the outside? Most likely, there are at least some utility or pipe penetrations in your walls that are surrounded by large gaps, providing an open invitation for insects.
Some common types of through wall penetrations include those made for water, gas, electrical or air-conditioning piping. Check the entire exterior of your home for these types of openings, as they may be located at either ground level or along the roof line. Often, you can visually follow cable and telephone lines from outside poles to find the path they take into your home. Don’t forget to check around outdoor faucets and electrical outlets [source: Gouge et al].
Fill smaller gaps or cracks using pipe sealants or caulk. For larger openings, look for expandable polyurethane foam. Some installers prefer to add copper mesh or steel wool as a base layer behind this foam to deter insects that may bore through [source: Potter].
5. Cover Large Openings
Some of the largest holes in your home’s exterior are more difficult to cover. After all, you can’t exactly fill your chimney or roof vents with caulk. To fill larger openings and keep bugs out, use very fine wire mesh, often called hardwire cloth. This material comes in rolls that can be stapled over holes to keep out pests. It not only keeps bugs out, but can prevent squirrel and raccoon infestations, which often bring fleas, ticks and other insects into the home [source: Potter].
Look for large holes on the roof, which are often found at the chimney and roof vents. A pre-fabricated chimney cap can be used in lieu of wire mesh, and may be more successful at keeping a variety of pests out of the chimney. Wire mesh should also be installed over holes in crawl spaces and basements, as well as over grilles, vents and registers [source: Gouge et al].
Some vents have pre-installed dampers, which are designed to keep bugs out. Check to see if yours are operating properly, and repair or replace the dampers as necessary. You can also replace existing grilles or vents with screened models that are designed to keep bugs out.
4. Don’t Invite Bugs to Dinner
No matter how many ways you try to bug-proof your home, there’s likely going to be some way for them to enter your Brunswick County home. To keep them from making themselves at home, get rid of their favorite amenities. This means eliminating clutter, as well as unprotected food and water sources. Without these resources, bugs will move on to the next house and leave you in peace.
A cluttered home is an easy breeding ground for bugs. Hidden by piles of newspaper or in a packed cupboard, insects can reproduce in huge numbers before they’re even discovered. By that point, it’s almost impossible to get rid of them. Keep clutter to a minimum, and end infestation before it begins.
Insects also need a source of food to survive. Keep them from dining in your home by storing all food in airtight containers and storing unsealed food products in the refrigerator whenever possible. Limit food consumption to a single area of the home, and wipe up crumbs or spills quickly [source: Heloise].Wash dishes immediately after use, or put them into the dishwasher.
Don’t forget pet food, which can be a tempting treat for ants and cockroaches. Put pet food away after mealtimes, or invest in a bug-proof container, which gives your pet access to food while keeping insects out.
3. Store Trash Properly
Just as one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, the trash cans in a home can be a gourmet smorgasbord to cockroaches and other pests. To prevent bugs from feasting on your trash, proper storage and handling are critical.
Keep food trash in the kitchen and not in wastebaskets throughout the house. The trash should be placed in a can with a lid, and should be emptied each night. Exterior cans should have self-closing lids along with tight seals to keep insects out. All interior and exterior trash receptacles and recycling bins should be cleaned and sanitized regularly, especially if they’re exposed to spills.
If you keep a compost bin, it should have a secure lid and should be lined with hardwire cloth to keep bugs from feasting. Be sure to remove fully composted materials every three to six months [source: Gouge et al].
2. Keep Foundations Clear
Because your Brunswick County home’s foundations are the closest part of the house to the ground, they’re also one of the most common entry spots for bugs. By keeping foundations clear and protected, you can greatly reduce the likelihood of infestation.
Insects such as termites, ants, fleas and spiders are particularly good at breeding and thriving in wet areas. By keeping moisture away from your foundations, you can make it more difficult for them to reproduce. Keep piles of wood, leaves, mulch or grass clippings away from foundations, and place firewood far away from the house to avoid tempting termites [source: Amundsen].
Check for gaps along the foundation and siding joints as well. Often, the bottom row of siding or trim is not securely sealed to the home and provides a gateway for insects. Check up under this row for gaps or poor connections, and use trim, caulk or foam to fill this space [source: Gouge et al].
Many homeowners choose to use chemical insecticides or termicides to treat their foundations, and these treatments are often unavoidable. For a more natural solution, consider placing boric acid or diatomaceous Earth at the base of these walls. These substances are non-toxic and will not harm pets or family members [source: Garrett].
1. Encourage Natural Predators
One of the simplest methods for bug-proofing your home is to rely on the insects’ natural predators for help. Small insects are the main source of food for a large number of birds and bats. Warblers and swallows, in particular, are potent mosquito killers [source: Lyric Bird Food]. Bats eat a much larger variety of bugs and pests, including wasps, flies, spiders, mosquitoes and even scorpions [source: Carstens].
To encourage birds to help with your pest control efforts, it helps to provide trees and bushes where they can establish nests. Add a fresh water supply, and change it often so that it doesn’t grow stagnant. You may also wish to add a birdseed or nectar feeder to supplement their insect-based diet [source: Gouge et al].
Many Brunswick County homeowners may be hesitant to encourage bats in their yard, despite their ability to help control insect populations. Fortunately, bats sleep during the day and only fly at night, which means you’re unlikely to even notice them. As you’re sleeping they’ll be hard at work getting rid of bugs before they can crawl their way into your home. Encourage bats by installing a bat house or roost in your yard.
Article Source: http://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/household-safety/tips/10-ways-to-bug-proof-your-home.htm
So if you are looking for a professional North Carolina roof repair contractor then please call us today at 1-888-DRY-CLUB or complete our online request form.
How To Safely Shed Your Shingles in 8 Easy Steps
Overview: savings, planning and timing
Don’t be intimidated by the toughest part of reroofing—the tear-off. In this article, we’ll show you how to remove asphalt shingles quickly, so you can move on to the more rewarding part of the job—laying new shingles for your North Carolina home. We’ll also show you how to “button up” the roof by applying new ice and water barrier and felt paper.
Before you take on this big chore, get a bid from your North Carolina roofing contractor to make sure the savings are worth the strain. The cost of professional roof tear-off varies widely, depending on where you live, the style of the roof and how many layers of shingles it has. In most situations, you can expect to save at least $1,000 by doing it yourself. In some situations, you’ll save $3,000 or more.
Before starting the tear-off, get a building permit and check your local North Carolina building codes. Keep the time between the tear-off and reshingling to a minimum, and wait until clear weather is forecast. Although the underlayment should protect against water infiltration, the felt paper can easily tear or blow loose, making your home vulnerable to rain damage.
If you’re having a North Carolina contractor apply the new shingles, coordinate the tear-off so the new shingles will be installed right away. If you’re tackling everything yourself, work in sections. Rip the old shingles off one area, then reshingle before moving on to the next section.
Step 1: Prepare for the tear-off
Doing a little prep work on the ground will keep nails and other debris out of the grass and flower beds, reduce cleanup time and preserve your North Carolina landscaping. Place plywood over the air conditioner (make sure the power to it is turned off) and over doors or windows near the spot where you’ll be tossing the debris off the roof. Then cover plants, shrubs, grass and other areas around the house with inexpensive tarps to vastly simplify cleanup.
Rent a trash container (a 20-cu.-yd. size will handle most roofs and costs about $200). If possible, have it dropped next to the house so you can easily throw old shingles directly into it from the roof.
For safety and better footing, nail the roof jacks below the area you intend to strip first. Buy the adjustable type designed to hold a 2×10 board. Space the jacks no more than 4 ft. apart. Fasten them with at least three 16d nails driven through the roof sheathing into a rafter.
Step 2: Strip the roof
Start the tear-off at the section farthest from the trash container. Standing at the peak, use a garden fork or a specially notched roofing shovel to tear away the ridge caps and the top courses of shingles. Forks and roofing shovels are available at roofing and home centers, starting at about $25. Some roofers prefer forks because they don’t get caught on nails, making it easier and faster to remove the shingles. Others like the shovels because they pull out more nails with the shingles. Work the fork under the ridge caps, prying them loose. As they come loose, allow them to slide down to the roof jacks. Or, if they don’t slide down the roof, carry them to the edge of the roof and throw them into the trash container.
Once the ridge caps are gone, slide the fork under the shingles and felt paper and pry the shingles up. Some nails will come up with the shingles. Others won’t. Ignore them for now.
Remove shingles in a 2- to 3-ft.-wide section as you work down the roof. The shingles will roll up like a ball in front of the fork. Push the shingles down to the roof jacks. Continue tearing off the shingles and underlayment until you reach the roof jacks, then start over at the top of the roof.
Step 3: Toss from roof to trash container
As the old roofing material piles up at the roof jacks, carry it to the edge of the roof and toss it into the trash container below. If you couldn’t get the trash container close to the house, throw the shingles onto a tarp on the ground. Make the pile on a flat area away from flowers and shrubs.
Shingles are heavy. They usually come off in clumps. If you’re peeling off two or more layers of shingles, even a small section will be heavy. You may have to pull the shingles apart to make them light enough to carry. Rolling the shingles and felt paper into a ball will also make them easier to handle.
Step 4: Work with care around roof penetrations
Slow down and work with care when you’re next to chimneys, skylights, dormers or an exterior wall. While it’s usually best to replace metal flashing, sometimes it’s better to preserve and reuse difficult-to-replace types if they’re in good shape. But if you see rust and cracks in the metal, replace it. Metal in that condition won’t last as long as your new North Carolina roof.
If you’re keeping the old metal flashing, remove nails and bend it upward off the shingles with a pry bar. Be careful not to damage the flashing. Once it’s out of the way, pull any nails and remove any shingles and underlayment that are underneath. Do the same with step flashing (flashing that’s interwoven with the shingles) where the roof abuts a wall.
Tip: Heavily tarred areas usually signal a Band-Aid fix for bad flashing underneath. Replace all this flashing.
Step 5: Tear off shingles along the edge
After stripping the shingles down to the roof jacks, remove the jacks. Work the remaining courses loose with a fork or shovel, but don’t pry them completely free or they’ll slide off the roof.
Loosen the shingles all along the eaves. Then pull off the shingles with your hands, carry them across the roof to the trash container location and throw them in.
Some roofs have a self-adhering ice and water barrier installed along the roof edge. This asphalt membrane usually pulls up with a fork or shovel, although it may require some scraping. If it refuses to come loose, simply leave it and install your new underlayment over it.
If you don’t have time before dark to clean the roof and apply felt, nail down plastic tarps for the night.
Step 6: Trash old valley and vent flashing
Pry the flashing in valleys and over plumbing vents last. This flashing usually has the same life span as the shingles, so plan to replace it.
Starting at the top of the valley, slip the fork or a flat bar under the flashing and pry the metal edges loose. Continue working down the valley, lifting up the flashing. Pry up and toss out old vent flashing as well
Step 7; Clean the deck
Once a section has been completely stripped, go back and pull out protruding nails. Then use a large broom to sweep the roof deck clean (Photo 11). Walk carefully. The shingle granules make the sheathing slippery.
When the roof is clean and bare, inspect the sheathing for damage. Rotted areas and broken boards are the most common problems. Cut out and replace damaged sections as needed. Be sure to use new sheathing that’s the same thickness as the old. When removing a damaged section, center the cuts over the rafters so you can nail the new sheathing to the rafters. Also keep an eye out for loose roof sheathing that needs renailing.
Step 8: Button up the roof and final clean up
Buttoning up the roof is the final prep step before shingling. It consists of installing ice and water barrier and 30-lb. asphalt-saturated felt.
This underlayment acts as a temporary weather barrier to keep rain out. But it won’t stop heavy rain and wind, so once you start a section, always try to flash and shingle it by the end of the day.
Ice and water barrier is used at roof edges and other vulnerable areas. To install it, snap a chalk line 36 in. from the edge of the eaves. If you have gutters, you’ll want the ice and water barrier to cover all of the gutter flashing that’s on the roof.
Starting at the rake edge of the roof, align the ice and water barrier with the chalk line. Tack it at the top with staples every few feet to hold it in place. Once the entire section is tacked along the chalk line, lift up the bottom part, peel off the backing, then let it fall back into place. The ice and water barrier will immediately stick to the roof.
Flip the top part of the ice and water barrier back over the bottom section (the staples will easily pop out), peel off the backing, then set it back into place on the roof. Work carefully to avoid wrinkles. They’re a hassle to get out. Move on to the next section of roof edge, overlapping the vertical seams of the ice and water barrier by 6 in.
Add a second course above the first, if required, overlapping the first by 4 in. Also lay the ice and water barrier in valleys and around chimneys, skylights and other roof penetrations.
Then unroll and staple down 30-lb. felt over the rest of the roof. Use plenty of staples (5/16 in.) to make the felt safer to walk on and keep it from blowing off. This is where the hammer-type stapler (about $30) pays off. You can drive a dozen staples in seconds.
Clean up the area
Before climbing off the roof, clean any debris out of the gutters. There will be nails and a lot of granules from the shingles that you don’t want pouring out of your downspouts the next time it rains.
Run a broom magnet over the yard to pick up stray nails. You can rent the magnet at tool rental stores for less than $20. Make several passes in different directions. Regardless of how carefully you worked, nails have a way of ending up in the lawn.
Article Source: http://www.familyhandyman.com/DIY-Projects/Home-Exterior/Roofing/roof-removal-how-to-tear-off-roof-shingles/Step-By-Step
So if you are looking for a professional North Carolina roof replacement contractor then please call us today at 1-888-DRY-CLUB or complete our online request form.
Once Upon A Soffited Eave…
Roof repairs typically involve replacing damaged shingles and rusted flashing, but the overhang of a roof is often the first area to succumb to rot, peeling paint and other weather-related problems. The good news is, unlike most roof repairs, you can fix an eave or gable overhang (rake) without climbing onto your Wilmington roof. Those more intensive repairs are probably best left in the hands of your Wilmington roofing contractor.
Soffited eaves and gable overhangs are susceptible to water damage caused by ice dams, improper flashing, torn shingles, and faulty gutters. And once water has seeped in, the rot spreads quickly because the wood stays soggy inside the dark, dank space. Damage is also caused by birds and squirrels nesting inside your Wilmington eaves. These animals have been known to chew or peck through a perfectly sound eave, but they’re especially attracted to a water-damaged fascia or soffit, which offers less resistance. Bees and hornets also build nests in and under eaves. Call an exterminator if you notice bees or hornets congregating around an eave — even if you don’t see the nest.
1. Remove shingle mold
Pry the narrow shingle mold from the fascia using a flat bar. If it comes off without splitting, reuse it later.
2. Remove rotted fascia
Remove the rotted section of fascia. Be careful not to damage any nearby roof shingles or flashing.
3. Remove old soffit
Pull down to remove the old soffit. Note that a squirrel had built a large nest above the soffit shown here.
4. Remove rotted rafter
Use a reciprocating saw to chop out the rotted rafter. Cut a replacement piece from pressure-treated lumber.
5. Attach cleat
Use a powder-actuated nailer to attach a 2×4 cleat to a brick chimney. The cleat helps support the new overhang.
6. Attach new rafter
Clamp a 1-by backing board in place and screw the new rafter to it. Screw the rafter to the chimney cleat as well.
7. Seal replacement soffit
Protect the edges of the plywood soffit from water penetration with a waxy sealer, such as AnchorSeal.
8. Attach replacement soffit
Fasten the plywood soffit to the underside of the eave or rake after priming both the top and bottom surfaces.
9. Replace crown molding
Replace the section of crown molding along the wall of your Wilmington directly beneath the rear edge of the new soffit.
10. Attach replacement fascia
Slide the new fascia into place, then attach it with galvanized nails. Set the nails and putty the holes.
11. Attach shingle mold
Attach the shingle mold along the top of the fascia. Use a tape measure to maintain a consistent reveal.
Article Source: http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/how-to/intro/0,,20183702,00.html
So if you are looking for a professional North Carolina roof repair contractor then please call us today at 1-888-DRY-CLUB or complete our online request form.
Get Better Gutters
Although water is a necessary part of sustaining life, when it arrives in large quantities and is allowed to build-up, this vital element can quickly become menacing. Water penetration can become a dangerously corrosive threat to any Brunswick County home because of its ability to cause many deterioration problems. And with this deterioration comes serious repairs, and with serious repairs comes serious dollars. Therefore it is essential that you have the best drainage system possible in order to protect your house, and the best drainage investment on the marker comes in the form of seamless gutters. Discuss having them installed with your Brunswick County roofing contractor.
More Water, More Problems
Water penetration can cause some serious damage to your Brunswick County home. If it builds up, it can create mold, mildew, and stains. Your roof and shingles protect your home from these outdoor elements, of course. However, the product which best channels away water is a seamless gutter system. It can prevent water from saturating your lawn and eventually leaking into your basement. Ground saturation can also ruin your topsoil and cause some serious problems to your foundation. Plus, if you don’t have proper drainage around your roof, your siding and shingles could rot or warp due to backsplash. Therefore, a seamless rain gutter is the best alternative compared to traditional systems.
What’s the Difference?
Traditional sectional systems are easy to attach to your roof, but since they come in short segments that connect to one another, more seams are then created. The more seams in the system, the better the chance for additional leaks. And since the product’s main purpose is to divert water, a leaky gutter is like having no protection at all. Therefore, seamless rain gutters were invented. These are custom-made products (sometimes called continuous gutters) that don’t have any seams at all except for when it is absolutely necessary: around the corners of your Brunswick County home where a sharp turn has to be made and places where downspouts are attached. But even these minimal seams are placed in areas where any potential leaking is less problematic. Overall, if you have fewer seams, you have a smaller likelihood for leaks, which means less penetration and more savings.
Installation and Maintenance
Although sectional systems are easy to install, which is great for do-it-yourselfers, seamless gutters need to be installed by your professional Brunswick County roofing contractor. Since they aren’t standardized for just any house, seamless rain gutters need to be customized for your particular home design. Therefore, trained experts are essential to calculating and creating a product that works in correspondence with your specific needs. These professionals come prepared with the specific knowledge and equipment (often portable machines that are able to make precise cuts) for the best results. If improperly installed, it won’t be able to supply you with the watertight benefits your house needs.
Also, after the seamless gutters are installed, it is up to you to keep them well maintained. Just because they offer the best protection available doesn’t mean they are infallible. You still need to clean them occasionally from any leaves or debris which can build up in the channels. And though you can invest in guards, screens, and covers to slow down this build-up, you can’t avoid this chore all together. If they are not well maintained, the purpose of these products will be negated because water won’t be channeled properly, which will once again put your home at risk.