Your roof is an important part of your home that plays a vital role through all seasons of the year. Here’s how to tell if it’s time to upgrade to a new roof:
Winter Roofing Checklist: Is Your Roof Ready?
The roof of your home has to work hard during the winter months, as it is the first line of defense against rain, snow, wind, and ice. As the temperatures drop across the state of Virginia, it’s important to address any roof issues you’ve been putting off this year.
The Benefits of Hiring a GAF Master Elite™ Roofing Contractor
You can’t be too careful when choosing a roofing contractor. At Exterior Source we are proud to be a GAF Master Elite Certified Contractor. This hard-to-obtain certification is awarded to roofing contractors by GAF, the largest manufacturer of commercial and residential roofing in North America. GAF has such high standards for certification that only 3% of all roofing contractors have qualified as Master Elite roofers!
While it sounds impressive, we understand that many homeowners may not realize exactly what the Master Elite certification means. Here’s a quick break-down of what it means for you and why you should look for it in a roofing contractor.
The Master Elite Certification is a badge of quality work, dependability, and great customer service. In order to earn this prestigious certification, a roofing contractor must show the following qualities.
Properly Licensed
A roofing contractor must be licensed by their state before performing roof work. Licensing ensures that the contractor is held accountable to proper roofing standards. It is possible to hire roofers that are not licensed, but it is a huge risk to take with the most important part of your home! Every Master Elite Certified Contractor has been vetted to ensure they carry the proper licenses per their state’s requirements.
Adequately Insured
Many insurance companies require licenses before granting insurance coverage. This means an unlicensed contractor more than likely lacks the proper insurance to cover himself in the event of a roofing accident. Without insurance coverage, you could be held liable for any injuries the contractor accrues on your property. Talk about a hassle! A GAF Master Elite Certification indicates that a roofing contractor has taken all the necessary precautions to fully insure himself and his crew in the event that someone were to fall or get hurt on your property.
Have a Proven Reputation
GAF looks for contractors with a proven reputation for providing quality roofing services throughout the community. The reviews of a roofing contractor can tell you a lot about their work ethic, quality of work, and dependability. GAF Master Elite Certification only goes to roofing contractors with the highest reputations in the industry.
Ongoing Professional Training
Like most industries, best practices can change as newer models and products are developed. A GAF Master Elite Certified Contractor is committed to ongoing professional training in order to stay up to date on the latest materials and installation techniques. This investment in ongoing training is a great indication of a contractor’s commitment to quality work.
Fall Home Maintenance Checklist
It’s that time of year again! Pumpkin spice lattes have made their grand arrivals, Halloween decorations are appearing in stores, and there’s a subtle hint of cooler weather on the horizon. While most people are thinking about pumpkin patches and scented candles, our thoughts always turn towards our homes this time of year. As a premier Virginia remodeler, we believe your house should be your haven, especially during the cooler months. By properly preparing your home now, you can ensure the upcoming season will be enjoyable and relaxing!
Here are a few things to inspect around your home this fall:
Windows
Fall bring colder weather that can seep into window cracks, cooling your house and ruining your energy bill. Most home contractors recommend re-caulking your windows if there are cracks the width of a nickel. If you’re tired of fighting drafty windows and high energy bills, it may be time to consider replacement windows that come with a full Lifetime Warranty. We recommend Elements windows to our customers since they are Energy Star certified, made in America, and have the highest energy efficiency ratings of any window!
Heating System
It’s easy to put off a heating system inspection, especially when the weather is still warm. However, it’s better to check it out now than be the 200th person in line on the first cold day of the year. A local HVAC technician can inspect your furnace or heat pump to ensure everything is working properly and ready for the cold weather ahead.
Gutters
They don’t call it “fall” for nothing. Leaves will soon be falling from the trees, which means you and your gutters will be spending some quality time together…. unless, you invest in a LeafGuard gutter system beforehand! LeafGuard gutters are a one-piece aluminum gutter system with a sleek hood that prevents falling debris and leaves from clogging up your gutters. Each LeafGuard gutter system is custom fit to your home and comes with a life-long clog-free guarantee so you can Get it. And forget it.
Roof
Inspecting your roof for warning signs and repairing them now can give you peace-of-mind during the upcoming seasons. Look for buckled or missing shingles, cracks, leaks, and/or dark spots that could turn into potential problems down the road. As a GAF Master Elite Roofer for Virginia, we’ve seen our fair share of damaged roofs. Before you pay for a replacement roof, call us for a free in-home consultation. Our trained experts will give you an honest assessment on the condition of your roof, so you can make an informed decision.
Trees and Landscaping
Fall is the best time to trim back trees and bushes around your home now that their summer growth cycle is over. Keeping limbs and branches at least 3 feet away from your home’s exterior will help prevent moisture from dripping onto your home’s roofing or siding, causing ugly stains and potential water damage. It will ensure that falling limbs or trees don’t damage your home’s exterior during the winter months.