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:
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.
3 Reasons We Recommend GAF Roofing
Why are we so dedicated to GAF roofing? Let us count the ways.
GAF is North America’s largest manufacturer of commercial and residential roofing. Since 1886, they have been providing comprehensive roofing solutions with an unwavering focus on quality. More property owners choose GAF for roofing than any other company. Here are a few reasons why we love partnering with GAF Roofing.
High Quality Products
At Exterior Source, we know you can’t just nail on a roof. There are a lot of factors and details that need to be considered to ensure the roof will last for decades to come. Improperly installing a roof, or leaving out important parts, can lead to serious structural damage. That’s why we recommend the the GAF Smart Choice® Weather Stopping® Roofing System. It comes with everything you need to ensure the longevity of your home’s roof, including lifetime shingles, attic ventilation, roof deck protection, starter strip shingles, leak barriers, and ridge cap shingles. We’re not the only ones who are big fans of this particular system – it has earned the prestigious Good Housekeeping Seal as well!
Lots of Options
GAF has plenty of style, color, and configuration options to choose from, so you’ll be sure to find something that fits the style of your home. Their Timberline® shingles are the #1 best-selling shingles in North America, but they also offer other styles like designer, impact-resistant and three-tab. Our factory-certified GAF roofing installers can explain to you the purposes and benefits of each, but we love having this range of products to offer our customers.
Environmentally Conscious
At Exterior Source, we do our best to be environmentally friendly in our work and we love to partner with other companies that have this same mission. GAF’s commitment to sustainability and green initiatives is just another reason why we’re big fans of their products and work.
If you are in need of a replacement roof, contact us today to find out more about GAF roofing! See what our satisfied customers had to say about their Exterior Source-installed GAF roofing systems.
Do I need a new roof? 5 signs that say “yes”
A damaged, leaky roof can quickly catapult into a host of other problems, affecting the walls and foundation of your home. That’s why it is so important to keep an eye on the condition of your roof and make repairs when needed. Sometimes, though, the best option is to simply replace your roof. Here are five things that may signal it’s time for a replacement roof.
1. Your roof is at least 20 years old
An older roof is the most obvious sign that it’s time for a replacement. The National Association of Home Builders estimates that asphalt shingles typically last for 20 years, although climate and extreme weather changes can shorten that life span.
2. Your roof’s shingles are curling
Curling shingles are a sign that something is going on with your roof, whether it be lack of ventilation, improper installation or shingles that have reached the end of their life span. If your roof shingles are curling at the edges, it’s time to investigate the cause before matters get worse.
3. Your roof has dark streaks
This is typically caused by airborne algae or other types of vegetation growing on your roof. The good news is your roof could still be in good condition. The bad news is it reduces the curb appeal of your home. Nobody likes a dirty-looking roof.
4. Your roof is leaking into the attic
A leaky roof is never a good thing. You should routinely check the inside of the roof for light and water stains. If light is coming through, so can water, cold, and snow.
5. Your energy bill is high
High cooling or heating costs could be a sign that your roof is not functioning properly due to inadequate ventilation. At Exterior Source, we know you can’t just nail on a roof. Every detail is important to ensure the roof functions properly for years to come. If you’re tired of dealing with a sub-par roof, call us today to have a trained expert examine your roof and give you a thorough and honest assessment.