If you do not have some type of gutter protection system installed on your gutters then you are probably dreading the thought of having to get on a ladder to clean them out.  Without gutter protection leaves and debri will clog your gutters and in some cases render them useless.  If the rainwater cannot drain down the downspot…the water has to go somewhere and this can mean trouble.

At Roof Masters, we use two different types of  Gutter Protection Systems.   

We install Leafaway and Leaf Relief.  

Leaf Relief is a “gutter cover” that is installed over top of an existing gutter while Leaf Away is an integrated gutter / gutter cover system formed on the jobsite into a seamless piece that uses surface tension to guide water into the gutter while keeping leaf and debris out.

You can learn more about the two leaf protection systems offered at Roof Masters by clicking on our Gutter Protection page on our website.  We have looked at many different types of options and we have determined that Leafaway and Leaf Relief give our customers the best options and performance.

Roof Masters Services the following cities: Rockville, MD, Washington DC, Gaithersburg, Silver Spring, Kensington, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Potomac, Leesburg, Reston, Arlington, Alexandria, Columbia, Frederick, Middleburg, Upperville and surrounding communities.

• From the ground, walk around your home with binoculars and inspect your roof for cracked, curled or missing shingles, as well as any excessive loss of the protective mineral granules.

DO NOT CLIMB ON THE ROOF; walking on the roof is dangerous and can damage your roof.

• In your attic, take a flashlight and look at the underside of the roof deck and rafters for any stains or wet spots indicating water leaks.

Asphalt shingles can often be applied directly over existing roofs without the necessity of tearing off the old roof. However, new shingles can not be properly applied over hard or brittle materials, uneven surfaces for nailing or roof decks with warped, rotted or unsound support that should first be replaced or repaired.

Some local ordinances forbid reroofing over two or more layers of shingles. If a home already has been shingled several times, it is important to first determine if the roof deck can support another layer of shingles before undertaking any re-roofing project.

If you determine that you need a new roof please contact us today at www.leakproofroof.net.

:Roof Replacement, Roofer, Roofing Contractor, Roof Repair in Washington DC, Maryland and Virgina.

Generally, thicker is better. The thinner the siding, the more it could sag over time. The thicker the siding, the stiffer and more durable it will tend to be. The best vinyl siding is thick and stiff.

Wind resistance. You want siding that will stay on the house in a storm. Some manufacturers actually warranty their siding in winds over 150 mph. Ask about wind resistance and the warranty.

Getting attached to siding. Unlike wood, vinyl siding is not attached tightly to the house. It more or less hangs on the side of the house, because it contracts and expands with heat and cold. A double hem mounting area usually provides better attachment than a single hem. If the siding is too tight, there’s poor ventilation. If it’s too loose, it can be noisy. Net ‘n net, it needs to be installed properly.

Rain resistance. Because it hangs loosely, vinyl siding is less likely to trap moisture. However, there are also areas where water can leak inside, so proper flashings should be installed, as well as house felt or builder’s wrap.

Fading factor. The best vinyl siding, which is more expensive, tends to fade less than cheaper siding. Look for UV protection in the description, and ask about how it will stand up to sunlight. Also, if you live in a sunny climate, ask about whether a light color would fade less than a dark color.

Pick your profile. Some vinyl siding is designed with a deeper profile, or a more pronounced bend in the design of the siding. This generally looks more like wood. So consider the overall look of the siding, to be sure you get what you want.

If you think you may need new siding for your home please contact us today at 301.230.7663 or visit www.leakproofroof.net

The truth is that inspecting the roof system from underneath is a critical component of a roof inspection.    The attic tells a very accurate story about the presence of leaks or potential leaks in your roof.  

The following is a checklist of problem signs we look for when inspecting your roof from the inside:

• Sagging decking between the rafters. If the decking is sagging or deteriorating, the decking will also require replacement when a new roof is installed.
• Outside light that can be seen through the roof.
• Signs of leaking in the attic (dark spots in the wood, especially around vents, chimneys, and other holes to the roof).   This could be due to an active leak in the roof or to condensation caused by poor roof ventilation.
• If you notice dark spots in the wood our experts can determine if they are old or current problems.

If you observe any of the signs listed above, you may need roof repairs, or a new roof. Depending on the degree of the problem, you can decide what is best for you and your home. Often the cost of fixing or replacing a roof is less than dealing with the damage an old roof can cause to your home. Additionally, we can assist you with any possible claims with your insurance company.

If you have a roofing contractor come to your home to give you an estimate on replacing your roof, make sure they go into the attic and see what is going on.   If they don’t, they could miss something that could cause needless expense later.  It only makes sense to inspect your roof system from on top and underneath.  You just cannot get a true picture of what is going on without doing so.

I hope this information helps you with your roof repair or roof replacement needs.  As always if Roofmasters can be of any assistance please contact us at www.leakproofroof.net or 301-252-5821.

Regards,

Howard

These ice dams kept our emergency repair division busy 24-7 for weeks.  Although many ice dams are cool to look at they can cause serious damage to your home.

There is a lot you can do to prevent Ice dams.  Instead of trying to write an article from scratch, I decided to do some web surfing and I found a great resource on ice dams from a part of the country that knows ice dams better than anyone…Minnesota!   Click on the following links to learn everything you wanted to know about causes and prevention of ice dams.

  Causes of ice dams with diagram

  Causes of different roof surface temperatures, from heat sources within the house

  Preventing and dealing with ice dams in an existing home

  Warning!

  Prevention in new homes

  Mold, mildew and air quality

I hope this brief blog helps you in preventing serious damage to your home from the winter storms this season. 

And if you end up in a situation where you feel an ice dam is forming, please contact us right at 301.230.7663. 

Here is the link to the entire article.

http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/housingandclothing/dk1068.html#preventing

Are you looking for a roofing, siding or window contractor?

Do your homework…ask the right questions!  

If you only ask your contractor…how much and when can you start?…then you increase your risk of having a negative contracting experience.  A negative experience means big hassles and higher costs or even worse…all of that plus an unfinished project.   It means that you would not recommend that contractor to your friends or family members.

At Roofmasters we encourage our customers to ask more than those two questions.  As a matter of fact we offer at no charge a booklet called “How to Have A Successful Construction Investment”.  This booklet teaches you the 4P’s of any construction project.  The 4P’s are Problems, People, Products and Price.  

Face it not all contractors are the same. Some install everything by the book exactly according to the manufacturers specifications…others cut corners and only do the bare minimum.

Contact Us Today at admin@leakproofroof.net or 301-230-7663  and we will send you our Free Booklet!

www.leakproofroof.net

Providing roofing, siding and replacement windows for homes in the Washington DC area including Bethesda, Potomac, Rockville, Silver Spring, Mclean, Falls Church, Takoma Park and surrounding areas.

The best way to prevent your roof from breaking down prematurely is to regularly maintain it. Regular maintenance ensures that it will stay strong and keep your family safe, dry, and comfortable for many, many years. You won’t have to worry about unexpected leaks springing up during a Washington DC,  thunderstorm or mold secretly growing and spreading in your attic. Regular maintenance solves all of those nasty issues and more.

To regularly maintain your roof, here are a few things you should do at least once a year:

• Inspect your gutters – Keep your gutters clear of leaves and debris. When wet, that extra clutter can weigh down your gutters causing them to pull away from your home and cause costly damage. Blocked gutters also mean that water may be overflowing and running down the exterior of your home. That increased water can erode the dirt that helps stabilize your foundation!
• Inspect your attic – Walk around in your attic and look for any mold that may be beginning to grow in your attic. You may also look for damp or set spots that would be prone to mold growth as well. Should you find mold, contact a professional to have it removed.
• Check your skylights – Regularly clean your skylights. With falling leaves and debris, they can stick to your skylights leaving scratches or even discoloring them. It’s best to clear away any foreign objects and clean your skylights to avoid those problems and ensure that the skylight remains strong so that it may hold up to future storms.
• Inspect the remainder of your roof - You’ve looked at both your attic and skylights. Once you’re on your roof, take a walk around and inspect the rest of it. Make sure that chunks of shingles are not missing. Clear away any large branches or debris that could affect the structural quality of your roof. Look at the flashing attached to your chimney; make sure it doesn’t appear to be deteriorating. Also, take a moment to examine your vents and see if they’re blocked or working properly.

Spending a little time on your roof each year will allow you maximize it life and performance and possibly prevent you from replacing your roof before you should. 

After inspecting your roof and you think you need repairs or a replacement please feel free to
contact me:

Howard Rittenberg, President

 howard@leakproofroof.net

(301)-230-7663            (301)-230-7663      

Servicing Maryland, Northern Virginia and District of Columbia; Roof Masters has built a reputation for quality, reliability and technical expertise.

We learn production management so our clients jobs get produced on time and according to plan.  We learn financial management so we make sure we price our jobs right.  If we under or overcharge a job…the  customer loses in the long run and our company cannot grow.   I have been a member of CCN for over 5 years and the organization has really helped my business.

I think it is important for a contractor to try and become better through membership in organizations like CCN.    A homeowner should want to work with a company that continually strives to get better.

Another way we show we are a good roofing contractor is through our Select Shingle Roofer status through CertainTeed. CertainTeed is one of the largest shingle manufacturers in the world.  If you are a Select Shingle Roofer then you can give your customer a better warranty.  I will talk more about the SSR certification on my next post!

If you need work on your home and live in Rockville and surrounding areas, please give me a call at 301.230.7663.

We are located in Rockville, MD and our website address is www.leakproofroof.net.

Whenever possible, it is best to react swiftly to all warning signs, which are screaming for a  roof repair.

Here are some of the most common roof problems that people suffer from in the Washington, DC area.

* Among all the roof problems, the most common and obvious roof repair sign is water leakage that mostly appears in the attic or in the ceilings of rooms below the attic space.

* Water stains, or sagging ceilings: Usually, rainwater gets accumulated under shingles, making them curled, blistered and cracked. So, next time you see evidence of water stains, or sagging ceilings in your  home make sure to take them very seriously.

* Loose, broken or missing shingles: This is the second most common roof problem that occurs due to loose, broken or missing shingles. Shingles usually get displaced because of heavy winds and rainstorms. If your home has a Cedar Shake Roof, you should check for the similar signs of broken, missing and cracked cedars.

* Wet dark spots: Here is a common roof sign where wet dark spots occur in the wood. However, if in case, the spots appear to be dry and hard, do not panic as it may be an old problem that has been already been repaired.

* Rusty metal or loose shingles: Rusty metal or loose shingles in places where a vertical side of the house meets the roof also represents an active sign of a  roof problem.

* Dark scraps: Dark patches on asphalt shingles clearly indicate the requirement of professional roofer to assess for possible damage.

* Large amounts of granules: Granule chunks flowing into the rain gutters point out that the granular coating on a roof is quickly failing, which may lead to a leaky roof. The granules break down from the asphalt shingles leaving your roof prone to further expensive damages.

* Damaged Flashing: These signs occur when your metal flashing material gets cracked or bent. It normally happens because of improper installation or drying and cracking on an older roof.

* Algae Staining and moss: Algae stain is the discolored blemish occurring on your roof. However, algae alone, does not ruin a roof but it will often allow moss to grow. When moss is removed from the roof, it washes out the asphalt granules with it and shortens the life of a roof.

* Dripping sound: Have you heard the sound of dripping water in your home? If yes then a professional roofing contractor should be called upon to check on your roof and check the attic to discover the source of the problem.

If you come across any such warnings or alert signs, please give us a call at (301)-230-7663 to inspect your roof system.  

Summary: Roof professionals will conduct the correct evaluation and can offer suitable help. Moreover, in cases of reoccurring problems or rotting, you should consider the option of replacing the roof completely. Most roof problems can be resolved by making simple, inexpensive repairs before a roof is severely damaged.

Thank You!

If you have any questions of comments please feel free to
Contact me:

Howard Rittenberg, President 

(301)-230-7663 ext. 102 

Roof Masters is Washington’s Roofing Authority!!!

Servicing Maryland, Northern Virginia and District of Columbia; Roof Masters has built a reputation for quality, reliability and technical expertise.