Looking for a New Home? Check the Roof Using These Simple Tips!

Purchasing a new home is an exciting prospect, but it can also be a stressful one. You want to make sure your new home is in good shape and will protect your family, keeping you comfortable and safe from the wind and weather. Whenever you visit a home for sale, keeping an eye out for a few details can help you assess the condition of the roof before you make any further decisions. Understanding the signs of major and minor roof damage can help you assess any potential home’s needs and whether it could be the right home for you.

Look for Water Damage

Water damage is one of the most common—and potentially costly—types of damage that affects residential roofs. While you’re making an outdoor inspection of any potential home, take a moment to look up at the roof. Keep in mind that you may need to step back to the edge of the property to get a clear view. Look for signs of water damage that include dark streaks or stains, peeling or curling shingles, visible rot, moss, or corrosion, bowed or clogged gutters, and pooling water on the roof or around the home if it has recently rained. If the roof is made from clay tile, look for deposits of dirt and debris, which signal poor water flow and drainage from the roof and could be the cause of leaks or other trouble later on.

Look for Signs of Age

An older roof doesn’t necessarily spell trouble, but a roof that’s showing clear and abundant signs of its age should be a cause of concern. Check asphalt roofing for signs of excessive granule depletion; when the coating of asphalt granules has washed or worn away, the shingles are left vulnerable to further wear, while granule runoff can clog or damage the gutters. Split, cracked, curling, or missing shingles are another clear sign of age, especially if you notice a large number of damaged areas over the entirety of the roof. Check clay tile roofing for cracked or missing tiles as well, which could let water inside and affect the weather-tightness of the roof. If the home has a metal roof, look for loose panels, signs of corrosion, or missing fastenings; check a foam roof for holes in the membrane or widespread discoloration or changes in texture.

Talk to the Roofer

One of the simplest ways to evaluate a roof’s quality is to talk to the roofing company responsible for installing the roof. If you are seriously considering a home for purchase, ask the current homeowners when the roof was last repaired or replaced and which company was hired for the work. Even if the roof looks fine to you—and your home inspector—it’s still worthwhile to perform a little research on the reputation of the company responsible for the home’s roof. Talking with the roofers themselves about the job they performed will also give you a clear picture of the roof’s current condition and whether there may be any potential roofing concerns in the short or long term.

Working with a trusted roofing contractor can make the purchase of your new home a smooth and stress-free process. You can find out more about our residential and commercial roof inspection, maintenance, repair, and replacement services in Alexandria when you visit us on the web.

Maintaining and Protecting Your Metal Roof

Metal roofing continues to gain popularity as a commercial and residential roofing option, with up to 30% of American homes currently incorporating metal roofs. Today, there are a variety of metal roofing materials and options available, including steel, stainless steel, aluminum, zinc, and copper; metal roofing can help to keep your home cooler in the summer and can even mimic the outward appearance of tile or shingles. With the right care and maintenance, your metal roof will last as long as the structure of your home, providing the water- and weatherproofing you need to remain safe and comfortable inside.

Inspect Your Roof Regularly

Just like any other roofing system, metal roofs require regular inspections to look for signs of trouble. You can inspect your roof on your own by walking around your home periodically to look at your roof from all angles. Make note of any areas that appear damaged, rusted, or corroded, and contact your roofing contractor with this information to discuss whether action should be taken. You should also look for loose panels or fastenings, which could lead to leaks if not repaired. Additionally, you should have your metal roof inspected professionally once a year; your roofing contractor knows how to spot even the smallest signs of trouble and address them before they grow, making the cost of a professional visit well worth it in terms of the longevity of your roof. A roofing contractor can also check your roof safely and thoroughly from above, which is especially important if you do not have the means to access your roof or don’t feel comfortable doing so. If your roof does need repairs, always go through your roofing contractor for service—any repairs made on your own may void your roofing warranty and cause further damage if not performed correctly.

Address Rust and Corrosion

Rust and corrosion are two of the most common problems homeowners encounter with metal roofing. These conditions occur when moisture or debris is trapped against your roof and damage can compound over time if not treated promptly. White rust can be cleaned away with a plastic brush; you can prevent further rust by painting your roof with a corrosion-resistant paint. Red rust, which is common on zinc, aluminum, and galvanized steel roofing, is a sign of runoff from other materials on your roof, such as wood, glass, or lead flashing. In some cases, positioning elements of your home made from one type of metal near your metal roofing can cause a reaction that leads to corrosion and rust. If your home has a swimming pool or is located near other potentially corrosive environmental factors, this may also cause your roof to rust as well. Red rust can be cleaned away, but will return if the source isn’t found and corrected. Rust-resistant coatings can be applied to prevent further corrosion from occurring, particularly on roofs situated near corrosive environments. You should also have your metal roof cleaned periodically to remove any sand, grit, grime, or other debris that could potentially cause rust or corrosion over time. Your roofing contractor can discuss the right cleaning schedule for your needs and provide you with tips you can use to clean your roof on your own between professional visits.

Taking care of your roof will protect this valuable investment, as well as the quality of your home and the belongings within. If you need help maintaining or repairing your roof in Alexandria, click over to our website to read through our full list of services or request a next-day estimate online.

Diagnosing Your Freezer Problems

Freezers make the long-term storage of many foods and drinks simple and safe. If your freezer is experiencing problems, however, you may feel at a loss as to how to find a solution. Thanks to today’s modern technology, most freezers require very little care—however, there is often very little a homeowner can do on their own to address problems, as well. Learning how to diagnose your freezer problems will let you know when it’s time to call in an appliance repair specialist to get your freezer back up and running properly.

Checking the Thermostat

If your freezer isn’t maintaining a cold enough temperature, your food will not be kept properly frozen. The first thing to check if you’re experiencing this problem is the freezer’s thermostat; if your freezer is part of a refrigerator-freezer appliance, the thermostat for the freezer may be located just inside the door of the refrigerator portion of the appliance. You can test the function of the compressor by waiting until the compressor is currently running, then turning the temperature up by several degrees on your freezer’s thermostat. The compressor should stop running at the higher temperature set point; similarly, if you begin to lower the temperature, the compressor should start up again. If the compressor does not appear to be responding properly to the thermostat settings, your thermostat may be the problem.

Checking the Seal

Your freezer door is equipped with a rubber seal to prevent air exchange and keep the system closed for more efficient cooling. If this seal is damaged or broken, cold air can begin leaking out of your freezer, reducing its efficiency and causing your food to thaw. You can check the seal on your freezer door easily; start with the door open and inspect the seal visually. Make sure it is clean by wiping it down with a damp cloth and use your vacuum’s hose attachment to remove any debris that may prevent the seal from sitting tightly against the appliance. Also check for areas of damage, such as cracks or crumbling rubber, which indicate that the seal should be replaced. Finally, close the freezer door and use your hand to feel for any areas that might be leaking air, which also indicate that replacement of the seal is needed.

Checking the Coils

If your freezer runs constantly, ice can build up on the freezer coils. This ice perpetuates the problem by affecting your freezer’s efficiency, thus causing it to run more often and resulting in additional ice buildup. To inspect the coils for ice, unplug the appliance and move it away from the wall so you can see the coils on the back of the unit. If you see ice buildup on the coils, you can use a hair dryer to melt the ice away. Wipe the coils clean with a damp cloth, then rub them dry and plug the appliance back in. Because ice on your freezer coils is caused by a constantly-running condenser fan, you’ll need to address the cause of this situation to prevent ice from recurring.

If you’re experiencing freezer problems, an experienced appliance repair specialist can help—visit our website to contact an appliance repair technician in Portland and request service for your freezer, refrigerator, dishwasher, disposal, or washer and dryer online. We also invite you to read through our blog to learn more about maintaining your appliances and spotting trouble quickly.