Posts Tagged ‘Hail Damage’

Minnesota

Written By: CopperSmith Gutter | Minnesota Seamless Gutters, Minneapolis Copper Gutters Contractor | Published On: 25th September 2009

Roof Damage: How poor ventilation damages your shingles

Written By: CopperSmith Gutter | Minnesota Seamless Gutters, Minneapolis Copper Gutters Contractor | Published On: 10th September 2009

re roofing photo 8 150x150 Roof Damage: How poor ventilation damages your shinglesOne of the most important parts of your roofing system is your ventilation system. Your ventilation system ensures that hot air is not trapped in your attic. When the sun shines down upon your roof, your roof absorbs the heat that is generated from the UV rays. This is unless you have a “cool roof” that is light colored and reflects the sunlight so that head does not become trapped to the extent that dark roofs do.

Proper ventilation adds to the durability of a roof. Without ventilation, you not only have heat build up, but you also have moisture build up in the attic. When the heat and the moisture combine, the condensation that is produced can cause the sheathing and the rafters to rot. The shingles can also buckle and your insulation will become ineffective. So you need to make sure that your ventilation is not blocked off in any way. This means ridge vents, louvers, or soffit vents are to not be blocked in any way, even in the winter.

Proper attic ventilation protects against structural damage. The life of the material is increased, energy consumption is reduced, and the rooms below the attic are much more comfortable.

Insulation and Ventilation

If you are concerned about your ventilation and even the insulation in your home, a Minnesota roofer can help you address the problems. First of all, a Minnesota roofing contractor can take a look to make sure you have proper insulation in your attic. You should have a clear ventilation system, as well as a layer of insulation on the attic floor to keep the rooms below cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

Another thing that you will need in your home if you don’t have it is a vapor retarder. This keeps any moisture inside the house from rising into the attic. Basically, you need enough vented spaces so that air will pass in and out easily. A Minnesota roofing professional will also make sure you have about one inch of space between your roof sheathing and your insulation. They are able to check everything and ensure proper measurements based on the length and the width of your attic. It is recommended that you have at least one square foot of vent area for every 300 square feet of attic floor. The vents should be placed near the ridge or at the eaves.

Energy Saving

When you have your roof inspected by a Minneapolis roofer, you do need to have them tell you whether or not you have proper ventilation. If you don’t, then you want to find out what needs to be done to make sure you do. If you do not have proper ventilation, then you are running the risk of your roof meeting its demise before its time.

Furthermore, the ventilation and insulation combination keeps the air in the living quarters of your home like it is supposed to. You do not want too much heat coming down from the attic during the summer and your cooling costs literally go through the roof. By keeping your air where it belongs, you are cutting down the amount of energy you are using in your home. Not only does this save you money, but you are also doing a favor for the environment.

Minneapolis Wind & Hail Damage To Roofs

Written By: CopperSmith Gutter | Minnesota Seamless Gutters, Minneapolis Copper Gutters Contractor | Published On: 6th September 2009

Wind is one of the worst enemies a roof can have. This goes along with hail damage and the weather changes that occur over time. However, wind, along with hail, can take your roof in a heartbeat. You can have a perfectly find roof one minute and experience significant damage the next.

There are several reasons why wind wreaks havoc on MN roofing. Those reasons are:

  • The strong winds can blow the rain in the opposite direction of the natural water flow of your roof.
  • Debris from trees or other objects can be blown onto your roof and damage be done. Once damage occurs to shingles and water is blown into those damaged areas, the water can cause even more damage to the roof by reaching the unprotected inner roof.
  • Strong winds can also blow off shingles if the wind is blowing just the right way during the storm. This exposes the inner roof and can lead to further damage

If there were any cracks or holes already in your roof, further damage such as the above can turn those small pieces of damage into significant damage. A small leak could literally turn into a waterfall.

If you find that both wind and hail damage are wreaking havoc on your MN roof, then there is something you can do when looking at roof replacement and that is to talk to your MN roofing company about a Class 4 roof. This is the best that you can buy because the shingles are high impact shingles. They are designed to stand up to the elements much better than Classes 1, 2, and 3 roofing. However, be prepared to pay a price. Better roofing is going to cost more money, so you can expect to pay approximately 50% more on Class 4 roofing than traditional roofing.

Here is an example as to why Class 4 roofing is better: Your traditional shingles have a 3-nail pattern. Class 4 requires a 6 nail pattern. Because more nail driving is involved, you can expect to pay more for labor, but you can take into consideration that you’ll have a much better warranty that could last up to 10 years. Plus, the expected lifespan is 30 to 50 years. There are quite a few benefits. When you take into account that you could possibly have to replace traditional roofing multiple times within the lifespan of Class 4 roofing, the truth is that you will be saving money over time. You will also be saving yourself money on the other damage that can occur to your home due to faulty roofing.

So when it comes to wind damage or any other kind of damage that may occur to your roof, look at the facts and make a responsible decision regarding your roofing. You would be amazed at the thousands of dollars that you can save by making sure you have the best roofing in MN to begin with.

Take Our September Survey

Written By: CopperSmith Gutter | Minnesota Seamless Gutters, Minneapolis Copper Gutters Contractor | Published On: 3rd September 2009

survey iconChoose your answer and hit next to continue the survey. Only 7 questions total.

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Roofing Damage By Animals

Written By: CopperSmith Gutter | Minnesota Seamless Gutters, Minneapolis Copper Gutters Contractor | Published On: 3rd September 2009

squirrel02 150x150 Roofing Damage By AnimalsRoof Damage from Animals

Wonder if a little critter is living in your attic? The first sign is the sound of wood being chewed or scurrying of little feet in the ceiling. Tiny pellets and other traces are additional good signs. Squirrels, raccoons or rodents often live and destory attics throughout the winter season which can cause considerable damage in only a short period of time.

Emergency Roof Tarp Service

Emergency roof repair situations require highly skilled roofers that fasten tarps and protect your home during any kind of weather while the roof is being fixed. Residential and commercial roofers are available throughout the Twin Cities to service all types of residences including townhouses, condos, apartments, commercial buildings and private homes.

Roof Insurance Claims

It is important to hire a roofing contractor who is very experienced with bad weather roof claims such as hail damage, rain and water damage, snow and wind damage. A roofer should specialize in getting you’re job completed as fast as possible while providing a free estimate.

Leaky Gutters, Window

Leaky roofs are most commonly caused by improperly installed or deteriorated roof flashings. Other causes may include improperly installed windows or gutters which can cause water leaks and damage to your home. Only a skilled roof repair technician can point out the source of your leak.