The crisp cool air and sweater weather is a sure sign that fall has arrived in New Jersey. Fall is not only the time to bundle up, winterize your garden and settle in for the cold ahead—but it’s also the season for giving extra attention to your roof and gutter systems.

Before snow storms move in, schedule an autumn roof inspection with a reputable New Jersey roofing contractor.

Importance of Fall Roof Inspection

Your roof can sustain damage throughout the year from rain, hail and severe temperatures—at either end of the heat spectrum. The trained eye of a qualified roofing professional can spot minor problems such as bruising, water stains and dry rot.

Repairing these instances of minor damage before winter arrives can help prevent larger and more costly problems heading into spring. A thorough fall roof inspection can give you a head start on fixing your roof, and may prevent you from spending a lot of money on a complete replacement.

Proper Gutter Maintenance

A widespread problem facing New Jersey homeowners is water damage stemming from pooling snow and ice.

The gutters on your home are designed to keep moisture flowing off of your roof and away from your home. However, gutters that become clogged with leaves, dirt and other debris impede the normal drainage process, making the structure more susceptible to water damage.

Gutters that are warped from inclement weather, or those that have been improperly installed, may also contribute to roof damage.

If you have sustained gutter damage, call LCG Roofing, your trusted New Jersey roofing contractor. Our team of professionals not only performs roof repairs, but gutter repairs and installations, as well.

Get Ready For Winter, Contact LGC Roofing

The National Roofing Contractor’s Association recommends twice-yearly roof inspections to keep your home safe from weather-related roof damage. The fall and spring are optimum times to schedule both a roof inspection and a gutter cleaning.

Just as your mark your calendar for planting and winterizing your garden, make roof and gutter maintenance part of your annual routine. Call LGC Roofing at (609) 712-8157 to schedule your next roof inspection—or inquire about high-performance roof replacement.

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We’re happy to introduce our latest website dedicated to all types of roofing repairs we come across in our profession.

We share lots of DIY roofing tips and offer simple repair suggestions so please stop by and look around.

Our goal is to share our knowledge and help you determine whether simple DIY solution or a professional roofing service is in your best interest.

This website covers all the most common roofing problems:

• leaky skylight repair
• chimney flashing repair
• roof valley repair
• vent pipe repair
• wind damage repair
• ice dam damage repair
• flat roofing repair
• rain gutters repair

We’ll be growing the site as needed, adding more topics that our readers might be interested in.

We’d love to learn what else you would want to see there so please leave any feedback you may have!

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Installing and maintaining gutters can be a challenge, but it’s necessary if you want them to function as they should.

Step #1 – Proper Gutter Installation

Proper maintenance begins when you install the gutters.

When selecting residential rain gutters, make sure the parts you purchase fit tightly against your roof, so water doesn’t leak down the sides. Do-it-yourself gutter pieces are typically made of plastic, vinyl or metal, and snap easily together. A tight seal between these gutter parts prevents the damage caused by leaking.

In addition, it’s a wise idea to purchase extra pieces when you’re assembling the gutter; they can be used as replacement parts when old pieces wear out.

As you install, ensure that the gutters run slightly downhill to prevent water pooling and resulting damage. Proper pitching is very important in gutter longevity.

Step #2 – Gutter Maintenance and Repair

Once gutters are installed, check them regularly for damage and repair.

Examine your NJ home’s gutters frequently after it rains, looking for areas where the water pools. This pooling signals a potential leak in the drainage system, and standing water can damage the metal parts of your gutter system or cause a leak between the seals.

In addition, plan for a spring gutter cleaning and a fall gutter cleaning every year: clearing out the leaves and other debris before they build up and clog downspouts. Screens and other devices make this easier, but you should still plan for a fall & spring gutter inspection to ensure that vinyl and metal gutters are safely funneling water away from your home’s structure.

Safety First!

Always practice care when installing gutters.

• Don’t check them immediately after a rain when surfaces are slick.
• Wear shoes with good traction and use a ladder that is sturdy and in good condition.
• If you’re climbing a ladder or working on a roof, make sure someone else is home and within shouting distance. In case of an accident, they can call for help or come to your aid.

Proper Installation & Maintenance Key to Healthy Gutter Systems

Prefer to leave gutter installation and repair to the professionals? Contact LGC Roofing! We’re the best NJ roofing contractor in the state: family owned and operated for over twenty years.

Our work stands up to the harshest weather conditions, and we offer prompt roofing repair services for when emergencies happen. Our fully insured and licensed staff is standing by to assist you, so call us today, at (609) 712-8157, or request a free estimate on your spring gutter repair or gutter cleaning services.

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If you caught our last blog on fall gutter maintenance, you probably realize that gutter problems can lead to poor drainage, costly interior leaks and foundation breakdown.

Let’s take a look at a couple of most common problems you may find as you’re inspecting and maintaining your New Jersey gutters.

#1. The Problem: Sagging Gutters

Over time, the fasteners and brackets holding your gutters against the roof perimeter may begin to pull away—or even break off—so gutters begin to sag. In addition to being an eyesore, this sagging allows debris and sludge to build up in the center of lengthy gutter sections.

Sagging gutters don’t drain as well, and sludge causes gutter deterioration over time.

The Repair: Reseating or Replacing Hangers

If your gutters are held in place by spike-and-ferrule hangers, try caulking around the spike and allowing caulking to cure. Then, drive the long spike deeper into the roof’s edge. If the spike does not “grab” solid wood when you drive it, change out the spike for a larger nail or a longer wood screw.

For clip-style gutter hangers, you must pull up the edge of the roof and reattach hangers to the underlay, or “sheathing.” Be gentle with the roofing material, or you may crack shingles and cause additional roof damage.

#2. The Problem: Popped Rivets

If your home is protected by aluminum gutters, they’re probably attached to one another by rivets or small screws and further secured with roofing sealant or silicone caulking. As gutters shift and warp due to water weight, wind and age, rivets and screws may pop loose. Caulking also dries out over time, losing its ability to support gutter joints.

The Solution: Reinstalling Rivets

After climbing safely up to the roof’s edge, grasp the two loose gutter sections and place them together. Using a lightweight electric drill, make a small hole through each side of the gutter or downspout. Set pop rivets in each drilled hole, and use a pop rivet tool (available at most hardware stores) to secure the rivet into place.

Apply a thin layer of roofing cement or exterior silicone caulking around the edge of the repaired gutter, and allow it to cure for 24 hours before testing the integrity of the connection. You may need to reapply a second layer of roof caulking to ensure a tight seal.

LGC Roofing – Your NJ Gutter Specialists

If your New Jersey home incurs annual damage from aging or impaired gutters, it may be time for a new gutter system. The gutter specialists at LGC Roofing will assess the drainage patterns of your roof, and make recommendations about the best gutter style for your home.

As a bonus, you’ll receive free leaf guards with any LGC Roofing gutter installation. Leaf guards make maintenance easier, and prevent the debris buildup that leads to leaks and siding damage.

Contact us today to for more information about gutter replacement, repair and material selection—or to schedule your fall roofing inspection for home or business.

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Whether you have seamless or traditional metal gutters, regular inspection and maintenance is essential to prolonging gutter life and preventing foundation damage and interior leaks. If you’re comfortable climbing a ladder and don’t mind home improvement projects, gutter care is messy, but fairly simple. However, many people choose to hire a qualified gutters installation & repair contractor to avoid the hassle.

Gutter Basics: Inspecting and Repairing

1. After securing your ladder, use a gloved hand to clear all gutters and downspouts from twigs, leaves, pine needles and other buildup. You may wish to tie a garbage bag to the ladder to make debris disposal safe and simple. While it’s tempting, don’t use your garden hose to remove gutter material, since it may clump together and clog the gutter system. When larger debris is gone, you’ll notice that gutter interiors are coated with dirt, shingle granules, etc. You can scrape off this remaining goop with a putty knife, or with your fingers.
2. When your gutters and downspouts are free of dirt, tree remnants and sticky residue, turn on the garden hose or power sprayer. Run water through the entire gutter system to make sure that it’s draining properly, and to wash out remaining soil. When gutter flushing is complete, check for areas where water does not drain properly. These small pools probably indicate that you need to check and adjust gutter elevation, since gutters should slope one inch downward for every 15 to 20 foot stretch of material. It is generally easy to make these adjustments by applying gentle pressure, but you may need to re-hang portions of the system to shift the elevation.
3. After adjusting gutter slope, check the hangers/straps to ensure that they’re secure. You will probably need to replace a few worn out hangers, so it’s a good idea to purchase hangers with self-tapping screws before you make repairs. If your gutters are attached by a system of spikes and ferrules, you may also need to replace loose spikes with additional hangers and gutter screws.
4. If you need to replace a gutter section, select steel, vinyl or aluminum replacement pieces. (Remember, steel are the most durable—but they’re also the heaviest. They also tend to cost more. Many steel gutters are available with baked-on paint coatings, though—which can last for decades without corroding or chipping). If you’ve never replaced gutters before, it’s best to hire a professional, especially if you’re not comfortable or experienced with ladder work.
5. During your fall gutter inspection, you may encounter holes or small areas of corrosion. These leaky spots can often be remedied by using a patch kit and durable roofing sealer. Remember, though, that metal gutter holes mean that you’ll probably need to replace the whole system, soon—which may be more cost-effective than spending money to repair it.

While gutter maintenance is straightforward, it takes time and know-how. Ask the LGC team about scheduling a semi-annual gutter inspection for your New Jersey home before winter arrives—so that big snow won’t damage your home’s interior or lead to improper draining and foundation cracks. Contact us today for more information about gutter replacement, repair and material selection.

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Gutters that are warped, aging or clogged are a common source of frustration for New Jersey homeowners—especially if you’re deluged with water every time you walk underneath roof eaves. When your gutters need some TLC, chances are you’re dealing with one of four common problems:

1. Clogging by leaves, twigs, ice or other debris
2. Improper pitching
3. Warping or bending of old gutters
4. Leaky gutter joints

If you’re capable of climbing on the roof on your own, you may decide to fix your gutter problems.

Check out the do-it-yourself tips below to learn more about gutter repair, or call LGC Roofing specialists to discuss professional gutter repair or replacement.

Tackling Gutter Problems Yourself

Clogging by leaves, twigs, ice or other debris

Gutter problem #1 is caused by plant matter, dirt and rocks clogging gutters and preventing rain and snow run-off from flowing freely. Over time, this debris turns to “sludge,” which weathers gutters and causes eventual breakdown.

In addition, it may weight down gutters and pull it away from the fascia.

To fix clogging issues (and prevent them from happening again), climb carefully on the roof and inspect each length of metal or vinyl gutter. Clear clogged areas by removing debris with a work glove, and flush clean gutters with a garden hose to ensure improved flow. For the long term, you may wish to install gutter leaf guards or covers—which come in mesh, vinyl or foam styles.

Improper pitching

Gutter problem #2 is caused when gutters are hastily installed or pitched improperly.

When you’re on your roof, check to make sure they’re pitched downward at least ¼ inch for every ten feet of gutter length. To adjust gutter pitch, re-hang affected sections or bend hangers slightly to accommodate water flow.

If your home has seamless gutters, you can’t adjust them easily. Instead, call the LGC gutter experts to discuss repair strategies and costs.

Warping or bending of old gutters

Gutter problem #3, warping and bending of old gutters, is often inevitable. As hangers and hardware age and weather, gutters may pull away from the house or become weighted down by heavy debris.

First, install new gutter hangers and fasteners on sagging or warped sections. Hangers are inexpensive, and the installation is simple. Next, if your warped gutter will not seat properly, you may need to replace small sections of the gutter, itself. Again, you may need a roofing expert if you have seamless gutters that cannot be easily replaced by section.

Leaky gutter joints

Gutter problem #4 is a leaky gutter joint or section. They are generally easy to repair with a tube of gutter sealant.

During dry weather, apply a small amount of gutter sealant to the inside of the gutter. Allow sealant to cure for 24 hours. If the hole is larger or the gutter has rusted through, purchase a patch kit from your local hardware store. Patch kits come with a screen that fills in the hole—or you can create your own patch from a metal flashing remnant.

Contact the New Jersey Gutter Repair Specialists

For several decades, LGC Roofing has been installing, repairing and replacing metal, vinyl and wood gutters for customers all over New Jersey.

Call our team today at (609) 712-8157 for a free gutter consultation with an estimator, or to inquire about gutter pricing and material selection. We’re ready to make your home or business roof leak-free for the upcoming fall and winter weather!

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Your New Jersey roof may have survived the snow and cold, but now it’s time to survey the damage that winter might have caused.
Spring roof maintenance is a necessary part of lengthening the lifespan of your roof – and protecting your home’s precious interior. So, when it’s time to conduct your spring roof inspection, remember these three areas of concern.

1. Gutters

Your gutter system was designed to remove water from your roof in order to

• prevent pooling and moisture buildup,
• prevent damage to your home’s structure, and
• discourage moisture-related mold growth

Dirty, not properly maintained gutters can shorten the life of your roof, so it’s critical that you check them one to two times a year.

Spring is a great time to check out your gutters and remove large chunks of debris by hand or with a garden trowel. After manually removing debris, follow with power washing to clean out the remaining dirt buildup.

Remember, if you have a number of tall trees on your property—you may need to check gutters more frequently for stray leaves and twigs.

After cleaning out your gutters, it’s important to be proactive about trimming tree overhangs and large branches. Use a chainsaw or hand trimmer to clip branches away from the roof, especially if they appear to be dropping debris into your gutters. Next, check gutters for loose or rusty sections.

Most gutters are easy and inexpensive to replace. If you’re not comfortable making basic gutter repairs LGC Roofing installs and repairs gutters in New Jersey – call us at 609-712-8157 for a Free Estimate.

2. Shingle integrity

After checking, cleaning and replacing gutters, your next step is to survey the shingle field for damage – you will possibly need some basic shingle repairs.
Climb carefully onto the roof, and scan your shingles for missing pieces, peeling areas or grain loss. The small rock and mineral grains on your shingles help to protect your roof from the elements. If shingles are broken or begin to look smooth and “grainless,” it’s time to replace them.

You can replace a shingle by carefully removing the old one (and potentially the two to three surrounding shingles). After removing nails and fasteners, slide a new, same-sized shingle into place and nail it down. Cover each nail with roofing cement to prevent water penetration, and weight the shingle down overnight to ensure a tight seal.

Flashing repairs

Flashing, or the metal strips that seal gaps and prevent water from seeping under shingles, should be checked during each semi-annual roof inspection.
It’s especially important to inspect flashing around your chimney, skylights and valley regions. Those are 3 most common roof leak locations since winter wind and storms may cause flashing to pull away at these areas. Using small roof fasteners, tack down loose flashing and seal tack holes with roof cement. Call the LGC roofing professionals when you have more serious flashing problems.

In Conclusion

While it’s easy to do simple roof inspections and repairs yourself, it’s advisable to hire an expert if your home has an aging roof, or if your New Jersey roof is particularly steep and dangerous. Ready to schedule your spring roof inspection?

Call LGC Roofing today to schedule a free estimate, inquire about repair pricing or arrange a gutter assessment. 609-712-8157.

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Gutter systems protect your New Jersey home from leaks and moisture damage, so it’s critical that you maintain them properly. When gutters leak or downspouts back up, water may accumulate around your foundation. As moisture continues to seep into the foundation’s surrounding soil, walls and floors may settle or crack and eventually cause costly damage to your home.

Maintaining gutter integrity begins with regular inspections. Twice each year, during spring and fall, carefully climb onto your roof and examine all portions of your New Jersey home’s downspout system.

5 Gutter Inspection Tips

Conduct the following chores during each inspection to keep all gutters optimally functional during rain, wind and snow.

1. While wearing protective work gloves, remove all debris, sticks, dead leaves and pine needles from each gutter section. You may need a small trowel to empty all debris.
2. Using your trowel or a caulking knife, carefully scrape off stuck-on roofing granules and remaining dirt film. Use a garden hose to run water through your gutters for a final cleanout. To fully flush downspouts, increase the pressure of your hose.
3. After properly cleaning and flushing gutters, look for areas where water has pooled. This indicates that they’re not sloped properly, so you may need to adjust their position.
4. Gutter hangers occasionally break, and may wear out over time. Take a handful of new gutter hooks onto the roof with you so you’re prepared to replace aging attachments. If your gutters are hung by straps, it’s difficult to remove the straps since they’re inserted underneath roofing materials. Instead, just add gutter hangers with self-tapping gutter screws to simplify repairs.
5. Look for cracks in the gutters, themselves, and fill them in with exterior silicone caulking. You may need to replace entire sections of your gutter if it has rusted through.

Hire Roofing Professional

If your home is older, consider contacting a New Jersey professional roofer to handle your gutter inspection and possible repairs. LGC Roofing has been handling such projects for the past 25 years.

We specialize in replacing aging gutters with new aluminum, vinyl or steel models, the best gutter solution available on the market today. An additional benefit of many steel gutter replacement systems is a baked-on enamel coating which allows the gutter material to lasts for 30 to 40 years without requiring much maintenance—and you can choose enamel that matches your NJ home’s trim.

Call LGC Roofing to schedule a thorough inspection of your home’s gutter and downspout system, or to inquire about gutter repair pricing.

Don’t wait until you’ve developed foundation problems to start thinking about gutter replacement or economical fixes. We’re experts in gutter and roofing maintenance, offer competitive pricing and comprehensive guarantees.

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Though winter is still hanging around, it’s time to begin thinking about readying your home for spring temperatures. Remember, though, that even as the weather warms, spring storms and poor roof ventilation may continue to cause lingering ice dams and ongoing roof leak problems. That’s why it’s important to give your roof some TLC after harsh winter months.

4 Do-It-Yourself Post Winter Roof Inspection Tips

1. On a warm, dry day, inspect your entire roof for loose tiles, curled shingles and detached flashing. Make plans to fasten flashing gaps, and replace compromised tiles and shingles so they’ll weather spring storms. If you notice that harsh winter weather has worn away roof granules, affected shingles may also need to be replaced.
2. Rather than waiting until you have an overflow problem, plan to conduct gutter & roof cleaning. Clear shingle debris, tree branches and dead leaves out of your gutters to ensure that water flow isn’t compromised during a heavy rain or spring snowstorm. If it’s warm enough, you may wish to use a hose or pressure washer to more completely clear gutters and downspouts.
3. Remove moss and lichen from your roof by sweeping it off (if it’s dry) or applying a moss-removal chemical and sweeping it off after it has been killed.
4. After repairing roof leaks, tightening/replacing shingles and getting rid of ice dams, you may need to repair interior ceiling stains. Some stains can be repainted, while others require drywall repair to restore the ceiling and wall texture.

Hire a Roofing Professional

Remember to take proper safety measures if you’ll conduct your own spring roof inspection. Make sure someone is home, or let a neighbor know of your plans to climb on the roof.
If you’re uncomfortable examining or repairing your ailing roof, contact the roofing experts at LGC. Our qualified contractors are ready to examine your home for severe roof leaks and necessary materials replacement—and we offer a no-obligation consultation and price quote so you can make an informed decision regarding any roof repairs that might be needed.

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While you may take your seamless gutters for granted, they’re a critical line of defense for your home. Even if your gutters are covered with leaf guards, they can still become clogged with debris buildup from rain and snow storms, birds’ nests and shingle remnants. Roofing experts recommend cleaning and performing general maintenance on your home’s downspouts during spring and fall to prevent warped gutters and leaky gutters.

Seamless Gutter Cleaning Tips

If you’re tackling the gutter cleaning process on your own, always wear heavy-duty gloves to protect your hands—and remember these helpful hints as you prepare your seamless gutters for fall.

• Examine your gutters and leaf guards by individual sections. Using a small trowel, leaf scoop or your hand, remove pine needles, rocks, and rotting leaves.
• Scrape or scrub the gutter’s sides and bottom, if necessary. Small pieces of asphalt shingles can become caked on your seamless gutter’s interior, and it will probably take some elbow grease to remove it.
• Use a high-power hose or pressure washer to clear remaining goop from seamless gutters, downspouts and leaf guards.

Seamless Gutter Maintenance Tips

After conducting a thorough gutter cleaning, it’s time to assess your downspout system for maintenance needs.

• Evaluate the gutter angle, making sloping adjustments as necessary. If you have warped gutters or sagging portions, it can quickly lead to debris buildup and improper drainage.
• Check the gutter hangers, and install new ones if needed. Over time, gutter hangers can become loose. This may lead to warped or leaky gutters if the straps are not replaced.
• Look for leaks. If you don’t have seamless gutters, your system may begin to leak at aging seams. Use a silicon sealant to repair leaks, if possible—or consider replacing the leaky section altogether.

If the process of spring and fall gutter maintenance seems daunting, contact LGC Roofing. We’ll assist you with general maintenance, warped gutter replacement and leaky gutter repairs so you can protect your home’s structure from water damage.