NJ Roofing Blog » inspection

Spring Maintenance of Your Wood Shake Roof

Lukasz Sobczuk — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 14:35:39 +0000

Part of the charm of a wood or cedar roof is the weathered look that comes with exposure to the natural elements. Wood shake roofing is surprisingly resilient to the weather, but it does require proper roof maintenance to enhance its appearance, maximize its effectiveness, and prolong its life. By following few simple steps in the spring, the average homeowner can be assured of keeping a beautiful and efficient wood shake roof for many years to come.

Spring Maintenance of Your Wood Shake Roof

Spring is the perfect time for homeowners to check wood shake roofing for damage after the ravages of winter weather and early spring storms. The inspection should take note of conditions like broken or curled shakes, rusted or loosened flashing, and cracked areas around chimneys and joints. These indicate repairs that will need to be made to maintain the integrity of the roof. Likewise, overhanging branches, debris-filled gutters, and moss or lichen growing on the shakes indicate areas where roof maintenance is needed. All of these conditions lead to the build-up of moisture, which can cause erosion and speed up decay of wood shakes.

Typically, those repairs require the attention of your local roofer, but simple roof maintenance can be performed by the homeowner who is handy. Tree limbs that shade or overhang the roof retard drying and should be trimmed away. Gutters should be cleaned to prevent blockage and the growth of mold and fungi. Rust that is detected on flashing and other metal surfaces should be removed and treated. Dirt, debris, lichen, and moss may prevent drainage of the roofing surface and retain moisture. A garden hose and a stiff brush should be used to loosen the build-up and wash it away.

The homeowner who prefers to leave roof maintenance tasks to a professional can choose additional options for preserving and enhancing wood shake roofing. Power-washing and the application of chemical cleaning solutions, preservatives, and pigmented finishes can add resilience and enhance the roof’s appearance. These treatments require training and special equipment, and, if improperly applied, can erode the shakes and harm surrounding surfaces and foliage. A reputable roofing contractor can advise the homeowner on the appropriate treatments for his roof, and then make sure that those treatments are applied safely.

If you would like to have professional care for your wood shake roof, call LGC Roofing, your leading NJ roofing contractor. We have over two decades of experience installing and caring for New Jersey roofs. Our experts can inspect your home or business, and advise you on the best products and procedures to prolong the beauty and maintain the function of your wood shake roof. Give us a call today at 609-712-8157 or request more information online!

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Post Winter Gutter Inspection & Maintenance

Lukasz Sobczuk — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 15:08:44 +0000

The crocuses are blooming, the birds are chirping and you’ve made in through another New Jersey winter. Performing a post winter roof & gutter inspection will ensure that your house has done the same.

Aggressive winter weather can wreak havoc on your home, often requiring gutters repairs as the warm weather arrives. Attend to gutter maintenance swiftly with the help of your local roofing and gutter contractor to avoid leaking and other problems during spring rains.

Gutter Inspection & Roof Safely

You will need a ladder to accurately assess the condition of your gutters. During an inspection, ensure your safety and that of others around you by placing the ladder on dry, level ground. Enlist a family member or friend to hold the ladder steady as you work. If at any time you feel uncomfortable performing your own gutter inspection, descend from the ladder slowly and safely and call a professional roofer for assistance.

Your inspection will most likely start with gutter cleaning. Wear a pair of gardening gloves to protect your hands as you clear the gutters of leaves, twigs and other debris that has settled during the winter. Once the gutters are clean, you will be able to view damaged sections more easily.

Common Gutter Repairs

Common post winter issues that necessitate gutter repair include:

Blocked drainage: Pooled water can mean that the gutter hangers are installed improperly or missing, or that the gutter pitch needs to be positioned at a sharper downward angle.
Water trickling: Water that trickles between the gutter and your home’s fascia may be the result of damaged gutter aprons. These small pieces attach to both the roof and the gutter, but can be repaired or replaced quite easily.
Sags, cracks and holes: The gutters, themselves, can become damaged from ice, hail and high winds.

Post winter gutter maintenance and repair is essential and can save your home’s roof and siding from become damaged from the elements. Keep your gutter system healthy by having your local NJ roofing contractor inspect your roof & gutters twice yearly, in the fall and spring. Tackle minor repairs as soon as possible to avoid bigger, more expensive roof and gutter replacement projects in the future.

To learn more about gutter inspection, seasonal roof maintenance and affordable roof replacement, contact LGC Roofing, your New Jersey family-owned roof contractor.

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Top 3 Winter Roof Maintenance Tips for Homeowners

Lukasz Sobczuk — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:39:34 +0000

The wet, cold weather that characterizes New Jersey winters can cause significant damage to your roof. Like other professional residential roofers, we recommend you take certain winter roof maintenance steps to help your home’s structures remain safe and sound throughout the year.

The below roofing maintenance calls for vigilance, some elbow grease and a bit of patience. Your efforts will pay off in the end.

Top 3 Winter Roof Maintenance Tips for Homeowners

The three most important winter roof maintenance tips for homeowners include snow removal, protection and ventilation. Contact your local NJ residential roofing company to learn more about keeping your roof healthy during the winter.

Snow Removal

Snow and ice are your winter roof’s worst enemies, mainly due to the weight of the precipitation. Ice dams form when snow is not removed efficiently after a storm and later begins to melt. When the melted snow re-freezes at night or during a sub-freezing day, a dam forms in or near your gutters, and impedes the run-off of snow and water behind the dam. Ice dams and excess moisture can weaken the shingles and cause roof leaks.

Remember that snowy roofs can be very slippery; work slowly and carefully to avoid injury.

Protective Measures

Residential roofing inspections throughout the year can alert you to potential problems and may help you prevent leaking during the coldest months.

Mislaid or faulty flashing is a possible source for leaking, and should be repaired prior to the first snow to prevent wetness from seeping into your house. Similarly, broken and chipped shingles can allow moisture to transfer from the roof to your ceilings after a storm.

Call your New Jersey roofer to perform a bi-annual inspection in fall and spring, and to repair any faulty structures on your roof. The application of heat tape is another protective measure that may reduce ice dam-induced roof damage. Apply heat tape in a zig-zag pattern to promote proper drainage, even through ice dams.

Ventilation

Winter roofing maintenance should include a brief assessment of your ventilation system. Inadequate ventilation and insulation from your attic can not only cause your home to remain cool in the frosty weather, but also can encourage the formation of ice dams. Your New Jersey roofing professionals can inspect your roof and determine if your ventilation system & insulation is efficient enough to keep your home toasty warm and your roof protected from the elements.

Schedule Your Free Consultation Today

LGC Roofing serves a wide service area in New Jersey, including Middlesex, Monmouth, Burlington, Somerset, Hunterdon and Mercer counties. Contact us today to learn more about winter roof maintenance or to schedule a repair.

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Flat Roofing: Preventing Winter Damage in Commercial Roofs

Lukasz Sobczuk — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:08:50 +0000

Roof damage in the state of NJ is quite common during the winter months, and can be especially costly in commercial roofing.

While flat roofs are built to withstand a fair amount of snow, extreme ice buildup can cause structural damage if it is not properly handled. Some commercial roof repairs are inevitable, but there are ways to protect your flat roofing from the aftermath of heavy storms.

Common Flat Roofing Damage

The most common winter roofing problem is ice damming, which can do extreme damage to flat roofing and low-sloped roofs. As snow falls on your facility’s EPDM roof and warm air rises toward the ceiling and attic, the snow melts. When snowmelt runs toward gutters or low-sloped eaves, it refreezes and builds a dam. During continual freeze-thaw cycles, these ice dams become bigger and trap additional moisture on the roof. As water accumulates, your business or industrial facility can experience roof leaks that lead to expensive repairs.

In addition to ice damming, winter water buildup leads to gutter problems. Gutters become filled with ice, preventing proper drainage and putting undue pressure on the structure of your commercial gutter system. In extreme cases, you may need to replace damaged gutters or remove portions of the system to melt the ice and get rid of debris buildup.

Preventing Ice Dam and Gutter Damage

While it is not possible to prevent ice damming 100% of the time, commercial building owners can take steps to reduce flat roof damage.

First, make sure that your facility has adequate attic ventilation and insulation. A properly insulated attic prevents warm air from reaching the underside of the roof and beginning the vicious melt/refreeze process.
Next, clean and inspect gutters at least twice a year. The less leaf, twig and debris buildup, the more likely your gutter system can handle snow runoff rather than allowing moisture to pool.
Finally, as snow piles and ice dams begin to form on commercial roofing, it may be time to hire a roofing professional to remove some of the weight and mitigate damage. Climbing on snowy or ice roofs is dangerous work, and should only be done by professionals who are properly equipped.

To schedule your winter inspection of your commercial roof, or to request a roofing repair estimate for your facility, contact LGC roofing professionals today. With almost three decades of experience in residential and commercial roof repairs and replacement, we are NJ’s top experts on flat roofing and seasonal roof maintenance.

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3 Common Winter Roof Problems & Their Prevention

Lukasz Sobczuk — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 15:04:23 +0000

The less-than-predictable East Coast winters can wreak havoc on your NJ roof. Here are three of the most common winter roof problems—and the winterization steps you can take to avoid frustrating and costly roofing repairs.

3 Common Winter Roof Problems & Their Prevention

Issue #1: Ice Dams

Ice dams form when snow and ice build up inside gutters and along roof ridges. This ice prevents additional water from draining properly, and as it pools, it may infiltrate shingles, underlayment, ceilings and walls. According to UMassAmherst’s Building and Construction Technology department, “Proper insulation and roof ventilation can stop ice dams from forming, prevent damage and lower energy bills.”

Unfortunately, there is no way to completely prevent ice dams. Home and business owners can control this type of damage, though.

First, it’s important to have your roof regularly inspected to ensure its integrity and confirm that water cannot seep underneath roofing materials. Second, it’s important that you have high-quality ceiling insulation, and an effective roof ventilation system. These precautions will help to maintain a constant roof temperature, lowering the chances of ice damming.

Issue #2: Flashing Leaks

Roofs can leak in many locations, but especially few places are most common. On sloped roofs, leaks often occur along flashing sections—where metal is installed to safeguard roof corners, ridges and edges. If flashing is not properly installed, or if it is blown loose during high winds or storms, it may pull away from the shingles or underlayment. As it pulls away, it leaves your roof’s underlying structure unguarded against water seepage.

Check all flashing areas during your bi-annual roof inspection, and hire your local NJ roofing contractor to replace damaged or missing flashing. Flashing is relatively inexpensive to fix and replace, and you could prevent thousands in repair damages by attending to it.

Issue #3: Materials Damage

Even the most high-quality roofing material can be adversely impacted by severe storms, pooling water and ice buildup. To protect slate, tile or shingle roofing, hire a quality roofing contractor to install a high-performance attic ventilation system. Again, this is relatively inexpensive when you consider the cost of replacing interior valuables. Your new vents allow air to properly circulate in and out of your attic, reducing ice buildup and attic condensation.

Roof ventilation systems can also lower your heating and cooling bills over the long term.

Don’t Let Winter Ruin Your Roof!

To protect your home’s exterior and interior structure during winter, remember to keep up on your roofing inspections.

At LGC Roofing, we offer both residential roofing and commercial roofing inspection and repair services. We’ve earned a well-deserved reputation for elite performance at a fair and affordable price, so if you want to protect yourself before purchasing or selling property, or if you need to diagnose the nature of a roofing problem, contact us for a free estimate.

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When to Hire a Roofing Inspection Contractor

Lukasz Sobczuk — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 14:44:46 +0000

Roof inspectors are professional contractors who specialize in diagnosing the nature of roof problems and providing accurate repair estimates.

While some roofing problems are obvious—missing shingles, weather damage, rot—others are very difficult for a layperson to identify. Roofing contractors in NJ can help you minimize expenses by precisely diagnosing the nature of the problem and providing you with multiple options for correcting it.

When to Hire a Roofing Inspection Contractor

Professional roofing inspection may be especially beneficial when:

You are considering the purchase of a new home. If you’re thinking about buying an older home, or you suspect there may be roofing problems, getting a professional inspection done provides you with an objective opinion you can trust.
You are selling your home. A roofing inspector has the specific knowledge needed to help you accurately calculate price adjustments if you’re not going to replace your roof in advance of selling your house.
You are experiencing leaks but are unable to identify their source. This is a problem that only a professional can solve, and it’s not one you want to put off solving. Leaks can lead to serious structural damage.
Your roofing is more than 20 years old. A professional roofing inspector can also identify problems before they happen, and in many cases, you can save a great deal of money if you address them early.

Commercial Roofing Inspection Tip

If you are the owner or manager of a commercial property, there are additional circumstances that may require you to call in a roofing inspector.

Commercial roofing contractors can help ensure that your facilities are up to state and regional safety codes. It is strongly recommended that you consult a roofing contractor before finalizing the purchase or sale of any commercial property, as you may be held legally responsible in the event that roofing problems lead to personal injury or damage to the businesses operating in the building.

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Fall is the Best Time to Replace a Leaky Roof

Lukasz Sobczuk — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 14:32:17 +0000

New roofing is best installed in the fall, since New Jersey winters are particularly hard on roofing materials. Before freezing rain, snow and gusty winds set in, discuss your roof replacement with a professional NJ roofing contractor.

If you’ve already seen evidence of roof leaks in need of repairs, you should act especially quickly. As moisture continues to permeate cracks or damaged materials, it seeps into the wood decking underneath. Replacing this underlayment is costly, and is best avoided by planning your roofing replacement during dry weather.

Fall is the Best Time to Replace a Leaky Roof

There are a number of other benefits to fall roof replacement:

Assessing summer roof damage: Your NJ roof tolerated scorching temperatures, hail and wind storms this summer, so it may not be ready for winter temps. Fall is a good time to evaluate any summer damage that may have occurred—so you can deal with repairs or replacement before the winter elements make things worse.
Installing shingles during ideal temperatures: Now that oppressive heat is no longer an issue, it is the perfect time to install new roofing materials. It’s still warm enough for roofing materials to settle and seal—so they’ll be ready to ward off the chill and the snow.
Protecting attic insulation: For your attic insulation to do its job this winter, it is important to maintain its integrity. Roof leaks cause insulation breakdown and mold buildup, which could hamper your attic from trapping valuable winter heating. Replace your roof before insulation is damaged—so you aren’t forced to replace insulation materials along with your roof!

Is Your Roof Ready For Winter?

Don’t risk property damage or jeopardize your home’s ability to endure the winter. To learn more about industry-best roofing material options, or to inquire about a roof repair or replacement, contact the LGC Roofing team today.

Serving residential and commercial clients with NJ roofing replacement, we offer unmatched service and high-performance roofing solutions for all facility types.

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Residential Roofing: Fall Inspection of Your Roof Shingles

Lukasz Sobczuk — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 15:05:32 +0000

As the days get shorter and winter makes an appearance, it’s the ideal time to schedule your fall roofing inspection. Autumn is the prime time to take care of any minor roofing repairs that may be needed to keep your roof shingles healthy during the long, bitter cold.

Healthy Shingles for a Safe Roof

A shingle roof is the most popular roofing structure, though the material type varies widely. Shingles composed of wood, slate, tile or asphalt are the outward surface of your roof, and can suffer greatly during inclement weather.

Rain, snow, hail and even extreme heat can cause shingle damage, including:

• blistering
• peeling
• curling
• loss of granules
• cracking
• rotting

The exact nature of the shingle damage to your home’s roofing may vary according to recent weather events and shingle materials.

The bottom line, however, remains the same: shingle damage can lead to roof leaks, roof buckling and structural damage if it’s not caught early.

Shingle Roof Inspection

When it’s time for semi-annual roof maintenance, LCG Roofing has the experience and professionalism to manage all of your residential roofing needs.

Contact your experienced residential roofing NJ contractor to schedule a fall inspection. Fall shingle inspections are performed with utmost attention to detail, particularly around the chimney, attic vents and flashing, to make sure shingles and roof underlayment are structurally sound.

Shingle roof inspections also include assessment of gutters, siding and eaves. Signs of dry rot or water damage should be addressed in a timely fashion to prevent further damage as the wintry weather approaches.

Contact LGC Roofing today at (609) 712-8157 to inquire about fall shingle inspections or to schedule your NJ roofing repairs. We are a family-owned company that has served New Jersey since 1985, and we strive to provide total client satisfaction with every service visit!

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Cedar Shake Roofing Installation Project in Lebanon, NJ

Lukasz Sobczuk — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 14:44:47 +0000

Few weeks ago a homeowner from Lebanon, NJ, contacted us regarding her leaking cedar shake roof.

Upon inspection of the roof we discovered that the roof had several substantial leaks and was in very poor condition. We both knew repairs were futile so we started looking into re-roofing options right away.

Like many roofing contractors, LGC Roofing will always suggest the most viable options and if repairs can extend the life of your roof, that’s what we’ll advise. But if your roof leaks, is showing signs of weather damage, or is looking worse for wear, it makes more sense to replace it.

Cedar Shake Roofing Installation Project

The homeowners wanted to retain the original look of the roof and house in general so we’ve offered an estimate for cedar shake medium hand splits roofing installation and soon started the project!

Wood shake roofs are undeniably beautiful and we definitely take pleasure in working with this roofing material!

Considering Cedar Shake Roofing For Your Home?

If you’re thinking about using wood shake shingle roofing on your NJ home, make sure you select a quality product. The best shakes are made from the center of huge, aged cedar trees—and are manufactured by companies who insist upon quality in their shake mills.

If you’re unsure about how to make your decision, contact LGC Roofing for a free wood shake roofing estimate and a list of high-quality cedar shake options. Call 609-712-8157 today to discuss your roofing needs with one of our experienced specialists—or to request a written estimate for your cedar roof repair or replacement project.

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Fall Roof Maintenance: From Inspection to Gutter Cleaning

Lukasz Sobczuk — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 15:01:00 +0000

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.