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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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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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Skylight Leak Repairs: Finding the Source

Lukasz Sobczuk — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 14:49:07 +0000

Getting the most out of your skylight demands proper installation and maintenance. Even if you take good care of your roof, though, skylight leaks may develop as a result of normal wear and tear.

Fortunately, many skylight leak repairs can be done quickly and inexpensively. Knowing what to look for can make any necessary repairs easier and more cost effective.

Finding the Source of a Skylight Leak

When you notice water leaking from your skylight, the first step you must take is to locate the leak’s source. Water stains on the ceiling or puddles on the floor may be the first indicators of a problem. These can actually be great tools for identifying the source of the leak.

If the stain’s highest point is located at or near the top of your skylight, you may want to have your NJ roofing contractor start by looking at the outside flashing of the skylight. During bad weather, water rushing down the side of the roof at high speeds may run between the roof’s shingles and the skylight, creating leaks.

It’s important to make sure your roof’s flashing and seal are satisfactory; proper installation by a professional roofer is key.

If you notice a stain at the bottom of your skylight, the problem may be due to excess condensation. Too much condensation in or around the inside of your skylight is another common cause of leaks. Condensation is a natural result of humidity, and often builds up during rain storms. When too much condensation gets trapped in part of a skylight, it may create leaks.

Closely inspect the condensation channel – the part of the skylight that is designed to catch any excess condensation and allow it to evaporate back into the air. If this channel becomes damaged or clogged, the resulting build-up of condensation may cause your skylight to leak. Ask your New Jersey roof repair contractor to check your condensation channels to make sure they’re not overflowing if you notice water stains at the base of your skylight.

Problems related to excess condensation may be worsened by skylight tunnels. Skylight tunnels reduce air flow, which increases humidity. Making sure your skylight tunnel is well-insulated can dramatically reduce the amount of condensation that builds up in this area, which can help you avoid skylight leaks.

Skylight Leak Repairs Done The Right Way

When it comes to repairing leaks in your skylight, the sooner you act, the better so make sure to address any leaks as soon as you notice them. Knowing where to start and what to look for can help you save time, effort, and money on your skylight leak repairs.

Some skylight leaks are simple and are easily handled by do-it-yourself homeowners, but if you’re experiencing severe interior effects, such as ceiling staining or flooring damage, call LGC Roofing contractors to inquire about our skylight leak repair services. Family-owned and operated, LGC Roofing is a reputable roofer known for our honesty, integrity and cost-effective pricing. Dial 609-712-8157 today to experience the LGC difference.

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3 Reasons for Common Winter Roof Repairs: Leaks, Water Damage and Ice Dams

Lukasz Sobczuk — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 07:16:31 +0000

The annual season of snow, wind and ice can brutalize our home’s exterior, leaving a number of frustrating roofing repairs in its wake. To avoid wet (and expensive) damage to your roof this winter, it’s important to educate yourself on common winter roof problems and take immediate action to save costly, time-consuming damage to your residence.

Problem #1: Roof Leak at Flashing or Drain

Roofs tend to leak in several main locations.

For sloped roofs, residents may notice a post-storm roof leak at flashing areas—where aluminum is installed to protect roof edges and corners. Improper installation or high winds and rain can loosen flashing, causing it to pull away. Flashing inspections can be conducted prior to winter’s worst storms to ensure that it’s attached well enough to prevent water seepage. Flashing is also relatively inexpensive to replace, so replacing it before a major storm can save you thousands in repairs.
Homeowners with flat roofs may notice leaks at drain locations. These leaks typically occur because a drain has not been properly maintained. When it becomes clogged with debris, drainage is slowed. Conducting monthly to bi-monthly inspections of drains and terraced areas can help avoid the clogs that lead to more major problems.

Problem #2: Structural Water Damage

Heavy snowstorms or ice buildup keeps your home from heating efficiently, and can cause damage to roofing shingles and trusses, as well. If you live in an area with severe winter weather, consider asking a qualified roofing professional about installing an attic ventilation system. Attic vents help to circulate air in and out of your home’s attic, reducing interior condensation and preventing snow and ice from remaining on your roof for long periods. As mentioned in our previous blogs, proper roofing ventilationcan save homeowners hundreds a year on their utility bills, as well.

Problem #3: Ice Damming

When snow and ice accumulate in gutters and along roof ridges, melting water is unable to drain properly. As water backs up behind these ice dams, it can seep under flashing or penetrate your roof shingles, tiles, ceilings and walls—leading to major water damage. To prevent ice dams from ruining your home’s exterior and interior, remove snow from the roof using a roof rake (if it’s a safe option).

In the long-term, it’s important to seal air leaks between your roof and attic, increase roofing insulation and ensure that your ceiling is air tight.

In Conclusion

Being aware of common winter problems, continually maintaining your home’s roof during fall and winter and a regular roof inspection can help you avoid a roof leak, costly roof repair—or even an entire roof replacement.

Don’t risk costly damage. Ask LGC Roofing to assess your home for potential leaks, ice dams and ventilation problems this winter, and plan to schedule regular winter maintenance in order to protect your home’s exterior and save time—and cash.

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5 Types of Roof Vents & Energy Savings Info

Lukasz Sobczuk — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 07:57:14 +0000

As mentioned in our earlier post, Tips for ventilating Your Roof Space, an optimized ventilation system is needed to balance the temperature and moisture levels in your home’s attic space.

3 Reasons Why You Need A Proper Ventilation System

your home will be more comfortable,

you’ll decrease utility spending, and

your roof will last longer, saving you money on roof repair or worse yet, complete replacement.

Who doesn’t like the sound of that?

But how much will a new roof vent cost?

Actually, you’ll find that most roof vents are reasonably priced—especially when you consider the energy-saving return on investment. When you’re ready to address home ventilation, here’s some helpful list of types of vents to help you make a decision.

Turbine/static/wind-driven roof vents (provide ventilation by spinning naturally with the wind)
Louver/static roof vents (deflect rain and insects while promoting air flow)
Soffit roof vents (positioned under eaves)
Gable roof vents (louvered vents placed on roof peaks)
Powered roof vent units (thermostat typically included)

Before you spend a bundle on attic ventilation, make sure you’ve consulted with a roofing expert who can help. We will be happy to discuss needed repairs so call us today to schedule a roofing consultation. We will help you figure out how much you’ll save by installing and maintaining an adequate vent system in your house.

With over 20 years of experience, LGC Roofing is your 2010 roofing source for superior customer service, competitive pricing and quality workmanship.

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Durability and Longevity of Clay Tile Roofing

Lukasz Sobczuk — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:35:32 +0000

While clay tile costs more than composite or shake shingles, many home and business owners are attracted to its timeless look. When evaluating expense, remember that most clay tile roofs are warranted for 50+ years and can last up to 100—making them a sound investment and practical property improvement.

Advantages of Clay Tile Roofs

In addition to their proven longevity, clay tiles are wind, hail and fire resistant, so they’re especially attractive for those living with shifting weather extremes. New Jersey residents will find that clay tile stands up well to the state’s highly variable wet, dry, hot and cold airstreams. Clay tile also creates a thermal barrier, which prevents both interior and exterior energy escape. As an added bonus to utility savings, tile roof owners may qualify for tax deductions and utility rebates.

Green consumers appreciate the natural, biodegradable composition of clay tile. Created from clay and water baked at ultra-high temperatures, the tiles emit no environmental toxins, produce clean water runoff, and can eventually be recycled for use in construction and transportation projects.

No matter what the architectural style of your home or business, clay tile adds a charming touch. Commercial and residential property owners can choose from hundreds of tile colors to complement the hue and style of their home, and the baked-in pigment and weather-proof glaze prevents fading—even over decades of use.

Clay Tile Roof Tips

Clay roofs are heavy. Your qualified roofing specialist should assess your home or business before installing the tile to ensure your structure is sound enough to manage the product’s weight. Remember, also, that proper color blending requires careful tile placement—so multi-colored tile roofs may cost more to install and take longer to complete.

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Cedar Shake Roofs Offer Sustainable, Enduring Value

Lukasz Sobczuk — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 19:14:55 +0000

When it’s time to install a roof on your new or existing home, the material options can seem overwhelming. Before investing in a replacement roof, consider the material best-suited for your climate, architectural style, aesthetic vision and budget. Discuss your options with a reliable roofing expert, and remember to inquire about installation costs, required maintenance and warranty guarantees.

If you’ve thought about moving beyond asphalt roofing to something more attractive and distinctive, consider the benefits of a cedar shake roof.

Wood shake roofs provide character. They enhance the warmth and beauty of your home in a way asphalt and composite shingles simply cannot.
Wood shake roofs are eco-friendly. Made from a natural, renewable resource, cedar roofing can be purchased from companies with sustainable harvesting techniques.
Wood shake roofs insulate well. With up to two-times the insulating value of asphalt shingles, the cellular structure of cedar shake roofs make them an energy-saving addition to your home during summer and winter.
Wood shake roofs are durable. Because they’re able to tolerate harsh winds, hail and even earthquakes, cedar shake roofs are a resilient roofing option for nearly every climate.
Wood shake roofs are versatile. Due to their timeless look, cedar shake roofs complement many architectural styles, including mountain cabins, Victorian abodes, Cape Cod homes and Tudor or Gothic-style residences.
Wood shake roofs are adaptable. When treated with preservatives, your cedar shake roof will resist fungus, decay and fire damage for years to come.

Ready to explore the features of cedar shake or other roofing materials? Need to know how much to budget for your new roof? Call the New Jersey roofing professionals. With over two decades of experience installing and repairing quality roofs, gutters and siding, LGC Roofing brings advanced material technology and unrivaled customer service to both residents and business owners in the New Jersey area.