All posts by RIslate15

When Should I Replace My Gutters?

August 8, 2016slate roofingRIslate15

Homeowners spend so much time and effort protecting their home from the natural elements. From the entire roof down to your gutters, keeping everything up to par is crucial to keep the structure of your house strong. It may not seem like a ton but your gutters provide a huge role to the entire roofing system. If they become damaged they can result in water damage, roof damage, ice dams, and rotting interior walls.

The lifespan of your gutters will vary depending on specific conditions and previous maintenance. All homeowners should clean out their gutters two times a year to ensure your gutter system is working properly.

Top 10 Sings You May Need To Replace Gutters:

Gutters have dented, bent, holes and cracked
Gutters started to pull away or sag from the house
Mold is appearing in basement
Water leaking into basement
Home foundation cracks
Paint in home starts to peel & corrode behind gutter
Gutters are rusting
Puddles of water start to form around your home
Large amounts of standing water in your gutters
Gaps appear between gutters and where they attach on your home

The summer and beginning fall season is the best time of the year to make sure your roof is in tip-top shape. For more information on roofing services, or gutter information please feel free to give Rhode Island Slate Roofing a call at 401-255-2003 or fill out an online contact form.

Common Roofing Problems

July 25, 2016UncategorizedRIslate15

A strong, healthy, properly installed and well maintained roof is imperative in order to see the best possible results both short term and long term. For a variety of reasons, roofs have problems though and the number one frequent issue is leakage. Leakage is often the most notable and one that people immediately call for help about. We wanted to dive into the main reasons that home roofs see leaks.

Clogged Gutters & Downspouts: When debris combines with water, you get a gross sludge that can reduce the life of your gutters by weighing them down. Tearing down and moving around your gutters can then directly result in water getting into your home.

Deteriorating Shingles: Depending on where you live and your areas specific location, a roof can be expected to last as long as the warranty period, plus or minus a few years. This is important because knowing when your singles have been installed can give you an indication of how long they will last, and when they need to be replaced.

Fascia Rotting: The fascia on a roof is the lower part of a roof located just above the gutters. Clogged and built up debris in gutters can direct lead to a rotten fascia. This then can open up space for water, and animals to get into your home.

Deteriorating Pipe Boots: A vent pipe boot is a type of flashing that fits over a plastic vent pipe. The base of the boot lies over against the roof with its top portion covered by the shingles to defer water. The most common problem with this type of flashing is when the boot cracks or peels away from the pipe. From there water can easily flow into the roof.

After acknowledging you have a leakage problem, what’s next? If you can, get a pair of binoculars and try looking at the potential leakage issues. If you can find a problem first hand, then call a professional.

For more information about Rhode Island Slate Roofing and handling a leakage issue, please feel free to give us a call at 401-255-2003 or fill out an online contact form.

How To Find A Reliable Contractor

July 11, 2016newsRIslate15

Getting roof work done on your home is very important and choosing the right contractor can sometimes be stressful and difficult. Making sure you are working with a reliable contractor is the first step in ensuring the work done on your house is a job well done. You are about to make a good size investment on your house whether it be a repair or a total roof replacement, so making sure your contractor is trustworthy is imperative.

Contracting and roofing scams have been around for a long time, so make sure your choosing one of the good guys and not a poor contractor or scam artist. Follow these tips to make sure your roofer is reliable.

1) Licensed & Insured: Make sure that your contractor is both licensed & insured. You could get yourself into a world of hurt if your contractor isn’t licensed & insured.

2) References: Look around online & ask for references. A quality roofing contractor will be more then happy to provide you with references from their past experiences. If they can’t find something good said about them then you may want to stay clear.

3) Contract Before Paying: Don’t start paying people until you have a written & signed contract. Be sure that you what is covered in the price and that you have it in writing.

4) Ask Questions, Take Time: A reliable contractor won’t pressure you with tactics in order to sign paperwork right away. Take your time and ask any additional questions you have before signing anything. They should have no problems answers any of your doubts or concerns.

You can never be too cautious when hiring someone to work on your home.

What Are “Soft Spots” On A Roof?

June 20, 2016UncategorizedRIslate15

Building off our 5 summer home maintenance tips and getting your roof inspected, another aspect of roof maintenance you should be aware of is soft spots.

Soft spots on your roof can form when a layer underneath the shingles gets wet due to a gap between some shingles. Most roofs have a layer of plywood underneath roofing tiles or shingles. From the natural elements that a roof endures all year long, plywood can weaken in these overexposed spots. One way that you can notice a soft spot is if there is a dip in your roof. If you see this, you should reach out to a professional ASAP.

Very often when you find or see a soft spot on your roof, there will be more that have gone unnoticed. The Rhode Island Slate Roofing team has years of experience with soft spots on roofs. We will inspect the quality of your whole roof to come up with the best repair process.

If caught early, it can be fixed quickly. If you ignore the soft spot on your roof, it can eventually turn into a huge leaking issue.

For more information about soft spots or if you roof could be in trouble, please feel free to give the experts at Rhode Island Slate Roofing a call at 401-225-2003 or fill out our online contact form.

Five Summer Home Maintenance Tips

June 3, 2016newsRIslate15

Are you ready for those summer time barbecues? Is your house and outdoor property in tip top shape for summer? If not, be sure to check some of our helpful maintenance to get your exterior in line for the summer fun.

1.) Air Conditioning Tune Up: For those people that need their AC during the summer time, it is imperative that you get a spring tune-up. A tune up with make sure that everything is working properly and it will help prevent you from having an excepted failure.

2.) Roof Check: It is best practice to have your roof checked annually to ensure that everything is working up to par. The spring and winter can put a lot of pressure and wear and tear onto your roof. This is a good time of the year to make sure everything is all good up there.

3.) Gutter Cleaning: Regular gutter cleaning is recommended to prevent against any clogging or leakage. It is best to do this two a year, once in the late fall/ early winter and then again in the late spring/ early summer.

4.) Check Kids Playing Areas: Swingsets and other kids playing areas can get some wear and tear during the winter. Make sure there are no loose bolts, sharp edges or splinters sticking up.

5.) Pool Maintenance: For those people who own a pool in New England, you should start thinking about cleaning it. It has probably been at least 8 months since someone swam in it. Start the cleaning process at least week before swimming season to be sure that everyone is safe from chemical harm.

For more information on roofing maintenance or repair work during the summer, please feel free to give Rhode Island Slate Roofing a call at 401-255-2003 or fill out our online contact form.

Why Should I Invest In Slate Roofing?

May 16, 2016slate roofingRIslate15

slate-roofing-square A slate roof is a smart choice for homeowners for a number of reasons as it is often referred to as a “lifetime roofing system”. Slate is a natural stone that comes from clay and silt that has been deposited on ancient sea beds. Have you been thinking about investing in a slate roof? Call Rhode Island Slate Roofing for a free estimate on your roof and check out these pro’s of slate roofs!

Low-maintenance – slate roofs don’t rot and show great resistance to mold and algae growth. They are also highly resistant to temperature fluctuations and inclement weather such as rain, snow, and wind, which makes them a great option in climates with four distinct seasons.

Eco-friendly – with the longevity of slate roofs, they help reduce the waste from roof replacement, and the carbon footprint that comes from roof tear-offs. Traditional roofing materials get replaced every 10-20 years which ends up being thrown in landfills, with slate roofs lasting around 100 years, your roof won’t be contributing to this problem!

Beautiful – slate roofs are very aesthetically pleasing and come in an array of colors, sizes, and thicknesses in order to suit any home’s style.

Durable – made of natural stone, slate roofs are very durable. They prevent water from entering your home, and can withstand severe weather conditions to give you the best protection for your home. They are also completely non-combustible and will protect your home in the event of a fire. Slate roofs last alot longer than traditional roofing materials, in which many manufacturers offer long warranties on their roofing systems.

Increased energy efficiency – slate roofs are an excellent insulator which can help save you money on your heating and cooling costs.

For more information, read some stats and facts about slate roofing.

Reasons Your Roof Could Be Leaking

May 2, 2016newsRIslate15

Roof Leakage Most of us take the roofs over our heads for granted. It’s not until we notice a leak that we start thinking about what they actually do for us. The fact is that once your roof starts to leak, your home will already be in a more serious problem. The reasons for a roof leaks can include just about everything. The most important thing to note is that once you notice a leak, reach out to a reliable roofing contractor as soon as possible.

6 Reasons Your Roof Could Be Leaking

Flashing: The most common reasons for leaking is flashing. Those metal strips, or sheets that cover seems on your roof is called flashing. When this erodes or get damaged, leaking may begin.

Skylights: Skylights add some beautiful character to your home. They are visually appealing and for some homes bring in much needed natural light. If installed incorrectly, skylights can be a major problem for leaks.

Chimneys: The area of a chimney that is above the roof tends to be a spot that water collects. This can then lead to water trickling down and making its way through tiny open spaces into a home.

Shingles: During extreme weather, shingles can be torn straight off your roof leaving a direct path for water to enter the underside of your roof.

Poor Work: An inexperienced or corner-cutting contractor could be the main reason that you have experienced roofing leak. Poor workmanship leads directly to improper roof installation and repairs. When selecting your roofing contractor be sure they know what they are doing.

Age & Wear: While slate roofs last up to 200 years, most roofs enter their old age at around 15-20 years. If you haven’t kept up with any needed maintenance, your roof may just be in need of replacements or it could have hit it’s maximum lifespan.

If you have experienced a roofing leak, reach out to Rhode Island Slate Roofing as soon as possible. We can be contacted over the phone at 401-225-2003 or through our online contact form.

Common Mistakes Made By Inexperienced Roofers

April 11, 2016UncategorizedRIslate15

Everyone understands the importance of a roof. It’s the first list of defense against all of natures elements. From sun and wind to all that rain, ice and hail, a quality roof is needed. It is because of this that you be sure you are hiring an experienced and skilled contractor to work on your roof. A few mistakes here and there could end up costing you a lot of money and time.

Rhode Island Slate Roofing is a leading roofing company in Rhode Island and we often come across roofs that have been installed and worked on incorrectly. Here are some of the common mistakes we see made by inexperienced roofing contractors.

Improper Nailing: Nail placement may seem more important than you think. Improper nail placement could lead to damaged shingles and leaking.
Starter Singles: Whether someone uses starter shingles incorrectly or not at all, there can be problems caused during the installation process.
Flashing: Flashing is extremely important and when installed incorrectly, water can make its way into your home all over.
Ventilation: An attic and ceiling needs ventilation. Without it, moisture will build up over time causing serious damage to your roof.

The various mistakes a non-professional can make are endless. When it comes to a roof repair, replacement or inspection be sure you are working with a professional. For more information about RI Slate roofing please feel free to give us a call at 401-225-2003 or fill out our online contact form.

Statistics and Facts About Slate Roofing

March 17, 2016slate roofingRIslate15

As a company that specializes in slate roofing, we are obviously big fans of slate. Many homeowners come to the point where they are looking to pick out the right material for their homes roof. While slate isn’t always the perfect choice for everyone, it certainly has its benefits. We will be happy to speak with any homeowner who has question or concerns but to get you educated, check out some of the main benefits of slate roofing.

Slate Roofing’s Lifespan: Slate is essentially a rock, so therefore, the material is over millions of years old. Slate roofs as a whole can last anywhere between 75 to 200 years. We work with a range of slate roofs and it’s important to keep them well maintained so they will last as long as possible.

Slate Roof Advantages Over Shingle Roof:

One difference to look at is comparing the lifespan of the two. A slate roof is often called a “forever roof” because you will only need to install it once in your lifetime and a shingle roof may need to be replaced two or three times. Another difference between the two is resale value. The natural beauty and durability of a slate roof will increase the value of your home. Some other benefits that slate roofs hold over shingles are the natural ability to resist fire and mold.

Preparing for Slate Roofs:

While slate roofs provide an amazing number of positives, they do add a lot of weight to your roof. If your home isn’t properly constructed to handle slate, additional support may be needed.

Pricing: Considering all the benefits that slate provide, as you can imagine, it is more expensive then the usual shingle roof.

Coloring & Styling: One of the biggest pluses and noticeable factors of slate roofing is the numerous styles, textures and colors options that are available. The rustic and natural beauty cannot be matched by another other roof.

Each roofing option has their positives and negatives. For more information about slate roofing and to see if it’s the right fit for you, please feel free to give us a call at 401-225-2003 or fill out our online contact form.

Why You Should Clean Out Your Gutters

March 2, 2016newsRIslate15

Mentioned in our spring roofing tips blog, was the importance to clean your gutters leading into the spring season. We discussed how a clogged drain becomes a huge inconvenience, but we never really dug into the topic very much. So, why? Why should you clean out your gutters, besides the fact that everyone tells you so.

Over-clogged: The longer you leave your gutter clogged and build up with gunk, the better chance there is of them collapsing. Before you experience such a case, be sure that you clean your gutters and ensure they are structurally sound.

Pests: Gutters often become an unwanted home to pests such as rats, ants, mosquitos and other wildlife. While they may seem harmless, a faulty roof or gutter could lead to these pests making there way into your home. A regular cleaning of your gutters will prevent this from happening.

Property Value & Appearance: Broken gutters can directly have a negative impact on your homes value in the case that you try to sell it. Clogged and broken gutters can also generate an unappealing look for neighbors.

Ice Dams: The problem with ice dams during the winter can be prevented by keeping up with your gutters, especially during the fall. Clogged drains causes melting ice to find its way into your house if there is no where else for it to go.

For more information about gutter cleaning, please feel free to reach out to Rhode Island Slate Roofing at 401-225-2003 or fill out our online contact form.