Category Archives: Best Practices

Man cleaning his gutter system

Maintenance Tips for Asphalt Shingles

Best Practices, roofing

Asphalt shingles are the most popular roofing material in North America. Widely manufactured and installed, this material is known for its durability, aesthetic appeal, and economical price point. However, while they are renowned for their longevity, that doesn’t mean that you can neglect your roof. By following the proper maintenance procedures, you can keep your home protected from damage, and your roof in good condition. Interested in learning more? Keep reading below for our asphalt shingle maintenance tips!

Keep The System Clean

Since your roof is constantly exposed to the elements, you may think that you don’t need to worry about keeping the system clean of debris, as that is far less damaging than the rain or snow.

However, debris like leaves, sticks, and other foliage, can hold moisture on your roof, which can be damaging over time. If you’re interested in maximizing your roof’s lifespan, keeping the system clean of debris is one of the best things you can do for your roof.

Keep Branches Away From The Roof

Sometimes the most damaging debris isn’t whats on your roof, but whats hanging over it! If you live in a heavily wooded area, it’s possible that you have branches from surrounding trees hanging over your roof. If these branches rub across your shingles, they will likely knock granules loose from the shingle system, which shortens the lifespan of your shingles. If there are any low-hanging branches on the trees surrounding your home, be sure to remove them to keep your home’s roof protected!

Handle Moss, Mildew & Algae

Next, if you’re trying to protect your roof from moisture damage, it is best to address & remove any moss, mildew, or algae build-up on the system. While in general, these won’t damage your shingles, they do have the potential to hold moisture onto your roofing system which can cause damage to your roof.

Clean Your Gutters

Lastly, whether your roof is made of asphalt shingles, slate, copper, clay tiles or anything else, you will want to keep your gutter system clean and free of debris. If your gutters are overflowing with debris, you may end up having rot in your roof deck as water spills out of the system. It could also damage your foundation, siding, fascia boards & more. Keep your gutter system clean to ensure that the entirety of your home is well protected.

Contact Us Today

If you need to replace your home’s asphalt shingle roof this fall, our team at Rhode Island Slate Roofing is ready to assist! Reach out to our team today for more information by giving us a call at (401)-255-2003 or by filling out our team’s online contact form! We look forward to hearing from you and assisting with your roof replacement needs!

Fall Gutters full of Leaves

Fall Gutter Maintenance Tips

Best Practices, roofing

Fall has arrived in New England, which means it’s time to take stock of your home’s exterior, and ensure that everything is well-maintained and ready for the cold seasons ahead. One of the most important elements of your home’s exterior that needs to be cleaned each fall is your gutter system. However, you may be wondering why keeping your gutters clean is so important, and what you should be doing to maintain the system. Take a look at our blog for a few gutter maintenance tips!

Remove Debris

If you want to protect your home this winter, it is essential that you remove any debris from your gutter system before the frost sets in. As most New Englanders know, one of the most damaging conditions for your roof during the winter is ice dams.

Formed when snow melting off of your roof refreezes in your gutter system, having debris in your gutters gives the snowmelt far less room to fill the gutters, which means it will quickly back up onto your roof, seeping under your shingles and causing water damage & rot within your roof deck. If you want to keep your home protected from ice dams this winter, cleaning your gutters this fall needs to be a part of your home maintenance routine.

Cleaning Your Gutters Safely

In order to keep yourself safe while cleaning your gutter system, it is essential to wear gloves during the cleanout. Your gutters are full of all sorts of debris, and you don’t want to hurt your hands during the process, whether from a splinter, bugs, or rust in the system.

Furthermore, you will want to use a standalone ladder, rather than leaning one against your gutters, as this could cause your gutter system to pull away from the home. Its best to have someone spot your ladder as well, since you will likely be leaning back and forth as you clean.

Check The System For Leaks

Finally, once you have finished cleaning out the system, it is best practice to run a steady stream of water through the gutters to see if there are any leaks. If you find that water is leaking out of the system, you can make spot repairs with a sealant that will keep your system working for years to come!

Contact Us Today

Interested in replacing your home’s roof this fall? Our team at Rhode Island Slate Roofing is ready to assist! Reach out to our team today by calling us at (401)-255-2003 or by filling out our team’s online contact form! We look forward to assisting you!

Roof Vents

Why Roof Ventilation Is So Important For Your Home

Best Practices, roofing

Most homeowners know that your home’s roof is arguably the single most important portion of your home’s exterior. It functions to keep fresh air circulating through the top of your home, and there are so many different styles of ventilation to choose from. Your roof has a unique combination of intake & exhaust vents depending on the shape of your home’s roof, but no matter how your roof is designed, you will need to have ventilation in order to keep your roof in peak condition. However, many homeowners don’t understand the importance of proper roof ventilation. If you’re interested in learning more about the benefits of having your roof ventilated, keep reading below for more information!

Reduce Ice Dams

One of the biggest benefits of roof ventilation, particularly for New England homeowners, is that it can reduce, or completely prevent ice dams. This is because the whole reason ice dams occur is the temperature differential between your attic and the outside air. The warm air leaking into your attic can heat up your attic without proper ventilation. This means that the snow on your roof will melt, sliding down your roof and re-freezing as an ice dam. Therefore, having proper roof ventilation is nearly essential for New England homeowners who are looking to reduce the need for ventilation. However, with that being said, there are still other benefits to proper roof ventilation!

Increase Roof’s Lifespan

In addition to increasing its lifespan by preventing ice dams, roof ventilation helps to protect your home from warm weather as well. If your attic isn’t well-ventilated, heat can build up in the roof, which can end up damaging your shingles from the inside. In order to increase your roof’s lifespan, have a professional examine your roof and ensure that it is properly ventilated.

Improve Energy Efficiency

Another reason that roof ventilation is so important is that it helps to hot air escape during the summer, which can reduce your home’s energy bills by keeping the house cooler. If you’re looking to improve your home’s energy efficiency, proper roof ventilation is one of the best options!

Help Balance Out Your Home’s Temperature

If you notice that the top floor of your home is always considerably warmer than the rest of the home, it is quite likely a ventilation issue. Since heat rises, if your roof isn’t ventilated well enough, all of that rising heat sits in the top of your home, greatly increasing its temperature. If you’re looking to make your home a more comfortable place to be, ventilating your roof will help!

Contact Us Today

If you’re interested in learning more, or in replacing your home’s roof this summer, our team at Rhode Island Slate Roofing is ready to assist! Reach out to our team today by giving us a call at (401) 255-2003 or by filling out our team’s online contact form! We look forward to hearing from you and assisting with your roof replacement needs!

Man standing on roof, inspecting shingles

A Roofing Guide For Homeowners

Best Practices, roofing

When it comes to your home’s roof, many homeowners are unaware of how complex your roofing system truly is, and how easy it can be to fall behind on proper roof maintenance. Your roof is one of the most important pieces of your home’s exterior, helping to provide your home with a number of benefits, including protection from inclement weather, but also providing your home with curb appeal and resale value as well. With so much to gain from having well-installed and maintained roofing, it is important to ensure that your home’s roof is kept in good repair. However, many homeowners don’t understand how important it is to know a bit about your roof in order to keep everything properly maintained. If you’re interested in learning more about your roof, take a look at our guide for a few tips!

Schedule An Inspection

One of the most important things any homeowner can do to maintain their roof is ensuring that it is inspected on an annual basis. It can be quite easy for a roof leak to go undetected until it has caused major damage, requiring a replacement of your roof deck, or perhaps your entire roof. That being said, having your roof inspected regularly can help you detect any issues that may arise over the course of the year, particularly the winter.

Keep An Eye on Your Gutters

Another area of your roofing system that will need regular maintenance is your gutter system. If your gutters are full of debris and water is backed up in the system, it can easily overflow and seep under your starter shingles, or into your fascia and soffit boards. Maintaining your gutters is another essential part of roof maintenance.

Clear Debris off of Your Roof

If you want to maximize your roof’s lifespan, another aspect of maintenance that you should be keeping up with is clearing debris off of your roof. If you allow algae, moss, and other debris to stay on your roof, it can cause your roof to age prematurely as they are all capable of holding moisture, causing your roof to decay. If you’re interested in making sure your roof lasts as long as possible, keeping it clear of debris is one of the best practices for keeping everything maintained!

Contact Us Today

Interested in replacing the roof on your Rhode Island home today? Our team at Rhode Island Slate Roofing is ready to assist! Reach out to our team today by calling us at (401) 255-2003 or by filling out our team’s online contact form! We look forward to hearing from you and assisting with your roof maintenance needs!

Roof Vents

Why Your Roof Needs Proper Ventilation

Best Practices, roofing, winter tips

Your home’s roof is one of the single most important pieces of the exterior of your home. It functions as an umbrella, helping to keep your home protected from the elements and improving the curb appeal & resale value of your home. With so much to gain from having a well-maintained roof, it is important to ensure that your home’s roof is kept in good repair! One of the most important factors to consider when trying to maintain your home’s roof is proper ventilation. Let’s explore why ventilation is important below!

Roof Ventilation

First of all, let’s discuss what proper ventilation actually entails. Having proper ventilation in your attic is important, because if it is not ventilated, it can end up causing significant moisture problems. Particulary during the summer months when your roof absorbs a lot of heat from the sun, your attic can run into a lot of moisture issues if it isn’t properly ventilated.

You’ll want to be sure that you have vents installed on the sides of your home’s roof, as well as soffit ventilation. You want there to be enough airflow to have a constant stream of fresh air into the attic. This is also very important for home’s in New England, particularly during the winter months. Let’s explore why below:

Ventilation & Ice Dams

As any long-time New England resident knows, ice dams can be one of the most damaging roofing issues that homeowners need to deal with. Ice dams form when the heat from your home rises into your attic, and heats the roof. The snow on your roof then gradually melts, and runs down to the eaves of your roof and into your gutter system. Eventually, as that process continues to occur, the ice builds up along your gutter system, and begins to back up onto your roof. The ice dam begins to do damage when it is so large that the melting snow is held over your attic and continuously heated, which stops it from refreezing and allows it to permeate its way into your roof deck.

That being said, with proper attic ventilation, you can avoid this issue. The main reason ice dams occur is that your attic is significantly warmer than your roof, and the warm air rising out of the attic causes the snow to melt and later refreeze when it reaches the eaves. With proper attic ventilation, you can ensure that your home’s attic is no warmer than the outside air, which will stop the snow from melting in the first place. If you’re trying to save your home from expensive repairs, proper ventilation can go a long way!

Contact Us Today

Interested in replacing your home’s roof this spring? Our team at Rhode Island Slate Roofing is ready to assist! Reach out to our team today by calling us at 401-255-2003 or by filling out our team’s online contact form! We look forward to hearing from you and assisting with your roof replacement & ventilation needs!

Removing Snow For A Healthy Roof

Best Practices

Preventing ice dams from forming is crucial to the overall health of your home’s roof. In order to do this, you need to make sure you aren’t neglecting your roof in regards to snow removal. The standard rule when it comes to roofs and snow is that removal should be completed after 6 inches. This will work to make sure that there is not an abundance of snow piling up on your roof, allowing you to avoid the stress of worrying about any further damage.

Snow Characteristics

In addition to paying attention to how much snow accumulates on your roof, it’s also very important to consider the weight of the snow as well. Some snow if lighter than other kinds and for that reasons, 6 inches of snowfall doesn’t always weigh the same. If it is a particularly wet and dense snowfall it may be smart to be safe rather than sorry and remove any snow present. If ignored, this problem can compound if there is another storm in the upcoming forecast. The weather is an important thing to keep in mind as the upcoming forecast can play a big role in helping you decide whether or not you should remove the snow from your roof. If the forecast calls for days of sunshine following the initial snowfall, then you may be able to get away without removing snow from your roof. Although, if there is going to be another storm shortly following the first then it is generally recommended that you look into how you can start removing the snow.

More often than not, a roof rake can be used to keep snow off your roof throughout the winter months as they are ideal to use on a variety of homes. Clearing the overhangs is essential in making sure that ice dams are prevented, and the weakest part of your roof is protected Sometimes, if your roof is too tall or a storm leaves behind too much snow to be removed by a rake, it is best to resort to shoveling as a way to clear the snow off of your roof. Shoveling can take care of accumulations of snow that are too heavy for a rake and is a great way to ensure that your roof in completely snow free.

Is your roof damaged from an Ice Dam? Have it replaced by Rhode Island Slate Roofing today!

Water damage that results from an ice dam building up within your roof can cause lasting damage to many other areas of the home including the walls, insulation and more. For this reason, it is crucial to replace any roof that has been damaged to avoid any more developing. Contact the team of experts at Rhode Island Slate Roofing for more information about us and our available services!

The Benefits of Roof Ventilation

Best Practices

If you find yourself asking if your home needs roof ventilation the answer is almost always guaranteed to be yes. The reason for this is because proper ventilation provides a variety of benefits to any style of roof. Even roofs that have ventilation that is not quite up to par can experience numerous problems that are a result of this issue. To make sure that your home is properly ventilated it is important to do a throughout review of the roof as well as the attic and whatever existing insulation is already there. The temperature inside of an attic is crucial when discussing the health of a roof because extreme temperature, whether hot or cold, can play a large part in problems that develop. Without the correct amount of ventilation inside of an attic, hot air can become encased which leads to moisture and other liquid building up. This build-up can evolve into dangerous black mold. In addition to the black mold, this unwanted heat can cause snow to melt on your roof before refreezing into ice. By ensuring that your home has proper insulation will provide it with many benefits while avoiding the issues discussed here.

Extends the life of your roof:

Quite often individuals are fascinated by icicles hanging off the side of their roof. Although this buildup, called ice damming, can be causing damage to your roof that is invisible to the eye. The reason why this damage is hard to see is that it can back up underneath roofing materials which leads to your entire roofing system, attic, and walls suffering.

Reduces energy costs:

Proper ventilation within a roof is what gives heat the ability to escape a home which reduces the workload on air conditioners. When the temperature outside is high, the goal is to keep the home cool on the inside. A cheaper air conditioning bill can help save energy during these hot months.

Reduces indoor temperature extremes:

Often individuals complain of upstairs rooms being hotter than rooms found downstairs in the home. The same can go for those in ranch style homes, as their feet are often cold due to heat being trapped by the ceiling of rooms. These issues often arise due to roofs without proper insulation and can be resolved by getting the proper ventilation installed.

Rhode Island Slate Roofing Can Fix Your Roof!

Rhode Island Slate Roofing can help individuals with damaged property repair or replace their roofs today. We are happy to offer top of the line roofing services at an affordable price. Contact us at 401-225-2003

 

Healthy Practices for a Healthy Roof

Best Practices

Regarding roofs, the old saying “Out of sight, out of mind”, is one that still holds true. But those who do acknowledge their roofs existence as well as know the tips and tricks of keeping it in top condition, reap the benefits for years on end. Although, the same cannot be said for those who pay little to no attention to their roof. This is because the building is secured both structurally and financially thanks to these proactive steps, which leads to homeowners saving a wealth of dollars down the line.

In an effort to lengthen to the lifespan of your roof, it is never too late to start implementing these procedures, regardless of if your roof is brand new or a few years old. Being such a big investment, this is especially true for the roof of a home. There are numerous steps homeowners can take to minimize the impact elements have on their roof as well as maximize its lifespan when faced with the unpredictable New England weather.

 

4 Ways to Keep Your Roof in Good Health

Promptly Fix Issues:

Immediately address any issue that is identified as problems can quickly evolve into expensive and potentially dangerous scenarios. The roof can become rotted and structurally unsound from curling or missing shingles as well as leaks.

 

Inspect Twice Yearly:

Inspections are crucial to preventative roof maintenance. Twice yearly inspections may seem obvious and even a bit overboard, but this is not the case as. A simple inspection can reveal an easily resolved problem that would have otherwise turned into an expensive issue thanks to the roofing experts that are trained to identify issues that most homeowners would not even know to look out for.

 

 

Clean Gutters:

When gutter health is not maintained properly, there are numerous issues that can arise regardless of the season. Gutters should be checked regularly to ensure that they’re not hanging as clogged or hanging gutters allow water to enter the roof which is why they should be kept clear of leaves and other debris.

 

Cut Close Branches:

Overgrown trees pose one of the greatest dangers to roofs throughout the year is. Large branches snap off of trees and damage roofs thanks to the strong snow and winds here in the Northeast. Even if the overgrowth does not fall and break, it can collide with your roof thanks to high winds or even direct growth into your roof.

 

 

 

Rhode Island Slate Roofing Can Handle All Your Roofing Needs!

The experts at Rhode Island Slate Roofing can help if you have determined that the best option is to have your roof repaired or even entirely replaced after having an inspection. We are happy to offer top of the line roofing services at an affordable price. Contact us at 401-225-2003

The Importance of Flashing on Your Roof

Best Practices

When homeowners think about getting new roof they typically have a few major thoughts and concerns. First, they think about finding a reliable roofing contractor. Secondly, they think about cost. Lastly, they may think about the the type of roof they want. If you are in the process of evaluating roofing contractors, you should ask them questions about something in building a new roof that you may not think about, the flashing.

What Is Flashing

Flashing is arguable the second most important aspect of a successful roof installation next to properly installing the shingles, tiles, metal, or whatever material your roof is made out of.  The point of flashing is to prevent water, moisture, and other debris from entering into vulnerable parts of your roof.

An example of roof flashing is in “valleys” of your roof. A valley is where two sections of your roof meet to create an angle. See an example of a roof valley here.

Roof flashing can be made out of a few different materials but mostly you’ll find it made out of a metal. Metals such as  copper, aluminum, stainless steel, lead are common flashing materials. You can also find plastic or composite materials to create roof flashing.

Areas Of The Roof Where Flashing Goes

Skylights: The areas on the boarders of skylights are incredibly vulnerable to leakage and moisture build up if not properly installed with good flashing. If you are getting a skylight installed, or have a skylight and you are getting a new roof, make sure to ask your roofing contractor about their plans for flashing around the skylight.

Vents: Vents are another area of roof where your contractor should be focusing on the installation of flashing to prevent leaks and moisture. Most importantly, if you have hood vents, you’ll want to make sure you have an experienced roofer working on your project. Hood vents are created by cutting a hole into your roof, so you’ll have to be certain your roofing contractor is aware of the importance of properly installed flashing.

Chimneys: Proper flashing around chimneys are crucial to the long term health of your investment in a new roof. Typically the most amount of flashing (other than in long valleys on your roof) will be found around your chimney.

Looking for a roofing contractor in Rhode Island who focuses on the details of your roof as much as the installation process? Contact Rhode Island Slate Roofing for slate roofing services in Rhode Island & Southeastern  Massachusetts.

Spring Cleaning Check List for Your Roof

Best Practices

It’s that time of year in New England! The Red Sox are about to open up the season, patios will begin to open, and Spring time will be here in full force soon enough. While Spring is a time to start new every year, its also a popular time for Spring cleaning around your house. This year, don’t forget Spring cleaning when it comes to your roof as well!

Gutters

As we covered in the past on the Rhode Island Slate Roofing blog, it’s important to declutter your gutters a couple times of year. If you don’t do this, the weight will begin to drag on your roof and damage your shingles. With the recent high wind storms across the region, your gutters could be particularly weighed down this year. Take the time to clean them out completely.

Nearby Branches

This follows up with the previous step on the Spring cleaning checklist. In the last couple months, we have had wind storms with winds up to 50-MPH. Take some to inspect the perimeter of your property. See if there are any tree limbs getting too close to your house that weren’t there last year. Take care of them as soon as possible. The last thing any homeowner wants to deal with is a tree damage to their roof.

Roof & Attic Inspections

On our blog we have gone over the ways to properly inspect your roof and attic after storms and any major weather-related events. You should do this periodically through the year regardless of if there have been any recent storms or not. Spring cleaning time is the perfect opportunity to do this. Go inside your attic and inspect for damage. Get a ladder and check your roof for loose shingles, flashing, cracks, or holes.

Contact Rhode Island Slate Roofing

Notice anything wrong with your roof while performing Spring cleaning? Don’t worry. Contact your local roofing experts in Rhode Island at Rhode Island Slate Roofing! We are experts in slate roofing as well as traditional shingle roofing. We perform roof inspections, roof repairs, and new roof installations.