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

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.

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.