Category Archives: roofing

Damaged Slate Roof with missing shingles

Slate Roof Maintenance

Slate is one of the most durable, beautiful, and long-lasting roofing materials available. Capable of lasting well over a century, there are New England homes with original slate roofs that date back to the 19th, and sometimes even 18th, centuries. Slate roofing offers unmatched longevity, as it is essentially impervious to the elements, more than capable of withstanding anything that Mother Nature has to offer. However, as durable as slate roofing is,  a slate roof doesn’t last that long without some maintenance along the way. If you’re interested in learning how you can increase the lifespan of your home’s slate roof, take a look at our blog to learn the tips and tricks you need to know in order to keep your home’s slate roof in great condition.

Clean Your Gutters

This tip is true for any roof, not just slate, but it is perhaps even more important for slate due to its weight. If your roof’s gutter system is backed up with debris, water will begin to pool and back up, potentially overflowing out of the top of the gutter system. When this occurs, water can seep underneath the lowest layers of shingles, where it can cause rot damage on your roof deck. While this is an issue for asphalt roofs, due to the weight of slate roofing, having a rotted roof deck could be catastrophic as the rotted wood can no longer withstand the weight of the slate. In order to keep your home properly protected, keep your gutters clear of debris!

Replace Missing & Broken Shingles

While slate is arguably the most durable roofing material on the market, that doesn’t mean it’s impervious to malfunctioning. Slate tiles are strong, but brittle, and with enough force they can be broken. Perhaps you needed to have a satellite dish installed on your roof, requiring the technician to walk around on top of it. Maybe a strong gust of wind came through a broke a nearby branch, which fell onto the roof. No matter how it happened, if you notice that your slate roof has broken shingles, it is important to repair them in order to prevent any damage from occurring to your roof deck. Broken and missing shingles can lead to water damage, which can quickly become a much bigger problem. If you notice any shingle issues, be sure to address them as soon as possible!

Contact Us Today

Are you in need of maintenance on your home’s slate roof? Our team can assist! Reach out to us today by calling (401) 255-2003 or by filling out our team’s online contact form! We look forward to hearing from you and assisting with your slate roofing needs!

Fall Old Roof Leaves

Importance of Cleaning Your Gutters

With fall right around the corner, and winter fast approaching behind it, it is important to keep up with your home maintenance in order to keep your home protected through the chilly months. One of the most important things you can do to help protect your home is to keep your gutter system clean. However, many homeowners still don’t understand how important it truly is to keep your gutter system clean. If you’re still not sure why you need to clean your gutter system, keeping reading below to learn more!

Roof Damage

One of the primary reasons that you need to keep your gutter system clean is to protect your roof. If you have so much debris in your gutters that water begins to back up onto your roof, it can seep under your shingles and cause rot damage on your roof deck.

Pests

Another reason you’ll want to keep your gutter system clear is to keep out any critters or insects from making a home in the debris. The last thing you want to deal with when cleaning your gutter system is a family of squirrels or a bird’s nest. Make sure animals don’t take up residence in your home’s gutter system by keeping it clean of debris!

Fascia Board Damage

A lesser-known part of your roof system, your fascia boards, can become damaged when water overflows from your gutter system and runs over the back of the system. Keep your fascia boards protected by keeping your gutter system free of debris.

Keep Your Garden Protected

If your gutter system is overflowing, that water has to drain somewhere, and more often than not, that is directly onto your flower beds. Make sure you aren’t overwatering your plants by making sure that your gutter system is draining the way it’s supposed to.

Protect Your Foundation

Just as overflowing water can damage your flower beds, it can also damage your home’s foundation. Overflowing water can cause cracks in your foundation as it seeps down, which can quickly lead to extremely expensive repairs! Make sure your home is properly protected by keeping your gutter system free of debris!

Contact Us Today

Are you in need of a roof replacement before the winter? 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 roofing needs!

Clay Tile Roofing Condos

Environmentally Friendly Roofing Materials

Nowadays, there are more environmentally conscious consumers who are interested in reducing their carbon footprint and living as sustainably as possible. From being aware of where their food is coming from, to reducing fuel emissions during transportation, consumers are trying to reduce their environmental impact any way possible and unsurprisingly this has led to consumers trying to reduce the energy consumption in their homes and reducing the energy needed to cool or heat their homes. One of the best ways to reduce your home’s carbon footprint, and potentially your energy bills as well, is to install a roofing material that is both environmentally friendly and energy-efficient. Take a look at our blog to learn which roofing materials to consider installing if you’re trying to improve your home’s efficiency.

Clay Tile Roofing

One of the most environmentally friendly roofing materials on the market are clay tiles. Clay tile manufacturing does not produce any harmful greenhouse gases, making them a sustainable option for homeowners looking to reduce their environmental impact. Furthermore, clay tiles are often used in arid climates due to their ability to reflect heat away from the home, as well as their durability. They can help improve your home’s energy efficiency which in turn improves your home’s sustainability and reduces the amount of heating and cooling needed to keep your home comfortable. Clay tiles can also be recycled and repurposed making them a very sustainable option.

Slate Roofing

Another eco-friendly roofing material that has been growing in popularity is slate roofing. Like clay tiles, slate is a naturally occurring, recyclable roofing material that requires minimal processing to in order to install on your home. There are some companies that offer recycled slate tiles, reducing the environmental impact of your home’s roof even more! Furthermore, slate roofing can last for over a century, meaning that once you install a slate roof on your home, you will never need to replace it!

Rubber Roofing

One material that many homeowners wouldn’t immediately identify as being environmentally friendly is rubber roofing. While not all rubber roofing is environmentally friendly or sustainable, there are plenty of companies that build their membranes with recycled material, such as old tires. If you can find a rubber roof that is made from recycled materials, it is an environmentally friendly option that not only reduces waste, but also requires minimal processing.

Contact Us Today

If you’re interested in replacing your home’s roof and installing a more environmentally friendly option than your standard asphalt shingles, our team is ready to assist! We can be reached over the phone 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!

Asphalt Shingles Poorly Installed

Mistakes That Inexperienced Roofers Make

There are plenty of roofing contractors that will tell you what you want to hear to secure a contract. However, when it comes time for them to replace your home’s roof, it becomes obvious that they don’t know what they’re doing. Take a look at our blog to learn more about the mistakes that inexperienced roofers make.

Forgetting The Starter Shingles

One of the most common mistakes that inexperienced roofers will make is forgetting to install the starter shingles. Starter shingles are fitted with special adhesives which make them more durable and able to withstand strong wind gusts which make otherwise blow the shingles away. Forgetting to install the starter shingles can result in a roof that is unable to withstand wind.

No Leak Barrier

Depending on your climate, you may not need a leak barrier on every portion of your roof. However, you will need to have it installed in at least the valleys of your roof and around any roof openings and near your chimney. If your roof doesn’t install a leak barrier, it can quickly lead to expensive repairs!

Poor Shingle Installation

Another clear sign that your roofer doesn’t know what they’re doing is when you see that your shingles are being installed incorrectly. There is a variety of mistakes that can be made when installing shingles, from having them improperly spaced or not aligned correctly, to damaging them during the installation process. Poorly installed shingles not only take away from your home’s curb appeal, they can also end up causing damage to your home, as your roof will not properly protect your home from water damage.

Forgetting About The Drip Edge

This one can be harder to spot, but it is important that your roofer remembers to install a drip edge along your roof in order to protect it from water damage. Forgetting to install a drip edge will result in water dripping under your shingle into your roof deck, or down your fascia boards, where it can cause significant rot damage.

Poorly Installed Gutters

Finally, an inexperienced roofer will likely install your gutters incorrectly. Poorly installed gutters may not be able to handle the water coming off of your roof, which can quickly lead to more expensive repairs as water drips down the side of your home and pools around your foundation.

Contact Us Today

If you need to have your roof installed by a contractor who knows what they’re doing, our team is ready to assist! Reach out to our team today to learn more about our roofing installation services! We can reach us over the phone at (401) 255-2003 or by filling out our online contact form! We look forward to assisting with your roof replacements!

Man inspecting his chimeny

How To Spot A Roofing Scam

When it comes to your home, your roof is arguably the single most important piece of your home’s exterior. Your roof provides a number of benefits for your home, including protecting your home from the elements and pests, providing an additional layer of insulation, and also improving your home’s curb appeal and resale value. With so much to gain from having a properly installed roof, it is essential to ensure that yours is kept in good repair! However, from time to time, bad contractors will try to take advantage of this, convincing you that your roof is in bad repair to make repairs when it is still in good shape! However, it can be difficult to identify whether someone is trying to scam you! If you’re interested in learning more about roofing scams, take a look at our blog to learn how to spot one so you don’t get taken advantage of!

Storm Chasers

One of the most common roofing scams that homeowners run into is storm chasers. These scammers wait until an area is hit by a high-impact storm, such as extreme winds or hail storms, and then roll through the town going door-to-door to sell their roofing services.  These roofers will show up to your door insisting that your roof needs to be replaced immediately, as it was damaged in the stormy weather. However, the installation itself will be shoddy, as they roll through the town installing as many roofs as possible before leaving. Your roof will far sooner than a typical roof replacement, and you won’t have any way to contact the roofers once they leave.

Large Down Payments

Another tactic used by scammers is, whether it is a door-to-door cold pitch or you called them for an estimate, is to demand a large down-payment before work begins, perhaps under the rouse that the rates will go up if you don’t lock in on that particular day and appointment. This may not be a red flag to homeowners at first as most roofers will require a down-payment before they begin work. However, the down payment that these roofers request will be an unusually large percentage and they will insist that you pay it that day. After collecting this check you will never hear from them again. If your contractor is every demanding an unusually large downpayment, be sure to properly vet them before handing over the check!

The Door-to-Door Salesman

Finally, some contractors will attempt to go door-to-door, cold pitching roofs to homeowners who don’t need them. Oftentimes, these homeowners use the fear tactic to make a homeowner scared that their roof is on the verge of failing when the roof is actually in good repair. Furthermore, these contractors will often insist they get on your roof to take a look, where they will create damage on your roof just for the sake of repair. If a contractor shows up on your door asking to get on your roof, at the very least ensure that you get a name, address, way to contact, and copy of their insurance information to make sure they are who they say they are. However, anyone coming to your door trying to cold pitch you a new roof is most likely a scammer!

Contact Us Today

If you need to replace your home’s roof, our team is ready to assist! We can be reached over the phone at (401) 255-2003 or by filling out our online contact form! We look forward to hearing from you and assisting with your roof replacement needs!

 

Roof Replacement

Best Season To Replace Your Roof

Your home’s roof is arguably the single most important piece of your home’s exterior. It provides a number of benefits for your home, including increasing your home’s curb appeal and resale value, as well as it’s most important function, which is protecting your home from the elements and pests. If you’re considering replacing your home’s roof, you may be wondering which season is the best for the replacement. Take a look at our guide to learn more about which season is the best for replacing your roof.

Winter

Let’s start with the obvious; if you can avoid it, you shouldn’t replace your roof in the winter.  While it’s certainly possible to replace your roof in the winter and have it go off without a hitch, generally replacing a roof in the winter is a difficult task that should be avoided, particularly is there is any snowfall.  The cold weather can make it difficult for adhesives to adhere to your roof, but if there is also an element of moisture involved it will make the process incredibly difficult, if not downright impossible.  Avoid a winter roof replacement when possible. However, if spot repairs need to be made to stop a leak from causing damage, that can be patched until a more opportune time occurs.

Spring/Summer

This one can be a toss-up as the weather in the spring and summer can be a mixed bag. If you have time to schedule your roof replacement early in spring, you may be able to avoid the rush of work that begins in the summer and continues to pick up through the end of the season. However, if the spring months are particularly rainy, it may be difficult for a crew to come to assist with your roof replacement.

Early in the summer is a good time to have your roof replaced as well, as contractors tend to get busier as the season goes on. The earlier you schedule an appointment, the more likely you are to have your roof replaced in a timely manner. However, if you can wait until the end of the summer season, around late August or September, the wait times tend to be a bit better, as long as you can avoid the humid, late summer heat waves that can make it difficult for contractors to work on your roof.

Fall

The fall season is often the best season to have your roof replaced. Generally, the weather is temperate enough to work long days on the roof, and the precipitation is reasonably mild, meaning that the climate is perfect for the replacement. If you’re considering replacing your home’s roof, fall is often the best season!

Contact Us Today

If you’re interested in replacing your home’s roof, our team is ready to assist! Feel free to reach out to our team today at (401) 255-2003 or by filling out our online contact form! We look forward to hearing from you and assisting with your roof replacement needs!

Spring Gutter Maintenance

Spring Roof Maintenance

Now that spring is in full swing in New England, homeowners roofs are being exposed to spring showers and windy days. With all of the snow finally gone, it is important to examine your home’s roof and take stock of whether it’s in need of any repairs or maintenance. If you’ve been wondering what you should be searching for on your home’s roof this spring, take a look at our blog to learn more!

Check Your Gutters

One of the first areas you should examine within your roofing system this spring is your gutters. Your gutters are often overlooked but they serve a huge purpose for your home’s health, directing water away from your home! Having clogged, overflowing gutters can cause significant water damage around the foundation of your home, the edges of your shingle system, your fascia boards or your siding! It is important to clean your gutters at least twice a year to ensure that they are functioning properly.  Allowing your gutters to overflow could end up causing expensive repairs!

Examine Your Shingles

The next thing you should examine is your shingles themselves. You should keep an eye out for a number of things, including broken or missing shingles, warping, curling, cracking, or missing granules.

If your shingles are missing or broken, your roof deck and underlayment will be exposed, which could end up leading to significant water damage within your home.  The same is true of any warped, curled, or cracking shingles, which all allow water damage to a degree. As for the missing granules, they serve the purpose of adding an additional layer of fire resistance, as well as protecting the asphalt coating from UV rays. If your shingles appear to be damaged, or if your shingles are missing all of their granules, you will need to have your roofing system examined or potentially replaced!

Debris, Moss, & Algae On Your Roof

When it comes to removing debris from your roof, you should only be concerned if there is a significant layer of debris on your roof. A thick layer of leaves or pine needles could hold a considerable amount of moisture against your roofing system where it could cause significant damage. If you have a significant amount of debris on your roof, you should have it removed. However, if it is just a few leaves here and there, that is nothing to worry about.

As for moss and algae, these pose the same risks as debris.  They can hold moisture against your roof, which can cause water damage, particularly if left to freeze against your roof during the winter. The easiest way to get rid of pesky moss and algae is to spray it with a mixture of bleach and water and let it sit, which will get rid of the unwanted tenants on your roof!

Contact Us Today

Finally, after completing your spring roof maintenance, you may find that your roof is in need of replacement. If you’re interested in having your roof replaced this spring, reach out to our team today at (401) 255-2003 or by filling out our online contact form! We look forward to hearing from you!

Decaying Asphalt Shingle Roof

Signs You Need To Replace Your Shingle Roof

Your roof is one of the most important pieces of your home’s exterior.  It acts as your home’s first line of defense against the elements and helps to keep your home protected no matter what Mother Nature has to throw at it.  If you’ve been wondering whether your asphalt shingle roof is nearing the end of its lifespan, take a look at our blog to learn about the signs that your roof is nearing the end of its life that you may have missed!

Missing Shingles

Perhaps the most obvious sign that your home is in need of a roof replacement is when you see that your roof is missing shingles.  If you have gaps in your roof where there are no shingles, that area will easily become water-logged, which will eventually make its way into the frame of your home. Once you have water damage in your home’s frame, you can expect to face expensive repairs.  Avoid scrambling to deal with water damage by fixing your home’s missing shingles.

Curled or Warping Shingles

Another clear sign that your roof is nearing the end of its lifespan is when you see that your shingles are warping or curling around the edges.  A curled shingle will not keep your roof protected as well as a layer of shingles that are laid over the top of one another. Consider the fact that if a shingle is curled up around the edges, it will allow water to easily penetrate the roof deck where it can cause significant water damage.

Missing Granules

If you find that your gutters or lawn is filled with granules, you should consider replacing your roof in the near future.  Granules offer a number of benefits for your shingles, including protecting your shingles from UV rays, and providing additional layers of fire resistance.  Furthermore, if your shingles are losing granules, it is generally a sign that your shingles are nearing the end of their lifespan anyways and may begin to curl, warp, crack or break, in which case a roof replacement is necessary.

Contact Us Today

Do you need to replace your home’s asphalt shingle roof this spring? Reach out to our team at Rhode Island Slate Roofing today to get started! We can be reached over the phone at (401) 255-2003 or by filling out our online contact form! We look forward to hearing from you and assisting with your roof replacement needs!

Slate Roofing Fire Resistant

Fire Resistant Roofing Materials

When homeowners install a new roof on their homes, they do so to help keep their home protected from the elements, such as wind and precipitation.  One aspect of protection that we don’t often consider in the Northeast is fire resistance.  Since we don’t often see natural wildfires in the Northeast, a fire resistant roof isn’t as obvious of a concern or required piece of home construction as it is on the west coast where wildfires a part of everyday life.  However, disaster isn’t picky, and just because there are few wildfires in the Northeast doesn’t mean that home’s don’t burn down. If you’re replacing your home’s roof in the near future, consider installing one of these fire-proof roofing materials:

Slate

One of the truly timeless materials, slate is a distinguished roofing shingle chosen for some of the most magnificent homes around the world for the beauty it provides.  It is a durable, long-lasting material that earns a class A fire rating, meaning it is non-combustible.  Whether you opt for hard or soft slate, both versions offer complete fire resistance.

Clay Tile

Clay tile is another unconventional roofing material that isn’t often seen in the Northeast.  Clay tiles are far more common in the Southwestern United States, but they are still used in the Northeast for the beautiful curb appeal they provide for homes. In addition to their aesthetics, clay tiles are also extremely durable and fully fire resistant.  The only way fire can penetrate your roof through clay tiles is by slipping underneath the grooves in the “S-style” shingles that are commonly used.

Fiberglass-Based Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingles are the single most common roofing material used in the United States. In fact, they comprise roughly 80% of the roofing market in the United States.  They are so widespread due to low manufacturing and installation costs, which has made them extremely popular with North American homeowners.  When it comes to asphalt, not all shingles are made the same.  While some shingles are not as fire resistant as the next, it is easily possible to obtain asphalt shingles that hold Class A fire resistance, meaning they will never blow into bits and pieces or create small, burning embers. Always be sure to check any shingles fire-resistance rating before installation, but it is fully possible to obtain fire resistant asphalt shingles.

Contact Us Today

Interested in learning more about the fire suppressing benefits of different roofing materials? Perhaps you want to install a more fire-resistant roofing material on your home? Reach out to our team for more information at (401) 255-2003 or by filling out our online contact form! We look forward to hearing from you!

 

Clay Tile Roofing

Benefits of Clay Tile Roofing

When homeowners imagine replacing their roofs, one of the first things that comes to mind for most is asphalt shingles.  They are the standard of the North American roofing industry and most homeowners choose to have them installed on their homes. However, there are many other materials that homeowners trust to protect their homes, from rubber, to metal, to slate.  One option that’s a bit less conventional is clay tile roofing.  Clay makes a wonderful roofing option that more homeowners may want to consider for their homes.  Take a look at the benefits that clay tile roofing offers below:

Aesthetics and Versatility

If you’ve been looking for a roofing material that will help your home stand out from the other homes on the street, clay tile is a wonderful choice.  It is an uncommon roofing option that isn’t seen very often in the Northeast.  This makes home’s with clay tile roofing very desirable and noteworthy.

Beyond the fact that it is an unconventional option which provides curb appeal, clay tiles are also available in a variety of colors, although many homeowners choose to install natural looking tiles. Clay tiles are highly customizable, from shape to color, which makes them a fantastic option if you have a particular aesthetic vision in mind for your home.

Energy Efficiency

Clay tiles are thick, which means they will help to regulate your home’s internal temperature.  If you are interested in installing a roofing material that can help cut down on your home’s energy bills, clay tiles are a great choice.

Environmentally Friendly

If you’re interested in installing an environmentally friendly roofing option, clay tiles are a great choice.  Unlike asphalt shingles which require the use of fossil fuels to manufacture, clay tiles are completely natural, and at the end of their lifespan they can be ground up, recycled, and re-purposed.

Durability

Tile roofs are one of the most durable, long-lasting roofing materials on the market, which makes them a fantastic option if you are interested in replacing your roof once and not having to worry about it again.  A well-installed clay tile roof can last up to a century in the right conditions.  Furthermore, clay tiles are known to withstand hail, fire, and high winds, which makes them a great option for windy Massachusetts.

Contact Us Today

If you are interested in having clay tile roofing installed on your home this spring, reach out to our team at (401) 255-2003 or by filling out our online contact form! We look forward to hearing from you!