Signs That Your Home’s Gutters Need To Be Replaced

March 30, 2020roofingRIslate15

Your home’s gutters are one of the most important pieces of your home’s exterior & roof, offering a number of benefits despite the fact that most homeowners overlook their utility. Your gutters serve the extremely important purpose of helping to direct water away from your home and safely onto the ground, without causing damage to your home’s foundation or roofing system. Additionally, they also provide curb appeal & resale value, making it important to ensure that your home’s gutter system is kept in good repair! If you’re interested in learning more about how to tell if your home’s gutter system needs to be replaced, keep reading below for a few of the signs you should be on the lookout for.

The Gutters Are Pulling Away From Your Home

One of the most obvious signs that you’ll need to replace, or at least repair your gutters is when they begin to pull away from your home. If you don’t replace the entire gutter system, you will at least need to repair the fasteners that attach your gutters to your fascia boards, which help keep your home’s gutter system intact.

Cracks, Holes, or Rust Spots

Another thing that you will need to keep a lookout for is any damage to the gutter system itself. Obviously, if your gutters aren’t sealed, water will pour out of the cracks and cause damage to your home as it leaks out.

Separated Gutter Systems

If your gutter systems are operating, water can leak out of the system just as it would if your gutter system was rusting or otherwise breaking. If you find that your gutter panels are separating from one another, have the system replaced as soon as possible.

Landscaping Issues

Have you noticed that your flower beds are looking a bit worse for wear? It could be because your gutter system is spilling water over the sides or out of the cracks and leaking down the sides of your home. Replace or repair them as soon as possible in order to keep your home protected.

Nails or Screws on the Ground

Another sign that you will need to have your gutters replaced or repaired is when you begin finding nails or screws on the ground underneath the system. This is likely either because the system is losing its shape and pulling on the screws, of the fascia boards are rotted out and losing their integrity. Either way, you will need to replace your home’s gutter system as soon as possible to keep your home properly protected.

Contact Us Today

If you’re 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 roofing needs!

How Weather Effects Your Roof

March 29, 2020roofingRIslate15

Your roof is your home’s most important line of defense against the elements. It functions as your home’s umbrella, protecting the top of your residence from inclement weather, among other benefits it provides. Considering it is exposed to so much weather, it is no surprise that it wears down over time. However, most homeowners are unaware of how different weather conditions can damage their roof and impact its quality. If you’re interested in learning more about how weather can impact your home’s roof, keep reading below for more information!

Wind

One of the most common causes of roof damage is extreme wind. High winds often cause your shingles to loosen from your roof, if not blow off completely. In fact, most asphalt shingles have sections for the edges of your roof called starter shingles which are fitted with extra adhesives in order to protect your shingles from blowing off of your roof. If you only had a shingle or two blow off of your roof you can easily repair the damaged section, but it depends how severe the damage was.

Rain

There’s another kind of weather that, in combination with wind, causes the majority of roofing damage, and that is rain. Rain can cause so much damage because one small leak that is left unattended over months can end up rotting a significant portion of your roof deck and seriously damaging the structural integrity of your home’s roof. If you live in a rainy climate, you should have your roof inspected regularly to ensure that the roof’s integrity is still intact.

Snow

Homeowners in the North-East are well aware of how damaging snow can be to their roofs. Snow can cause the same issues as rain, melting on your roof and causing water damage to your roof deck. However, it can also cause ice dams which can be just as destructive to your home’s roof. Ice dams are formed when the snow on your roof melts and runs down your shingles, reaching the eaves of your roof. When it reaches the eaves, it refreeze, and it causes the snow melting off your roof to pool up behind the ice. It is held in liquid form on the roof, which quickly causes it to sink into your roof deck, causing significant damage. If you see ice dams forming on your roof, you will want to have them removed as soon as possible.

Contact Us Today

If you’re 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 by calling us at (401) 255-2003 or by filling out our team’s online contact form!

Most Common Roofing Issues

February 29, 2020roof repair, roof replacement, roofingRIslate15

Your home’s roof is a complex system that helps to keep your home protected from the elements, improve your home’s curb appeal & resale value, and provides valuable insulation to your home. With so much to gain from having a well installed and maintained roof, it is important to ensure yours is kept in good repair. However, because your roof is a complex system made up of many pieces working in conjunction, it can often be easy to overlook issues that aren’t causing immediate failure of your roof. If you’re interested in learning about a few of the most common roofing issues, take a look at our blog for more information!

Broken/Cracked/Missing Shingles

Of course, the most obvious issue that homeowners see when their roof is damaged is that they are missing shingles, or they are otherwise damaged. If you notice that your home’s shingles have become broken, or fallen off of your roof, it is a good idea to have the roof inspected as soon as possible.

Damaged Flashing

Another common issue that homeowners often see with their home’s roof is that the flashing around your home’s chimney often begins to rust and that can cause serious damage to your home’s roof. If your flashing is rusting, water will be able to seep in and cause serious damage to your home’s roof deck.

Loss of Granules

Another common roofing issue that many homeowners have run into is that old shingles tend to lose their granules, which can cause the shingles to degrade and deteriorate off of your roof. If you’re finding that your gutters, or even the ground around your property, is full of granules, your roof is nearing the end of its lifespan.

Water Damage

Another very common issue that many homeowners run into with their roofs is that water finds its way into the roof deck where it causes significant damage. If your home’s roof deck becomes waterlogged, it will begin to sag under the weight of your shingles, and could eventually fail. However, most water damage isn’t that major, and it’s as simple as finding the spot that’s leaking and fixing the shingles around it. You’ll likely need to enlist a roofing professional to be able to discover these issues, but if you suspect that your home is acruing water damage, you will want to have your roof examined as soon as possibe!

Contact Us Today

Interested in learning more about our team’s roof replacement services? We’re 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 home’s roof replacement needs!

Benefits of Installing A Skylight In Your Home

February 27, 2020Roofing Jobs, UncategorizedRIslate15

Skylights are one of the most polarizing home improvements one can make. There are some people who love the way they look and laud the benefits that a well-installed skylight can provide. On the other hand, there are many homeowners who are convinced that skylights simply lead to leaks and other maintenance issues and simply aren’t worth the benefits that they provide. However, there are many benefits of installing a skylight that homeowners simply overlook. Take a look at our blog to learn about a few of those benefits!

Curb Appeal

One of the greatest benefits of skylights that most homeowners acknowledge is that they are a great way to boost your home’s curb appeal. A well-installed skylight looks beautiful, and they certainly help your home stand out in the neighborhood. If you’re looking to make home improvements that will help boost your home’s resale value, installing a skylight is a fantastic choice!

Better Ventilation

Another benefit of skylights that many homeowners don’t realize is that if you get a unit that opens and closes, it can considerably improve your home’s ventilation. Particularly during the summer-time, opening your skylight can help to regulate your home’s temperature and make the entire house more temperate. If you’re looking for a way to get rid of excessive heat during the summer months, a skylight might be the solution you’ve been searching for.

Natural Light

Perhaps the greatest benefit of installing a skylight is that it helps provide natural light to your home in rooms where it’s otherwise hard to come by. If you have a home that is surrounded by trees, natural light can be tough to come by during the day if trees are intercepting the light. Installing a skylight makes it far easier for the light to find its way into your home.

Another benefit of all of the natural light is that it helps make your home feel larger. Even though they don’t add any additional space, having an opening up the ceiling that is full of natural light helps make a room feel more expansive.

Solar Heat Gain

Finally, a benefit that many homeowners overlook is that a well-installed skylight can help improve your home’s energy efficiency. A skylight can help your home accumulate natural solar heat gain by allowing the sun’s rays into rooms that wouldn’t normally be exposed to the rays!

Contact Us Today

If you’re interested in learning more about the benefits of installing a skylight in your home, or you’re in need of roofing services, 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!

Getting Your Roof Ready for Spring

January 29, 2020roof replacement, roofingRIslate15

With spring just around the corner, it is important to ensure that your home’s roof is ready for the warm weather! As the snow melts off of your home, you should take a look around your home’s roof to ensure that it is prepared for the spring season! If you’re interested in learning more about how to get your home ready for the warmth, keep reading below for more information!

Remove Debris

The first thing you should do to prepare your roof for the springtime is to ensure you remove all of the debris off of your roof. Over the course of the winter, a great deal of debris will end up on your roof, from pine needles, to leaves, to broken branches. Remove the debris off of your roof to help keep moisture away. If you’re trying to ensure your roof will be around for years to come, removing debris in the spring is one of the best things you can do for your roof!

Examine Your Shingle System

The next thing you should do after removing any debris from your shingle system is to check your shingles themselves. Your shingles comprise the bulk of your home’s roofing system, and they are the first line of defense against the elements. That means it’s important to ensure that your shingles are still in good repair when spring rolls around!

After you’ve ensured your shingles are free of debris, check for any broken, warped, cracked, or curled shingles. Over the course of the winter, your shingle system has likely absorbed some moisture which can cause significant damage to your shingles themselves. If you find that your shingles are damaged in any way, including missing their granules, be sure to replace the shingles in question to help keep your roof in good shape!

Check Your Attic For Damage

In addition to your shingles themselves, you should be checking your roof deck & attic for any additional damage. If your shingle’s integrity was comprised over the course of the winter, moisture may have seeped into your roof where it can cause significant damage to the structure of your home! Look around your attic for evidence of water damage, as it can sometimes be difficult to spot a roof leak for the outside!

Contact Us Today

If you’re interested in replacing your home’s roof this spring, our team at Rhode Island Slate Roofing is ready to assist! Our team can be reached over the phone 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 remodeling needs!

Benefits of A Roof Inspection

January 29, 2020roofing, UncategorizedRIslate15

Having your roof inspected is very important for the health of your home, but many homeowners overlook their importance and neglect to have them completed on their home with any regularity. If you’re interested in learning more about the benefits of having your roof inspected, take a look below to learn more about the benefits of roof inspections.

Discover Water Damage

The greatest benefit of inspecting your roof is that it can help protect your home from leaks & water damage. Spotting a roof leak with an untrained eye is a very difficult task, which means if you’re trying to identify where your leak stemmed from, it will be next to impossible. If you’re interested in truly locating the source of your roof leak, enlist the help of a roofing professional to examine the integrity of your home’s roof.

Safety

Another reason you should have your roof inspected is for safety purposes. First of all, it is important to ensure that if you’re walking around on your roof, you’re not going to fall off of otherwise hurt yourself. If you have any concern for your well-being, it is best to leave it to the professionals.

The other piece of the safety conversation is that inspect your roof to assess whether or not it’s damaged can help keep your home & occupants protected from any damage that may occur to your home due to a faulty roof.

Cost-Effective

While on its surface, conducting an inspection on a roof that’s not visibly leaking may seem like a waste of money, the fact of that matter is that having your roof inspected can help reveal issues that would destroy the integrity of your roof, requiring you to replace the entire roof!

Rather than having to replace your entire roof, having a yearly inspection can help reveal issues that would quickly destroy your roof and cost far more than an annual inspection. If you’re trying to save money on your home maintenance and don’t have a brand new replacement roof, having an inspection is a great decision for the health of your home!

Contact Us Today

If you’re interested in learning more about our team’s roof replacement services, reach out to us today! We can be reached over the phone 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 needs!

How To Improve The Lifespan Of Your Roof

December 27, 2019roofingRIslate15

Your home’s roof is one of the most important pieces of your home’s exterior, providing your home with a number of benefits. However, it is also one of the most expensive repairs that a homeowner can make, making it an issue that most homeowners hope to avoid. If you’re interested in learning how you can improve the lifespan of your roof and put off your roof replacement for a few extra years, take a look at our blog to learn a few tips & tricks!

Clean Your Gutters

One of the most important things you can do to improve the lifespan of your roof is make sure you regularly clean your gutters. If your gutter system is clogged, it can cause water to back-up under your starter shingles where it can quickly cause significant water damage. An added benefit for the lifespan of your roof is that keeping your gutters cleaned can help prevent ice dams which are a major contributor to roof damage. Ensure your gutter system is kept clear of debris to help improve the lifespan of your home’s roof.

Get A Roof Inspection

If you’re trying to improve the lifespan of your roof, there are few things better than having a regular roof inspection. An inspection will help reveal issues with your roof quickly, allowing you to make the necessary repairs before the issues become irreversible. They will help you identify leaks, broken or missing shingles, damaged vent boots, and more. If you’re trying to improve your roofs lifespan, an inspection is one of the best things you can do!

Remove Debris

Nothing will damage your roof faster than having it covered in debris. From fallen leaves, to broken branches, to moss or mildew growth, there are a variety of issues that can arise. Ensure you can debris off of your roof on a regular basis, and certainly before the first frost of the year. Debris can hold moisture on your roof, which, come winter, will freeze. As it freezes, thaws and refreezes over the course of the winter, it will gradually cause damage to your shingles. If you’re trying to improve the lifespan of your roof, be sure to remove debris off of your roof when you get the chance.

Contact Us Today

If you’re interested in replacing your home’s roof this 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 roof replacement needs!

Benefits of Replacing Your Roof

December 27, 2019roof replacement, roofingRIslate15

Your home’s roof is one of the most important pieces of your home’s exterior, serving a number of principal functions. First of all, your roof keeps your home protected from the elements & pests, which is it’s primary purpose. However, your roof also improves your home’s curb appeal & resale value & provides your home with additional insulation. With so much to gain from having a properly installed roof, it is important to ensure that your’s is kept in good repair. If you’re interested in learning more about the benefits of replacing your roof, take a look below to learn more!

Improve Your Property Value

If you’re looking for a way to boost your home’s value, replacing your new roof is a great option. Most homeowners will be deterred by a home that’s in need of a roof replacement, as it is a major undertaking. If you’re at all interested in selling your home within the next 3-5 years, replacing your roof can go a long way in helping to get your home off the market. Furthermore, a roof replacement provides a 65-75% ROI, meaning you will get back a majority of your investment when it comes time to sell the home!

Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

Many homeowners are unaware of how important a well installed roof is to the energy efficiency of their homes. If your old roof isn’t properly sealed, you could be losing a significant percentage of your home’s heat through the top of your home. Improve the energy efficiency of your home by installing a new roof!

Safety

If your old roof is beginning to mold & mildew, it can affect the integrity of your roof. Ensure you & your family are properly protected by replacing your roof if it is beginning to deteriorate!

Boost Your Home’s Curb Appeal & Resale Value

Another reason that many homeowners choose to replace their roofs is that an old roof detracts from the appeal of a home. If you’re trying to make sure your home stands out in the neighborhood, replacing your roof is one of the best ways to improve your home’s curb appeal, and in turn, resale value. In fact, realtors have estimated that as much as 40% of your home’s curb appeal is linked to your roof!

Contact Us Today

If you’re interested in replacing your home’s roof, our team at Rhode Island Slate Roofing is ready to assist! You can reach out to our team today by calling us at (401) 255-2003 or by filling out our team’s online contact form!

Most Durable Roofing Materials

November 29, 2019news, roofing, slate roofingRIslate15

When it comes to roofing materials, not all materials offer the same level of durability and protection. Considering how important your home’s roof is to the health of your home as a whole, it is important to ensure that you choose a roofing material that can keep your home properly protected no matter what Mother Nature has to offer. If you’re interested in learning more about which roofing materials offer the highest durability, keep reading below for more information!

Asphalt Shingles

First let’s take a look at what is the most commonly installed roofing material in North America, asphalt shingles. When it comes to durability, asphalt shingles are one of the better options on the market. They are one of the most economical roofing materials on the market, making them a fantastic option at the price point.

Clay Tiles

Another roofing option that offers almost unbeatable durability is clay tile roofing. Clay Tiles are an uncommon roofing material in the Northeast, but they are very popular in the Southwest & Europe. Clay tiles are highly durable, only being damaged by blunt trauma. Furthermore, clay tiles are designed to last for a century, making them one of the longest-lasting roofing materials on the market!

Metal Roofing

Another durable roofing option that many homeowners in the northeast trust to keep their homes protected is metal roofing. Metal roofing is highly resistant to every form of roofing damage, including blunt damage, fire, and all forms of weather. Furthermore, metal roofing is designed to last for at least a half-century, and with proper maintenance, it could last much longer!

Slate Roofing

Finally, when it comes to durable roofing materials, there’s nothing that can truly compete with slate roofing. Slate roofing is one of the most trusted roofing materials not only in North America but in history. Homeowners have been using slate tiles for centuries, and some historic architecture is constructed with slate roofing. In terms of providing your home with protection from the elements, slate is resistant to every kind of weather and can only really be damaged from heavy hail or damage from someone walking around on your roof.

Slate roofing can last for well over a hundred years with proper maintenance. If you ever have slate shingles that break, it is easy to replace individual shingles, but can sometimes be difficult to find an exact match for your slate shingles.

Contact Us Today

Are you interested in installing a new roof on your Rhode Island home? Our team at Rhode Island Slate Roofing is ready to assist! We can be reached over the phone 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 needs!

How To Prevent Ice Dams From Forming

November 28, 2019roofing, winter tipsRIslate15

As any homeowner who has lived in New England for a few winters knows, ice dams are one of the most irritating issues to deal with on your home. If you’re interested in learning how you can prevent ice dams from forming, take a look at our blog for more information!

Ventilate Your Attic Properly

One of the easiest ways to prevent your roof from getting ice dams is to properly ventilate your attic and ensure that it is a similar temperature to the outdoors. Ice dams are formed when the heat from your attic and home melts the snow on your roof, so if you improve the ventilation in your attic, you can cool the space down and stop the snow from melting, preventing ice dams before they have a chance to be created.

Insulate Your Home

Another way to reduce the heat in your attic is to ensure that your home is properly insulated. While you can improve the ventilation in your attic to reduce the heat coming from your roof, sometimes it is a better choice to focus on improving your home’s insulation. One reason your home’s roof may be warm enough to melt snow is that your home isn’t properly insulated which is allowing heat to escape out through the top of your ceiling and into your attic, where it melts the snow on your roof. If you’re trying to reduce the ice dams on your home, try improving the insulation in your home!

Ensure Your Attic Doesn’t Have Any Heat Sources

If you’ve improved your attic ventilation and improved the insulation in your home and you’re still finding that your home is accumulating large ice dams, it is possible that there is a source of heat coming from your attic.

One of the most common sources of heat in your attic is if you have any older recessed lighting installed in the ceiling below your attic. These lights can radiate a large amount of heat up into your attic. Other potential sources of heat include HVAC ducts, dryer vents, or kitchen & bathroom exhaust vents. If you find that after improving your attic ventilation and insulation that your home is still experiencing ice dams, check your attic for unexpected heat sources.

Contact Us Today

If you need to replace or repair your roof this 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 home improvement needs!