The Benefits of Roof Ventilation

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

 

When Your Porch Needs a New Roof

A roof that is in good condition is something that most individuals are looking for when purchasing a new home. For this reason, having an appealing roof can add value to your home the same way a nice porch can. To take things a step further, an appealing roof on top of your home’s porch is something that should also be kept in top condition to ensure that your home’s value, as well as structural integrity, are kept intact.­­­ In order to make sure you’re fulfilling this commitment it is ideal to know exactly what signs to look out for that could indicate it is time for your porch to get a new roof. There are a variety of things to look out for such as the following:

Bulges and Dips:

Roofs are often compromised in terms of their structural integrity when exposed to the elements, specifically water, over a long period of time. More often than not, when a roof is bulging, it can be blamed on erosion caused by moisture. When these problems are allowed to persist without being addressed they can end up negatively impacting the safety of the roof as a whole.

Water Leaks/Rot:

Sometimes a dip in the roof can be the result of wood that is rotting underneath. Obviously, any type of rot is not good and can even lead to a porch collapsing entirely. Checking that your roof is free of dips, bulges and stains while at the same time being devoid of deformations is crucial when trying to avoid damage from water and other potential leaks.

Shingle Damage:

Adequate ventilation is required when roofs are initially installed. If it is not properly implemented during installation, the lack of ventilation can lead to damage as opposed to the extended lifetime that is a result of proper ventilation. If you inspect your porch and native that it’s roof has shingles that are curling, missing, etc. it may be best to reach out to a roofing professional such as those at Rhode Island Slate Roofing!

 

Rhode Island Slate Roofing Is Your Local Roofing Expert!

Rhode Island Slate Roofing is proud to staff professionals with the extensive experience needed to know when and how to repair your porch roof. We are happy to offer top of the line roofing services at an affordable price. Contact us at 401-225-2003

 

4 Benefits of New Roofs

The Benefits of a New Roof

One of the most important parts of any house in terms of value as well as structural integrity is the roof. Not many individuals pay as much attention to this part of their house as they should because the thought of getting a new roof can be quite daunting. Individuals can debate whether or not to purchase a new roof for years and years before finally reaching a decision. This is because the thought of getting a new roof can be quite daunting. Despite the fact that purchasing a new roof is a big decision, there are many benefits that one will experience once the project is complete such as:

Energy Efficiency:

HVAC systems need to work overtime in order to achieve your desired indoor temperature when you have an old roof that is prone to leak air, this leads to increased energy costs. In addition to this, newer roofs are more effective at reflecting solar rays and decreasing solar heat gain.

Curb Appeal:

40 percent of your home’s curb appeal is directly linked to your roof according to Realtor estimates. This is extremely important to consider if you are ever trying to sell a house. Homes that would soon be in need of an expensive new roof often encourage prospective buyers to walk away, while properties that display newly installed roofs with features such as windows or skylights help to convince individuals that the property is worth investing in.

Safety:

Purchasing a new roof helps to avoid hazards such as mold and mildew, keeping your family safe. Other hazards such as collapsing roofs or unstable homes can be the result of old, dilapidated roofs which become more dangerous the longer they are left without repair.

Return on Investment (ROI):

One of the best home improvement projects around is purchasing a new roof. This is due to their average ROI of 67-70%.

Our Roofing Services

Rhode Island Slate Roofing is proud to offer roofing services to individuals in Rhode Island and Massachusetts! Our experts are knowledgeable regarding all kinds of roofing, including:

  • Clay Tile Roofing
  • Slate Roofing
  • Historic Roof Repair
  • Rubber Roofing
  • Specialty Roofing
  • Residential Roofing
  • Asphalt Shingles
  • Asbestos Tiles

Contact Us

If you are interested in or need a roof as soon as possible, feel free to contact us or call us directly at 401-255-2003.

Healthy Practices for a Healthy Roof

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

New Slate Roofing Job

The crew at Rhode Island Slate Roofing has successful completed another slate roofing job this past week.  This beautiful home was in need of a new roof, and the owner decided to go with slate tiles. 

The third picture shows why so many homeowners of these types of homes. The slate tiles go beautifully with the classic brick exterior of the home. On a recent blog post we talked about the importance of flashing on roofs as well as the different types of flashing.

The first picture shows the attention to detail that goes into to the laying of copper flashing. Some roofing contractors overlook laying down the flashing properly and rush to get the job done. If this happens, you create areas of weakness in your roof that can result in moisture build up and eventually leaks.

Interest in slate roofing? Looking for someone qualified to make repairs to your flashing or existing slate roof? Get in touch with Rhode Island Slate Roofing today!

The Importance of Flashing on Your Roof

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.

Different Types of Roofs We Work On

Rhode Island Slate Roofing is known for of course, our slate roofing work. Having decades of experience in slate roofing and roofing in general, we have picked up some other great skills over the years. We don’t just do slate roofing installations, but repairs and replacements for a variety of different roofing types. Below are a few of the types of roofs we work on:

Clay Roofing: Clay tiles are a popular kind of historical roofing material. Having been used for thousands of years for cover on huts and houses, clay tiles can be different colors. Clay roofing will not lose its color over time like other types of roofing material. Compared to some other different types of roofing material, clay can be quite affordable.

Historic Roof Repair: We have covered before on the Rhode Island Slate Roofing blog what historic roofing repair is. Just know this, when getting a historic roof repaired its crucial to work with a roofing contractor that has worked on historic roofs and is meticulous in their attention to detail.

Asbestos Roof Repair: Although less common to see in today’s roof, there are still homes out there with asbestos tiles. This is obviously a type of roofing repair that needs fine attention to detail. If these tiles crack, dangerous asbestos will be released into your atmosphere.

Asphalt Shingle Roof: With a typical lifespan of 30-50 years and with material that is readily available in the northeast, asphalt shingle roofs are the most common type of roof you’ll find around. Rhode Island Slate Roofing has worked on hundreds of successful asphalt roof’s, so don’t hesitate to reach out for your next project.

Rubber Roofing:  Mostly found in commercial buildings, rubber roofing is made up of recycled tires and other rubber products. It can come in white and black and also be “painted on” by new state of the art roofing products.

And of course, Rhode Island Slate Roofing are experts in the repair and replacement of slate roofing in Rhode Island and Southeaster Massachusetts. If you have any roofing project going on in the coming months get in touch with us today.

How Severe Heat Can Damage Your Roof

On the Rhode Island Slate Roofing blog we’ve talked a lot in the past of how the winter can cause damage to your roof.  When people think about the seasons of the year and their roof, they usually thing of winter. However if you live in an area where heat waves happen, your roof can take on some serious damage. With the years first 100 plus degree day, we’ll take a look at how the summer time heat can hurt your roof!

Heat: Prolonged exposure to high temperatures is one way roofs can become damaged. This is especially true if you have a home that is exposed to the sun for more hours of the day. High heat can cause a roofs shingles to start to curl or deteriorate. Of course with this, you face further damage during rain storms. As always, the most important thing to do is be cognizant of the condition of your shingles around severe weather.

Humidity: Humidity is the presence of water in the air. Times of prolonged humidity is a cause concern for the health of your roof. If the temperature of your roof is cooler than the surrounding air, condensation can start to incur on your roof. The excess moisture can cause water damage and weaken the overall health of your roof.

Rain: In the summertime, we can experience times of prolonged heat followed by severe rain.  As we learned above, your roof can be “weaker” after a long heat wave. If this is followed by rain you roof could suffer from a multiple different issues, including leaks, cracks, moisture buildup and more.

As always, if your home has suffered from roof damage this summer in Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts, contact Rhode Island Slate Roofing today!

Providence, Rhode Island Roofing Job

As we enter the second half of May, Rhode Island Slate Roofing has been busy working on projects this Spring. Below, we have pictures from a beautiful house that recruited the use of our services recently. Click through the pictures to see some of the craftsmanship the Rhode Island Slate Roofing crew displayed on this job. Notice the tight flashing work that will be sure to prevent leaks and dripage from any storms Providence endures.

This is a unique slate roofing job due to the type of slate used. First, we removed the old slate (Pennsylvania Black Slate) then decided to go with a mixture of different slates to complete the project. We used Strata Grey and Vermont Black. This was combined with 10% purple slate which gives the project a great finish.

With every roofing job, its’s also important to make that other elements of the roof, not just the slate, are done perfectly. Which is why we pay particular attention to the installation of the flashing while doing a new roof.

 

Do you think it’s time to repair or replace your roof? Wondering if slate roofing is a good option for your home? For any questions related to roofing projects you are ready to undergo, get in touch with Rhode Island Slate Roofing Today.

More Common Roofing Problems

You roof is a critical layer of protection to the outdoor elements. It plays a major role in your utilities bill,  and is expensive to replace and repair. Hopefully you hardly ever have any problems with your roof, and if it was properly installed, you should be in the clear most of the time.

However, due to constant outdoor exposure, if you live in your house long enough, you will run into common roofing problems. Here is what to keep a look out for:

Improperly Installed Flashing: If you area new to the roofing world, you may not know what flashing is. Flashing is an area of the roof that is sealed, usually with copper or metal, to prevent leaks and cracks. Sometimes, if your roofer isn’t being careful, they can not properly install the flashing. View this recent project from Rhode Island Slate where we replaced old flashing.

Leaks or Moisture:  Leaks in moisture are incredibly dangerous to the integrity of a solid roof. Especially in New England you should be checking your roof and attic after each storm. Leaks leads to moisture inside your attic and roof. Moisture leads to mold. And mold leads to rotting roofs. An unexpected roof that gathers mold is a dangerous situation.

Critters:  A little thought about issue that can cause problems in your attic and roof are critters. Small animals, insects, & any creature that starts to call your roof or attic home can cause damage that lead to further damage. If you hear any sounds in your attic, go inspect the area with a flashlight.

Overall, the most important thing you can do to prevent these common roofing problems is to make sure you hire a credible roofing contractor.  If you are looking for a professional roofing contractor with thousands of successfully completed projects in Rhode Island and Southeastern, Massachusetts reach out to Rhode Island Slate Roofing. 

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Do you think your roof may be suffering from any of these common roofing problems? No worries. Get in touch with the professionals at Rhode Island Slate Roofing today. We will properly diagnosis the issue, identify the root cause, and offer the best solution.