The roof is your home’s first line of defense against the elements. It shields your family and belongings against harsh sunlight, damaging moisture, and falling debris like branches or hail. It may be time to replace or repair your roof if you’ve ever asked yourself the following questions:

1. How old is my roof? The average age for an asphalt shingle roof is between 15 and 18 years. A concrete tile roof usually lasts 35 to 50 years. If your roof is older than its standard lifespan, consider contacting a roofing specialist to discuss options.

2. Will the next big snowfall be too much for my roof to handle? When a roof starts developing valleys – places where it appears to sag, or buckle – that means the structure supporting it is weak and needs to be replaced.

3. Does my roof have peeling or missing shingles? If there are gaps in your shingle coverage, rain can seep into the underlying materials, damaging them. Peeling shingles are more likely to be ripped off by high winds. A large patch of missing shingles requires immediate attention.

4. Are there shingle granules in my gutters? When they get old, tiny bits of shingle break off. Then, they get carried down by falling rain. If you’re confident that your roof was installed correctly, shingle granules could mean that just a few new shingles are needed in worn or damaged areas. If the workmanship appears poor, overall, chances are you need a new roof.

5. Is my chimney flashing intact? The materials used to seal the chimney where it passes through your roof are called flashing. If these are broken, missing, or show signs of wear, it’s time to have them replaced. Flashing made from solid metal works best to keep wind and rain from reaching the inside of your home.

6. Does water leak through my roof when it rains? If your roof feels spongy or bouncy when you walk around on it, or if it appears to be swollen, chances are that water is getting in. A leak of this kind can damage not only the roof’s support structure but also valuables stored within.

7. Are there mossy patches or algae blooms in places that sunlight doesn’t reach? For the most part, algae is a cosmetic issue that causes streaks and unsightly blotching. In wintry climates, however, mossy patches tend to trap moisture, which can lead to the formation of ice dams. These creep under shingles, tearing into even the sturdiest roof.

After you’ve inspected your roof, do some research into the average cost to replace or repair your roof. Reach out to trustworthy roofing companies in your area for quotes, and guidance. A solid roof protects everything stored below it, and everyone living inside. Consider having your roof repaired or replaced, today!

Repairing or replacing your roof can often be a confusing process. Your roofing contractor will be trained in the different methods to fix or replace your roof, but you should definitely learn about roofing techniques in order to ensure that your contractor is using the most up-to-date methods with the proper techniques. By educating yourself about the variety of possible ways you can have your roof repaired or installed, you can work with your contractor to assure that he or she knows what you want for your roof.

In addition to knowing what the best roofing methods are, it’s important to know what can and will damage your roof. Here are a list of the seven deadly roofing sins:

1. Walking on the roof: Not only is walking on your roof dangerous, if you aren’t a trained professional, you could actually damage your roof. Walking on your roof can strip shingles of the coating that prevents leaking, and can even dislodge them, creating gaping holes that will allow rainwater and debris to enter into your home. However, roofing contractors are trained so that they can minimize the damage when they are on top of your roof.

2. Bad nailing technique: There are many different ways to incorrectly nail a roof. For example, “high nailing” — which occurs when the roofer inserts the nail too high — can lead to the bottom part of the shingle to become detached from the rest of the roof, resulting in unfortunate leaks. On the other hand, “shiners”  — which are nails that are inserted too low onto the roof  — can be visible from the ground which is not only unsightly but may also lead to leaks. In addition, over driven nails can tear at the shingles and decrease wind resistance. To ensure that your nails are driven into your roof correctly, your contractor should spend some time before the roof job gauging the pressure of the compressor used to insert the nails.

3. Covering damaged shingles instead of replacing them: Although it may seem like a good way to cut costs, the best way to fix a roofing problem involving old shingles is to remove them and replace them with new shingles. Covering old shingles with new ones will result in the collection of dirt and dampness in between the shingles, which will cause your roof to become damaged much faster than if the old shingles had been removed. When working with a contractor, check to make sure that he or she has removed the old shingles before installing new shingles.

4. Improper flashing installation: The metal flashing on the roof helps prevent moisture from entering your house from areas where your roof comes in contact with walls and chimneys. Avoid using old flashing to save money, because it will cost you more money in the long run because old flashing will break apart more rapidly. Also, talk with your contractor about the methods that he or she plans to use to install the flashing. If the flashing is not aligned properly or is not fastened securely, your roof may not be able to protect your house during heavy rainstorms and snowfalls.

5. Poor ventilation: Many homeowners often forget about the necessity of proper ventilation when considering roofing replacements. If your roof isn’t ventilated very well, it can result in the build-up of moisture and trap heat into your house. Unless you enjoy paying higher air conditioning bills in the summer, be sure to talk to your contractor about how he or she can improve your roofing ventilation.

6. Shingles that don’t extend outward over the eaves: The eaves are the section of the roof that overhangs or meets the building’s walls. If the shingles don’t overhang the eaves by at least half-an-inch, it could result in shingles becoming separated from the rest of the roof and blowing off.

7. Not researching the roofing contractor beforehand: With multiple roofing companies to choose from, how do you determine which contractors to work with? Confirm that the company is legitimate by checking that the company has a permanent address and workers’ compensation and liability insurance. You can also read reviews posted on sites like Angie’s List and Google to see what previous customers have said about the company. Choosing the cheapest contractor without checking the quality of his previous work could end up costing you a lot of money if you have to hire another company to fix his shoddy work.

Regardless of whether you are looking to do a routine roof repair or are planning to completely replace your roof, committing one of the the seven deadly roofing sins can prevent you from having the hassle-free roof you want. The roof is an integral part of the house in insulating your home and protecting your house from the elements. Working with a reputable roofing company, such as AROCON Roofing and Construction, is one of the best ways to ensure that you get all of your roofing problems solved!

The roof is understandably one the more neglected components of a home.  After all, you probably only see it from a distance, if at all, and it doesn’t cry out for your attention like a leaky faucet or a door that doesn’t close properly.  Your roof just sits there, protecting your most important investment from the elements … until it doesn’t.

So how can you tell whether your shingled roof is nearing the end of its life, especially after a long and challenging winter like this one?  More importantly, how can you tell before it fails and leads to costly interior damage?

Obviously, you can contact us for a roof tune-up.  We’ll inspect your roof, replace up to 10 shingles, and even caulk and re-attach any loose shingles.  You’ll get a full 21-point report so you’ll know exactly the condition of your roofing system.

In the meantime, here are some signs that your shingled roof may be nearing the end of its lifetime:

1. The Age.  If your roof is more than 20 years old, it’s probably time to start planning for its replacement, especially if those no-longer-a-teenager shingles are nailed on top of another layer.  Is your roof vented properly?  If not, expect a shorter life span.

2. The Obvious.  Look for torn, curled, buckled or missing shingles, or exposed nail heads among the shingles.  You may need binoculars to get a good look.  Remember to check all sides of the roof: depending on how your home is positioned, one side may weather much more quickly than the others.  Finding bits of shingles in your yard?  That’s another red flag.

3. The Less Obvious.  An accumulation of shingle granules in your gutters is another sign that your shingles are past their prime.  We don’t advise getting on a ladder to check – that’s our job – but sometimes a portion of the gutters is visible from an upstairs window, especially a dormer window.  If so, take a look.  You can also look at the places where the downspouts discharge at ground level.

4. The Inside Out.  If you have easy access to your attic, go up in daytime hours, turn off any lights and look closely around the edges of the chimney.  If you can see any daylight, that’s a sign that the chimney flashing – an important part of your roof system – needs to be re-done.  While you’re in the attic, look at the underside of the sheathing (the plywood the shingles are nailed to).  There should not be any damp or spongy areas, although there may be water spots from before the last time the roof was done.  Mark or photograph these so you can look for any changes next time you inspect.  Finally, make sure that any venting from bathrooms is directed through the roof, as opposed to discharging steam in your attic, which will shorten the life of your sheathing.

If you have any of the above signs, or other red flags you may notice, it’s best to have a professional come out and take a second look. As always if you have any questions, feel free to contact your local home improvement experts at AROCON Roofing & Construction!

How do I prevent an ice dam from forming on my roof?

You can certainly climb up a ladder to the roof and “rake” off the snow yourself, or dig drainage channels through the snow before the ice dam has a chance to form. However, both of these are very temporary fixes; you’ll need to repeat the process every time snow or ice fall from the sky.
Winterizing your home before wintertime can help you to avoid big repairs down the road.
Whether or not you use your attic for storage or other purposes, damage to your attic can lead to damage elsewhere in the house. Installing a manual heat source in your attic is a short-term fix that is extremely dangerous. Instead, make sure that your attic is adequately insulated.An ice dam can close off vents and prevent kitchen, bathroom, chimney and other heating exhaust from escaping the home. A roofing contractor can move or extend those vents to keep them clear.

How do I get rid of an ice dam that’s formed on my roof?

You can hire a professional to steam the ice away, and then have this done every time the blockage occurs. Since that can be several times each winter the cost will add up quickly.
A long-term solution is snow guards, which are basically spikes that protrude from the roof to break up snow or ice before it has a chance to settle in and cause damage.
A similar solution is to install a snow retention system, where aluminum ridges are applied to the roof to create more permanent drainage channels. They can be customized to match the exact color of your roof.

How can a Roofing Professional help me protect my home from bad winter weather?

They will provide you with a permanent solution at a reasonable cost. Taking preventative measures right now, such as installing better insulation, sealing potential leakage sources and redirection of ventilation systems, eliminates worry when the weather gets bad. They will ensure that skylights are sealed properly. And even if your roof is shaped in an odd or complicated way, you can rest assured that they will take effective measures to protect your home from the elements.
It’s very important to fix leaks immediately to prevent mold and mildew, which can cause you and your family respiratory problems. By contacting AROCON you are guaranteeing your family that leaks and moisture will be eliminated from your home.

AROCON specializes in roof repair, as well as drywall repair, removal of damaged insulation and installation of brand new insulation, sealing active leakage sources, and redirecting ventilation systems to prevent these problems from recurring later in the winter, the next year and beyond. With AROCON’s experienced roofers and construction workers, thorough project review, and warranty options, you can feel secure that your home will withstand Old Man Winter for years to come.

AROCON is a full-service roofing and construction company specializing in roof repair, roof replacement and other construction projects for residential and corporate buildings. AROCON is a Baltimore roofing company serving all of central Maryland and southern Pennsylvania.