Tag Archive for: Roofing Contractors Atlanta Ga

Home Maintenance Tips Homeowners Must Know

Keep catastrophic damages from significantly reducing your home’s value. Knowing how to maintain your home and what warning signs to watch for will protect your home’s value and potentially save your life.

Regular home maintenance includes inspecting and tightening loose ends

newimageroofingatlanta.com gathered the following home maintenance tips to help homeowners maintain their homes in the best possible condition while preserving their value.

Essential Home Maintenance Tips

Some repairs are inevitable as a homeowner, keeping caught up on monthly and seasonal tasks around your home can prevent major damages and save you significant money over time. Consider the following home maintenance tips:

HVAC System Maintenance – Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are essential in maintaining indoor comfort. Consider the following HVAC requirements:

Regular home maintenance includes servicing your HVAC unit

  • Change air filters every 1-3 months to ensure proper air quality and system efficiency.
  • Schedule annual professional HVAC inspections to clean, service, and optimize the system’s performance.

Note: A malfunctioning HVAC unit can emit foul odors, cause severe water damages, and cause a life-threatening house fire.

Roof and Gutters – Your roof shields your home from the elements. It is essential to keep it in good condition. Be observant of the following tips:

Regular home maintenance includes roof and gutter inspections

  • Inspect your roof for missing or damaged shingles.
  • Address any issues promptly to prevent leaks.
  • Clean gutters and downspouts regularly to prevent water buildup (causes water damage and mold growth).

Read this article to understand why roof ventilation is crucial to your roofing system’s performance and longevity.

Tip: Contact this professional residential roofer to help keep your roofing system in its best condition.

Plumbing Maintenance – Prevent plumbing mishaps and disasters by promptly addressing corrosion, pipe bursts, leaks and clogs. The following tips will help you prevent significant plumbing malfunctions:

Regular home maintenance includes plumbing inspections and repair

  • Check faucets, toilets, and pipes for leaks regularly.
  • Learn the location of the main water shut-off valve to halt water flow in emergency situations.
  • Flush your water heater annually to prevent sediment buildup, maintaining its efficiency.
  • Protect external (outside) water lines from freezing weather.

Tip: Hire a professional plumber to thoroughly inspect your home’s plumbing system annually before freezing winter weather arrives.

Exterior Home Maintenance – Caring for your home’s exterior increases its curb appeal and protects it from the elements. Consider the following tips:

Regular home maintenance includes caring for its exterior

  • Refinish, repaint, or touch up siding and trim as needed to prevent weathering, rot, and decay.
  • Regularly inspect and clean decks, patios, and walkways to prevent decay, mold, mildew, and staining.
  • Maintain your trees pruned, mulched, and fertilized to keep them healthy and thriving.
  • Seasonally plant and refresh your garden with flowering plants and small shrubs.

Tip: Hire a local professional landscaper and tree service to keep your trees, garden, and lawn neat, trimmed, and healthy.

Window and Door Maintenance – Well-maintained windows and doors enhance energy efficiency and provide increased home security. Observe the following:

Regular home maintenance includes window and door inspections

  • Inspect doors and windows for drafts, cracks, or broken seals.
  • Lubricate hinges and locks to ensure they function smoothly.
  • Install door, window, and motion detectors.

Read more about window care and treatments at energy.gov/energysaver/articles/spring-home-maintenance-windows-windows-windows

Tip: Select a smart security system that automatically sends alerts to your smartphone and law enforcement when an intruder is detected.

Electrical Safety – Maintaining your home’s electrical system is crucial for safety. Routinely inspect the following:

Regular home maintenance includes inspecting your electrical system and connections

  • Test smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms monthly (annually replace batteries).
  • Check electrical outlets for loose panels, worn or frayed wiring, or signs of overheating.
  • Hire a professional electrician for periodic electrical system inspections.

Note: Signs of overheating include burn marks, sparks, warping, cracking, bubbling, and fixture malfunctions.

Pest Prevention – Regular pest inspections and prevention measures can save you from costly infestations and the illnesses they may bring into your home. Consider the following preventive measures:

Regular home maintenance includes regular pest control and prevention

  • Seal cracks and gaps around your home’s exterior to keep unwanted pests out.
  • Keep your living spaces clean and clutter-free, as pests are attracted to food residue, moisture, and clutter.

Tip: Hire a professional pest control service to inspect and treat your home after each winter season.

Appliance Maintenance – Home appliances provide daily conveniences (often overlooked), so it’s essential to keep them in working efficiently. Regularly clean refrigerator coils and clean lint filters in your dryer to prevent fire hazards.

Regular home maintenance includes taking care of your appliances

Tip: Follow manufacturer guidelines and timelines for maintaining appliances, like your dishwasher, oven, and washing machine.

Seasonal Maintenance – Different seasons bring unique maintenance challenges. Observe the following seasonal maintenance tasks:

  • Fall – Clean gutters and remove fallen leaves to prevent clogs. Winterize your home by insulating pipes and sealing gaps to conserve energy.
  • Spring – Check for winter damage and prepare your home for the warmer months.

Tip: Schedule maintenance visits after severe weather, tree falls, and other disruptive or unexpected events.

Maintenance Tips for Homeowners

In this article, you discovered several essential home maintenance tips to help keep your home functioning at peak performance.

Keeping your home properly maintained will enhance your comfort and foster a healthier environment for you and your loved ones.

Allowing your home’s maintenance to lapse can result in catastrophic damages and costly repairs.

Sources:
fcs.uga.edu/docs/HomeMaintChecklist_update_6.21.pdf
nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/fcs/2020/11/02/8-fall-home-maintenance-tips/
extension.usu.edu/finance/faq/home-maintenance-checklist

New Image Roofing Atlanta

2020 Howell Mill Rd NW Suite 232
Atlanta, GA 30318
(404) 680-0041
/by

Residential Roof Ventilation

Keep poor residential roof ventilation from causing premature roofing problems, leaks, and catastrophic failure. Understanding why and how residential sloped roofing systems are ventilated will help you get your roof installed with the best possible performance and longevity.

newimageroofingatlanta.com gathered the following residential roof ventilation information and tips to help you ensure your home’s roofing system properly mitigates extreme temperatures and significantly extends its lifespan.

Sloped Roof Ventilation

Residential sloped roofing systems can include air vents

Adequate roof ventilation is a crucial component of any residential structure, and with sloped roofs, ventilation becomes even more of a necessity. Residential sloped roof ventilation plays a crucial role in maintaining a comfortable living environment, preventing moisture buildup, and improving energy efficiency. The following will help you understand why residential sloped roof ventilation is necessary:

Temperature Regulation – Sloped roof ventilation helps regulate temperatures inside the attic and living spaces. During hot summer months, unventilated attics can become exceedingly hot, leading to heat transfer to living areas, making them uncomfortable. Proper attic ventilation allows hot air to escape, reducing heat buildup and keeping the entire structure cooler.

Moisture Control – Without adequate ventilation, moisture may accumulate in the attic, leading to mold and mildew growth, wood rot, and without intervention, structural damage. Moisture can seep into the structure’s insulation, compromising its effectiveness and causing potentially severe health issues for occupants. By allowing sufficient airflow, sloped roof ventilation helps mitigate moisture, preventing these issues and maintaining a healthier indoor environment.

Energy Efficiency – Efficient ventilation significantly impacts a residential building’s energy efficiency. In the summer, a properly ventilated roof reduces the need for excessive air conditioning by preventing hot air accumulation in the attic. In the winter, adequate ventilation prevents condensation, causing damage to insulation, reducing its effectiveness. By improving energy efficiency, sloped roof ventilation can lead to significant cost savings on utility bills.

Ventilation for Sloped Roofs

Commonly, residential sloped roof exhaust vents consist of continuous ridge vents or static vents no more than 3 feet from the ridge (measured vertically). Intake vents within soffits or eaves are also common, and in-plane intake vents are used when eaves and soffits are not built to include intake vents. Consider the following sloped roof ventilation options:

Ridge Vents – Ridge vents are installed along the ridgeline (peak) of a sloped roof, allowing hot air to escape naturally. Such vents are effective in providing consistent and continuous airflow, as they typically span the entire length of the roof’s peak. Ridge vents are often combined with soffit vents to create a balanced ventilation system, where cool air enters through soffit vents and warm air naturally escapes through ridge vents.

Residential sloped roofing systems can include a roof ridge vent

Soffit Vents – Soffit vents are installed under the roof’s eaves, allowing fresh air to enter the attic. They function in conjunction with the roof’s ridge vents to create seamless airflow, facilitating the continuous exchange of hot and cool air. Soffit vents are typically protected by grilles or screens to prevent the entry of pests and debris.

Residential sloped roofing systems can include soffit vents

Gable Vents – Gable vents are installed on the gable ends of the roof and provide an alternative to ridge vents. They allow hot air to escape from the attic and can be particularly useful in houses where a ridge vent cannot be installed. Gable vents are available in various shapes and sizes and can be aesthetically pleasing while providing effective ventilation.

Residential sloped roofing systems can include attic vents

Roof Vents – Roof vents come in many different styles, like turbine vents or box vents, and are installed on the roof’s surface. These vents use natural wind power to create negative airflow removing hot air from the attic. Roof vents can be an excellent option for homes with limited roof space or when other ventilation systems are not suitable.

Read more about residential sloped roofing options, components, and structures here.

Note: Current building codes typically require attic ventilation to minimize condensation on the underside of roof sheathing. Summer cooling of attic air, minimizing ice dams, and extending the roof’s lifespan are commonly cited as additional benefits of proper attic ventilation. In fact, most asphalt shingle manufacturers warrant their products only for adequately ventilated roofing systems.

Roof Ventilation Systems

In this article, you discovered why sloped roofing systems require ventilation, how adequate ventilation is achieved, and the consequences of installing a poorly ventilated roofing system.

Properly installed residential roofing ventilation helps prevent mold and mildew growth in your attic while efficiently regulating its temperature, making your home’s air quality healthier and significantly more energy efficient.

Allowing the installation of a roofing system with inadequate ventilation will result in significantly increased utility bills, harmful mold and mildew growth, and a roof with a lower lifespan requiring continuous costly maintenance and repairs.

Sources:
energystar.gov/saveathome/seal_insulate/do_it_yourself_guide/about_attic_ventilation
fpl.fs.usda.gov/documnts/pdf2002/rose02a.pdf
iibec.org/attic-ventilation-101/

New Image Roofing Atlanta

2020 Howell Mill Rd NW Suite 232
Atlanta, GA 30318
(404) 680-0041
/by

Residential Roofing – What You Need to Know

Prevent having your residential roofing system improperly installed or assembled with poor-quality material. Knowing how components of a residential roofing system are made and installed will help you acquire the best quality residential roof and its installation in the Atlanta metro area.

newimageroofingatlanta.com gathered the following residential roof anatomy, manufacturing, and installation information to help you when selecting a roofing system, its components, and the roof installer for your Atlanta, Georgia, home.

Residential Sloped Roofing System

A residential sloped roof is a protective shield for your home, safeguarding you from the elements while increasing your home’s structural integrity. An essential component of the roofing system is the shingle (a key component that enhances your home’s aesthetic appeal and contributes to the durability and longevity of its roof). Consider the following anatomy of a residential sloped roof:

1. Roof Deck – A sloped roof’s foundation is its deck, typically made of plywood or oriented strand board (OSB). It provides a sturdy base for the installation of roofing materials and ensures structural stability.

2. Underlayment – Beneath the roofing shingles lies the underlayment, a water-resistant barrier shielding the roof deck from moisture and helps prevent leaks. Common underlayment types include asphalt-saturated felt and synthetic materials like synthetic underlayment or rubberized asphalt.

3. Roofing Shingles – Roofing shingles are the visible layer of a residential sloped roof, providing protection and enhancing the overall aesthetics. There are various shingle types available, like asphalt shingles, wood shingles, metal shingles, and clay or concrete tiles. Among these, asphalt shingles are the most commonly used due to their affordability, durability, and ease of installation (specially cut or formed shingles are produced for the ridge and hips).

Asphalt Shingle Manufacturing Process

While asphalt shingle manufacturing and technology have evolved over the years, their basic composition has remained the same. Consider the following asphalt shingle manufacturing process:

Raw Materials – Asphalt shingle production begins with high-quality material selection. Fiberglass or organic mats serve as a shingle’s core, while asphalt acts as a waterproofing agent. Mineral granules are then applied for surface protection and UV resistance, and additives are incorporated to enhance the shingle’s fire resistance and flexibility.

Mat Preparation – The selected mat material (fiberglass or organic), undergoes a manufacturing process to reinforce its strength and durability. Fiberglass mats are made by weaving glass fibers together, while organic mats are typically composed of recycled felt paper.

Coating and Drying – The prepared mat is then coated with asphalt (front and back), using a saturation process to ensure consistent coverage. The coated mat passes through a drying oven, which allows the asphalt to rapidly cure and stabilize.

Granule Application – Once dried, the coated mat proceeds to the granule application process. A layer of ceramic-coated mineral granules is evenly distributed on the top surface of the shingle, providing color, texture, and protection against weathering elements. The granules are embedded into the asphalt surface to enhance adhesion and durability.

Cutting and Shaping – After granule application, the asphalt-coated mat is cut into individual shingles. This process can be done manually or using automated machinery, depending on the production scale.

Packaging and Distribution – Finished roofing shingles are carefully inspected for quality and packed into bundles or cartons. They are then shipped to distributors, contractors, and suppliers for installation on residential roofs.

Note: Read more about roofing shingle production and options by visiting this roof shingle manufacturer.

Residential Sloped Roof Installation

Installing a residential shingle roofing system requires careful planning, proper preparation, and skilled execution. Here is a step-by-step overview of the typical installation process:

Preparation and Safety – Before beginning any work, safety must be prioritized. This includes wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) like:

  • Hard hat
  • Gloves
  • Goggles
  • Non-slip footwear
  • Harness

The area around the home should be cleared of any obstacles, and precautions should be taken to protect landscaping and outdoor features or furniture.

Removal of Existing Roofing Materials (Tear-off) – If there is an existing roof, the first step is to remove the old roofing materials. This may involve stripping off old shingles, underlayment, and flashing. Care should be taken to dispose of the old materials properly.

Inspection and Repair – Once the roof is cleared, a thorough inspection should be conducted to identify any damaged roof decking, sheathing, or structural issues. Any necessary repairs or replacements should be completed before installing a new roofing system.

Underlayment Installation – Install the underlayment, which acts as a moisture barrier and provides an additional protective layer. Asphalt-saturated felt or synthetic underlayment is commonly used. The underlayment should be rolled out horizontally, starting from the bottom edge of the roof and overlapping each subsequent row by a few inches (to ensure proper watershed).

Flashing Installation – Flashing is used to prevent water penetration at vulnerable areas like:

  • Valleys
  • Chimneys
  • Skylights
  • Roof intersections

Flashing is typically made of metal or a flexible waterproof material. Flashing should be installed before the shingles, ensuring proper coverage, sealing, and drainage.

Starter Shingle Placement – These shingles have a specialized adhesive strip and are installed along the roof’s eaves. These specialized shingles provide a secure foundation for the rest of the shingles and help prevent wind uplift.

Shingle Installation – The chosen shingles are installed from the bottom up, working in rows. Each shingle is nailed or stapled into place using appropriate roofing fasteners. It is crucial to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines regarding nail placement, spacing, and shingle overlap (for best product performance).

Residential roofing system asphalt shingle

Ventilation and Ridge Cap Installation – Roof vents or ridge vents are installed to ensure proper attic ventilation preventing moisture buildup, allow air circulation, and help regulate temperature and humidity. The ridge cap, a specialized shingle designed for the roof’s peak, is then installed, overlapping the adjacent shingles and providing a solid, finished look.

Cleanup and Final Inspection – Once the roof’s shingles are installed, the work area should be thoroughly cleaned, removing all debris or loose material. A final inspection should be conducted to ensure the roof is properly installed, all shingles are secure, and there are no visible issues or gaps.

Note: The specific installation process may vary depending on factors like the shingle type, roof design, and local building codes. It is recommended to consult with a professional roofing contractor for a precise installation or replacement tailored to your specific roof and location requirements. A well-installed residential shingle roofing system provides long-lasting protection, durability, and aesthetic appeal to your home.

Residential Asphalt Shingle Roofing

In this article, you discovered the composition of a residential roofing system, asphalt shingle manufacturing, and how residential sloped roofs are installed.

Understanding how residential roofing systems are built, manufactured, and installed will help you choose the best materials for your home’s roof.

Not knowing how to recognize quality roofing material or identify the steps in a roof replacement or installation will leave you vulnerable to unscrupulous and unprofessional roofers trying to take advantage of your need.

Sources:
energy.gov/eere/buildings/articles/cool-asphalt-shingles
gccds.msstate.edu/research/altconstruction/roof/roof.pdf
owenscorning.com

New Image Roofing Atlanta

2020 Howell Mill Rd NW Suite 232 Atlanta, GA 30318
(404) 680-0041
/by