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The Importance of Keeping Your Gutters Clean

gutters – roof repair hanover maGutters are an important component of your roof. They collect rain water that drains off of your roof and carry it away from your home. The problem is that leaves and other debris can build up and clog your gutters and prevent water drainage. Keeping your gutters clean is an important part of roof maintenance.

Prevents Water Damage

When water can’t drain properly, it collects on your roof. This can lead to leaks, and wood rot – which may lead to a roof replacement. It can also cause mold and mildew that can be hazardous to your health.

Improper drainage can also severely damage the foundation of your house and cause water to leak into your basement.

Keeps Repair Costs Down

Keeping your gutters clean of debris can save you a lot of money on roof repair in Hanover, MA. It’s a relatively simple process, and the effort is worth it in the long run.

South Shore Roofing’s Maintenance Program

South Shore Roofing’s maintenance program can help you catch small roofing problems before they become a huge mess. Our services include cleaning your gutters and checking your ventilation so that you can ensure your roof health. Contact us today for more information.

The Importance of Preventative Roof Maintenance

house – roofing contractor Duxbury maYour roof is responsible for protecting you and your belongings from the elements, so it needs to be in good condition at all times. The problem is that repairing your roof can be expensive – especially if you need a replacement. Getting a regular roof inspection and preventative roof maintenance is a great way to catch small problems before they become costly disasters.

Cost

A full roof replacement may be the only option in the case of an emergency, but why pay for that when you could have caught the problem when it was still manageable? It may look like your roof is okay, but an inspection will catch all the tiny problems that you can’t see from the ground. This enables you to save money by paying for small repairs now and not having to go all out for a replacement.

Stress

Your roof is an important piece of your home. It protects you and everything inside your home, which can make it incredibly stressful when things go wrong. If left untreated, minor problems can even become dangerous. Give yourself some peace of mind and get a regularly scheduled roofing inspection to ensure that everything is fine.

When Should I Get a Roof Inspection?

You should have your roof inspected by a roofing contractor in Duxbury, MA once every three years to extend the life of your roof.

With South Shore Roofing’s inspection and maintenance program you will save yourself a big headache down the road. During your inspection, your gutters will be cleaned to ensure proper damage, which prevents water damage. We also verify that your roof is properly ventilated to keep heating and cooling costs down. Contact us today for more information about our roof maintenance and inspection services.

 

 

Repair or Replace?

thought-1088647_960_720Roofing can be a complicated subject for homeowners. It’s not always easy to tell when there is an issue, and if there is one, it can be difficult to tell if a simple repair will do the trick, or if you will need a full replacement. Here are some things to take into consideration.

How Bad is the Damage?

Missing or damaged shingles and small leaks are often an inexpensive fix. Depending on that age of your roof, however, the new shingles or patching can look off – so you may want to reroof if you plan on selling your home in the near future.

More severe leaks, or larger areas of missing shingles, however, may require you to get a full roof replacement. Hiring a professional contractor to inspect the damage will help you determine the exact level of damage on your roof.

Weighing the Cost

If your roof is very old, small repairs may not be worth it. A roof that is nearing the end of its lifespan is not worth repairing because you will need to replace the roof anyway. In the end, it will be cheaper to just replace your roofing in Hanover, MA.

If your roof is newer, however, a small repair now will save you trouble down the road.

Definitive Answers

The only way to truly know for sure if a problem can be fixed or if you need a roofing replacement is to call a professional roofing contractor for an inspection. The inspection will tell you the extent of the damage, and the company will quote you a price for either a repair or replacement.

DIY Vs. Professional – Roof Replacement

tools-1183374_960_720With the rising popularity of home improvement shows on channels like DIY and HGTV, many homeowners are taking maintenance and remodeling jobs into their own hands. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but there are some tasks that your typical homeowner should not handle themselves. Replacing your roof is a huge undertaking, and an incorrect step could cause major damage and added expense.

A Professional Eye

Even if you plan on working on your roof yourself, you should always call in a professional first to perform a roof inspection. Without their trained eye, you won’t know whether or not your roof needs a simple repair or a full replacement. A roofing contractor in Duxbury, MA will diagnose your roofing issues and be able to provide you with exactly the right solution for your roof.

Safety

Climbing on your roof for any reason comes with many dangers. Every time you are on your roof, you run the risk of seriously injuring yourself. Professional roofers are trained in proper roofing safety measures, and will ensure that the job is done without causing harm to themselves or your home.

One and Done

Professional roofers will get the job done right the first time, because they know roofing inside and out. When you perform a roof replacement on your own, you run the risk of faulty installation and expensive future repairs.

Holiday Decorating Tips – Decorate Your Roof Safely Pt. 2

htfgvjIn our last post, we discussed some important safety tops for hanging your holiday decorations. We’re back with three more important tips to keep both you and your roof safe this holiday season.

Test Before You Climb

Always untangle and test your lights before you get up on the ladder. Fighting with knots at dangerous heights can cause you to lose your balance and fall – which could cause serious injuries. It’s also smart to make sure the lights work first, so you don’t have to start over.

Don’t Fry

Electricity is dangerous, and should be handled with care. Around the holidays, electrical fires and shorted circuits are a very common problem. You can avoid this by making sure that your decorations are kept away from powerlines. You should also plug everything into a portable outdoor circuit to keep it separate from your indoor wiring. Overloading the breaker with too many decorations at once can also put you at risk for fire, so be sure that your electrical wiring is distributed safely.

Remove Carefully

After the holidays are over, take the time to remove your decorations carefully. Don’t rip out strings of lights by the cord, carefully remove each clip, winding as you go. It may take some extra time, but it’s worth it to avoid damaging the roof, your decorations, or causing injury to yourself.

If you accidentally cause damage to your roof while hanging and removing decorations, or you are experiencing damage from harsh winter weather, contact our roofing company in Hanover, MA for a free estimate.

Holiday Decorating Tips – Decorate Your Roof Safely Pt. 1

jfkufjThe holidays are right around the corner, and many of us are ready to begin decorating. Whether you go over the top with elaborate decorations, or keep it simple with a few strings of outdoor lights, there are some important safety tips you need to know before decorating your roof. Doing damage to your roof or yourself is a great way to ruin the holidays –so stay safe.

Avoid the Shingles

Hanging Christmas lights from your shingles is a great way to do damage to your roof. Putting holes in the shingles or roof components will create a space for moisture to get in and rot your roof. Your lights do need to be secured to something though, so we recommend using clips that attach to your gutter or eaves, this way you can easily remove and install the lights without damage.

Bring a Spotter

Never put up your decorations alone – always have at least one person with you to hold the ladder, supplies, and to run for help in an emergency. It’s always easier and safer to have help on hand.

The holidays are an exciting and joyous time to spend with your family and friends. Practicing good safety procedures when hanging your lights ensures that both you and your roof are happy and healthy for the season. If you accidentally damaged your roof while hanging your decorations, contact our roofing contractor in Duxbury, MA. In our next post, we’ll discuss three more important decorating safety tips you should know.

How to Find the Right Roofing Contractor

blogoct2Finding a contractor to inspect, repair, or replace your roof can be a stressful task. You have to be able to trust a roofing company with the most valuable part of your home, because mistakes can be dangerous and cause extra expenses. Here are three things to consider when choosing a roofing company in Hanover, MA.

Do they offer the service you need?

Some roofing companies only focus on specific areas, or only work with specific types of roofing. You also need to check if they specialize in commercial or residential roofing. Some companies do both, but not all. Search for a company that can provide the exact services for your specific roofing type. Even if a company offer the service you need, it may not be the main product they offer, and they may not be as skilled in that area. Read their website carefully to ensure that they are right for the job.

Do they serve your area?

When searching for a roofing company, make sure that they serve the area you live in. Even companies that are close by may restrict their services to the specific town they are in, especially if it’s a large city, or if the business is very small. Oftentimes, they company will have details about coverage area on their site, but if not, call them for information.

What do other people think of them?

Hunt around online for reviews from past customers. Use your judgement when reading through – not every review will be accurate and some may be over-exaggerated. If a majority of the reviews you are seeing are positive, there’s a good chance that you will have a good experience with the company.

Contact South Shore Roofing today to see if our roofing company is right for you.

When Should I Get My Roof Inspected?

blogoct1Everyone who owns a car is legally required to get it inspected once a year. This ensures the safety of the driver, any passengers they may have with them, and everyone else out on the road. Roof inspections are just as important, to protect the safety of everyone in your home, but many people don’t know when they should get their inspections or how to go about it.

Regularly

If you own a home, you should be getting a regular roof inspection in Hanover, MA every three years. This is a great way to check for insignificant damage that can become a huge disaster later on. Over time, the cost of regular roof inspections will actually save you a ton of money on expensive repairs.

After a Storm

Even a small storm can cause damage, especially if there were winds of 50mph or more. You may not be able to see the damage with the naked eye, but a professional roofing contractor who knows what to look for can spot storm damage before it becomes an issue. The inspection will also help you file an insurance claim if you need to.

When You Move

When you buy a new home, it is important to get an inspection done before you close on the sale. Usually this is a very informal procedure, but taking the extra time to get a professional inspection of the roof alone can save you a ton of headaches.

When Insurance Requires It

When you purchase homeowners insurance, the company will likely require an inspection of the home, including the roof. This way, they know the condition of your property and can accurately process damage claims in the future.

When you need a professional roof inspection, and an honest price quote on repairs or replacements, trust South Shore Roofing. Contact us today for a free consultation.

How to Find Roof Leaks

grthrtgerwsWhen you begin to notice signs of water damage on the ceiling of your home, the first thing you should do is check for roof leaks. If you can figure out where the water is coming in, you can figure out how to fix the leak and clean up the damage. The following procedure should be done while standing on the ground with binoculars. It is not safe to be walking on your roof if it is damaged, and you can cause additional damage while you are up there.

  1. Locate the area in your home where the leak is coming through, and then find the corresponding spot on the roof above. This is where you will concentrate your search.
  2. Search areas where there are pipes, ventilation stacks, chimneys, skylights, air conditioners and other things like this. These areas are hard to seal, so the leak may be coming from there.
  3. Look above the affected area to see if water is running downslope under the roofing material.
  4. Look for missing or cracked shingles, tiles, shakes, or flashing.
  5. Examine valleys in the roof, which are spaces where two sections of roof meet. Water is channeled into these valleys, making them more prone to water damage.

Getting a regular roof inspection in Hanover, MA goes a long way towards preventing leaks and water damage. The team at South Shore Roofing can detect small issues before they become a huge and costly issue. Contact us today to get your free roofing consultation.

How to Prevent Snow and Ice from Damaging Your Roof

fvrthrthrtNew England winters can be harsh, which can mean hard times for your roof. Snow and ice are one of the biggest dangers when it comes to maintaining your roof, so we’re here to tell you about the various types of damage that snow and ice can cause, and some tips on dealing with it.

Added Weight

One of the most obvious issues with snow and ice buildup on your roof is the added weight. This can lead to cracks in your drywall or cave-ins. Large accumulations of snow should be removed, but this can be a dangerous process. It is best to call a roofing contractor in Duxbury, MA to do this for you.

Ice Dams

Ice dams are formed when snow melts and runs underneath the remaining snow cover, where it refreezes. This prevents water from draining into your gutters, and the accumulated water can then create leaks.

You can prevent ice dams by making sure that your attic is properly ventilated. When the attic gets too warm in the winter it can cause snow to melt and refreeze. By getting a regular roof inspection, you can spot issues with your ventilation before they become an issue.

Removing the Snow

You may not be aware of this, but sometimes the process of removing the snow and ice can cause damage to your shingles. Scraping the shingles can remove granules and take years off of the lifespan of your roof. The best way to take care of your snow and ice issues is to call in a professional roofer. In the end you will save money on costly future repairs by paying a little for regular roof maintenance.