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22 Dec 5 Common Causes of Roof Damage You May Not Be Aware Of

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5 Common Causes of Roof Damage You May Not Be Aware Of

Protecting your roof is one of your main priorities as a homeowner. Not only can roof repairs or an entire residential roof replacement be costly, but a stable and reliable roof also provides your home protection from the elements and is energy efficient. As part of your seasonal home maintenance, you want to be sure your roof is safe, secure, and not experiencing any damage that could put it at risk.

How do you ensure your roof is protected and not receiving damage you can’t see? Here are five common causes of roof damage you may not be aware of. These issues, left unresolved, can cause bigger issues later, costing you time and money. Stay on top of roof repair services by minimizing roof damage as much as possible by watching out for these five common causes of roof damage.

1) An Improper Roof Installation Leads to Needing Residential Roof Replacements

You may not be aware, but a do-it-yourself roof repair could be causing major roof damage that you are not aware of yet. As a homeowner, the temptation is strong to save money where you can, especially if you already have complementary skill sets to construction and home repairs. Unless you are a roofing contractor, however, trying to save money with a DIY roof repair could be leading to more damage you can’t see.

The risks of completing a roof repair service without a roofing company can include:

Unseen leaks that continue to damage your roof and interior
Improperly sealed shingles that can cause leaks, host mold, or become damaged during extreme weather
Lower-grade materials that weaken before the rest of the roof
Damage to the integrity of the roof supports
Recycling damaged materials that compromises the roof
Incorrectly overlaying shingles leading to leaks or gaps
Using too many, or too few, nails
Voiding your warranty for covered repairs later on

2) Residential Roof Replacements Are Often Caused by Wind

The wind is one of the most common causes of roof damage that homeowners don’t consider. While you may think to inspect your roof after a major thunderstorm, wind storms alone can also cause severe damage. The best roofing companies will advise you to always check your roof, when safe to do so, after a wind storm. This is because the force of the wind can have a large impact on your roof.

Wind damage can include:

Felled tree branches and other debris on your roof
Loose shingles
Loss of shingles
Weakened adhesive
Peeling shingles
Granule loss, causing a weakened structure

3) Hail is a Reason for Many Residential Roof Repairs

Although most people know hail can cause a lot of damage, they often don’t follow-up with a roof inspection after a hail storm. Sometimes, you may not even know you had a hail storm, as hail is often mixed in with heavy rain or snowstorms. If your roof is separated from your living space by an attic or several floors, you may not hear the sound of hail and know to look for damage the next morning.

Any time you experience a major storm, you should check for hail damage. Hail damage can weaken shingles, cause gaps for leaks, and wreck flashing. It’s worth the few minutes to check your roof after a storm to ensure you haven’t received excessive hail damage.

4) Neglect of Proper Roof Repair Services or Improper Maintenance

How often do you check your roof for leaks, damage, peeling shingles, or other issues? It’s probably not as often as it should be. Many homeowners assume that they will know when they’re facing roof repairs, like spotting leaks or seeing ruined shingles from the yard.

You should be having annual roof inspections, however, if not seasonal. A roofing professional can check for damage or weak spots before larger issues occur. If you’re not hiring a roofing professional for the inspection, you should become familiar with your roof, the thickness and quality of your shingles, how the adhesive works, and what peeling shingles look like.

Being able to spot differences in your roof’s appearance and integrity is critical to staying on top of roof repair services before they can cause major interior damage.

5) Improper Care or Disregard for a Roof’s Stability Can Lead to Roof Repairs

Roofs are meant to be strong and stable, but how and when you walk on your roof or work on your roof can cause issues you may not be aware of.

Not noticing weakened spots can cause damage to the structure of your roof, weakening shingles or supports underneath. You may also be putting your roof at risk by walking on it after extreme weather conditions — not only storms, but high heat that can damage the granules on shingles, as well.

You also need to be aware of how and when you’re hanging holiday decorations, including lights for Christmas and Halloween. Small tasks that you may not think are damaging your roof are actually causing weak spots or damaging already weakened portions of your roof.

Stay Ahead of Residential Roof Replacements and Repair Services

Worried about your roof and any damage it may have received? The best roofing companies will come out and help evaluate the damage so you know what roof repairs you are facing. We help educate you on what damages you have, what caused the damages, and how you can prevent them in the future.

If it’s been a while since you’ve had a roof inspection, now is the time to schedule one! Don’t wait for a leak or major damage be your clue that something is wrong, stay ahead so you can save yourself time and money on residential roof repairs.

29 Apr 7 Steps to Install a Solar Panel System

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SOLAR PANEL SYSTEM

Solar energy systems have increased dramatically in popularity in recent years, with more and more homeowners considering making the switch to renewable energy. One of the most important factors for making an informed decision about installing a solar panel system is understanding how the process works, so in this article, we’ll break it down into seven simple steps.

1. Do Your Research

This is one of the most time-consuming elements of installing a solar energy system. However, doing your research and due diligence first will set you up for success later in the process. Generally, when you hire a reputable solar energy contractor to oversee the installation process,the contractor will perform this research for you, but it’s always a good idea to know what’s going on behind the scenes.

First of all, you will need to research local and regional solar permitting laws in your area, to be sure that what you have in mind for your project is legal and will get the proper approval and permits. Local laws and codes may dictate which type of system your property is eligible for, whether that’s grid-tied or off-grid.

Next, you will need to do some math. Calculate what size of the solar array will be necessary to offset your monthly energy usage, taking into account your location’s weather and shade level as well as your budget. You can also calculate your return on investment (ROI) at this point, which will help you determine how long it will take to break even on your initial investment and start purely earning money with your solar energy system. Your ROI will vary depending on the quality of the equipment you purchased. We recommend that you ask yourself these 6 questions to help you choose the best solar panels before getting a quote to familiarize yourself with what is out there on the market to purchase.

Based on all of these factors, you can plan out the details of what your solar panel installation will look like and begin to assemble a list of components that will be necessary. This is also a good time to start looking into solar incentives that are offered by the federal government and/oryour state or local government to see whether they can be applied to your solar energy system, which will save you money.

2. Apply for Proper Solar Permits

The next step is to apply for all the required solar permits you will need to legally and safely install your solar system. Your solar installer or a 3rd-party solar permit specialist will usually take care of all of the permits since the permitting process can be complicated. States often have their own set of regulations surrounding the solar installation, with different governing bodies and processes. Often, the permit process includes building and electrical permits, to ensure that everything is installed according to code. This phase is also when you and your contractor will be applying for solar incentives like tax credits, rebates, grants, and solar-specific financing.

This phase is also when you and your contractor will be applying for solar incentives like tax credits, rebates, grants, and solar-specific financing.

3. Obtain Solar Panel Equipment

Once your solar energy system is approved and permitted, it’s time to actually order the components. This includes the solar panels themselves as well as inverters, wiring, mounting hardware, and batteries if you choose to include them in your system. Most solar contractors will offer you a few different options for each component, in a variety of aesthetic styles, efficiency and durability ratings, and price points. When your order has been placed, your project will be slated for installation in your contractor’s schedule.

4. Install the Solar System on Your Home

This is the most exciting step of the process when you actually get to see the whole solar panel system come together. Your solar installer or contractor will evaluate and prep your roof or the ground area where your panels will be installed, and then start to lay wiring and install the panel racks. It’s important to ensure that your roof is strong enough to bear the weight of the solar panels and that the shingles or other roofing material is securely attached.

Once everything is in place, the contractor will fit the panels onto the racks and finish the job by connecting the panels to the inverter, which changes the current from DC to AC so the power generated can be safely used in your home and with the power grid.

The installation process can take anywhere from one to three workdays, depending on the size and scale of your system. Additionally, if you will be taking advantage of the net metering system, your installer may have to install the two-way meter, which will take extra time.

5. Pass Building and Electrical Inspections

Once the whole system is in place but before you can officially begin generating power, a government representative will need to come out to inspect your system. They will basically check your contractor’s work, ensuring that everything is up to code and safe to operate. Specifically, they will check that your panels are mounted sturdily and set back far enough from the edge of your roof and that everything is wired correctly.

6. Get Approval by Local Utility

Finally, if your system is connected to the local power grid, you will need to be approved for interconnection by the solar utility company in your area. They will send out a representative to do their own final assessment of the system and ensure that everything is connected properly so as not to cause a problem for the existing power grid. Once the utility representative gives the okay, your solar energy system can finally be “switched on.” This part of the process can sometimes frustratingly take a few weeks or even up to a month to get the final approvals of your system, but it’s always better to have the work double- and triple-checked than risk something going wrong.

7. Start Producing Free Renewable Energy

Finally, you can begin reaping the benefits of your solar energy system! These perks range from greatly reducing your energy costs to potentially keeping your electricity flowing even during a grid outage to doing your part in the green energy movement. Once your solar energy system has paid itself off, you will essentially have free or very inexpensive energy for the entirety of the time that the solar panels remain operational.

Having been in the business for over twenty-five years, we know what it takes to complete jobs quickly, accurately and safely while maximizing the quality of our service and providing value for our clients. Our main objective is your satisfaction.