Home Siding

vinyl_siding_1If you are looking to spruce up the appearance of your home one of the biggest impacts that you can make is to replace your home siding. It is also extremely cost effective with roughly 75% of the initial cost being recouped immediately as an increase in the resale value of your home.

House siding is not just a beautifier, it also serves a practical role as it seals your home against the effects of the elements. When looking to upgrade the appeal of your home, there are many choices in home siding that are available that will fit your needs.

Prevent Roof Leaks with These Tips

The average life of the typical home’s roof is 25 years, sometimes 30 years. As one of the most important aspects of your home, it is vital that you take the steps necessary to get the longest life possible out of your roof.

During your time in your home, it’s probable that at one point or another you will come across problems with your roof. The most common problem homeowners face with their roof is leaking. This is usually a costly problem to sort out, but it is something that can be avoided by following some of our tips.

Many homeowners tend to neglect their roof and don’t have the experience or know-how to get onto their roofs and take a look over it to anticipate any problems. Once a leak has started, it is usually difficult to pinpoint its source or the path the water is travelling to your leak. For this reason, it’s important to know the most common leak sources.

  1. If it penetrates the roof, you should pay special attention. Penetrations are the most common leak source. Look here first:
  • Chimneys. The top leak source. Does the chimney have a cricket? Is it properly step flashed and counter flashed? Does it need to be sealed?
  • Skylights. Water gets trapped behind them. Is the flashing in good repair? Is the skylight itself leaking?
  • Plumbing vents. Do the vent stacks have neoprene or rubber that has cracked with age? Do they need to be sealed or painted? Have critters chewed on the pipe or flashing? Is the satellite or cable flashed properly?
  1. Check the eaves and edges.
  • A common leak source in the eaves and cause of wood rot is a missing drip edge. Wind-driven rain will enter the gap between the roof deck and fascia board.
  • A drip edge also helps to keep out insects, critters, and snakes. Make sure to check the drip edge when looking for leaks.
  1. Have you looked over your attic? Many times, homeowners think the roof is the culprit, but problems can come from improper ventilation, plumbing, air conditioning, condensation, vent fans, and animal or bug infestation in the attic. Be on the lookout for:
  • Algae stains on interior plywood
  • The “M” word: mold
  • Soaked insulation when it hasn’t rained
  • Black rings or rust around nails, which is the first sign moisture is condensing in attic spaces
  • Is there a lack of ventilation that is causing the attic to overheat or accumulate moisture?
  • Are the intake vents clogged with paint, spider webs, dust, or insulation?
  1. What about those gutters? Many homeowners do not realize the importance of their gutters. They need to be installed and sloped properly to drain, tightly fastened, and free of debris. This is a job for a professional as climbing onto ladders can be risky and difficult. Lucky for you, Able Roofing & Siding offer servicing for gutters!

Source, original article (GAF ProBlog): //blog.gaf.com/5-maintenance-tips-to-help-prevent-roof-leaks/