Make sure you know a problem when you see one

While it may seem obvious to inspect your roof from the outside, it’s also important to look from the inside as well. There could be warning signs in your attic. Here’s how to spot them:

1. Leaks

Look for signs of leaks. Dark stains on the rafters or the underside of the roof decking material generally indicate water trails. Look for water signs around plumbing vent pipes and along chimneys, skylights and valleys. If you find dark spots see if they are still wet or are old. Push a sharp screwdriver into the wood. If it is soft it is a sign of rot. If the wood is stained but still dry and firm during your rainy season it way be an old leak that has been repaired.

2. Light

Look up through the roof for any pinpoints of light. If you find one run a thin length of wire up through it so you can find it on the roof. Do not widen the hole.

3. Sagging

Look for sagging sheating between rafters. This is one sign of an old roof in need of repair. Sagging or cracked rafters will require repair or replacement as part of a new roof installation.

If your roof needs repairs an easy way to know that the contractor you choose will do the job right is by hiring Precision. Our highly experienced and reliable team is more than happy to inspect and install your roofing, windows, doors, eavestroughs, soffits, fascia, and siding. Contact us for a free estimate today.

What you should ask before picking who to install your new roof

When picking a contractor to do work on your home you expect them to take the utmost care and do the job right. To avoid turning your home into a renovation nightmare make sure to ask these 11 questions before deciding who to hire:

1. Do they have experienced and qualified people?

Make sure the people you hire aren’t going to use your home as a guinea pig. To avoid big problems you want to ensure that the people you hire have the knowledge and experience behind them to do the job right, or else you might have to spend more money down the line to have the work re-done. It’s better to invest in a knowledgeable contractor to have the work done right the first time.

2. Do they have references?

A great way to tell if a contractor has a good work history is from their references. If they don’t have happy customers they likely won’t have great references. A lack of references or positive ones might be a tip-off that you should consider hiring someone else. If there are less than three, or not a full breath of contact information is provided (name, address and phone number), that could be a warning sign.

3. How and what will they be inspecting on your home?

When hiring a contractor to do work on your roof they should do a thorough inspection including chimneys, plumbers’ stacks, valleys, intersecting roof planes and other roof penetrations. They should also evaluate existing ventilation as well as ensure that ventilation levels meet the shingle manufacturer’s recommendations and that the roof has a proper deck. Know if they will actually be getting on your roof or not.

4. What quality of products do they offer?

You want to make sure that the contractor you hire only uses quality brand products while doing work on your home. If they don’t you might have to go thought the hassle and expense of having new roofing installed sooner than you originally thought.

5. Will they be following the manufacturer’s recommendations?

If the contractor you hire installs the products poorly the lifetime of the investment you make can also be shortened. Make sure the contractor you hire will be following the manufacturer’s recommendations to ensure that you get the longest lifetime possible out of your roof.

6. Will they explain the manufacturer’s and installer’s warranty?

Making sure that both you and the contractor are on the same page when it comes to the product and installation warranties involved in the work being done on your home is essential. The contractor should be able to clearly explain and provide documentation of both the manufacturer’s warranty (including the years of coverage and full transferability) and the installer’s warranty.

7. Will they clean up the job site as well as possible once the job is completed?

It is nice to have contractors who try to clean up after themselves. If you find a contractor who will pick up nails, clean flowerbeds as well as sweep walkways and driveways as best they can once the project is finished you know you’ve found a contractor who really cares.

An easy way to know that the contractor you choose will do all these things well is by hiring Precision. Our highly experienced and reliable team is more than happy to inspect and install your roofing, windows, doors, eavestroughs, soffits, fascia, and siding. Contact us for a free estimate today.

How to tell if you need to make repairs

It’s important to inspect your flat roof regularly to catch a small problems before they becomes a bigger ones.

From outside:

If it’s possible to do so safely stand on a ladder at roof level looking at the overall appearance of the roof. Look of indicators of a potential roof problem:

1. Blisters

If not already broken, blisters eventually will break, which may allow for water to enter the roof. If you find any blisters, slit them with a knife and then coat them with asphalt roofing patch material commonly known as roofing cement.

2. Depressions

These will typically appear around vent pipes where water can collect and begin leaking through cracks in the surface. Fill them with roofing cement.

3. Exposed Nails

Exposed nails could become the source of a leak.

4: Sagging

Look for sagging along the ridges or in the middle of the roof

5: Flashing

Inspect the flashing carefully. Look around plumbing vents and chimneys. Rusty or loose flashing is a sign of trouble. Step flashing around chimneys must be well embedded in the mortar between bricks. Where a vertical side of the house meets the roof, such as along dormer walls, flashing should be firmly in place or it is a potential leak. Acid in wood can also eat away at flashing over the years.

6: Gutters

Check gutters closely for sagging and signs of leaks between sections. Are the downspouts firmly in place and directing water away from the house foundations? Look for significant accumulation of granules in your rain gutters. Some granules are normal, but a lot, combined with dark patches on your shingles is a sign of an aging roof.

7: Consistently moist areas

Areas that are consistently moist can cause mildew to form. Prevent it by regularly removing wet leaves that collect in certain parts of the roof.

From inside:

Go into the attic, keeping safety in mind

1. Leaks

Look for signs of leaks. Dark stains on the rafters or the underside of the roof decking material generally indicate water trails. Look for water signs around plumbing vent pipes and along chimneys, skylights and valleys. If you find dark spots see if they are still wet or are old. Push a sharp screwdriver into the wood. If it is soft it is a sign of rot. If the wood is stained but still dry and firm during your rainy season it way be an old leak that has been repaired.

2. Light

Look up through the roof for any pinpoints of light. If you find one run a thin length of wire up through it so you can find it on the roof. Do not widen the hole.

3. Sagging

Look for sagging sheating between rafters. This is one sign of an old roof in need of repair. Sagging or cracked rafters will require repair or replacement as part of a new roof installation.

If you need repairs on your roof we have a highly experienced and reliable team ready to get the job done right. Contact Precision today for a free estimate.

A guide to re-coping your home after the winter

Winter can be tough on everything that protects you—especially your home. Through the winter your home takes a beating from cold winds, ice and snow. This can leave some damages and things to be fixed-up in the spring time. It’s important to comb through our property to make sure everything is good to go as the weather warms up.

Here’s a check-list to keep your property in tip-top shape:

1. Air conditioner

Turn on your air conditioner before summer heat hits to make sure it’s working properly. Be sure to remove any protective covers before turning it on. Is the thermostat working properly? If not you may waste a lot of energy. NARI recommends that you clean heating and air-conditioning ducts every five years, as germs and bacteria can build up, causing allergies and other illnesses. Ducts may have to be cleaned more often if you have pets.

2. Roof

Winter’s snow, ice and wind can cause damage to roofs. Left unchecked, roof damage can lead to water problems. Replace any missing or torn shingles and check for nails that may have popped out of shingles.

3. Chimney

Now that the chilly days spent by the fireplace are over—at least for a few months—cover your chimney with a wire screen or cloth cover to keep out leaves and other debris. A clogged passageway can create problems when you start your first fire nest fall. A screen also deters birds and other animals from making a home in your chimney and from damaging the mortal and brickwork.

4. Television

Snow and fierce winds may have displaced or damaged your television antenna, cable wires or satellite dish. Make sure they are securely fastened to the house, and check for frayed cords.

5. Siding

To prevent further damage, and to keep surrounding pieces from coming loose, replace missing siding. Because the bottom pieces of siding have a tendency to come loose, make sure they are tightly secured. Secure siding also prevents animals from getting between the house and the siding.

6. Storm windows

Swap your storm windows for screens. Not only do screens let you cool your home naturally, but they also provide protection from unwanted insects.

7. Flashing and caulking

Check that the flashing around the doors, windows, chimney, and roof is in place. Damaged or torn flashing could allow water to enter your house. Also, confirm that doors and windows are properly caulked. Caulk can crack and fall off, and recalling doors and windows can reduce energy bills by eliminating draft areas.

8. Cracks

When water settles into openings in your driveway or sidewalks and then freezes, it can cause existing cracks and holes to expand. Fixing these cracks and holes will prevent further damage and avoid possible tripping hazards.

9. Gutters

Leaves, sticks and other debris can clog gutters and ridge vents, causing rain to back up. This can result in damage to the wood behind the cutters and event to the walls inside the home. Make sure downspouts are straight and that water drains away from the foundation.

10. Garden

Not only is this good for the environment, but it adds character to the landscape. Planting flowers or shrubbery brightens your yard and the added beauty can increase the value of your home.

Spring cleaning and maintenance can reveal needed maintenance on your home. Our highly experienced and reliable team is more than happy to inspect and install your roofing, windows, doors, eavestroughs, soffits, fascia, and siding to get your property back in shape. Contact us for a free estimate today.