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5 Reasons Why You May Need a New Roof

5 Reasons Why You May Need a New Roof

Every roof has a finite lifespan, just like all other components of your home such as siding or even your appliances. But age isn’t the only sign that you need a new roof. Anything from water damage to granules in your gutters can signal the need for replacement. Check out these five reasons why you may need to replace your roof.

1.  Age

This is the most common reason for replacement. But many homeowners don’t know exactly how old their roof is. A good rule of thumb for asphalt shingle roofs is that they can last up to about 20-25 years with good care. In addition to age, other factors that will determine how soon you get it replaced include improper ventilation systems and whether there’s already another layer of shingles under the top one. If you aren’t sure how old your roof is, consult with a trusted roofer in MA for an inspection.

2.  Shingle Wear

If you have an asphalt shingle roof and those shingles are curling or buckling, you may need a new roof. This usually happens with age but could signal a defect in the roofing material if the shingles aren’t all that old. Other signs of wear include shingles that frequently drop off or go missing.

3.  Wear on Chimney and Siding Flashing

Improperly fitted or corroded flashing can introduce leaks into your roof. If you notice the flashing around your chimney is rusted or bent, roof replacement is probably imminent. That’s because that by the time you have noticed this, the damage to the roof has already been done. A simple patch job likely won’t suffice.

4.  Failing Roof Valleys

If you take a look at the weaving where your roof valleys come together and see shingles that are falling away or missing, you may need a new roof. Roof valleys are important and their integrity must be maintained over their lifespan. That’s because moisture from snow and rain flow down through your roof valleys and into your gutters. If you have a failing roof valley, this will result in leaks.

5.  Granules in Your Gutters

If you are noticing small black granules clogging up your gutter, this is a sign your asphalt shingles are degrading well past their useful life. Those granules are necessary because they shield your roofing material from the sun and other elements. When they are stripped bare, you don’t get that same protection and your roof is vulnerable to leaks and other damage.

As your roof gets on in years, the loss of granules is accelerated as they naturally approach the end of their life cycle.

Contact Gutter Helmet of New England

Have you noticed any of the above signs? Our team specializes in roof replacement, thanks to GAF’s Lifetime Roofing System that gives you a longer lifespan for your home. To book your consultation, contact us at 833-710-2933.

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Newsletters

Why Keeping Your Gutters Clean is Essential For the Health of Your Home

Your gutters can make or break the health of your entire roof and home. Playing an important role in channeling rain away from your home, properly installed gutters can keep water from infiltrating your foundation and exterior trim. They can even reduce ice build-up and damage to roofing while preventing unsafe conditions on walkways.

Clogged gutters prevent the smooth run-off of rainwater, which can compromise not only your home’s structure but your family’s health as well. Check out these reasons why clean gutters translate to a healthy home.

Keep your gutters clean to:

Prevent Roof Damage

When water pools inside gutters that are clogged with debris, that water will begin to collect on the bottom of your roof. The result? Moisture buildup and the possibility of wood rot. Rot leads to wet insulation, mold growth and costly structural damage. Plus, when water is allowed to sit on your shingles and roof valleys, leaks can happen. The costs associated with roof damage and leaks inside the home are very high. It’s best to avoid these high costs in the first place, and you can do that with the right gutter system.

Keep Out Pests

Rodents and insects love damp areas. It stands to reason that if water sits for a long time in your gutters, it will attract termites, mosquitoes, and other insects and pests. If those critters make their way into the house, you could have a health problem on your hands as it impacts your family. Pests can carry disease, bite or sting, and nest in your belongings, so use the right gutter system to keep them out of your interior.

Prevent Damage to Fascia

Fascia — the long, straight board that runs along the roof’s lower edge behind the gutter – can fall victim to splashing from overflow. This will eventually cause your fascia to rot, allowing access to your attic by pests of all kinds.

Avoid Overwatering Garden Beds

If you, like many homeowners, have fruit, vegetable, flower and other plants in your garden, they can be compromised and destroyed by a malfunctioning gutter system. Essentially, your plants will drown from all the excess water falling onto them – in severe storms, the water runoff can come down in powerful sheets. Clean gutters will carry that rainwater off the roof and divert it elsewhere so your plants can thrive.  

Prevent Cracks in the Foundation

Water can damage your home’s foundation if the gutters and downspouts don’t properly direct rainwater away from the house. That water will saturate the soil around the foundation, making it unstable over time. Pooling rainwater also freezes and expands with extreme temperatures, leading to cracks in your foundation. Foundation damage is not cheap to fix!

Contact Gutter Helmet of New England

If you need a new gutter system to boost the health of your home, ask us about our Gutter Helmetsystem designed to keep leaves, debris and pine needles out. To book an inspection or to get a free quote, contact us at 833-710-2933.

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General Home Improvement Newsletters

Assessing Winter’s Damage: 7 Things That Need Fixing Now – March 2021 Newsletter

Hello!

Winter is just about done (yay). I hope your home escaped without any severe damage.


Either way, now is the time to inspect and repair the parts of your home that are most vulnerable. There are no guarantees, of course, but if you pay attention to these trouble spots each spring, you’ll be well protected when Old Man Winter returns.


Stay well, see you at Fenway soon!

Jim Moon
President
Gutter Helmet and Quality Roofing

Assessing Winter’s Damage: 7 Things That Need Fixing Now

The 2020-21 winter season looks to be comfortably behind us! And with the exception of an early season snow, this winter had seemed to be following the pattern of the past several years: Mild temperatures and some snowfall in the early part of the season, with forecasters predicting warm conditions for the remainder of the winter.

That is, until everything changed: An Artic blast hit and we New Englanders were plunged into severe winter weather, with heavy snow loads and freezing temperatures.

Unfortunately for many homeowners, this meant damaging ice damsleaking roofs, and the need for immediate repairs. Whether this happened to you or not, severe winters remind us to inspect our homes and fix any damage! 

Here are the 7 most common forms of winter damage…

#1. Ice Dams. Even though you may not have seen leaks in your house this past winter, you may still have experienced ice dams. Inspect your attic and crawl spaces for moisture or water stains. If ice dams happened once, they’ll happen again, often with more severity. It may be time to upgrade your roof or install heating elements.


#2. Roof Damage. High winds and freeze-thaw cycles can damage your roof, causing leaks or early system failure. Visually inspect your roof for signs of damage, things like missing shingles or damaged flashing. A simple repair may be all that’s necessary to ensure your roof continues to protect your home for years to come.

#3. Detached Rain Gutters. Ice loads like those experienced this winter can separate gutters from your home’s fascial (to which they are attached). When spacing occurs between the gutters and the roofing shingles, water can work its way behind the gutters and start damaging fascia boards, trim, and even siding. Inspect your gutters for obvious signs of damage and watch how they perform during the upcoming spring rains.

#4. Peeling or Blistering Exterior Paint. Even with a functioning roof and gutter system, your home’s exterior paint can be damaged by winter weather. The tell-tale signs are peeling paint or pockets of water which have formed behind the paint. Identifying and repainting this early can limit additional damage and increase the time between exterior painting cycles.

#5. Window and Exterior Door Damage. Winter snow and ice may have worked its way into your home’s windows and doors, a process that starts a slow and often invisible cycle of rotting. Junction points between windows and siding are typically protected by thin beads of caulk which can break down over the years. Be sure to inspect the integrity of these junctions and re-caulk where needed. Soft or damp areas on windows and doors may indicate that the problem has advanced, and replacements may be required.

#6. Tree Damage. Strong winter winds and heavy ice loads can weaken trees and limbs. Weakened trees are more susceptible to falling, potentially damaging homes and cars, not to mention knocking out power. Visually inspect the trees on your property for damage. It may also be time for a major tree trim to short-circuit potential future problems.

#7. Cracks in Foundation. Your home’s foundation is also subject to freeze-thaw cycles, especially during winters with heavy snow loads like the one we just experienced. Inspect both the interior and exterior of your foundation for cracks; you can repair these with a two-part epoxy which chemically seals them. Delays can lead to basement leaks or can even compromise the integrity of the foundation.

There you have it; the seven forms of winter damage that can cause the most trouble. All of them are fixable, so give your home a good look and stay safe, warm, and dry next season!