5 Spring Cleaning Tips for Your Roof

Posted by Kelly Burbank on

The snow has pretty melted away, though we have been witnessing some April snowstorms, depending on your elevation and so you are beginning to be able to spend more time in the yard, it’s high time to assess the state of your roof. A basic spring roof cleaning is in order, but what else does your roof need to look good?

It’s a big part of your house and of first impressions. One of the first things seen by friends and potential homebuyers alike. It should look good from all angles.

If your roof is in a less-than-ideal condition and dragging down your property’s appearance, you’ve found the right article.

Keep reading to learn five great spring roof cleaning tips.

  1. Clean Away Debris

Gutters full of leaves, pine needles and parts of shingles will make your house look a lot worse.

During the fall and winter, a lot of debris will collect on your roof and in your gutters. When the snow melts away, it becomes a painful sight to behold. There’s a nice-looking roof underneath which should be seen.

Sweep off the roof and clean out the gutters. When all the leaves and debris are gone, your house will look presentable.

Keep in mind that roof cleaning can be unsafe, and may also cause damage to shingles. Be careful when you’re working on the roof.

If you find a lot of dirt and dust, it’s wise to get help from a professional roofing expert.

  1. Get Rid of Moss/Algae

In moist climates, both roofs and walls can suffer from a gradual overgrowth of moss, algae, and mildew. If your roof is old and your house is surrounded by trees, this problem is more likely.

They don’t just look horrid, they can also damage the shingles. Cleaning these parasites off your roof can take time, but it’s an easy process.

Mix water and bleach and give the roof a gentle scrub.

It’s a temporary solution, and if you want a permanent fix you can have zinc or copper installed to hinder the growth.

  1. Repairing Edges and Eaves

Edges and eaves become very noticeable when people get closer to the house.

Take a closer look and determine how they look. Do you notice uneven or frayed shingle edges? Is there pain flecking off the eaves?

Repairing your eaves and dealing with worn out edge shingles should be part of your annual roof cleaning. Replace, repair, and repaint until it looks fresh and presentable.

Take a look at your flashing too. If it’s rusting or crooked, consider replacing it.

Your roof edges should always look straight and neat.

  1. Replace the Gutters

Gutters are among the most visible features of your roof. If they’re sagging, crooked, or rusty, your house will look bad.

The good news is that repairs and replacements are simple procedures. It makes a nice “facelift” for your property.

Installing modern copper gutters both improves water drainage and makes the house look better. You can also opt for stylish designs and replace downspouts with chains.

  1. Replace the Shingles

If your shingles are starting to look damaged in general, consider a full replacement. It may be worse than you think.

See it as an opportunity. The color of your shingles will affect the whole appearance of your property.

Replacing faded old shingles with new ones that better match your house and general preferences will make your house look incredible.

Roof Cleaning is a Smart Investment

Now you know how to clean your roof and make it nice and spiffy for the summer. Keeping a roof clean and free from leaks can be a big task if you’re living in an old house.

If you see any signs of major damage, you need more than a spring cleaning.

Contact us here if you need help.

Hot News: NEW Federal & State changes that greatly affect how ANY roofing/remodeling/contractor companies and even you the “Do It Yourselfers”!

Posted by Kelly Burbank on

Attention: Property Owners/Real Estate Investors/Contractors
NEW Federal & State changes that greatly affect how ANY roofing/remodeling/contractor companies and even you the DIY “Do It Yourself” Dispose of material in ANY demolition project. SWCAA Regulations 476, specifically SWCAA 476-050. This new regulation went into effect February 1, 2018.

If you don’t follow these new regulations you will be are at risk for immediate stop-work orders, citations, and substantial penalties for both property owners and contractors.

If your home is having a new roof installed or you’re having your kitchen remodeled or removing an old vinyl floor and other areas of remodeling, this new regulation affects you and the contractor. Before any work can be performed there must first be an asbestos test performed. Then if only 1% asbestos is found in any of these areas, you are mandated to hire a certified asbestos removal company.


Washington State Department of Labor & Industries – (Source)
Keep asbestos pitfalls from plaguing your real estate investments by doing the following BEFORE any construction, demolition, or remodeling work begins:

Learn the basics about asbestos, including where it could be present at potential investment properties and how it can cause harm.

Ensure, as the owner of the property (or as the building owner’s agent), that an EPA-certified, AHERA building inspector conducts a required good faith inspection (GFI).

Provide a copy of the GFI report, or a written statement that meets requirements, to any contractor or subcontractor before they are hired; and post the report or statement on site so it is always visible to any individuals involved in repairs, renovations, demolition, or any removal of materials that could contain asbestos.

Use only certified asbestos-abatement contractors to remove any asbestos on site (please see Jenny Jones Group, LLC on this list). They are specially trained to follow all applicable safety requirements, including job notification to L&I, employee safety training, and certification, use of appropriate personal protective equipment, proper work practices, and clearance testing.

Doing your part to ensure asbestos is reliably identified and disclosed enables others to take the required actions to stay safe from harm while working with or around asbestos and prevents asbestos from being spread to vehicles, homes, and other workplaces.

Asbestos Testing Service: Jenny Jones Group are Certified AHERA Asbestos Building Inspector – Call: 360-936-2703 if you have any questions & or need pricing information.

Columbia Resource Company States:
To protect the health and safety of our employees and customers all loads of construction, Remodeling and demolition waste brought to Columbia Resource company transfer stations are screened for materials that may contain asbestos. GFI form is required or all such loads of waste that potentially contain asbestos.

Asbestos Notification Forms

Asbestos Facts

Breathing in asbestos fibers has been linked to cancer and other diseases. When asbestos-containing material is disturbed or damaged it releases tiny fibers into the air that are too small to be filtered by a dust mask. There is no safe level of exposure, so contact with any amount of asbestos can be harmful.

The best way to handle asbestos-containing material is to hire a licensed asbestos abatement contractor to perform the work. Most home repair or remodeling contractors do not have an asbestos abatement license or certified workers who are trained and equipped to work safely with asbestos.

Protect yourself and your family from the dangers of improper asbestos removal. Call the Southwest Clean Air Agency at 360-574-3058 to get more information and advice before you remodel, hire a contractor or attempt to handle asbestos yourself. If you think you have been exposed to asbestos and want to learn more about mesothelioma, click here.

What is Asbestos? (Source: http://www.swcleanair.org/asbestos/faqs.asp)

Asbestos is a mineral that can be broken down into very fine fibers that are heat-resistant and extremely durable. Because of these properties, asbestos was widely used in construction materials.

Depending on its condition, asbestos in your home may be hazardous to your health. As long as asbestos is not disturbed, damaged or worn, or the material is sealed, it is not considered a health hazard.

If you’re thinking of buying a house that needs remodeling, or planning to remodel your current home, hire a qualified AHERA inspector to survey the house for asbestos before you buy or remodel. Improper handling of asbestos-containing materials can be expensive.

Does your house have asbestos-containing materials?

Note: The following list does not include every product or material that may contain asbestos. It is intended as a general guide to show which types of materials may contain asbestos.

  • Cement pipes
  • Cement wallboard
  • Cement siding
  • Asphalt floor tile
  • Vinyl floor tile
  • Vinyl sheet flooring
  • Flooring backing
  • Construction mastics (floor tile, carpet, ceiling tile, etc.)
  • Acoustical plaster
  • Decorative plaster
  • Textured paints/coatings
  • Ceiling tiles and lay-in panels
  • Spray-applied insulation
  • Blown-in insulation
  • Fireproofing materials
  • Taping compounds (thermal)
  • Packing materials (for wall/floor penetrations)
  • High temperature gaskets
  • Laboratory hoods/table tops
  • Laboratory gloves
  • Fire blankets
  • Fire curtains
  • Elevator Equipment Panels
  • Elevator brake shoes
  • HVAC duct insulation
  • Boiler insulation
  • Breaching insulation
  • Ductwork flexible fabric connections
  • Cooling towers
  • Pipe insulation (corrugated air-cell, block, etc.)
  • Heating and electrical ducts
  • Electrical panel partitions
  • Electrical cloth
  • Electric wiring insulation
  • Chalkboards
  • Roofing felt
  • Base flashing
  • Thermal paper products
  • Fire doors
  • Caulking/putties
  • Adhesives
  • Joint compounds
  • Vinyl wall coverings
  • Spackling compounds

Current Remodeling Inc. samples, tests, and submits AHERA good faith surveys for all projects. This sampling is done before the project is started, so every homeowner is protected under this new regulation. Call us today for a FREE Estimate 360-608-9560 or visit www.currentremodeling.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Snow Removal Services

5 Winter Roof Maintenance Tips for Your Vancouver/Portland Home

Posted by Kelly Burbank on

 

Maintaining your roof in the winter is key to increasing your roof’s longevity. Here are 5 winter roof maintenance tips you need to know for your Vancouver/Portland home.

Winter roof maintenance is essential if you want your home to retain its value. While Vancouver isn’t among the coldest cities in the US, it’s not uncommon for temperatures to drop to 20 degrees and normally hover around freezing during the winter months and last year we had significant snowfall that did impact multiple roofs in our area.

For that reason, you must take proper precautions when maintaining your roof during the winter. Follow these winter roof maintenance tips to avoid paying extra money for repairs once the spring comes.

Stay On Top of Snow Accumulation

While snowy roofs are a staple of the holiday season, they can also lead to excess accumulation if you don’t stay on top of it. You probably don’t need to roof rake after small snow storms, but make sure to get out there after big ones.

Too much snow on your roof can lead to leaks, and if you’re not careful, a whole section could collapse. The melting and refreezing of snow can also lead to ice dams.

Use a roof rake to clear the snow, as your traditional grass rake and other tools could cause more damage to your roof.

Keep Your Gutters Clean

Before the winter hits, make sure your gutters are clean and ready for the cold weather.

Gutters that are full of leaves and debris can lead to ice dams, which have the potential to cost you thousands of dollars in damages. If you see that your roof is leaking during the winter, ice dams are the most likely culprit.

Make sure your gutters are clean before the snow comes to prevent costly repairs.

Insulate Your Attic

If your attic is properly insulated, there’s less of a chance of massive heaps of snow and ice building up. Roof raking can be quite a chore, but roof installation might prevent you from ever having to spend time on this chore.

Repair and Maintenence

Inspect your roof to make sure it won’t need any repairs for the coming winter. It’s best to make these repairs before the winter hits, but if your roof is dry, you can handle the repairs anytime by hiring a reputable company.

Tackle these issues as soon as you can, though, because damaged shingles and chimneys can lead to leaks and more costly damage.

Inspect After a Storm

Significant winter storms are often accompanied by strong winds — even if it didn’t snow that much. After the storm passes, go outside and take a look at your roof.

If any shingles came loose, or if any tree branches fell off and did damage, you need to fix them before the next storm hits. Make sure the conditions are stable because you don’t want to get on top of an icy roof.

Avoid Roof Damage by incorporating Winter Roof Maintenance

While they might not seem as treacherous as some of the other locations in the country, Vancouver winters can take a toll on homes. You must complete proper roof maintenance if you want to prevent damage that will cost you thousands of dollars.

Need roofing assistance in the Vancouver, WA area? Take a look at our roofing section for more information!

 

Does Your Roof only need a Simple Repair Or Perhaps is It Much More Serious?

Posted by Kelly Burbank on

Are you currently discussing whether you’ll need a new roof or simply a roof repair job? Should you have a leaky roof following each and every rain storm and find portions of your homes roof in your neighbor’s backyard following every wind gust, you need to talk to Current Remodeling 360-608-9560 .

It may seem to be a logical decision and cost-effective to just have a patch job completed yet, however if your roofing is getting ready to go bad, a patch jobs can turn out to be far more expensive in the end.

However in case your roof is in reasonably good shape a roof repair can prolong the life span of your roof and help you save money.

So how would you determine exactly what you should do in regards to the health of your roof?

You might not have the ability to actually go up on the roof to perform an assessment, however, you can tell a great deal from the interior of your house of what is going on with your roof, which will help direct your decision.

Clearly if you’re discovering roofing materials on the ground following a wind storm and you can stand outside the house and see aspects of your homes roof coming up using binoculars, you are most likely looking at a roof that requires more than merely some Tender loving care.

From your interior of your house you can perform an assessment beginning with the attic space for those who have one. In the event the ceiling is moist, discolored, or otherwise damaged, examine how extensively. Is it just within a portion of the roof or has it spread into a significant portion of the attic ceiling?

If water is leaking in from a damaged flash or uplifted roofing shingle it’s going to most likely pool in one place. Look at your walls in your home for dampness, blistering and water damage Should your wallpaper be peeling or perhaps you have mold on the wall space you might have a source of wetness feeding behind the wall space coming from a roof leak.

Once again if the damage is restricted to a single area of your house you might simply have to take care of a roof repair job. More predominant damage almost always is an indication of the necessity for a new roof.

For the BEST results, you should contact Current Remodeling and we can make all of these suggestions a reality!

Let’s Get Started Today 360-608-9560
Vancouver’s Best Roofing Contractor
Are you looking for a simple roofing repair or a total new roof? Rest easy and take advantage of our expert contractors, you will get the best roof solution from a reliable and knowledgeable company.