Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Top Home Improvements For This Fall

Homes are one of the greatest investments anybody can have in a lifetime and allotting time and money to take care of it will provide safety, security, and comfort as well as a boost in property value and enhanced quality of everyday living. To make them last throughout the harsh winter chill and beyond many years to come, here are the top fall home improvement projects to undertake:

1. Property and Home Inspection
The best start to your line of fall home improvement projects this year is a thorough evaluation done by a qualified professional. This step will prove to be worth more than your money's value. By discovering damages early on, you will save yourself from grave surprises instead of them finding their way to you and your house from silently deteriorating. Weather-Tite Interior and Exteriors provides free damage inspections for all Charlotte homes and areas. 704-909-2800
2. Roofing
Being among the areas most exposed to damaging elements, natural and not, your roofing should be the first area to look into when considering fall home improvements. Especially storms on the way, patching whatever roofing problems would be crucial. Things to look for include:
· missing or damaged shingles,
· slits between flashes where the siding and roof joins with flues and vents,
· damp and moldy spots,
· and broken mortar surrounding the chimney especially at caps joints, and washes.

3. Clean and Tune Up
Simply cleaning your surroundings and tuning up important systems can take your efforts for fall home improvements a long, long way. The seemingly harmless accumulation of dead leaves and branches on your gutters can easily bleed you financially. If your gutters got clogged and standing water freezes, this could not only impair the existing gutter system but could also affect efficiency and condition of basement, foundation, walls, crawl spaces and even landscaping. Consider the installation of gutter guards that prevents debris from getting into your gutter system. Also make sure that your drain and gutter system efficiently draws water away from your house.
Other fall home improvements that fall under this category include:
  • Sweeping chimneys
  • Mowing and removing leaves and dead branches on your lawn to avoid snowmolds
  • Checking and maintaining furnace
  • Winterizing lawn by nitrogen fertilizing
  • Avoid freezing by adding insulation to pipes
  • Checking thermostats and considering a programmable one to replace your old thermostat
  • Making sure that no pests can sneak into your home, or worse, have already made a home of house.
Weather-Tite Exteriors and Interiors can help you with all your home improvements, repairs and remodels. They can be reached at 704-909-2800 or visit them online at http://www.titeroofs.com

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Leaking Roof | Charlotte Roof Repair

There are signs of an impending leaking roof you should be aware of.

Missing or torn shingles expose the roof to water damage and rot, and make nearby shingles moer susceptible to being blown away. Old shingles will curl, split and lose their waterproofing effectiveness. These weakened shingles are more likely to be blown away by wind gusts.

Rused or missing flashing can result in a leaking roof. Flashing is the metal that surrounds chimneys, skylights and vent pipes and often is found in the valleys where roof sections meet.

Ask your local Charlotte Roof Repair and Replacement company to check your gutters, downspouts and splash pans for evidence of decay or damage. Broken pieces of paint and scraps of roofing may be visible. Indoors, look for discolored plasterboard or cracked pant and peeling wallpaper.

Top 3 Signs For Roof Repair | Roof Replacement in Charlotte

The Top 3 Signs You Need a New Roof
By: Charlotte's Roof Repair Expert - http://www.titeroofs.com/

A leaking roof is the most obvious sign that its time to replace your roof, but its hardly the only one. Some signs eventually lead to a leaking roof, but sometimes early intervention can be the difference between repairing your roof or replacing your roof.

The three most common reasons to replace a home or business roof are:

1) Hail or Wind Damge from a Storm

2) Age of the Roof

3) Improper Installation

All three items can lead to roof leaks and costly repairs

Hail damage manifests itself with dented or dimpled aluminum gutters, down spouts and ridge vents. Or there may even be a collection of grandules in the gutter or on splash blocks. Air conditioner condenser vanes may show "bash" marks. Although not conclusive indicators, this damage clues provides compelling reasons to suspect hail damage. Often hail damage is not easily seen by the untrained eye.

It is always best to call a roofing repair and replacement professional such as Weather-Tite Exteriors in Charlotte. Roofing professionals will climb the roof and look carefully at individual roof shingles for "hits" or areas where the shingle surface has been compromised. An inspection revealing more than 10 hits in 10 square feet should result in a roof replacement.

A wind damanged roof is easier to spot.

Regarding age, a roof installed 20 - 25 years ago has a useful life of 10 - 15 years. Advancements in shingle technology have made it possible for roofs installed today to enjoy a useful roof life of 15 - 20 years.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Roofing Charlotte NC | Roof Repair and Roof Replacement in Charlotte NC

Hail damage to roof, Charlotte NC
Due to recent storms in the Charlotte area, Charlotte homeowners are experiencing roof leaks or are in need of a roof repair. If you are in Charlotte and have a leaky roof, there are a number of explanations and it doesn't necessarily mean you need a new roof. Roof leaks in your Charlotte home can be eradicated with minor roof repairs. However, if your roof has hail damage or damage from a more severe problem, such as a house fire or storm damage, you may need a professional roofing contractor to take a look and give you a free estimate on your roof repair.

Many homeowners in Charlotte have already taken advantage of filing an insurance claim for their roof damage caused by severe storm weather. Weather-Tite roofing and exterior home repair provides a free service to assist you in your roof repair claim. They can be reached at 704-909-2800.

Discovering a leaking roof in your home can be quite upsetting. Your roof should be protecting the inside of your house and keeping it water-tight. It is one of the most important things on your exterior to protect you from rain, snow, sleet, and hail. Many people go into a panic-mode when they notice their roof leaking and damaging their interior.
Chances are when you find out your roof is leaking, it is raining or there is snow on your roof. Sometimes it is too dangerous to attempt an emergency roof repair when the roof is wet. Slipping off the roof can happen very easily. Emergency roof repair is better left to a professional roofing company.
Weather-Tite roofing and Exteriors can help you diagnose your roofing problem. An experienced damage specialist can look carefully at where the leak is to determine what might be the cause. If your roof is sloped, the source of the leak may be higher up than where the actual water is coming in. The Weather-Tite damage specialist will determine where it might be coming from so they can accurately discuss with you what type of roof repair you need.
Chimneys are a Common Source of Leaks
Chimneys are a frequent place for leaks. The metal flashing around the chimney may have become loose. Roof cement often separates from chimneys during extreme weather and temperature changes.
Leaking Roof Vents
Roof vents are another easy area for water to seep into your home. Your roof probably has several vents. You could have vents to let the hot air out of your attic. There are usually plumbing vents too from the bathroom. Sometimes there are dryer vents. All these vents are normally sealed with flashing and/or roof cement. Many emergency roof repairs are done around vents.
Anytime there is something coming out of your roof, it is a prime candidate for a leak in your roof. Your roofing material may still be in good shape. It's these openings in your roof that can cause problems. Having to reseal them is quite common.
Call a Professional Roofing Contractor
Trying to do an emergency roof repair yourself is not as easy as it may sound. If you think you can just go up there and slap some roof cement on - you're wrong! Just like most things there is a right and wrong way to do it. Even the smallest gap left can let water in. If the cement is applied incorrectly it may cause water to form small pools of water that will enter your home.
Emergency roof repairs are better left to a professional. Besides the risk of falling off your roof, it is not a job easily accomplished by an amateur. Don't panic - but also don't think a do-it-yourself job will do the trick.
Do you need a Charlotte roofing company that is professional, experienced, and has a proven track history with Charlotte residents?
Weather-Tite exteriors has been installing and repairing roofs for over 18 years. For an expert roof replacement call 704-909-2800 for a free estimate. Weather-Tite also provides home remodeling services and free assistance with insurance claims and estimates.
http://www.titeroofs.com