If you have a home and haven’t put a fence up around it yet you might be wondering if there are any good reasons for you to do so. Not only are there plenty of good reasons, but once you’re done reading this article you’ll see that having a fence is in every way superior to having a completely unprotected property.

First and foremost, a fence will provide your property with a border to clearly mark why your territory begins and ends. And not only a border, but an obstacle for theives and burglars to access your home. Even if a fence is jumpable, studies show that the simple existence of a fence around a property will greatly decrease the possibility that a thief will even think of breaking into your home.

Another good reason to get a fence is because of privacy. If your fence is tall enough, you can completely block the view of any outsiders into your property. This will allow you to play with your kids, sunbathe, swim, or engage in any other activity you’d like without an audience of neighbors.

A home with a fence will automatically raise the curb appeal and add significatly more value to it. If you’ve been debating on whether or not get a fence installed, I think your answer should definietly be a resounding “yes!”

Sponsored by Fence Company Yorba Linda CA

EPDM is extremely durable and superior to most roofing in almost every way imaginable. EPDM stands for Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer, but that’s not very helpful, is it? Ultimately, EPDM is a synthetic rubber roofing that is common in commercial buildings. There are many benefits to using this type of roofing, but of course, there are always some things to consider as well.

Why Choose EPDM?

We already spelled out what EPDM stands for, but what it really is, is a type of rubber used for flat roofing. This roofing material is not common among homes, especially in the New England area, because of the need for pitched roofing. Commercial businesses, however, use flat roofing, and they often use EPDM.

Synthetic rubber has a much higher level of durability than other roofing types and can withstand many natural elements. Not only does EPDM handle cold temperatures and snow well, but it can handle high temperatures too. It can withstand most hail damage and is less likely to pull up from wind damage. Finally, it’s fire-resistant and can actually slow down a fire.

Overall, EPDM solves many of the problems that people experience with roofing. You won’t lose shingles. You won’t need to be wary of shingles cracking in extreme cold. As a bonus, it’s widely accepted as one of the most environmentally friendly roofing options available!

Disadvantages of This Type of Roofing

Some disadvantages include shrinkage, installation costs, and it’s not visually appealing. EPDM is best for flat roofing that can’t be seen from the ground level. That can ensure that its unsightly appearance isn’t out on display.

Installation costs are often a serious setback for commercial building owners. However, these owners might consider it more of an investment because of how well the roofing material holds up to damage. After installation costs, and even with its hardy nature, EPDM roofing should have twice a year inspections. Any puncture or tear can compromise the integrity of large portions of the roof.

How Do Contractors Install EPDM?

Installing EPDM is a time-consuming task, and the team installing your roofing can choose the system that works best for them and your climate. It’s possible to glue the roof onto the existing surface. Then there is the option to mechanically fasten the roof into place, and finally, to use a loose lay-over that may have stones to help keep the insulation in place.

Sponsored by Rubber Roofing NH

Snowy roofs, ice dams, and hail are only the beginning of New England roofing problems. New England winters are no joke. They are brutally cold, come with extreme weather, and in some cases, homeowners can’t detect the damage until spring comes. By that time, there’s a high possibility of extensive damage that may even still remain unseen and unaddressed.

Moisture Problems

Moisture is a massive problem, but many people see that as a “summer issue.” That’s not the case because, through most of the winter, your roof is encased in water, ice, or snow. At many times, it has all three on the roof at once!

What happens is that as snow melts, that water runs off and hopefully makes it to the gutter without refreezing—more on that problem in a moment. But even when the water gets all the way to the gutter, the moisture from that melting process always gets into the attic. Homeowners must carefully monitor their attic for moisture during the winter to ensure that there’s not unwanted growth.

Winds and Hail

High-speed winds are a serious issue in New England, and it often comes with hail. The most serious risks here are punctures, tears, and missing shingles. This type of damage happens with wind and hail, and it’s best to make repairs as quickly as possible. If you notice missing shingles in September, don’t wait until the next spring to fix them.

Ice Dams

Ice dams happen when melted snow refreezes before it makes it off the roof. That can cause serious damage to shingles, but also to the carpentry of the roof, which leads us to the most serious concern.

Roof Collapse

Roofing collapse often happens because of the weight of snow and sometimes ice dams. The ice dams can put added weight onto the roof. It can also prevent snow from falling off the roof the way that it should. This isn’t the exaggerated situation that you see in shows. Often a roof collapse is a partial collapse into the attic, but still serious all the same.

Ultimately, the best way to handle any of these winter problems is to prepare through the summer and fall. Keep your roof in top shape and consider heated gutter systems to keep snow moving.

Sponsored by Roofer Portsmouth NH

We will skip the rain on a tin roof mentions and dive into what is actually getting homeowners interested in metal roofing. Unmatched durability is the top reason why so many homeowners are choosing metal roofing, but it’s not the only benefit. Here we’ll explore the top benefits of using a metal roof on any home.

Visual Appeal of a Metal Roof

Metal roofing is not the raw corrugated steel that you might see on a shed off the side of a highway. In fact, metal roofing can now look almost exactly like any other tile of roofing material. Not only does metal roofing come in a dramatic range of colors, but it can also look like sheets, tiles, and more.

In an unlikely turn, metal roofing has become stylish. There are standard and custom hues and a variety of metal choices. Choose from copper, steel, aluminum, and more. Create the roofing look you want with the flexibility of metal roofing.

Life Span of a Metal Roof

When it comes to the lifespan of a roof, metal roofing doesn’t have a competitor. Most metal roofing options will last a minimum of 70 years. Metal roofing will often outlast the homeowners living there, but it’s a substantial investment that can change how you view your home as well as the value of your home.

In the event of extremely unfortunate circumstances, perhaps the weather or poor house care, a metal roof should still last for 40 years. That’s still longer than the expected lifespan of an asphalt roof.

Environmentally Friendly and Energy Efficient

Although metal roofing is generally expensive, homeowners often recover some of their costs in savings from heating and cooling. This roofing type is reflective, and it reflects the majority of solar heat, meaning that the attic isn’t taking on heat throughout the day.

The Metal Roofing Alliance has found that metal roofing can reduce cooling costs in the summer by up to 25%.

On top of heating and cooling costs, metal roofing is reducing the demand for asphalt roofing materials. There are about 20 billion pounds of asphalt shingles put into landfills each year. Cutting that down by converting one roof to metal at a time is a great way to have a long-term impact.  

Sponsored by Roofer Hooksett NH

It’s no surprise that hail can cause quite a bit of damage. So what can you expect after a hail storm? In general, hail will surely compromise the integrity of your seal, which can cause trouble for your shingles. If the seal integrity decreases even a bit, it can mean that your shingles will fly off in the next storm or crack. Ultimately, hail can lead to leaks that may lead to more serious damage with time.

How to Identify Hail Damage

Shingles may show signs of impact, bruising, black dots, or splits. In some cases, if the hail clipped the end of a shingle, it may have slight tears at the edge of the shingle or some granule loss.

Identifying roof damage requires that you or a professional get onto the roof and take a good look. Unless there was a very large hail, it’s likely that you won’t notice this damage from the ground. But even if you can’t see it from the ground, it can certainly lead to much more damage in a short amount of time.

What to Do When Your Roof Needs Repairs

Most hail damage only calls for repairs. Making repairs as the damage happens can mean that you delay a full roof replacement. There’s no need to avoid repairs, especially when they’re often more affordable when the damage is fresh rather than letting the damage worsen after another storm or two.

The first step is to get an inspection. Most inspections are free of charge, and they should provide you with a quote so you can plan accordingly for making the repairs.

When you’re ready, get in touch with a trusted contractor and have them start the work.

Great Reasons to Have Your Roof Repaired Sooner Rather Than Later

If you ignore this damage, it will only get worse. So making repairs quickly ensures that you avoid more expensive and more time-consuming repairs down the line. Additionally, hail damage usually receives coverage through a homeowners insurance policy. If you can file a claim, then there’s no reason why you shouldn’t schedule your inspection and repairs right away.

Roof replacement is more commonplace than most people imagine. The trouble is that most homeowners don’t regularly inspect their roof and generally have no cause to get up and look at it very often. That means that damage can go unnoticed for long periods of time until the roof itself needs a complete replacement.

Start By Checking Your Attic

The best place to see signs of consistent leaking or damaged carpentry is in your attic. These are often apparent even if you have a fully furnished attic. Take some time to look at the woodwork. Trapped moisture may lead to mold or rot. Ice dams may have warped or even broken areas within the attic.

Check the Lifespan and Maintenance Record of Your Roof

Houses uses have a paper trail that tells when the roof was put on, when it was last formally inspected, and how long it should last. For example, if you know that your roof was put on in 2010, then it should last until 2025 or 2030.

 

Look for Damaged Shingles

The best signs of needing a new roof will come from the state of the shingles. Missing, cracked, crumbling, or curling is all cause for concern. Shingle damage doesn’t always mean that you need a completely new roof, but many times, the damage has gone unnoticed for so long that it can’t be avoided.

 

Signs of Plants and Black Streaks

Alongside shingle trouble, the other physical trait that can showcase you need a new roof is the presence of mold and plantation. Moss likes to grow on asphalt all throughout New England. Moss and mold of the green or black variety will have invasive bugs flocking to your home.

Most often, termites and other pests come to nestle in roofing wood or the attic itself because of the signs of mold or plant life. Black streaks and green tuffs are serious red flags.

Call for an inspection right away if you notice problems with the inside of your attic’s carpentry, shingles, or signs of mold or plant growth. These signs can’t go unnoticed and could mean you need a complete roof replacement.

Sponsored by Roofer Dover NH