Tips

Common Causes of Roof Leaks

Scan the Roof for any Leaks 

A roof leak is a common cause of worry for many homeowners. It is a challenging situation when after spending so much of time, effort and money you find that the roof is falling apart.

You have to take the smallest drip seriously. It is important you take note of the slightest red flag at its nascent stage says Jeff from Oxford Roofing. You need to locate the source of the leak which is even more challenging than the solution. The cause of the leak will help you decide if the roof needs a simple repair or re-roof. You need to understand the different causes of roof leaks so you can decide upon the right solution.

Broken Shingles and Faulty Skylights

Broken or missing shingles can cause roof leaks. Different shades of patches on your roof indicate missing singles. One another way to know if there are broken shingles after a storm is when you find broken shingle pieces throughout the storm.

Condensation and Age of the Roof

The attic is surrounded by outside and inside temperature. Due to this situation, condensation can form leading to moisture. If you notice a mold smell from the attic, it indicates that there has been water infiltration.

You must look for any mold growth and treat it right away. You need to fix a ventilation fan for the attic to ensure airflow as this will bring down the difference in temperature. Once in a while check if the roof vents are clear and are free of any blocks. You must also isolate the attic which will help in decreasing the temperature fluctuation. We asked Lexington Roofing these questions.

commercial roof leaks

The roofing material will get worn out after as it ages. This is due to fluctuations in temperatures as season changes that cause expansion and contraction.

The roof is directly exposed to direct sunlight and harsh rays that can easily melt the tar that holds shingles together. The roof will become brittle and easily cracks causing leaks during rains. Worn out asphalt shingles and other roofing materials will have to be completely replaced.

Flashing and Holes

A thin metal strip that is installed in areas to avoid leaks around the roof is called flashing. The flashing must be sealed properly to avoid water intrusion. Caulking and cementing may offer temporary solutions.

It is better to replace old flashing with new ones if you find that it is giving way to water leaks. Heavy storms and animals can cause holes in the roof that causes leaks. Misplaced roofing nails can also cause holes. Such holes may go unnoticed unless it gets severe. It is good to inspect the roof once in a while to get such issues fixed immediately.

Commercial Roof Repair Emergency?

Reliable Roofing Expert

Nature! Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful creations of God! But nature does not always look gorgeous.

It can slip into a ferocious mask at times, sending chills down your spine, making you tremble in fear.

And, the difficult part is that it never rings a warning bell when it decides to change its form.

So, it can be one of those busy days when you are scheduling the meetings and checking the works as usual. Quote from Mike at the best roofing Massachusetts company.

Then, out of nowhere nature takes a murky turn, the winds knots up with a deafening voice, and suddenly the roof above you crumbles down into bits and falls with a thud!

You are left aghast not knowing how to handle this emergency, shaking like a leaf! What to do now? How to handle this?

Well, we are here with some quick pointers that can guide you in emergencies like this!

Hurried Decisions Can Turn Costly!

commercial roofing companies in Boston MA

Let us accept the truth. Not everyone can have a helping mentality when misfortune strangles you in a tight grip.

There can be those crooked storm chasers who make the maximum use of your woes to make some quick money!

In a hurry to get your roof repaired, business owners often fall prey to these roof scammers. Let us take a look at how these scammers operate:

  • The storm chasers will travel to areas which had been severely affected by the storms or any other impactful environmental fury. They will choose the areas where the destruction of roofs are more than what a local roofing company can manage.
  • They post a ‘help wanted’ ad all over the place. They also promise an attractive pay package in the ad. People flock in lured by the pay package, and thus they make a crew of storm chasers.
  • The head of the team will get in touch with a legitimate roofing company in the local area and offer them help to complete the roofing works. They put forward a deal by which the storm chasers get to use the local company warranty and name. In return, they will pay a handsome amount as profit share to the company
  • They start taking up roofing works all over the area, and the clients will not doubt them as they are using the local company name.
  • They start collecting huge insurance amounts for all these repair works
  • They quickly leave the area with all the money. Soon, the low-quality roof works begin to fail. But, no trace of any one of them will be there in the locality. 
  • All the complaints begin flooding in the local host company, and they will struggle to pay the warranty. Soon, the company will lose its business or run with an irreparable bad name.

This is how people can fall as easy preys to storm chasers who loot their money and vanish away.

How To Find A Reliable Roofing Expert?

commercial roofing in Boston

Now, how to ensure that the roofing expert you choose is a reliable one and not another storm chaser who is here to loot your money? Here are some easy pointers for you to help you make the right choice. We asked Jeff from Oxford Roofers his opinions on this matter.

  • Choose a licensed professional roofing company.
  • Check whether the roofing professional who visits your place to do the works is an endorsed member. To be an endorsed member, they have to qualify a strict criteria list and should also be sponsored by an existing member.
  • The roofing professional should possess valid insurance and a license. 
  • Their track record in working as a roofing professional will have to be verified. This can be done by inquiring about the person in the nearby areas and the companies they have already worked.

Just a simple cross-check of all the above points can help you choose the right roofing expert and not let yourself be another victim of the roofing scammers.

Check out our post on What is the best vinyl siding?

What Should Your Thermostat Be Set at in Summer and Winter?

Thermostat Be Set at in Summer

Setting The Right Thermostat Temperature In Summer And Winter

As a homeowner, you will try all the possible means to keep your home functional and comfortable.

Installing a furnace and air conditioning service is one of the best ways to make your home very comfortable in the winter and summer seasons says Bryan from Affordable Heat & Air .

In today’s trend, many homes make use of furnace and air conditioner for several goods reasons, and your home may also use these appliances.

Even though your home may have a heating and cooling unit made by a highly reputable manufacturer, your home still may not be able to achieve ideal heating and cooling results due to several reasons.

Failure to set the right temperature in the thermostat is one main reason for the above appliance not to deliver the optimal results. The thermostat is a device that is used to regulate the temperature in the furnace and air conditioner.

You should adjust thermostat appropriately by considering the weather and ambient temperature. In this article, we will discuss the best thermostat setting for summer and winter.

Best Setting For Summer

During the summer months, it is better to set the thermostat temperature to 78 degrees. This will keep your home optimally chilled.

During the summer evenings, especially before you go to sleep, you shall set the temperature roughly to 82 degrees so that you can sleep better.

Many people love to travel during the summer. If you don’t stay in your home most days of the week during summer, then you can set the temperature to 85 degrees.

This will help air conditioner to work only when the temperature inside the home reaches an unacceptable level that can damage the home electronics and foodstuffs.

Best Settings For Winter

Thermostat Be Set at in Summer

You will have to be very careful when setting the thermostat temperature during the winter season.

If you keep the temperature so high, you will have to spend more money on your energy bill.

If you set the temperature too low, then you will have to have to call the plumber for fixing busted pipes. It is good to set the temperature to 68 degrees when you are awake at home.

At times, when you are away from home, you can set the temperature to 58 degrees. This will keep your home optimally cool and does not freeze the sinks and pipes.

Programmable Thermostat

It can be challenging to reach the thermostat when you are busy with cooking and babysitting.

You can install a programmable thermostat to avoid the pain and stress in adjusting the thermostat manually.

With a programmable thermostat, you do not need to bother much about manually changing the thermostat for a more extended period says Bill from SoCal Climate Control Santa Barbara.

Smart thermostats are the upgraded version of the programmable thermostat, and they offer amazing advantages to the users.

Though the initial purchase price of the thermostat is expensive, they can save cost in the long run. Let us discuss some of the unique benefits of a smart thermostat.

Wi-Fi enabled feature lets you control the smart thermostat from your anywhere using your smartphone.

This feature is a boon for people, who often forget to set the right temperature or often change their plans related to work or vacation.

How to Clean Your Home’s Vinyl Siding

How to Clean Your Home's Vinyl Siding

Vinyl siding is attractive and stylish, and it’s also quite easy to take care of too. If you stay on top of general, day to day cleaning, then vinyl siding actually requires only a minimal level of upkeep. These tips will help you to keep your vinyl siding looking brand new for as long as possible.

Cleaning Vinyl Siding

Vinyl siding should be washed with a soft cloth, or, for those hard-to-reach areas, with a long handed brush with soft bristles. If the siding is textured, then use a soft bristled brush to clean the grooves in the texture and stop them from staining. Start at the lower end of the siding, and work up, then rinse the cleaning solution away completely, before the solution dries and leaves unsightly marks. If there is brick facing, then make sure that the brick is covered so that it does not get stained by any run-off.
Vinyl Siding on clean home
Manufacturers disagree on whether or not it is a good idea to use a power washer on vinyl sidings. Some allow it, but place strict limits on the amount of pressure that the washer can be set to, and what sort of cleaning solution can be used. Some expressly forbid it because excessive pressure may damage the vinyl, and if you use the wrong angle (aiming the washer upward, for example) then water may be driven behind the siding, causing damp issues. Most manufacturers advise against using a pressure washer near a window, door, or any opening for wiring, plumbing, etc for this reason.

Removing Mold, Mildew and Mulch

There is no need to spend a lot of money on expensive cleaning agents. You can remove mold or mildew with a cleaning solution of 70% water and 30% vinegar. You can also use standard laundry detergent, such as Tide, or other simple, mild household cleaners (common laundry bleach), watered down to 1 gallon of water to one quart of laundry bleach. Mulch residue is harder to deal with, and if the residue is from artillery spores then you may have a more serious issue to worry about. Consult an expert to identify the spores, and if necessary replace the mulch, and the siding at the same time.

Protecting Your Siding

To protect the siding from discoloration, cover it when you are working around the house �” do not allow the siding to come into contact with stains, concrete or sealants, and be sure to read the instructions before spraying herbicide or insecticide to the siding �” there are some products that are designed to ward off pests, but different manufacturers recommend different products. Heat can damage sidings, so keep your barbecue and anything else that produces heat away from the side of the property. Do not allow dry leaves, mulch or anything else combustible to build up against your house.

Reflected sunlight can be incredibly concentrated and can cause heat to build up in a focused area. If you are worried that this is happening to a specific spot on your wall (perhaps because your house is in the path of reflected light from a conservatory or greenhouse) then consider protecting the house with strategically placed trees or bushes, or by fitting external shutters if the glass is under your control. This should help to filter the light and reduce the problem.

For the most part, sidings are quite easy to take care of. If you are unsure about anything in particular then check the documentation that came with the siding that your contractor installed, because using the wrong products to clean it could void your warranty.

Top four home improvements for less than $1,000

home-improvements

If you have decided to remodel your house, then this can be a tedious and expensive process. Many homeowners give up upgrading when they hear the costs. But, your home can still look stylish and improved, with small adjustments, which fit your budget. Considering that average prices for bathroom remodeling go up to $16,000 and windows replacing $8,000, kitchen and master bedroom projects run many times that amount. On the other hand, you can start some small projects that will improve the appeal of your homes. So, here what you can do?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pwBg0VLskM

Improve the lighting

Keep in mind that unique modern light can transform your room and make it look larger and warmer. If you have outdated fashioned fixtures, you can always update them with new and energy efficient models. If you don’t have an idea where to start, then visit some retailer websites, they often present latest trends, such as copper and bronze fixtures. Pendants and chandeliers designed in attractive metals can change the look of your home and make it feel warmer. You would be surprised how light can upgrade your house.

Redo your entrance

One of the best ways to improve the condition of your property is to make your entry more attractive. The best method to accomplish that is to replace the entrance doors. You should buy solid doors with contemporary fittings and locks. On the other hand, if this is a significant investment for you, then you can change the handles and just paint the door with same or different color. If your front door is in excellent condition, then you can merely remodel your porch, by adding new lights, house number, rug and potted plants.

Improve the bathroom

bathroomWe already addressed the bathroom remodeling expenses, but in most cases, people have small baths, and $1,000 can go a long way. For example, you can replace the toilet and sink, and in addition, you can pay the plumber to install them. You can always find the best prices when it’s a sale season. You also have another possibility; you can pain the room, which can be done in one weekend. In this case, even the smallest change will be noticed, for instance, change the mirror or vanities.

Hire a professional cleaner

A clean home is the best home you can live in. A professional cleaning will not only improve the look of your home but also make a living more comfortable. While many people think they can perform this task, professional cleaners will do the better job. For example, carpet cleaners use powerful machines to suck out dirt and dust, which is impossible in-home conditions. You can hire a company which provides this service; they will save you the time and leave your house spotless and clean.

Feng Shui office – how to transform your business space

Feng-Shui-office

Feng Shui has become a widely accepted method around the world in organizing homes and business spaces. An appropriate Feng Shui office is believed to bring the inspiration, improve productivity and power and when it’s well done, you can boost up the creativity, discipline, and success of your workers and yourself. There are a couple of steps you can perform to equip your office in a Feng Shui style.

Clean clutter and organize

One of the essential factors of Feng Shui is cleaning your office and getting rid of clutter. Messy business space can mess with your head and decrease concentration and creativity and impact your physical and spiritual well-being. When you clean the office, you will feel the flow of positive energy that will help you focus and enhance your mental clarity.

Also, keep in mind your desk, as an essential part of this concept. It doesn’t matter if you space if clean if the desk is a complete mess. In this case, create an organizing system that works for you and deal with tasks on a daily basis. The things you use every day, keep within arms reach, so you don’t have to get up every time. Whenever you are done with the work, try to leave your office organized and clutter free.

Pay attention to desk position

deskBased on Feng Shui principles, you want to make sure you are sitting in the power position. In this case, it means you are looking at the door when seated. In perfect conditions, you should be able to see the entire room. Sitting in a power position is the most crucial element regarding Feng Shui office. On the other hand, if you are too close to the door, you will be distracted by many details. If you share your business space with someone, then you should avoid sitting back to back but also face to face. Both positions will indicate the conflict. In addition to this, if you can’t avoid sitting face to face, create a barrier between you and your coworker by placing the plant.

In an open-plan office, where a lot of desks are placed, use plants in corners to soften up the edges. Sharp edges may create discomfort and irritability. Also, make sure to use suitable colors because bright and vivid colors can be too active and large offices.

Use appropriate artwork

If you want to equip your office in a Feng Shui style, then you need to fill your business space with images and objects that will inspire you and improve creativity and productivity. In this case, you should add flowers, art and beautiful window treatments. You should and the photos, images and motivational messages that symbolize what you are trying to achieve.