Paving The Way: Snow Removal Tips

Phil's Main Roofing 

(203) 838-4545

www.philsmainroofing.com

Even if it's just once, every winter is bound to bring a storm with blizzard like conditions. While for most children snow storms are usually welcomed (and we mean really welcomed) due to their ability to cancel classes, for residential and commercial property owners, events like Winter Storm Juno mean hours will be spent outdoors shoveling and snow blowing to keep walkways and driveways clear.

Although the most recent storm has come and gone, it would be wrong to assume that we're done with snow for the winter. In the event that another snow storm drops similar accumulations on your property, we want you to be well prepared to remove it from your path. Here's how -

1. When using a snow blower, watch your speed. Going slow to make sure you covered everything or going fast to speed up the process is not the most efficient way to clear the snow.
2. Pay close attention to the direction in which you remove snow with a snow blower. If you have already covered part of your driveway or the street in front of your home, you certainly won't want to blow new snow onto the freshly cleared pavement. 
3. If shoveling is your snow removal method of choice, head out mid storm to clear the snow that has already fallen (if it's safe, that is). That way, you won't have to strain your body to remove double the amount of snow once the storm is over.

While yes, it can be a tedious task, snow removal is a responsibility you inherit the moment you become a property owner. However, when you have the right strategies and techniques in mind before you head out the door, it's likely that you'll find it isn't so bad after all.

Did you know that Phil's Main Roofing also offers commercial snow plowing services? In addition to our residential and commercial roofing services, our team puts their skills to the test each winter to assist commercial property owners with clearing their snow. To learn more about what our snow plowing services entail, please give us a call at (203) 838-4545 today!

Snow Removal Services Courtesy of Phil's Main Roofing

Phil's Main Roofing 

(203) 838-4545

www.philsmainroofing.com

Are you a commercial property owner who spent the beginning of this week wondering how they were going to clear their parking lot and sidewalks in enough time for their employees to return to work safely? While Winter Storm Juno only dropped 8 inches of snow on Norwalk, Connecticut, other parts of the state were hit far worse. If you thought 8 inches was a lot to clear by hand, just imagine having to handle 25 to 30!

Now we know what you're thinking - isn't Phil's Main Roofing a roofing company? Although we specialize in commercial and residential roofing, our services also include commercial snow plowing! If you felt under prepared for the blizzard of 2015 in terms of snow removal for your commercial property, connect with the experts at Phil's Main Roofing before the next one hits!

For more information about how we can help, please give us a call at (203) 838-4545 today.

Phil's Main Roofing is a family owned and operated roofing company serving Connecticut and New York for over 65 years. Fully licensed and insured and staffed with factory certified technicians, Phil's Main Roofing is classified as a contractor who receives automatic warranty release upon completion with several manufacturers. To learn more, visit www.philsmainroofing.com.

Award Winning Roofer: Phil's Main Roofing!

Phil's Main Roofing 

(203) 838-4545

www.philsmainroofing.com

Did you know that we are an award winning roofing company? Here at Phil's Main Roofing, we are dedicated to providing the highest quality work to each of our customers. And in fact, in addition to receiving several awards, our incredible workmanship has also landed us a spot on the list of contractors that receive automatic warranty release upon completion with several different manufacturers! For a detailed list of what we have been recognized for in the past, please see below:

Master Elite - Excellence Award

2012 Training Excellence Award, courtesy of GAF

Sika Sarnafil Partners Club

Recognition of our technical competency, performance history and installation of Sika Sarnafil Roofing Systems

Peak Advantage

2012, courtesy of Johns Manville

Community Service Award

Recognition of our roofing and sheet metal services for local and state development efforts from 2000-2009

GAF Master Select Commercial Roofing Contractor - Master 10 Program

Recognition of our workmanship when installing an Everguard Diamond Pledge - 15 roofing systems for Grade A Shoprite

The Building of America Network

Presented by Green Building of America for our excellence in green building

Awards for Excellence

Recognition of our roofing services for the Weeks Auto Group roofing project

For over 65 years, we have been proudly serving Fairfield County and the surrounding areas with our expertise in residential and commercial roofing; would you like to be who we help next? For more information on the services we offer or to schedule an appointment for your FREE estimate, visit us on our website or contact us at (203) 838-4545 today!

The Dos and Don'ts of DIY Roofing

Phil's Main Roofing 

(203) 838-4545

www.philsmainroofing.com

Let's face it - when things go wrong with our home, most of us prefer to try and fix it ourselves before turning to our wallets to shell out for what could be a costly repair. But although a simple DIY fix is all it takes sometimes, if you aren't careful or don't have the right tools to complete the job, you might just wind up with a bigger problem than you started with.

The next time your roof sends you running to your toolbox, consider these DIY dos and don'ts before taking any action:

Dos:

1. Keep Things Clean: DIY roofing is hard enough as it is, so don't make it any harder by having your tools and materials scattered all about. Before you get started, make sure you have a plan on how you'll stay organized to ensure that too much doesn't wind up out of place.
2. Wear The Proper Attire: Regardless of what needs to be done once you're up there, just the act of getting on your roof is dangerous. Therefore, it's important to have the proper gear on before venturing on top of your home. Specifically, be sure you're wearing shoes with enough traction to reduce your chances of falling.

Don'ts:

1. Work Without A Partner: Even if you're just tightening a loose screw, never work on your roof without a buddy by your side. Whether they're on the roof with you or watching from below, having an extra set of hands at the ready can protect you from danger.
2. Forget To Check The Weather: The sun is out and the wind is minimal, so that means you're all clear to get started, right? While in some situations that might be the case, you can't forget that the weather can change at any moment. Before you head outdoors, check the weather forecast to make sure that rain or other damaging conditions won't come to knock you down.

If, on the other hand, DIY roof repair isn't for you, contact Phil's Main Roofing for help! No matter the severity of your roof's damage, our team will take care of it from start to finish so that you can keep your feet planted safely on the ground. For more information about how we can help, visit us on our website or contact us at (203) 838-4545 today!

New Year's Resolutions For Your Home

Phil's Main Roofing 

(203) 838-4545

www.philsmainroofing.com

While you were busy figuring out your New Year's Resolutions for 2015, did you happen to think about your home and how you could spice it up for the next 12 months? Although typical resolutions revolve around eating healthier or finding more time for the gym, your home is a critical part of your life too and it shouldn't be ignored.

Do we have you thinking in a different direction now? As you go through the list of things you hope to achieve this year, you may just want to add the following, courtesy of HGTV, to the list:

1. Eliminate Clutter: If you looked at the things you had at the beginning of 2014 and compared it to what you had at the end, you'd probably find that you acquired an enormous amount of new items. To give yourself a fresh start, go through your home room by room and eliminate anything that you don't need.
2. Improve Safety Features: Since you spend so much time in your home, you want to be sure you and your family aren't at risk. Over the next few weeks, check to make sure your fire alarm and carbon monoxide detectors still work. Although it's an easy task to complete, homeowners often forget to change the batteries and wind up not having anything to alert them if danger is in sight.
3. Reduce Energy Consumption: How many times did you receive your electric bill last year and groan at the number you saw on it? If you're looking to make 2015 a year full of savings, you can start by turning off the light every time you leave room, keeping your heat as low as comfortably possible when you aren't home and/or sleeping, and turning off power strips when you aren't using your appliances for an extended period of time.

Last but not least, how is the exterior of your home doing? If 2014 found you spending countless hours dealing with external home repairs, particularly for your roof, make 2015 the year that you put it to rest with complete roof replacement! Here at Phil's Main Roofing, our team would love to help make this year be your favorite year in your home. For more information about our roofing services and how we can help, visit us on our website or contact us at (203) 838-4545 today!

Advantages and Disadvantages of Re-Roofing

Phil's Main Roofing 

(203) 838-4545

www.philsmainroofing.com

Will you be redoing your roof in the near future? Before you can begin any work, one question you will have to ask yourself is whether you would prefer to tear off your old roof or apply new materials directly on top of what already exists. But while both approaches are perfectly acceptable, they each have pros and cons of their own that need to be considered in order to determine which method works best for your home. 

If you're already leaning towards re-roofing for your next project, let the following soak in first:

Advantages: 

1. Since you aren't taking off any old layers, there won't be as much material to clean up once the project is complete. Furthermore, you won't have to worry about the outdated materials damaging your home when it's tossed to the ground.
2. For the most part, the cost of re-roofing is cheaper than tear off and replacement due to the fact that you're saving on time and labor costs.

Disadvantages:

1. By choosing not to remove your old roof, you lose the opportunity to have your roofing contractor inspect the underlying structure of your home. Therefore, you won't know if there is other damage that needs tending to.
2. Shingles perform best when applied to a flat surface. Although a professional roofing contractor will know the techniques necessary to re-roof over an existing layer, be warned that if any shingles are damaged, their current state may be reflected in what is added on top.

For more information about re-roofing and how it may affect your home, please click here.

Now that we've got your wheels turning, have you decided for or against re-roofing? Regardless of your decision, the expert technicians at Phil's Main Roofing can help; our residential services include both re-roofing and tear off and replacement! To learn more about the processes involved in each or to schedule your FREE estimate for your next project, please give us a call at (203) 838-4545 today!

Removing An Ice Dam From Your Roof

Phil's Main Roofing 

(203) 838-4545

www.philsmainroofing.com

If you've stepped outside this week, even if just for a minute, then you know how cold it's been. And with snow in our past and more dropping in this morning, it's possible that icy weather conditions could take a toll on our homes in the near future.

In a previous blog, we offered a few tips to help you prevent an ice dam from forming on your roof. Since these damaging circumstances result from melted snow on your roof that has frozen over again due to abnormally low temperatures, now is the time when you need to be on the look out for signs that suggest one is forming. But just in case you don't get there in time to stop it in its tracks, we've put together a few strategies you can use to remove it before water starts to seep into your home:

1. Roof Rake: Just like roof rakes come in handy to help prevent ice dams from forming, they can also be used to get rid of them. In order to eliminate an ice dam from your home, try knocking it off (carefully, of course) using this tool.
2. Calcium Chloride/Ice Melt: Apply calcium chloride or a similar ice melt (but not rock salt!) to the ice dam in order to speed up the melting process. One trick that you may consider is placing the calcium chloride into a nylon stocking first rather than putting it directly on the ice dam.
3. Hiring A Roofing Contractor: If the ice dam on your roof is out of reach or too difficult to remove yourself, contact a professional for help! Asking a licensed contractor to assist with the problem is the best way to keep both you and your roof safe!

Here at Phil's Main Roofing, we know how intimidating it can be to discover your roof has been compromised due to harsh winter weather. That's why we're here to help! If you're left with damage at any point during the season, help us help you by contacting our team at (203) 838-4545. Or, visit us on our website to learn more about our commercial and residential roofing services!

Asphalt vs. Metal Roofing

Phil's Main Roofing 

(203) 838-4545

www.philsmainroofing.com

Was one of your New Year's Resolutions to complete the home improvements you put off in the past? If so, does one of those projects involve your roof? Since your roof is one of the most vital components of your home, the worst thing you can do is rush into making decisions without considering all of the possibilities first.

But let's cut to the chase. As you make your way through the roofing process, one of the most important decisions you will have to make is which material you'll use to protect your home. However, since there are so many available materials to choose from, this is an area where homeowners tend to get themselves stuck.

To make the decision making process easier for you, we've outlined the pros and cons of two different roofing materials below:

Metal:

Although metal roofs come at a higher cost than most materials, their lifespan makes up for it. Since they are so durable, complications due to harsh weather conditions are minimized and with the proper maintenance, you might even find that you never need to consider replacement in the future. But don't forget its faults! If you like your peace and quiet, a metal roof may be too disturbing since they have the potential to be noisy.

Asphalt Shingles:

One quick drive around the block would be enough to tell you that asphalt shingles are one of the most popular roofing materials. Known to be one of the most cost effective roofing solutions, asphalt shingles are also easy to install and can generally battle things like mold and mildew relatively well. However, although they are durable in most climates, sudden changes in weather can cause them to lose their strength and decay, which could cost you in repairs later.

Still not sure which material to choose? Ask the experts at Phil's Main Roofing to guide you! From slate to cedar, tile, copper shingles, asphalt shingles, sheet metal and even EPDM, our team is educated on all of the roofing materials there are to know and can provide you with a solution that works best for your home. For more information on our residential and commercial services or to speak with one of our factory certified technicians, contact us at (203) 838-4545 today!