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Friday, February 28, 2014

Preventing and Tending to Ice Dams: A How-To

Phil's Main Roofing 
(203) 838-4545
www.philsmainroofing.com

Image courtesy of Wikipedia
With the weekend forecast calling for potential snow accumulations, it's important to recognize if and when your roof might be in trouble. Ice dams are one of the most damaging weather-related issues and are a direct result of high levels of snow buildup on the roof, so why not try to prevent them while you can? By taking these precautions, your roof (and your attic) could be ice dam free!
  1. Don't heat the roof: To prevent an ice dam, keep your roof cold. This way, the snow on your roof will eventually dissipate without leaving too much water behind. Try your best to keep the underside of your roof deck under 30 degrees. 
  2. Properly insulate: To maintain low temperatures, there must be adequate insulation and sealing gaps that let warm air pass into the attic from the house. Insulate the areas between the roof rafters, but keep a pathway between the roof deck and insulation to prevent condensation.
  3. Ventilate your attic: When your attic is ventilated, cold air is introduced into it and heated air escapes quickly. Some contractors believe that heat passing through the attic helps prevent ice dams, but quite the opposite is true. While heat will melt the snow, once the water reaches the cold eves it freezes and forms an ice dam.
Homes with ice dams on the roof are often left with shadow lines, which are dark lines of moisture that appear on the ceiling. To remove the lines, clean off the mildew with a solution of 1 quart of bleach and 3 quarts of warm water, then rinse with clear water and let it dry. If it appears that the surface is stained, you will need to do some repainting.

Instead of taking a risk this winter, call Phil's Main Roofing and help us help you! Our team of roofing experts can prepare your home to withstand all circumstances, and with our repair and preventative maintenance programs, your roof will be ready to bear a storm in no time.

Call us at 203-838-4545 to schedule your free estimate or visit us online at www.philsmainroofing.com.

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Leaky Roofs: What to Know and How to Fix It

Phil's Main Roofing 

(203) 838-4545

www.philsmainroofing.com

With the snow and wet weather continuing to pour in, it’s no surprise that home owners are experiencing the adverse effects of a leaky roof. Tending to a leaky roof could potentially involve a lot of time and effort, but it could easily be prevented with the proper installation and maintenance. 

Follow these top 10 roofing tips in order to properly care for and treat the leaks in your roof.
1. Safety First – While it’s important to take care of a leak in your roof quickly, it’s also important to do so in a safe way. Trying to work on your roof while it’s raining or coated with ice and snow could be very dangerous and could even land you in the hospital. Repairing a leak the right way takes time, so be patient and wait until it’s okay to go outside.
2. Take Precautions – Working on a roof requires you to position your body in ways that are not always comfortable or safe. Make sure to wear the proper shoes and clothing, such as rubber sole shoes, and use a harness if possible. Lastly, always work with a friend who can look out for you and help prevent any serious injuries.
3. Spray the Roof – Before you start any work, use a garden hose to spray water on different parts of the area to locate the leak. Make sure you check the weather though, as it’s not safe to run water on the roof when freezing temperatures are expected.
4. Keep Gutters Clean – Leaky roofs are often caused by clogged gutters, so try to keep your gutters clean. Dirty gutters can often cause the water to build up from rain, increasing the chance of a leak in the future.
5. Avoid Dry Rot – Dry rot comes from a lack of ventilation in the roof. When plywood deteriorates, the roof will sag in and cause the shingles to weaken, crack and leak. To avoid this problem, check that you have a soffit vent and then install a ridge vent. By drilling holes through the soffit vent, cool air will push the hot air out through the top and prevent dry rot.
6. Prevent Ice Buildup – In the winter it’s easy for ice to build up under the roof shingles and in the gutters. When the ice reaches the wall line where the house is heated, it builds back up and creates an interior drip. You can prevent this by using the proper ventilation, rain and ice shields, and installing a drip edge.
7. Fix Roof Boots – Dried up roof boots are a cause of leaky roofs that home owners often miss. Although you may have to remove some shingles and put down better tar underneath, fixing a roof boot is a quick fix and can be purchased in your local hardware store.
8. Inspect Materials – Faulty installation plays a huge role in leaks, and it could also be dangerous if you plan on getting onto the roof. Sometimes shingles begin to crack after being nailed down, and nails could be nailed too low and start to push back up, so always check your merchandise before doing any work.
9. Check Valleys – The valley, also called the ridge, is where two roofs meet at the top. Leaks will often occur in this area because it is where all of the water slides to and begins to move back and forth, putting pressure on the roof.
10. Eliminate Leaks – Try not to get frustrated when you can’t find the source of your leak. If you’ve properly installed equipment on one or more sections of the roof, you can eliminate the areas where you know the leak is not.  

Dealing with a leaky roof can be stressful and time consuming, and that’s why we want to help you! At Phil’s Main Roofing, we will repair and install the top roofing brands and make sure that your home is up to date with the best quality products.

Call us today at 203-838-4545 to schedule your free estimate or visit us online at www.philsmainroofing.com.

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Is It Time To Repair Or Replace Your Shingles?

Phil's Main Roofing 
(203) 838-4545
www.philsmainroofing.com


When is it time for new shingles? Ask yourself, is it a simple repair or a full replacement? As you know, the roof on your home can collect dirt, moisture, and is frequently exposed to heat and cold. It’s important to check your rooftop at least once a year because there will come a time when the roof simply cannot be repaired and instead must be replaced.


Here are a few steps to figure out if its time to call Phil’s Main Roofing:

  • First, go into your attic, check to see if you roof deck is sagging, has water damage or sunlight coming through.

  • Then, if you’re comfortable, climb up onto your roof, find the spot and check for signs such as cracks, torn or bald shingles. (If not, Phil’s Main Roofing can check for you!)

  • Next, check the entire roof in case you missed any spots.

Once you identified the problem areas, you need to make a decision: either repair or replace.


If you decide to attempt this task yourself, be aware, this job can immediately get out of hand. For instance, if there are old shingles under yours, (three or more) you need to tear your whole roof up and start fresh. If the work becomes too hard, try hiring a professional such as Phil’s Main Roofing.


WHY CHOOSE US…

We've been open for over 65 years and are family owned and operated. All of our technicians are certified, fully licensed and insured. We can’t wait to hear from you!


Call us today for a FREE estimate at 203-838-4545. For more information, visit us online at www.philsmainroofing.com.

Friday, February 14, 2014

How Much Snow Can Your Roof Handle?

Phil's Main Roofing 
(203) 838-4545
www.philsmainroofing.com

With the amount of snow our area has seen recently, you may be questioning whether or not your roof can handle the extra weight. Phil’s Main Roofing suggests reaching for the telephone, rather than a ladder or a shovel to remove the snow yourself.

Removing snow from your roof can be extremely dangerous if you try it out on your own! That’s why a professional from Phil’s Main Roofing will take care of it for you.

Below are a few key tips on what you need to know about removing snow from your roof.

How to determine whether or not the snow needs to be removed: The number one factor in knowing if it’s necessary to remove snow off your roof or not isn't the amount on your roof, it’s the weight. Wet snow is a lot heavier than light fluffy snow, and can be extremely difficult to remove.

How to determine if there’s a problem: The number one test to know whether or not your roof can withstand the snow is if you notice that your doors on interior walls begin to stick. This indicates that there is too much weight on the center structure of your home and its falsifying the door frame.


If you've made the decision that your roof isn't handling the amount of snow on it, call Phil’s Main Roofing! We will handle the job for you. For more information, give us a call at (203) 838-4545. 

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Phil's Main Roofing Snow Removal Services

Phil's Main Roofing 
(203) 838-4545
www.philsmainroofing.com

In addition to our roofing services, Phil's Main Roofing offers our clients commercial snowplowing services. With the upcoming forecast for this Thursday and the amount of snow we've already seen, there is no better time than now to inquire about our snow removal services.

For more information, please give us a call at 203-838-4545 or visit us online at www.philsmainroofing.com.









Thursday, February 6, 2014

Tips For Using a Roof Rake

Phil's Main Roofing 
(203) 838-4545
www.philsmainroofing.com

Do you own a roof rake? Many homeowners do not. However, it's a useful tool that can help you protect your roof from significant damage.

Although using a roof rake to protect your roof/home from blizzards and snowstorms can be helpful, it can be an extremely dangerous process for homeowners.

Below are a few tips that can help keep you safe while removing snow from your roof.

Examine: Give your roof a thorough inspection. You can conduct this inspection yourself, or have Phil's Main Roofing come and do it for. The examination should be done in the summer or fall, when there is no snow covering the roof. You wan't to check for loose or cracked shingles as well as a loose gutter. If you see any of these conditions, using a roof rake will only make them worse.

Be on the lookout for icicles: It's important to be aware of your surroundings and that you're watching for falling icicles. After severe snow or ice storms, it's possible for "ice dams" to form. If they do, it increases the chance for large icicles to descend from the roof. Be careful, icicles can lead to serious injury!

Falling Snow: If your roof has a steep pitch, BEWARE! The snow will fall off quickly, and likely on to you.

Be Cautious/Mindful of Power Lines: Do you know where your power enters your home? Often times, power can enter your house through a mounted mast on the roof. It's important to stay far far away from your power lines with a roof rake if that's where your lines are located!

Remember, you can call Phil's Main Roofing to have one of our professionals remove the snow from your roof for you. Often times, when there is heavy snow and it's combined with ice, it can be extremely difficult to remove it. That's where we come in! For more information, give us a call at 203-838-4545 or visit us online at www.philsmainroofing.com.

For additional tips on roof rakes, please CLICK HERE.

Commercial Roofing Services Offered at Phil's Main Roofing

Phil's Main Roofing 
(203) 838-4545
www.philsmainroofing.com

Phil’s Main Roofing serves both clientele in the commercial and residential market. Whether you’re in the market for new asphalt shingle, slate, tile, wood shingle or copper roof – call Phil’s Main Roofing. Our professionals are ready to assist you in any project you may have in mind for your home or business. 

Phil’s Main Roofing provides all types of commercial roofing, including:
  • New construction
  • Flat roods
  • Modified roofing
  • Single ply EPDM
  • Built up roofing
  • All maintenance programs
  • Roof Drainage (Repitching)
  • Leak Detection/Repair
  • Resealing – Exterior Silicone
  • Structural Repair
  • Waterproofing
  • PVC – TPO – EPDM
  • Slate, Wood, and Synthetic Shingles
  • Copper and Asphalt Shingles
  • Gutters and Downspouts
  • Standing Steam Metal
For more information on Phil’s Main Roofing, please give us a call today at (203) 838-4545 or visit us online at www.philsmainroofing.com