How to Rid Fall Debris From Your Roof

 Phil's Main Roofing 

26 Fitch Street, Norwalk CT

(203) 838-4545

www.philsmainroofing.com

Gutters are an essential component of your roof and require routine maintenance, especially when autumn arrives. You know autumn is here when the temperatures cool off and the leaves begin to fall. Although leaves may seem perfectly harmless, the truth is that they can get stuck in your gutters and cause a number of problems. Luckily, cleaning them from your roof is easy!

Below are three of the best ways to get rid of all those leaves and bits of debris:

 
Pick them. Clearing your gutters with your hands is one of the most effective solutions because you have more control to completely eliminate all debris, especially if you’re trying to remove a large branch. Just make sure you wear protective gloves, glasses, and ask a friend to spot you on the ladder if possible.

Blow them. If you have a blower at home then you’re in luck! Using a blower is one of the easiest and most practical ways to rid your gutters of leaves and debris. A blower is a strong tool that allows you to clear a larger portion of your roof at once, saving you lots of time.

Flush them. Flushing out your gutters not only gets rid of leaves, but it also clears them of those lingering pieces of dirt and debris. By using a garden hose, flush the gutter with water so the pressure can force everything out. If the debris isn’t draining thoroughly, check the downspout and clear it out if necessary.

Brush them. Much like picking leaves from your gutters, brushing them also requires you to climb up on your ladder. But using a broom to brush away leaves and debris is simple to do!

While any of these cleaning methods will get rid of falling leaves, the safest choice is to call a professional. Professional roofing contractors have the expertise and tools needed to thoroughly and properly get the job done before winter comes. At Phil’s Main Roofing, we offer several roofing services and can help you clean your gutters in no time! For more information about our services, visit us at www.philsmainroofing.com or give us a call at (203) 838-4545 today! 

What Your Roof is Trying to Tell You

Phil's Main Roofing 

26 Fitch Street, Norwalk CT

(203) 838-4545

www.philsmainroofing.com

A roof is one of the most fundamental components of a home, so finding damage can be stressful. From water spots to mold growth, there are several warning signs that can let you know your roof needs a little TLC. If you catch any of the following problems, it's best to take care of them before they turn into more expensive repairs:

Missing Shingles - If the shingles on your roof are missing or curling, it might be an indication that your roof is either past its lifespan or damaged from harsh weather conditions. The trickiest part about fixing shingles is that it’s not easy to just replace one piece. Instead, it’s usually necessary to replace all of them in order to maintain a uniformed appearance.

Water Spots & Damaged Flashing - Finding water spots on your ceiling and damage on the flashing (the material used around vents and pipes) are both warning signs that you might have a leak on your hands. While water spots are not pretty to look at, they can certainly help you pinpoint where the source of the problem lies. If you're unsure about the cause of damage, give the experts at Phil's Main Roofing a call!

Rotting Soffit - Cracks and rotting in the soffit can be indicators that animals are finding their way beneath the roof overhang. Animals, such as birds and insects, like to find a cozy place to nest, and your roof is a number one spot! If you find damage in the soffit, give your roofing contractor a call to patch things up. 

Moldy gutters - Mold and mildew often develop under your roof when water and debris builds up in your gutters. So, if you spy moldy gutters, you’ll want to clear them out and get rid of the fungus.

At Phil’s Main Roofing, we know how important it is to address warning signs before larger problems arise, so contact us if you need help with your roof damage! For over 65 years, our family owned company has proudly served Fairfield County and the surrounding areas with our expertise in residential and commercial roofing. For more information, visit us at www.philsmainroofing.com or give us a call at (203) 838-4545 today!

How to Clean Your Gutters This Fall

 Phil's Main Roofing 

26 Fitch Street, Norwalk CT

(203) 838-4545

www.philsmainroofing.com

While you might love the sight of fall foliage outside, we’re not sure your gutters feel the same way! Gutters are designed to collect and hold rainwater, so it’s not surprising that debris can get caught in there too. But when this does happen, it’s a good idea to clear out leaves and debris so that your gutters can do their job of preventing water problems at home. To help you get started on this task, we've compiled the following list of quick tips to consider:

Wear protective gloves. Whether it’s twigs or pieces of metal, some objects in your gutters can be sharp. So, before getting your hands in there and clearing everything out, be sure to slip on your protective hand gloves to avoid any cuts or other injuries.

Use a sturdy ladder. Getting high up on a ladder can be dangerous if you're not safe. Rule of thumb is to choose a sturdy, four-legged, metal ladder. Your ladder should also have a place for you to hang your bucket so that you can collect debris without having to climb up and down too often. 

Put on protective glasses. Not only do you want to protect your hands from debris, but you also want to cover your eyes. When you’re trying to pull branches and other types of sharp debris out of your gutters, you want to do it safely. To prevent anything from coming into contact with your sensitive eyes, make sure you wear protective glasses!

Always have a helper. Cleaning out your gutters can be a tricky task, so you want to be extra safe. If you plan on physically doing the work yourself, make sure you have a partner by your side to spot you, hold the ladder, and be a second set of eyes if you need it.

At Phil’s Main Roofing, we understand the importance of keeping your gutters clear, which is why we're here if you need a helping hand! For over 65 years, our family owned company has proudly served Fairfield County and the surrounding areas with our expertise in residential and commercial roofing. For more information, visit us at www.philsmainroofing.com or give us a call at (203) 838-4545 today!

How to Prepare Your Home for Vacation

 Phil's Main Roofing 

26 Fitch Street, Norwalk CT

(203) 838-4545

www.philsmainroofing.com

While you may be busy packing your bags for your summer vacation, it’s important to also take time to prepare your home before leaving. Why? Taking the necessary steps can prevent your home from being damaged on both the inside and outside. With that being said, the following checklist can help:

Step 1. Dust off your outdoor furniture and decorative accessories. Then, put these items indoors or in a storage unit to keep them from fading in the sun or getting damaged by heavy storms. 
 

Step 2. Check the caulking around your windows and doors to shield your home from nasty weather conditions. One of the last things you want is for wind and humidity to creep inside your home, so you must make sure that all cracks are sealed. 

Step 3. Turn off the water at its source. Shutting off the main valve can prevent plumbing problems, such as flooding, from occurring when you’re not home.

Step 4. Clean the gutters. Make sure that the downspouts are tilted away from your home so that rainwater doesn’t accumulate and drip into your basement. Ideally, what you want is for water to drain away from your home rather than towards it. 

Step 5. Lastly, you should always inspect the roof! Triple check for any debris or missing shingles that might be caught. If you don’t clean off debris, such as tree branches, you could be at risk for some serious dents and scratches.

Regardless of how busy you are getting ready for your vacation, it’s important to take precaution. But if you are pressed for time, don’t worry - Phil’s Main Roofing is here to lift a little of the weight off your shoulders! Contact us if you need help checking your roof for debris or want to schedule a pre-vacation cleaning or maintenance.

For a complete list of our services, visit our website or give us a call at (203) 838-4545 today.

Tips For Cleaning Your Gutters In Spring

Phil's Main Roofing 

26 Fitch Street, Norwalk CT

(203) 838-4545

www.philsmainroofing.com

When you think of your roof, what comes to mind first? Shingles? Flashing? Ventilation? Though these are all vital components of a roofing system, there is one other that many often overlook - that's your gutters. While your gutters and your roof are technically two separate systems that contribute to the design of a home, they are highly connected in several ways. Let's look at one specific example:

Clogged gutters are one of the most common causes of roof leaks. Since your gutters are meant to help water travel away from the roof, when they are clogged the water has nowhere to go and therefore, it tends to back up on the roof itself. From there, it becomes much easier for water to seep through cracks, even when they are relatively minor.

Since clogged gutters can be a source of damage when it comes to your roof, we encourage you to dedicate some time this spring to cleaning them out! Here are a few simple tips to help you before you get started:

• Wear protective clothing like rubber gloves to keep yourself safe. Although there probably isn't too much lurking in your gutter system, there could be sharp debris that you certainly don't want interfering with your skin.
• Check that your ladder is on sturdy ground before beginning the trek up towards your roof. And even when you are completely confident that all is well, check again and have a buddy stand at the foot of the ladder in case of an emergency.
• Rather than dump all of your mess onto your lawn, bring a bucket or a bag up that can easily be reached up. This way, you can place all of the debris in one place and make the cleanup process easier.
• After you've cleared away all of the debris, go back down and grab your garden hose to give your gutters a final cleaning. This will help you ensure that you haven't missed any spots and will confirm that water can flow freely through your system.

As one of Connecticut's leading roofing contractors, we understand how essential it is to have a functioning gutter system working alongside your roof. Did you know that we also provide gutter and downspout services for this very reason? For more information about how we can help your property have a successful spring, please visit us on our website or give us call at (203) 838-4545 today.