How Snow Can Damage Your Roof

Phil's Main Roofing 

26 Fitch Street, Norwalk CT

(203) 838-4545

www.philsmainroofing.com

The Northeast is on a lucky streak this season, but we know it’s only a matter of time before the first snowfall of the season. Although the snow is beautiful to look at, the truth is that it can wreak havoc on your roof! That being said, it’s crucial to be prepared for the first snowstorm this winter.

The first step to being prepared is knowing about the damage that can occur. At Phil’s Main Roofing, we know that snow can be a problem for your roof, so we’ve put together a quick list of ways the snow can affect it:

Water Leaking.
Be extra careful if you have a flat roof or a skylight. When it comes to flat roofs, it's easy for water to accumulate when your drains aren't working. And if the water exceeds levels that are higher than your flashing, it could result in water leaks. For those with skylights, it's hard for condensation on the inside to escape when snow builds up. As a result, your skylights could leak. That is why it’s important to remove snow shortly after a storm when it’s light enough outside to see.

Clogged Gutters.
When snow turns to ice, it’s almost impossible to remove it without causing roof or gutter damage. Not to mention, the ice itself can ruin your gutters. That is why it’s vital to remove the snow before it freezes up. If not, there’s a likely chance you could need gutter repairs in the future.

Structural Damage.
If you’ve ever shoveled snow, then you know just how heavy it can be. Although the structure of your roof is strong enough to withstand winds and rain, it isn’t usually made to carry more than a few inches of snow. But of course, every roof is manufactured and installed differently. That is why it’s so important to know how much weight your roof can support and how much snow on your roof weighs.

All it takes to protect your roof from damage is knowing what your roof can handle and what it cannot. To help you eliminate the possibility of leaks and structural complications this winter, turn to Phil’s Main Roofing! We are an award-winning roofing company, serving Norwalk and the surrounding areas. To learn more about how we can shield you and your roof from winter weather conditions, visit us at www.philsmainroofing.com or give us a call at (203) 838-4545 today! 

How to Spot a Failing Roof

  Phil's Main Roofing 

26 Fitch Street, Norwalk CT

(203) 838-4545

www.philsmainroofing.com

When your roof becomes old, you know it’s time to replace it. But what if your roof is relatively new - how can you tell if you have damage? To make this process an easier one, we’ve put together a few tips to help you find out if your roof needs tending to:

Know the weather. If you live in an area where you get lots of rain, wind, and snow then it helps to know how these conditions can damage your roof. Keeping track of how much wind and precipitation your roof is exposed to can tell you whether or not you might have a structural or cosmetic roofing issue. 

Look for damaged shingles. Did you know you can get a good look at your roof from ground level with just a pair of binoculars? To spot signs of damaged shingles, look all around for cracks, curling, or places where they might be missing. If shingles are missing, you might find a few on the ground, and if they’re curling, you’ll see them angling upwards.

Locate water stains. Checking for water stains can prevent a moldy environment, so it’s important to look for signs of damage after a heavy storm. When the weather clears up, step inside the attic and do a little investigating on the underside of your roof's sheathing. Do you see any moisture or soft spots? If so, you’ll want to call your roofing contractor to catch the issue before bigger problems arise.

Check the flashing. While you’re in the attic, it’s a good idea to also check the flashing. On a sunny day, shut off your attic lights and examine the underside of the chimney and stack vent. Spy any tiny holes of light? This can be a clear sign that your flashing is shot and needs to be replaced. 

When in doubt, turn to Phil’s Main Roofing! We are here for all of your roofing needs, including maintenance, structural repair, and new construction services. To learn more about how we can assist you through every step of the roofing repair process, 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!

Things To Look For When Inspecting Your Roof

Phil's Main Roofing 

(203) 838-4545

www.philsmainroofing.com

After a major storm or a series of storms such as the ones we have recently seen, it is recommended that you inspect your roof to make sure that every nut and bolt is right where it needs to be. Not only will you need to be able to file an insurance claim (if applicable) if things are out of place, but you will also need to be able to get in contact with your preferred roofing contractor before all of their appointment slots are full or worse, before the damage starts to develop further.

Your Inspection:

So what should you be looking for? Whether you are brave enough to journey onto your roof yourself or prefer to inspect from the ground up, there are a few key signs of damage that you should keep an eye out for either way -

• Shingles that are either missing, loose, broken, or on the verge of becoming one of the three.
• Developing moss, mildew or algae.
• Excessive piles of granules from your roof in your gutters.
• Vent pipes that are no longer protected by their accompanying rubber boots.
• Flashing that has started to rust over.

If during your inspection you notice that such examples of damage have either already started to form or are about to form, be sure to contact the roofing experts at Phil's Main Roofing immediately after. Although there are many DIY fixes that can be used to take care of the problem on the spot, the best way to ensure that your roof's structure hasn't been totally compromised is to have it look at by a professional.

To learn more about the commercial and residential roof repair services we offer, please visit us on our website or contact us at (203) 838-4545 today.

Dealing With The Aftermath: How To Assess Storm Damage

Phil's Main Roofing 

(203) 838-4545

www.philsmainroofing.com

 

Whether it be rain, snow, hail or wind, storms are a major threat to our homes and are often one of the leading causes of roof damage. Even though there are many ways to try and prevent our roofs from being damaged, storms are often much stronger than they appear to be and unfortunately, hold more control over our homes than we do. That's why after every storm, regardless of its severity, we heavily recommend inspecting your roof for any signs of trouble. Not sure where to start? See below for three tips that can help you along the way:

1. Always start by looking for obvious signs of damage such as missing shingles. This form of damage can easily be spotted by walking around the perimeter of your home, and is very common regardless of the type of storm and its strength.
2. In addition to looking for missing shingles, keep an eye out for pieces of metal fascia or other roof accessories such as your gutters that may have come loose or undone.
3. Check your attic for any signs of water damage. Aside from the obvious leak, be on the lookout for any water stains that may be forming on your roof.

Speaking of storms, have you inspected your roof since yesterday's heavy rainfall? If the recent weather conditions have negatively affected your roof, contact Phil's Main Roofing for help! At Phi's Main Roofing, we specialize in storm, wind and hail damage as well as leak detection and repair in order to make sure your roof is stable and in good standing immediately following any storm.

For more information about our residential and commercial roofing services, or to schedule an appointment with one of our expert roofers, please visit us on our website or contact us at (203) 838-4545 today.

5 Common Roof Problems

Phil's Main Roofing 

(203) 838-4545

www.philsmainroofing.com

 

Since a roof is one of the most important components of any home or building, finding damage can place a lot of stress on the property owner. While most of the time damage can easily be spotted, other times it can be difficult to truly locate the source of the problem, making it even more difficult to determine what kinds of repairs are necessary.

Do you suspect that there's damage on your roof? The following are 5 of the most common roof problems to help you figure out where the damage lies:

1. Fascia: The front board along your roof, known as the fascia, can easily be damaged by moisture.
2. Soffit: Small animals such as birds and insects often find the wood beneath the roof overhang to be a popular resting place. Their overwhelming presence can lead to cracks, holes and rotting of the soffit.
3. Flashing: The flashing, which is the material used around vents and pipes, is very susceptible to water leaks and damage in general.
4. Gutters: Since water and debris can easily build up in your gutters, mold and mildew often develops under the roof.
5. Shingles: When shingles become discolored, start to curl, or are missing, the wood underneath is likely to rot or start to develop holes.

Are you struggling with roof damage? Contact Phil's Main Roofing for help today! We are a fully licensed and insured roofing company located in Norwalk, CT that is available to perform a variety of roof repairs. For more information on how we can help, please visit us on our website or contact us at (203) 838-4545.