Mid-Winter Maintenance Checklist For Your Home

Phil's Main Roofing 

(203) 838-4545

www.philsmainroofing.com

If you are currently living in the North East, then you are fully aware of the undesirably cold temperatures that this winter has presented us with. And if you think we are almost nearing the end being that it is already mid February, Punxsutawney Phil’s winter prediction for 2015 seemingly suggests we have quite a way to go – 6 weeks worth, at least

Unless you’re planning to take the family elsewhere for the remainder of this chilling season, here are a few tips that can help you grin and bear it at home –

• If you have an oil-burning furnace, make sure you have more than enough in your system at all times.
• Reseal your windows and doors with weather stripping and/or caulk to keep the drafts out and the heat in.
• Change your furnace’s filter at least once a month to ensure that your system can continue to do its job.
• Double check your attic’s insulation to prevent ice dams from forming on your roof. This tip is especially pertinent to all homeowners this year!
• Keep your gutters clean to prevent a backup of debris so that wet winter weather can properly be diverted away from your home.

Last but not least, don’t forget to inspect your roof regularly to ensure that damage from record-breaking winter conditions are not compromising the quality of your home. But in the event that your roof falls victim to an ice dam, leak, or other threatening activity, contact Phil’s Main Roofing for help! Located in Norwalk, CT, we offer a variety of residential and commercial roofing services to property owners in New York and Connecticut. For more information, visit us at www.philsmainroofing.com or contact us at (203) 838-4545.

Phil's Main Roofing - About Us

Phil's Main Roofing 

(203) 838-4545

www.philsmainroofing.com

Family owned and operated since 1948, Phil’s Main Roofing is an award winning roofing contractor that provides commercial and residential services to property owners in Fairfield County and the surrounding areas. Since 1948, our team of factory certified technicians has assisted heaps of homeowners and business owners with all of their roof repair and replacement needs; quality work is always guaranteed!

As a member of the North East Roofing Contractors Association and the Norwalk Master Builders Association, we proudly install the top roofing brands and put 110% into all of our projects. And as a result, our reputation for consistent quality workmanship has landed us a spot on the list of contractors who receive automatic warranty release upon completion – prior to inspection – with several manufacturers; quite the accomplishment if you ask us!

Regardless of the size and type of job, when you work with Phil’s Main Roofing, you can rest assured that you are getting the best of the best. Available to perform 24 hour emergency service, we are licensed and insured in the state of Connecticut and in Westchester County, New York, and always place our customers top of mind.

For more information about our commercial and residential roofing services or to schedule your FREE estimate, please visit us at www.philsmainroofing.com or contact us at (203) 838-4545. And don’t forget about our commercial snow plowing and roof snow removal services! Rather than fret over the turnaround time needed to clear your property of large snow accumulations, our team would be more than happy to do it for you.

Roofing Mistakes To Avoid

Phil's Main Roofing 

(203) 838-4545

www.philsmainroofing.com

Have you ever made an improvement to your home but weren't satisfied with the job once it was complete? Maybe your new kitchen cabinets aren't aligned properly. Or, perhaps small cracks are already starting to form in your new cement driveway. But now let's focus on roofing - knowing just how serious a roofing project can be, little room is left for mistakes by both the contractor and property owner. Although most of the responsibility lands on the contractor (after all, they are the experts), the property owner should always be supervising the project to ensure that no mistakes accidentally slip through the cracks.

Will you be completing some roof repairs over the next few months? Thanks to Angie's List, we've put together a few common mistakes to look out for so that your project can run as smoothly as possible:

1. Inconsistency: If shingles are your material of choice, you will want to keep any eye out for any that don't match. When roofers use more than one supplier to collect their materials, there is always a possibility that there will be a clear visual difference.
2. Legality: Most of the time, property owners are required to obtain a permit before they can get started on their roofing project. In order to avoid a legal situation after the work has already been started, make sure to follow the proper procedures and check that your contractor is also in line with what is required on their end too.
3. Cutting Corners: If you are redoing your roof in its entirety, you will want to avoid taking the easy way out to cut either costs or time. For example, even if your flashing looks like it is in perfect shape, chances are it will not last as long as your new roof since the materials are being applied at a different time. Throughout the process, be sure that new materials are always applied where applicable.

For a list of additional mistakes to avoid, please click here.

As an award winning roofing contractor, we at Phil's Main Roofing know how important it is to provide top of the line work to each and every one of our customers; when you work with us, quality work is always guaranteed! If you are on the search for a roofing contractor that will give 110% for the duration of your next improvement project, contact us 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.

Tips For Using A Roof Rake

Phil's Main Roofing 

(203) 838-4545

www.philsmainroofing.com

Snow, snow and more snow; it sure seems like that was one of the only weather conditions predicted in our forecast over the past two weeks or so. And although it has slowed down slightly, giving us some time to clean up the wintry mess, we haven't escaped just yet - more snow may be on its way over the next few days!

Since we are currently engulfed in a white wonderland (and likely will be for quite some time), we want to make sure that our readers know how to properly remove heavy accumulations from their roof. As we have mentioned previously, a roof rake is one of the best tools to use when removing snow from the roof; but like any other technique, it must be used correctly. To ensure that your home is not compromised when clearing your roof this winter, keep the following tips for using a roof rake in mind as you go - 

Tip 1: Icicles 

If you cannot see the area in which you are directing your roof rake to, you could hit an icicle without even knowing it. Before you begin to comb your rake over your roof, be sure to inspect from afar to make sure you won't subject yourself to a falling icicle.

Tip 2: Power Lines

Are your home's power lines located only slightly above your roof? Unless your power lines are high enough where your roof rake can't reach, you must be cautious about where you place your roof rake and how you move it; a damaged power line is the last thing you need in the midst of winter snow storms!

Tip 3: Snow Volume

Although you might be inclined to remove as much snow as possible in one shot to reduce the amount of time spent outside, you need to remember that falling snow is heavy and therefore dangerous. Even if your roof rake can handle large quantities of snow, only take down small piles at a time.

Not sure if you're ready to face the snow on your own just yet? If you're uneasy about removing the snow yourself, or, if you don't yet own a roof rake, contact Phil's Main Roofing; we'll handle it for you! And don't forget - we also offer commercial snow plowing services to assist commercial customers clear their territory in the event of a blizzard. To learn more, please visit us at www.philsmainroofing.com or contact us at (203) 838-4545 today,

Benefits Of Having A Metal Roof

Phil's Main Roofing 

(203) 838-4545

www.philsmainroofing.com

Asphalt, slate, tile, metal - the list goes on and on. But although there is more to roofing than the finished product that everyone can see, the material you choose plays an increasingly significant role in the success of any project and isn't a decision that should be made on impulse.

Are you planning a roof remodel for this spring? Before you can even meet with your contractor, it is a good idea to do some background research on the different materials available so that you can start to narrow down your options prior to signing any contracts. To help you out, we put together a list of the benefits of having a metal roof below:

1. Lifespan: Metal roofs are extremely durable and therefore, have the potential to last longer than other materials. If you would like to avoid having to redo your roof again while you remain in your home, choosing metal might just be the solution for you.

2. Installation: Unlike shingles which come in several pieces, metal roofs generally come in large sections. Therefore, the process of installing it is not as complex and the time needed to do so can be reduced.

3. Protection - Did you know that metal roofs are non combustible? Due to their composition and ability to be fire resistant, metal roofs are given one of the highest fire ratings!

But that's not all! As a leading provider of residential and commercial roofing services in Connecticut and New York, we at Phil's Main Roofing know just how beneficial a metal roof can be over the other possibilities. To learn more about what makes metal roofing so great, or, to have a metal roof installed on your home this year, please give us a call at (203) 838-4545 today!

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!