Category: Roofing tips

Most of us in the South forget how brutal the rainy and stormy seasons of the late summer can be. Your roof has to take a lot of abuse throughout the year, but during the summer, the sun beats down on it, and then it also has to put up with harsh storms and rains. Before you answer the question about how well your roof made it through the storms and extreme heat of the summertime, you might want to hire a roof repair Charleston, SC company to make sure!

Extreme Temperatures Are Bad Enough

We all know how hard the extreme temperatures can be on the body, imagine what they did to your roof over the past several months. Adding insult to injury, the summer rains and harsh storms are just one more reason that you should have your roof checked. Often, we assume that if we don’t see water damage or shingles on the ground, all is good – but do we really know?

Signs to Look For

Although there are sometimes obvious signs that a storm caused damage, such as a tree down or shingles tearing off, most of the time there is no way to spot the damage that can result from a storm. The only way to really know for sure is to have someone get up on the roof and look around. When it comes to storm damage, many homeowners insurance policies will pay to have a roof repaired or replaced if it was caused by a storm. But you have to document storm damage and know exactly what to look for in order to get your claim approved.

Why You Should Have Your Roof Inspected

Whether your roof is nearing the end of its lifespan or a severe storm has rushed through, it is a good idea to have your roof inspected. An inspection isn’t just about seeing and reporting signs of storm damage for insurance claims; it is also about stopping a small problem before it can manifest into a much larger one. It’s always better to be proactive than to spend money cleaning up after the fact. And if you don’t have things in writing after a storm, you can have a hard time tracing it back to a particular storm event and getting your claim processed.

Hiring a Professional You Can Trust

The reason that you have to put extra trust and faith into a roofer is because they have to be your eyes and ears to tell you what is going on on top of your roof. Your roof is a huge investment and if it needs to be repaired or replaced, you want someone with the experience, integrity, and knowledge to advise you about what your options are and what the best fix is. At Pioneer Roofing, we understand that homeowners put their faith and trust in us and we take that very seriously.

As we roll into fall, if someone asks you how well your roof made it through the summer, you might say “great.” It is always best to verify when it comes to something as important and expensive as your roof. Ensuring that your roof is good to go for the fall and winter ahead is the best way to give yourself some peace of mind. Contact us today and let us be your trusted guide to ensure that your roof is in prime shape!

If there is one thing that the South is known for, it is the extremely humid and hot temperatures of the summer. It can take a toll on you personally, so imagine what it is doing to your roof! Extreme temperatures can cause a lot of damage to the top of your roof; what are you doing to combat it? These are the consequences of the sun beating down, explained by our roofing contractors in Summerville, SC.

Thermal Shock

Although the temperatures don’t typically dip too much at night, it can sometimes happen. The biggest temperature insult comes from thermal shock. This happens when your roof is exposed to higher-than-normal temperatures for several days in a row, and then the temperature drops significantly at nighttime. The extreme change in temperature can make your roof expand and then contract, which can affect its integrity. This is especially true of metal roofs, and in extreme cases it can lead to warping.

Blistering

Your roof has to absorb a lot of heat, especially during the prolonged extreme temperatures of summer. If water gets trapped underneath the surface of the roof, it expands, and then it can contract when the water evaporates. This expanding followed by contracting pushes the roofing material up and it causes a “blister” appearance on the surface of your roof.

Roof Growth

Sometimes there can be gaps in between the shingle or tiles of the roof, which is where water can accumulate and cause gaps. The sun can cause moist cracks between the shingles, which is a perfect storm of moss and mold growth. The growth of mold and mildew can cause damage to the shingles and predispose them to chip, break, or come off altogether.

Storms, High Winds, and Hurricanes

The summers in Charleston come with the threat of high winds, storms, and hurricanes, which can all affect your roof. Hailstorms can leave little cracks in your roofing, leading to reduced integrity over time. This eventually might lead to prematurely needing a new roof. Also, during high winds, you can lose shingles that might be loose, or branches can fall and hit the top of your roof, leading to damage.

As we get through summer, things are heating up. If you think the extremely high temperatures are taking their toll on you, imagine what they are doing to your roof. If it has been a long time since you have called a roofing contractor in Summerville, SC to inspect your roof, now is the perfect time to do. Before the colder weather rushes in, it is a good idea to know the status of your roof. And if a storm has come through, it is even more important to have someone take a look. Contact us today to schedule your appointment.

As we quickly roll into spring, many homeowners will soon get the itch to get outdoors and perform some home maintenance items. Your roof is a significant investment, which is why preventative maintenance is needed to protect it. These are some easy spring maintenance tips from our roof repair Summerville, SC experts for you to consider. Remember, it is always less expensive to maintain than to repair!

Clean Out Your Gutters

Although gutter cleaning might not feel like it falls into the realm of roof maintenance, it does. When you allow dirt and debris to build up in your gutters, they can lead to mold and mildew growth. And over time, that will lead to things like pest breeding and wood rot in your fascia and soffit boards. The best way not only to protect your home’s foundation but also to preserve the integrity of your roof is to get those gutters cleaned and free-flowing before the spring showers hit.

Inspect for Damage

One of the best ways to see whether your roof needs repair or replacement is to look for signs that you might not notice without specifically checking. While you are getting your gutters cleaned, look for granules of roofing shingles that might have washed off and gotten stuck. A clear sign that your roof is beginning to break down is seeing roof granules around the ground or in your gutters, which is another reason to clean your gutters. Just make sure to pay extra attention to what you find!

Clean Your Roof

A common question that we get is whether it is a good idea to clean your roof by hiring a pressure washing service. Our answer is “yes” and “no.” We aren’t trying to confuse you, but pressure washing is a great idea for roofing maintenance – but not in the traditional sense. Power washing is too high-powered a wash spray for shingled roofs. If you use power washing, it can lead to missing shingles, degradation of the roofing granules, and damage from water getting up underneath the roofing materials.

However, soft washing, which is performed by pressure washing companies, is a good idea. Soft washing uses a gentler spray with concentrated solvents to clean off dirt and debris build-up that can lead to your roof sustaining damage. So if you are going to hire a service, make sure they know the difference between pressure and soft washing.

Hire a Roofing Company for a Roof Inspection

Unfortunately, when it comes to roofs, you can’t normally see what is actually happening on top of your roof. Having a roofing professional inspect your roof is an excellent way to ensure that nothing is lurking that can go from a small problem to a major issue overnight.

As we roll into spring, now is the perfect time to consider performing spring home maintenance tasks for your roof and the exterior of your home. If you want to know what kind of shape your roof is in, contact Pioneer Roofing today for an inspection. Our mission is to ensure that your roof doesn’t need a roof repair in Summerville, SC. Contact Pioneer Roofing to make your appointment today!