The Benefits of Breathable Underlayments for Roofing Systems

There’s much more to your roof in Bellevue than keeping rain and snow out of your house. The quality of your roof vents will also play a role in the amount of energy your household uses, and it will change the amount of moisture that’s let into your home. Watch this video and learn about the benefits of breathable underlayments for roofing systems.

There are countless types of roofing systems to choose from, and you should know about the benefits of breathable underlayments. Breathable underlayments allow for better attic ventilation, which helps protect your home and attic from moisture. A breathable underlayment can reduce the amount of moisture in your home by up to 20%. This reduces your risk of water damage and mold problems, and it makes your home safer and more efficient. If you want to improve your roofing system, look into breathable underlayments.

Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Water Stains on Your Ceiling

When you lay down to go to sleep at night and you stare at the ceiling, you might notice rounded, brownish colored patches. These are water stains, and they often indicate that you have a problem with your roof in Redmond. The presence of water stains means that moisture is getting through your cedar shake roof and into your home, where it can cause a multitude of problems for the house’s structural integrity and the quality of your indoor air. If the stain continues to get bigger, then it’s going to be a reoccurring issue. Read ahead and find out exactly why you shouldn’t ignore water stains on your ceiling.

You don’t have to be a roofing professional to realize that a water stain on the ceiling is a problem, but you might need one in order to fix it. This typically means that there’s a leak in your roof, so whenever you get rain, snow, sleet, or hail, the precipitation may seep through your shingles and land on the backside of your ceiling. This will continue until you have the leak fixed. The longer you wait, the more vulnerable you are to moisture problems like mold growth and structural damage.

How to Get Ready for Roof Replacement

Eventually, the time will come when you need a roof replacement near Redmond , so you should be ready for the procedure. You need a strong, sturdy roof to protect your family and your home, so the first step is to look at different roof types and see which material makes the most sense for your needs. Then, you can find qualified roofing contractors who specialize in roof replacement to get the job underway. Roofs can last for years and, in many cases, decades, so you should take care of your investment and learn about your warranty. Keep reading and learn how to get ready for roof replacement.

Choose a Material

Synthetic, cedar shakes and shingles, and flat roof systems all have their own advantages. If you’re due for a roof replacement, you should learn as much as you can about your options to ensure that you choose the right one. Cedar shakes and shingles are cut from cedar and available in different thicknesses. This type of roofing material matches up well with traditional home designs, and it offers a natural and organic aesthetic. A TPO system might be right for your low pitch roof, but metal roofs offer a range of benefits, as well.

Hire a Roofing Company

No matter what kind of roofing materials you choose, they won’t be effective unless the whole roofing system is installed properly. A new roof is a big investment that should last for years if not decades, and the installation process can make all the difference. Talk to your neighbors or friends in the area to find out which companies will get the job done right and which companies will give you a subpar experience. Once you’ve compiled a list of potential roofing contractors, you can look at each of their websites to learn about their team, read testimonials, and find their contact information.

Know Your Warranty

Installing a roof is no small matter, so you should know what your contractors can offer you before you sign. Understand what your warranty covers and for how long so you can keep your roof alive without breaking the bank

Why Deteriorating Flashing Means Trouble for Your Roof

Roof shingles in Redmond might be what you see from afar, but there are other roofing materials that help keep the whole fixture intact and working. Each element of the roofing system needs a little bit of maintenance to keep your home dry, comfortable, and healthy. Flashing might be the unsung hero of the roofing system, as it plays an important role but isn’t always recognized for its efforts. Without efficient flashing, your roof won’t be able to fully protect your home from the elements. Here’s a look at why deteriorating flashing means trouble for your roof.

Your roof isn’t just one continuous, solid piece. Instead there are joints where different segments meet, and these joints need to be covered in order to keep water out of your house. Flashing is a piece of metal that covers the joints and keeps water out. Without flashing, it would be easy for rainwater to seep directly into your home through the cracks and gaps in your roofing system. Excess moisture in the attic can leave water spots on the ceilings and water damage or even mold in your home. Flashing protects you from the hazards that come with these problems by keeping water outside.

No roof shingles are invincible, although some types appear to be close. Take a look at your roof in Redmond every now and then and see if everything looks normal. Notice any problems with the flashing, shingles, or gutter system, and talk to a roof repair specialist to see what you can do about them. The roof that covers your house will spend the entirety of its working life outdoors, which means it’ll be vulnerable to elements like rain and snow, as well as pests and the nests they create. Regular maintenance is key if you want your roof to last for as long as possible. Here’s what you should know about some common causes of roof damage.

Weather

Your roof takes on the elements so that you don’t have to, so it’s only fair that you return the favor by repairing it when it’s been damaged. Water, snow, hail, and sleet will all take a toll on your roof. Those who live in climates where hurricanes are prevalent will have to pay even closer attention to their roofing systems, as wind can be a real threat as well. Severe weather can rip up your roof shingles and potentially even tear your whole roof off of the top of the house.

Pests

Critters like rats and mice can squeeze through holes and crevices the size of a dime, and ants and termites can go virtually wherever they want to. When it comes to roof damage, the pests you should be concerned about are birds, squirrels, and rats. These animals will have no trouble making their way up your siding or through your gutters, and they may ultimately decide to nest on your roof. This gives them an outpost, so they can take their time in burrowing through your roofing shingles and into your home.

Neglect

Even the strongest roofs need to be maintained. If you don’t maintain your roof, then each element will be more vulnerable to the constant wear and tear that it’s exposed to. Check your roof out whenever you can, and call your

Your roof in Redmond protects your home, and your gutters protect your roof. At the end of the day, it’s your job to maintain these fixtures so that they can continue to protect you. Watch this video and clean out your gutters to protect your roof.

A properly maintained roof can last for 20 years or more, so it’s worth it to walk to the curb and look at your house once in a while. If it looks like your gutters are overflowing with leaves and animal nests, then it’s time to do some cleaning. Water can spill over onto your roof, leak into your house, and create an array of issues. Have your gutters checked and cleaned 3 times a year to get rid of debris before there’s any buildup, and install a gutter protection system to preserve both the gutters and the roof.

Seasoned roofing contractors in Redmond may recommend that homeowners install new gutters along with their new roof. If your gutters are failing, leaving them in place might lead to significant damage to your new roof shingles. Bad gutters increase the risk of ice dams during the winter. Consequently, ice dams can damage the roofing materials. This means you’ll have to schedule emergency repairs in the middle of winter. Ice dams can also cause significant damage to other structural elements of your home, and they may lead to flooding inside your home.

In addition to ice dams, failing gutters can lead to rotting and deterioration of the fascia boards, which hold the gutters in place. And if your home has wooden siding, this material can also sustain moisture damage from the water overflowing from the gutter system. If you’re scheduling a roof replacement, having new gutters installed is a smart move. Since the work can be done at the same time, it will minimize the disruption to your family’s routine.

If you notice any signs of damage to your roof, you should call a roofing contractor in Redmond promptly to schedule roof repairs . It’s also advisable to walk around the exterior of your home after a major storm to visually check for missing or damaged shingles. If you do notice anything that looks out of place, call a professional to do a roof inspection—don’t try to climb up there yourself.

Your energy bills will increase.

The same gaps in your roof that allow water to leak in will also allow for heat transfer. In the winter, your heated air inside the home will escape. In the summer, the hot air outside will make your air conditioner work harder. The result is higher utility bills all year-round—and a less eco-friendly house.

The damage will get worse.

At first, you may only notice some slight discoloration on your ceiling. As time passes, it will start to look more like a water stain. Later on, your ceiling might start leaking. Missing and damaged shingles, gaps between shingles, and other problems never go away by themselves. The longer you delay roof repairs, the worse the damage will get. Eventually, your home may show signs of water damage to the following:

• Decking underneath the roof shingles
• Insulation
• Attic
• Drywall
• Foundation

The more widespread and severe the damage gets, the more expensive the repairs will be when you finally do schedule them.

Water damage will allow mold growth.

Toxic mold is one of every homeowner’s nightmares. It can sicken your family and pets, and cause existing medical conditions to get worse, such as asthma and allergies. Mold spores can spread easily and multiply rapidly. Once your home is damaged by water, it’s susceptible to widespread mold infestations. You could even have toxic black mold behind the walls or under the wallpaper without realizing it.

Animals and pests can get into the roofing system.

Many homeowners think that animals could only penetrate the roofing system and the house if there are very large gaps. But actually, mice can climb through holes as small as a dime. Some pest experts say that mice could even get through a hole the size of a pencil eraser. And if the gaps in your roofing system are larger, you might even hear squirrels rustling around in your attic. The sooner you get your roof repaired, the better protected you’ll be from pests.

In the Redmond area, roof repairs are often due to damage inflicted by ice dams. Ice dams are thick, heavy ridges of ice that can be found at the edge of the roof. If not addressed promptly, ice dams can cause significant damage to your home, and require costly roof repairs. It is possible to prevent ice dams, even in northern climates. A roofing company can help you with this.

Why Ice Dams Form

Ice dams develop when certain wintry conditions are met. First, the roof must have snow on top of it. Second, the higher elevations of the roof must be above freezing on the exterior, and the lower part of the roof must be below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. These temperatures, if sustained over time, will cause the snow at the higher elevation to melt. The water will run down the roof, and freeze at the lower section. The result is an ice dam.

How Ice Dams Cause Water Damage

Once an ice dam forms at the edge, snow continues to melt and flow down toward the dam. The freezing water will make the ice dam grow larger. Once the dam is large enough, the melting snow will no longer reach the parts of the roof that are at or below the freezing point. It will remain liquid, and this allows it to seep into cracks. The result is water damage in the attic, and eventually, the lower parts of the home.

How to Prevent Ice Dams

It’s possible for homes to be more susceptible to ice dams if the roofs weren’t properly installed. Consider asking a reputable roofing company to do an inspection. To prevent future damage throughout your home, it may be worthwhile to get a roof replacement before the next winter. Other steps to take include sealing all areas in the ceiling to prevent heated air from transferring from the main part of the house up to the attic. Heated air in the attic will cause the top of the roof to warm up, which allows snow to melt and form ice dams. Some homeowners take the extra step of having additional insulation placed in the attic.

When it’s time to schedule a roof replacement in the Redmond area, ask the roofer about using Owens Corning’s ProEdge Hip and Ridge Shingles. These exceptionally well-designed roofing materials are often preferred by contractors, because they effectively resist the effects of moisture and wind.

Watch this video to find out more about Owens Corning roofing materials. You’ll see how the ProEdge Hip and Ridge Shingles enhance the overall look of the new roof. They form a waterproof barrier and protect against high winds, but these ridgeline shingles also allow the attic to “breathe” for proper ventilation. These materials are compatible with many types of Owens Corning products to complete the roof.