Gutter cleaning and maintenance in the autumn are important in order to prepare for the winter months. When hit by winter weather, clogged or damaged gutters or downspouts can sag or break off, back up and create ice sheets that damage your roof, or leak and create icy conditions below. So take the time now to make sure your gutters are prepared for the winter. 

Please be careful!

There are some things homeowners can do for themselves, but we ask you to be very cautious. As professional contractors, we have the equipment, experience, and training to get up on roofs or clean gutters with a reasonable degree of safety. If you do not have the right equipment, or if you are not comfortable with heights, please do not try to do this by yourself! Having a professional clean your gutters does not cost much, but it could save you a great deal of expense and pain if you hurt yourself. 

That said, some homeowners are able to do basic maintenance, such as:

• Remove obvious debris: A garden trowel or gutter scoop will help you clean out your gutters.
• Flush the gutters: Look for leaks in the gutter system and clogs in the downspouts. The water should run freely. Sometimes clogs can occur in the elbows of downspouts, so be sure to clean them out. Small leaks can be caulked.
• Check that your gutters aren’t bent or twisted. If the damage is minor, you may be able to gently straighten them.
• Tighten loose gutters: Sometimes the nails that attach the gutters to the fascia board can start to work their way out. Tap them back in place with a small hammer, being careful not to do any damage.

Some Do’s and Don’ts

Do wear gloves and other protective gear to protect your eyes, hands, and even your head. A hard hat is a great item to have around for everyday repairs. 

Don’t lean your ladder on your gutter. That’s not what the gutter is for. It is not strong enough to support your weight. At the very least, you will likely bend your gutter, causing yet another repair; at worst, it could break and you could fall. 

Consider installing gutter guards that will provide protection for your gutters from large debris while allowing water to flow freely. This may require the help of a professional.

Please don’t get up on your roof to work or walk around. While it’s a good idea to eyeball the condition of your roof while you are closer to it, resist the temptation to get up there. Contact a professional for a yearly roof inspection. 

Getting help

If you feel uncomfortable cleaning or inspecting your gutters yourself, especially if you live where trees create a great deal of debris, please call a professional. That’s why we’re here. 

If you have discovered serious problems with your gutters or you suspect your roof may have a problem (please check out our Roof blog post for signs you may have roof damage), leave it to a professional to evaluate your particular needs. The problem may not be as bad as you think, or it may not be as expensive to fix as you fear. Just make sure you choose an experienced and reputable contractor to look at the situation and give you an evaluation. 

We strongly encourage gutter guards. There are a variety of styles to choose from, depending on your needs and your budget, and they will save you a great deal of trouble in the future and could help prevent future roof damage or decay. 

While your contractor is working on your gutters, have him or her inspect your roof as well, to give you the peace of mind that all is well or to catch problems while they are still small. Again, be sure to choose a reputable person in order to avoid roofing scams.

Call us at (610) 353-2895 to see how we can help you get your home ready for winter weather.

Autumn is the perfect time to make sure your roof is ready for winter. Winter repairs are more costly for you and more dangerous for the roofers. You also risk greater damage to the rest of your home if a serious problem occurs during the winter that could have been resolved now. 

We recommend homeowners do basic yearly surveillance of their roof and siding to check for any possible issues.

What you can do

Check your roof for any signs of waviness or wear and tear of shingles, flashing, chimneys, and vents. Binoculars can help you get a closer look at anything that seems suspicious. While looking at the roof, check the siding for any gaps or places it may be separating from the house, especially along the roofline or around windows. These are areas where moisture can seep in, doing damage to your wood framing, insulation, or drywall, and becoming a haven for growing mold.

If your attic is unfinished, go into the attic on a sunny day and look for any light shining through the roof’s underlayment. Then use a flashlight to closely examine the roof’s underside, wood beams, and insulation to determine if there are any signs of moisture leaks. If your attic is finished, this might not be possible, so check for signs of leaks along the ceilings or walls in the attic. Keep in mind that if you are seeing any leaks in other parts of the house, it might actually be caused by a roof issue that found a path downstairs. 

Check your gutters and drain pipes to make sure they are not clogged, bent, or rusted. Puddles or ice that form on your roof can cause significant damage to your roof or walls, while gutters that overflow could create icy conditions on the ground below. 

What a professional can do

We do not recommend that homeowners get on their roofs to examine them. Our roofing experts are specially trained and insured for walking on roofs, and we know what to look for when doing a roofing appraisal. Some of the things our roofing appraiser looks for:

• Damaged or worn shingles, roofing materials, or underlayment
• Debris, moss, or lichen – particularly common when there are nearby trees or shade
• Signs of standing water (stains, deterioration, rusting)
• Condition of flashing (trim around vents, chimney, etc.)
• Gutter and downspout issues
• Damage to underlayment – a professional eye-checking of the attic
• Signs of leaks in or around the attic and windows

A regular inspection can help you catch small problems before they become major problems. This saves you money, protects your biggest investment, and may protect the safety of your family, as well. 

Contact us at M&K Renovations. Our experts will inspect your roof, gutters, windows, and more. After our free inspection, we will give you our honest assessment, with suggestions of what you can do yourself if possible and what we can do for you to keep your house warm, safe, and secure. Call us today at (610) 353-2895.

Roofing scams are not uncommon, especially after a major storm has come through. Some scams are easy to spot and avoid, others not so much. At M&K Renovations, we are licensed and insured custom home remodeling experts and we hate to see people cheated. Here are some red flags to help you avoid being a victim of roofing scams. 

Scammer red flags

It is not uncommon, especially after a major storm, for an unsolicited roofing rep to come to your door and offer a free inspection. These people are often called “storm chasers” because they show up after bad weather has come through, when homeowners are upset and vulnerable to scams because they have roof damage that needs to be repaired right away. The worried homeowners jump at the convenience of having someone look at their roof quickly. 

The problem is that these door-to-door salesmen are rarely from reputable companies. Once they get on the roof, they sometimes cause damage so they have something to fix. Or they promise you a “free roof,” claiming they know how to get your insurance company to pay for it. 

High-pressured sales tactics to get you to sign immediately are also immediate red flags. And if a roofer says he needs money upfront to pay for materials, show him the door. Never pay a contractor until materials have been delivered to your house and work has begun. 

Scammers often offer a very low bid then add “unforeseen costs” as the job progresses. They may even cause damage as they go along, in order to keep the job going and charge more. If you hired the roofer for a small job and he comes to you and says he “discovered a bigger problem,” proceed with caution and consider getting a second opinion. 

Avoiding scammers

Many of these tactics can be avoided by not hiring anyone who comes to your door unsolicited. The salesperson may seem nice and knowledgeable, but chances are they are neither – just a really good scammer. 

Some of these scams, however, can occur even if you called the roofer yourself. The best way to avoid these scams is to get several bids and compare them. If one bid is significantly lower than the others or does not mention a problem that the other roofers noticed, do not choose that roofer. It may have been an innocent oversight, which could suggest they are not thorough. Or they may be planning on “discovering” it later and jacking up the price once they are hired and your roof is ripped up. 

A good contractor wants you to be confident that you’re making the right decision and will never employ fear tactics or pressure. At M&K, we never push homeowners into a quick decision, and we are transparent about costs and potential complications that might arise. With rare exceptions, our final costs are consistent with our estimates. We are confident in our work and offer homeowners the opportunity to contact former customers to get their honest appraisal of us and the work we’ve done. 

Keeping the roof over your head in great shape will protect your home for years to come. When you hire a local, certified, reputable, and experienced roofing expert, you can avoid roofing scams. Contact us here at M&K Renovations to get an honest appraisal of your roof so we can protect your greatest investment.

Home siding in the Greater Philadelphia area can take a beating year-round. Whether your existing siding needs replacement or you’re planning a major addition, you have many siding options. Each has its pros and cons, including energy efficiency, costs, durability, and maintenance. Vinyl siding is currently the most popular option for many valid reasons, but for your particular house or your particular dreams, other siding options are available. 

Vinyl

Why is vinyl siding so popular? Because it has so many pros and few cons. Vinyl siding is one of the most affordable types of siding, coming in many styles and seemingly endless colors. It has a lifespan of 20-30 years, requires little maintenance besides occasional scrubbing with soap and water, scores relatively high in energy efficiency, and can include insulation to further increase energy savings. It is resistant to moisture and pests, and it installs quickly. 

The few downsides to vinyl siding are that it can crack or break upon impact and can bow or buckle over time. For long walls, sometimes seams between vinyl sheets can show, but our expert contractors work very hard to minimize or eliminate obvious vinyl sheet junctures. 

Metal

Metal siding, whether aluminum or steel, is more expensive than vinyl (everything is) but offers a unique, modern, sleek look that many homeowners love. It can be installed vertically or horizontally, with a variety of formulations to create a smooth look or a more rustic design. Very energy-efficient, it also reflects the rays of the sun, keeping the house cooler in the summer. It’s surprisingly durable, resisting dings, dents, and more, and requires very little maintenance.

Fiber cement siding

Fiber cement siding is made of water, cement, sand, and fibers, and is pressed into a variety of siding styles. It costs less than some other siding options (except vinyl) and can be painted to meet your aesthetic goals. It is quite durable, long-lasting, fire-resistant, and very low maintenance, though not very energy efficient. 

Wood or fabricated wood

Natural wood siding is stunning. Wood offers a classic, rustic look for the homeowner and is extremely energy efficient, being a natural insulator. Cost can vary dramatically, depending on the style of wood siding you choose, and it requires regular maintenance. Sealing the wood every 3-5 years will give it some protection from pests and elements.   

Fabricated or engineered wood gives the look of real wood with fewer drawbacks. It comes in more styles, is less expensive, and more resistant to damage and pests. 

Brick and stone veneer

Brick and stone veneer, whether real stone or imitation, are also great options. Brick creates a formal, traditional look, while the effect of stone can vary widely, depending on the type and color you choose. You can create a formal, manor home look or a rustic farmhouse look, depending on your vision. Brick and stone are not very energy efficient and can be costly, but are extremely durable, free from pests, and require very little maintenance.

Considerations and questions

When choosing your siding, it helps to have a clear vision of the style or message you want to convey. What effect do you want? What do you want people to think or feel when they look at your home? Most importantly, what do YOU want to think or feel when you look at it? Our designers will go through the options with you and offer you a few choices to consider. 

Once you know which options will help you reach your goals, consider cost, maintenance, durability, and resale value. If there is a type of siding you love but it’s not in your budget, consider maybe using it as an accent. Depending on the shape of your house, you could do a front section in stone or in wood shingles, for instance, and the rest in another siding that will complement it. 

Whatever you choose, our experienced, insured contractors will install your siding quickly and efficiently so that your dream home becomes a reality. Call us today to get started.

Though many people find moss on a roof attractive, it can actually cause significant damage and should be removed quickly and prevented if possible. Moss grows in moist, shady areas. While it’s beautiful under trees and between rocks in a woodland path, you don’t want it on your roof. Since we experience all seasons of weather here on the Philadelphia Main Line, there are many opportunities for moss to grow.  

Moss can grow on many surfaces, including asphalt shingles, tiles, wood, and cedar shakes. A spongy plant that soaks up large volumes of water, it can harm your roof in multiple ways. First, the retained water adds weight to your roof, potentially causing sagging or excessive pressure on substructures. The retention of moisture against the shingles will also hasten the deterioration of your roof, wearing off the granules of an asphalt roof and working its roots into any kind of shingles, causing them to begin to fall apart and become fragile, brittle, or cracked. 

The constant moisture will eventually make its way into your underlayment, soaking through to the wood sheathing below. This creates a perfect environment for the growth of mold and bacteria, which could make their way into your walls and ceilings. Damage to the shingles and substructures can create leaks, letting in rainwater, as well as rodents and bugs that are attracted to the wet, enclosed environment.

 If moss is not addressed as quickly as possible, it can become a very expensive problem. 

Cleaning off Moss

Power washing or brushing off moss with a broom is not recommended, because it can cause already fragile shingles to shatter, creating serious leaks into the substructure and possibly into your home. 

If your moss growth is fairly recent and not very extensive, and if your roof is fairly new, you may be able to gently clean off the moss using a soft brush or a flexible leaf rake gently pulled across the moss to loosen it. When you have loosened moss, gently rinse your roof with a garden hose, not a power washer whose pressure can be too strong for your roof. Try to avoid rinsing the debris into your gutters, which would cause additional problems. Put a cover over your gutters or rinse debris off the side of your house that is gutterless.

There are chemical products on the market that kill moss. If you use one, make sure that it won’t damage your kind of roof, and keep in mind that runoff can damage your landscaping or local wildlife. Once the moss dies, you may still have a problem with clogged gutters as it is washed off by the rain, so put screens or other guards over your gutters during the period of time in which the chemical is active. 

Removing moss can be dangerous since it makes roofing slippery. If your moss growth is extensive, you may need to engage a professional, both for safety purposes and for the expertise that a professional can provide. Professionals have the right equipment to protect themselves and your roof while removing moss. 

If the damage to your roof is extensive, it may be best to replace the roof. Your roof expert can evaluate if it is possible to save the roof or if it would be better for your home value if it were replaced. After all, many new home-buyers consider a new roof an asset and are wary of a house with an existing moss problem. 

Preventing Moss

Many new roofing materials come pre-treated with a moss-resistant chemical. Metal flashings also have an inhibitory effect on the growth of moss on the roof areas that are below them, as rainwater washes the chemicals in the metal onto the roof below. Installing metal strips, especially zinc strips, on the ridge of an existing roof may help deter the growth of moss and lichen. 

If possible, cut back tree limbs that are shading the roof. This will decrease the likelihood of moss growth and may also protect your home from damage, in the event that limbs break off in a storm and land on your roof.

As long as any part of your roof is moist and shaded, you are likely to eventually deal with moss. Keep ever vigilant and remove it as soon as it begins to grow. Leave the moss on the ground where it belongs. If you have a problem with moss on your roof, call us at (610) 353-2895 for a free consultation. 

Over the past 20 years, many homes in the Greater Philadelphia area have been built with stucco on at least a portion of the exterior. Unfortunately, many of these installations have been defective. Serious problems can occur when stucco is not applied correctly, not sealed correctly around exterior fixtures, or not properly sealed where the stucco meets with a different material. You want to take care of stucco problems long before you go to sell your house and see a “stucco failure” on an inspection report.  

Stucco is a cement plaster exterior siding and is one of the oldest exteriors still in use. Stucco is even seen in ancient Greek architecture. It is quick, versatile, fire-resistant, and cost-efficient. However, in wet and humid regions such as ours, water damage and shifting of soil and foundation can wreak havoc on stucco exteriors, because it is a stiff and inflexible cement-based material. And because stucco is sometimes applied incorrectly, the chance of problems increases. Because of this, some realtors are hesitant to show stucco homes, and many sellers are required to pay for a costly stucco inspection and possibly a repair job. 

Signs of stucco problems

When water gets under stucco, it can crack, crumble, or bulge. The moisture can create mold, possibly in places you can’t see. Stucco can also be easily stained. The color from your shutters or windows may bleed, and ironwork can leave rust stains on adjacent stucco. Mildew can leave unsightly black spots. It’s important to inspect your stucco yearly to catch problems early before they cause significant damage. 

Signs that moisture may have gotten under your stucco:

• Hairline cracks, bald spots, bulging
• Stucco “gives” when you press on it
• Caulking around windows and doors is missing or has shrunk
• Transitions between stucco and other materials are not properly sealed
• Staining or discoloration, mold or mildew
• Rot or poor sealing around exterior fixtures: light fixtures, electrical outlets, pipes, meter box, deck, chimney 

Stucco Solutions

If you notice any of the problems listed above, you should act quickly to correct the problem. Options include an expert remediation service to repair and protect your current stucco, replacement stucco, or a new exterior. Contact us at 610-353-2895 for a free consultation with one of our exterior experts to find out what the best option is for your home.

Gutters may seem insignificant, but they actually play a critical role in directing water away from the perimeter of your home. Without properly functioning gutters, water falls off the roof directly above your foundation, soaking the soil, which in turn soaks the foundation. This could potentially cause serious damage, such as cracking, shifting, or leaking, which in turn could lead to mold on the interior walls.

Waterfalls coming off your roof can seep under your doors or cause rotting in your walls and windowsills. Icicles hanging across the edge or large slabs of ice sliding off your roof could not only damage your landscaping, they could cause serious injury to anyone unfortunate enough to be underneath when they come down. 

Detecting a problem

How do you know that your gutters need replacing? Most signs are fairly obvious, others more subtle. And sometimes your gutters only need to be repaired.

If your gutters are obviously broken or bent, you need new gutters. If, however, they are disconnected or falling off and they are fairly new, you may just need to replace the hardware.  One of our experts can determine the condition of your gutters and make a recommendation. 

A waterfall during a hard rain is an obvious sign of a drainage problem, but more subtle leaking or dripping may be a sign that small cracks are beginning to form. In the winter, icicles are a clear sign. And if plants are growing in your gutters, it’s time for new ones.

A subtle signal that your gutters are leaking is bubbled or peeling paint on the exterior of your house. Check the gutters above the area and you’ll probably find a leak. A poorly draining gutter could also cause standing moisture to rest on the roof, leading once again to the possibility of rot and a very expensive fix.

The benefits of new gutters

New gutters are a fairly inexpensive way to avoid very expensive problems down the road. Your new, properly functioning gutters will effectively move water away from your home, protecting your foundation, walls, and paint. They will also improve your home’s appearance, enhance curb appeal, and increase your home’s value.

Gutter design continues to improve, developing more effective and attractive ways to protect your home from the ravages of the elements. Come in and see the wide selection of gutters available in many attractive materials and colors.

You may see water spots on the wall near your windows and think you have a window problem, but you can’t pinpoint the cause. Or maybe you have water damage on the first floor and think it’s because of the upstairs bathroom but the plumber can’t find a leak. Watermarks and leaks could actually be signs of roof damage. Once these leaks occur, you don’t just have to fix or replace the roof; you may have to fix or replace beams, ceilings, and drywall as well. Save yourself a great deal of money and frustration by doing a semi-annual inspection of your roof. Look for these signs:

• The shingles don’t lie quite flat, or there are bald spots where granules are missing.
• There is roofing debris is in the gutter. You may not notice bald spots yet, but if there is roofing debris in your gutters, your shingles are wearing out.
• Your roof looks uneven or wavy, or it seems to be sagging. This usually means there’s a structural problem or an issue with the underlay.
• There are cracks in the roofing. You may not notice this from outside, but go to your attic on a sunny day and turn off the lights – cover windows, if necessary – and see if there’s any light coming through your roofing.
• Moss or mildew is growing on the roof. Some people like the look of it, some don’t. But love it or not, moss and mildew hold moisture and work their way under your shingles, so they’re bad news for your roof. If you live in a heavily wooded area, the moss could simply be from the shade. But it might also be a sign of moisture under your shingles due to roofing damage or poor home ventilation.
• Your roof ridge or flashing is damaged. The ridge is a cap that covers the joining of two roof areas. In traditional roofs, the ridge connects the front and back halves of the roof. But current housing designs often include multiple roof areas and therefore multiple ridges. Flashing is a waterproof material, like aluminum or galvanized steel, placed around structures such as a vent or chimney to direct water away from the seams.
• Your roof is 20+ years old. Roofs take the greatest brunt of the attack from the elements – the power of storms, the force of wind, the weight of snow, and the burning rays of the sun. Roofing is made to be long-lasting, but it is not immortal. Eventually, it begins to wear out, and if you replace it before you see obvious problems, your home and pocketbook will benefit in the long run.
• Your neighbors are replacing their roofs. If your neighbors’ houses are about the same age as yours and they’re replacing their roofs, it’s likely you should, too. Their roofs may have begun to cause problems inside their homes. Don’t wait until you notice interior damage.

Besides your twice-yearly inspection, check your roof after serious storms or wind or after any heavy limbs have landed on it. If you can catch damage quickly, you might avoid needing to replace the entire roof. Contact us at (610) 353-2895 for emergency repairs or to talk to us about how we can help you protect your greatest asset – your home – with an upgraded, beautiful, and expertly installed new roof.