The two most popular roofing materials in Southeast Pennsylvania are asphalt shingles and metal roofing. Both come in a wide variety of styles and colors, and either would work well on most homes. There are pros and cons for each material, so we work with our clients to walk them through the differences and help them choose just the right product to produce the desired look at the best price.

Range of available styles

Shingle roofing has a classic look and can be manufactured in almost any color and style, even to mimic the look of wood shakes, slate, or terra cotta tiles. Metal roofing has come a long way since the early days of limited standing-seam roofing options made of corrugated tin. Now it comes in a variety of metals for different needs and looks, such as zinc, tin, steel, aluminum, and copper. 

Pros and cons of each product

Let’s take a look at the differences between these two products in cost, durability, installation, maintenance, and energy efficiency. 

Cost: The price of metal roofing varies significantly among the different materials, with tin and aluminum being moderately priced and the others being rather expensive. Asphalt, however, is generally less expensive than the metal options. 

Installation and maintenance: In addition to the cost of the product itself, roofing installation is more expensive for metal roofing and less expensive for asphalt. The difference can be significant, depending on the type of metal roofing you choose. Asphalt is also easier to repair, and simple repairs can be performed by the homeowner. Asphalt shingles are small and easy to handle, while metal sheets are large and cumbersome. In fact, trying to repair a metal roof yourself could void its warranty.

Metal roofs are very sturdy and are not easily damaged, but being hit by a tree branch or heavy hail could dent the metal. And if not properly installed, metal sheets could lift off or bend up in strong winds. Asphalt shingles can also blow off in strong winds, but as mentioned, they are easier to replace and repair. However, asphalt shingles do not weather well; over time they deteriorate from the sun’s UV rays, there are many more opportunities for water to seep under the roof between damaged shingles or around flashings, and they can grow mold or lichen in the shade, whose roots will further retain moisture and break down the shingles. So while asphalt maintenance is fairly easy and inexpensive, metal generally requires less maintenance. 

Durability: Metal is more durable than shingles. While the average asphalt roof for a home is expected to last 15-20 years, metal can last 40-70 years. This can be a significant factor when considering the relative cost of each product. How many times would you be likely to replace your asphalt roof in the 40-70 years that your metal roof would last? 

Energy efficiency: Contrary to what we might think, metal roofs are actually cooler than asphalt roofs. Metal reflects heat rather than absorbs it, which can potentially translate into lower utility bills for you. In addition, metal roofs are often made from recycled material and can easily be recycled again. While it is possible to recycle asphalt, it is a laborious process and therefore asphalt usually ends up in a landfill. 

Which roof is best for you?

We encourage you to look at many pictures of houses similar to your own to see what colors and styles you like. Then drive around your neighborhood and town, looking at how different roofs look in real life. When you have an idea of what you like, come in with a few photos or online images so we can get a feel for your preferences and help you choose the best product at the best value. Call us today at (610) 353-2895 to get started.

If a tree or large branch falls on your roof, do not try to fix it yourself, and do not take it lightly. While every situation is different and sometimes there is only minor damage, the damage may also be significant, and you may not be able to tell right away. It’s best to have an expert survey the situation as quickly as possible. You should take immediate action if a large branch or a tree falls on any part of your house. 

Steps to take

1. Make sure everyone is safe. It may be best to get everyone out of the house, or at least away from the part of the house that the tree landed on if you felt a significant impact. If anyone is hurt, call 911.
2. Check that power lines and gas lines have not been affected. If they have, turn off your gas at the meter and/or call your electric company immediately. If you believe there are any other possible hazards, call 911.
3. Inspect the visible damage outside. You may have noticed cracked walls or broken windows inside, but also try to see what exterior damage may have occurred. However, do not climb up on the roof or use a ladder to get closer! Please leave that to the experts. Try to stand at a distance, or maybe ask neighbors who have a good view from the second story of their house if you can survey the situation from there. If major damage has occurred, or if you feel unsafe, lock up your house and find somewhere else to stay until the house is repaired.
4. Call your insurance company and report the damage. Take as many pictures as you safely can in order to document the situation as thoroughly as possible.
5. Contact a reputable tree service and roofing or renovation company. At M&K Renovations, we have vetted licensed tree experts who have a long list of satisfied customers. We can quickly provide you with the best tree service for your needs and expertly assess the damage to determine the next steps for your particular situation. 

What M&K can do for you

As a general contractor with deep ties to the very best subcontractors in the region, M&K will coordinate the quick repair of your home, relieving some of your stress and helping you feel confident that your house will be as good as new – or better – when we’re done. 

We will manage the removal and clean-up of the tree and other debris, provide you with the assessments you need for your insurance company, and suggest the best approach to fixing the damage. We will then dive in to make those repairs quickly and efficiently. We have even had clients who see the unexpected damage as an opportunity to make some long-desired upgrades. Be sure to discuss that with us when we evaluate the needed repairs. 

Our number one goal is to see that you are safely back in your home as quickly as possible. If you experience damage to your property from fallen trees or other accidents, contact us so we can start right away.   

At M&K Renovations, we know how important it is for a historic home to maintain the architectural elements that make it unique. Most of these elements were developed for practical purposes of keeping water out of the house or preventing large slabs of ice or snow from falling on people or objects below. Others were purely for decoration. Some of those features include rake boards, cupolas, roof combs and roof cresting, wedges along dormers, and other features that have become hallmarks of historic homes along the Main Line.

Some materials used in historic homes are very durable, others less so. But eventually, like all roofs, the roofs of historic homes will need to be repaired and replaced.   

Common roofing of historic homes

Water damage is the biggest enemy of roofs. As roofing experts, we are absolutely committed to sealing every area that could allow water to seep under the roofing and into the house. Different historic roofing materials pose different challenges, but we understand the unique features of historic roofing materials used in the Main Line area and are committed to retaining the historic nature of your home while providing you with a high-quality, state-of-the-art roof that will last for years.

Common historic roofing materials include: 

Wood shingles: Wood is a beautiful roof material, but it has a naturally-limited life expectancy. Moisture seeps into the grain and ultraviolet rays break down wood fibers. Moss and fungus grow easily on wood surfaces, speeding decay and allowing moisture to accumulate in substructures and make its way into your home. 

Replacing wooden shingles on a historic home requires careful attention to such details as the original placement of the shingles, the presence of roof accents, and the maintaining of the historic appearance while minimizing leakage around chimneys, dormers, etc.

You can replace your wooden roof with modern wood shingles or choose from a wide variety of manmade options that maintain the look of real wood but increase life expectancy and durability. 

Slate: Slate is a common roof material in our corner of Pennsylvania. While it is quite durable, slate eventually begins to crumble, starting around edges and nail holes. This allows moisture to seep in, and with the constant freeze-and-thaw seesaw we experience throughout winter in our area, substructures can begin to deteriorate and sag under the heavy weight of the slate, speeding up the breakage and deterioration of the slate tiles. 

The issue with replacing a slate roof is cost. There are other materials that we can use to give you a look and feel similar to slate but are not as expensive. We can help you evaluate these options so you can make the right decision for your home.  

Clay tiles: Clay tiles resist deterioration from natural wear and tear for many years, but they are brittle. Their real enemy is impact – a falling limb can wreak havoc on a tile roof.

When replacing or repairing a tile roof, it is again very important to maintain the same look and design that was originally used while ensuring that the roof is water-tight. Alternative products are available that offer the look of clay without the brittleness. 

Metal: Copper was the first metal roofing. On many historic buildings, the telltale green of old oxidized copper roofing can still be seen. If this copper roof is replaced, it will, of course, look copper-colored – at least for a while.  

Galvanized metal roofs became very popular in the United States in the mid-1800s. Galvanization (steel or iron coated with zinc) was invented in France in 1836, after which galvanized roofs became the rage. Tin-plated iron, often with a stamped design made to appear like shingles, was also popular. Both of these materials were durable but less expensive than copper roofs. The metal was often painted to provide protection from rust. 

Painting a metal roof regularly can maintain its durability almost indefinitely. If your metal roof requires repair or replacement, we at M&K Renovations have the know-how to preserve the look and feel of your historic home while improving the quality and appearance of your roof. 

Work with experts

When it’s time to repair or replace the roof on your historic home, entrust it to builder-contractors who are experienced in working with your particular roofing material. Contact us today to see how we can help you.

Depending on your house’s design, your roof can contribute up to 40% of your home’s visual exterior, which makes it a critical component of your overall home design. At M&K Renovations, we help our clients think through all the factors in choosing just the right color for their roof, from concept to samples to installation. 

Conceptualizing your color options

When considering roof color, think about it within the context of your overall house style, colors, and setting, as well as your personality and style. 

What are the colors of your exterior walls, trim, and shutters? Is your driveway the usual blacktop, or does it have an unusual shade? Are you on a wooded lot with trees that will obscure a neutral-colored roof?

Consider the style of your home. Is it a ranch, Cape Cod, Mediterranean, Victorian, or contemporary? Each style home has traditional roofing, but you may want to try something a little different. 

Next, consider your own personality and style. Do you like to take bold chances with color and design, or do you prefer a more subtle, traditional look? Remember, your roof is going to last a long time, so you probably don’t want to do something too unusual. But you also want to make sure the house has curb appeal – and an attractive roofing choice can really make your house “pop.” 

If your home is quite close to other homes, you may want to also consider how your roof would look near your neighbors’ roofs. While you want your house to have a special appeal about it, you don’t want it to stick out like a sore thumb. 

Once you have a list of color options, begin exploring manufacturers’ websites. While shingles are a popular choice, other options such as slate and tile may work for your needs, so don’t dismiss them outright. When looking at shingles, you’ll notice that some are a single color and others are blended with different shades. Blended shingles can offer more options as you try to determine what will look best on your home. In fact, blended shingles are often a great choice if your siding is a single, unvaried color. However, if your home has stone siding with many shades, you may want your roof to echo a single shade of one of the colors in your stone. 

Sampling the color options

When looking at websites, keep in mind that your screen may not give a true representation of the color. At M&K, we can help you make sure you are seeing the color accurately and provide you with some sample roofing materials. We can also superimpose shingles you are considering on a photo of your house using an iPad to give you an accurate picture of what the change will look like.

Take the shingles home and put them up against your house. Lean them against the various elements of your home – trim, siding, etc. – to see how they look against the different colors. Consider also the effect of the light. How do the shingles look in full sunlight versus evening? If your home is shaded by trees, how does it look in the shade? Lighting can have a significant effect on how the color is actually perceived by our eyes. 

If possible, try to find homes that already have the roof color and style that you like. Drive by at different times of the day and see how it looks. 

Installation

Once you’ve decided on a color, style, and manufacturer, we at M&K Renovations have expert roofing contractors who know exactly how to install the roofing of your choice. As general contractors, we handle all the details for you, coordinating all the pieces of the project to make sure your new roof installation is completed on time, on budget, and with the greatest of care. Call us today at (610) 353-2895 to start finding just the right roof for your home.

Although Southeast PA and nearby New Jersey do not usually experience weather as severe as states farther north or south of us, the hurricane that blew through our area this past summer, dropping tornadoes that tore roofs off houses, proved that even in this area, we need to take extra precautions with our roofing materials. 

Many houses that did not seem to be damaged by the high winds may actually have hidden damage that could over time create serious problems. It may be time to assess the condition of your roof and consider the benefits of an upgrade.

Lifespan of roofing materials

The lifespan of your roof is dependent on a number of factors, including the materials used, the quality of craftsmanship of the installers, and the environment. Because of these variables, the lifespans of different types of roofs are given in a range of years.

Asphalt shingles, the most common choice, usually last 20-30 years, but if signs of wear begin to show, they should be quickly repaired or replaced before moisture gets underneath. Metal roofing can last 40-70 years; standing-seam metal roofing is becoming a popular option. Wood shakes can last for 30 years or more but need regular maintenance. Clay tile roofing lasts 50-100 years, and slate roofs, which are a traditional material in our area, can last 75-200 years! 

The lifespan of the roof is only one factor to consider when deciding if a new roof can save you money. Improvements in building materials in recent years are also an important consideration. 

Protection from inclement weather

Although we do not often experience the extreme weather more typical of Florida or New England, it is not uncommon for our tri-state area to be buffeted by serious storms. Roofing materials and installation methods have improved dramatically in recent years to withstand extremes in weather. 

In the 1990s, shingles were rated for 65mph winds. Today, shingles can rate for 120mph or even 130mph winds. Additionally, there are several different ways to attach a roof to the walls of a home: toe-nailed, clipped, and hurricane-strapped. Hurricane strapping can further strengthen your roof against high winds, protect your roof and your property from damage, and possibly save you money on insurance.

Moisture issues

Besides improvements in roofing tiles and shingles, newer underlayment materials are superior in protecting against moisture. Wood rot and mold set in when moisture gets beneath your roof underlayment or past the flashings that surround roof features such as chimneys, vents, and trim. This could cause very serious damage to your home. At M&K Renovations, we have had a number of clients whose homes have experienced damage from leaks in and around the roof. 

Moisture damage can be very expensive to repair. We recommend you examine your roof periodically and occasionally have a professional check as well. It is better to fix small problems than to have to pay for big problems later. (See our post about checking your roof.) 

Energy efficiency

It is estimated that 25% of heat is lost through a poorly insulated roof. If you have central air conditioning, you can assume that some of your cooling is also escaping to the outside. 

The Energy Star rating is given to building products that save a measurable amount of energy. Many insurers offer additional savings on your rates when you upgrade your roof, windows, and other features of your home with more energy-efficient materials. There are also some tax credits available for improving the energy efficiency of your home. 

Contact us today at (610) 353-2895 for a free evaluation of your roof. We have the experience and integrity to give you an honest assessment of your roof and make suggestions that will help you keep your home and property as safe as possible while saving you money.

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.

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. 

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.