Why is it so important to maintain your rain gutters?

Everyone knows there is some reason to maintain a rain gutter. Most people may not even give it a second thought beyond the visual aspect. Often, it seems to be an extension of the roof, nothing more nothing less. However, regular care and maintenance are a crucial component to the safety and structure of a home. Safety and structure are important, keeping your home safe matters. If your rain gutters are faulty or worn there are big troubles on the horizon and here’s why. 

Rain gutters are your roof’s delivery system. The gutters will direct water flow out and away from a home’s roof line carrying that overflow away from the foundation. A clear rain gutter is a vital role in a vital system of protecting the structure and foundation of a home. They are an essential feature and play a crucial role in carrying away heavy rain and an often-overlooked element in maintenance. Keeping a home’s rain gutter in good repair, maintained and clear, directly impacts the ability of that rain gutter to do what it is wholly purposed for, keeping water from eroding the foundation. 

The main downside to rain gutters is that they require work and that work must be constant. In most cases, a homeowner is not as vigilant about this maintenance as they should be. Keeping your roof and particularly your rain gutters clean, cannot and should not be an occasional, reactionary act. Pulling leaves, pine needles, weeds and soil out at the start of a rainy season may already be too late. This is an act of care and upkeep that needs constant attention. As a measure of safety, if water cannot effectively flow out and away it just stays put. Standing water on the roof, on the foundation and in the gutters will cause roof and foundational leaks, fire hazard particularly during fire season and most common and unpleasantly become a breeding ground for mosquitoes. All aforementioned outcomes are increasingly unwelcome and thought to be avoided at all costs. 

The frequency by which someone cleans out their rain gutters largely depends on their home. Homes that maintain trees within approximately 10 to 15 feet of the roof line generally need to clean out their gutters at least twice a year. And homes, again dependent on their surroundings, may need that just in fall and winter alone. The assumption should never be less is more. And homes that may not have close proximity to trees are not out of the risk category either. Different types of tiles and shingles may create their own debris for the gutters and also need to be cleaned and maintained. A general lack of consideration and care will undoubtedly create costly consequences. 

Unbeknownst to a homeowner, a blocked rain gutter could easily redirect the flow of rainwater right into a home’s walls or foundation. Exterior soil erosion comes as a result of flowing waterfalls from the roof, directly affecting and aiding in the deterioration of the foundation. A whole host of larger and costly ramifications for a home’s structure. 

A homeowner’s greatest line of defense is an effective offense. An effective offense is partnering with a skilled maintenance team. Constant attention, all year round to insure the safety and security, when it’s needed most. 

Is it better to repair damage or just replace the entire roof?

In either scenario, it is certainly not a welcome choice but it is a necessary choice for your home. For the most part, most homeowners are not looking forward with unabashed excitement at the thought of repairing or replacing their home’s roofing. It is however a task that has a lot of implications if not handled professionally and in a timely manner. In other words, don’t put it off.

The roof is an integral part of the structure of your home. It is the protective barrier that insulates the inside from the outside during all manners of rough weather in California. Even without poor or extreme weather, your home needs a well working roofing structure to hold up the entire structure itself.  And to the benefit of all homeowners, roofs are built to last through time and weather alike. 

First and foremost, when you are faced with the prospect of repairing or replacing your roof, it is crucial that you partner with a well qualified, trusted roofing resource. This relationship will produce the best work that will endure for years to come. Trust and peace of mind for you will be the ultimate reward with a little research and due diligence. And with a trusted resource, the options will be thoroughly laid out for you as a homeowner. 

In short, the difference between the two options is really the scope of work that needs to be completed. It is likely that you will not know the full scope unless of course you yourself are a roofing professional. Simply put, a repair job is fixing a small portion of the roof that has sustained a small amount of damage and can be “patched” so to speak. A full replacement of your home’s roof is required if you are replacing a full visible area and the scope of work is a home improvement undertaking. In either scenario, there will be benefits and detractions alike. Both options will be a headache, large or small as a homeowner but a crucial requirement nonetheless. 

At any turn, having the peace of mind and trust in the roofing partner you have chosen will be the ultimate result. Knowing that a recommendation is met with confidence and thorough expectations is the primary goal. The longevity of the work will speak for itself and trusting in that resource is the most imperative, desired outcome of all. 

What is involved in roof repair:

It goes without saying that anyone that owns a home knows they have structural and foundational responsibilities over time. The mere fact of owning a home is this in a nutshell. Once you own it, the projects cannot be passed off onto someone else. It’s your home, it’s your responsibility. And sometimes those responsibilities are a hefty undertaking. Insurance company, get ready!

High on the list of responsibility of home ownership is structural integrity of the roof. With any luck, the roof was repaired or replaced before you purchased it and subsequently increased the value. You likely knew this going into it, if this was the case. In case of the opposite scenario, you likely knew this as well and knew it was going to be a project at some point. Either way it needs to be done.  

So what if you find yourself in a position of not having the option to repair your roof but rather need to replace your roof? This scope of work begins with the right roofing resource to handle the project. Once that is accomplished and the process is scheduled to begin, here is a little of what you can expect in the process of replacing your roof:

• Insurance claim will be the first step. This will often drive the process and scope of work. This will also drive the financial implications. Once the approval is obtained from the Insurance company then the scope of work will be determined
• Your roofing company and contractor will then provide a detailed range of work including timeline, pricing and extent of displacement if necessary for you and your family.
• Next will be the necessary city permitting and green light to begin the work. This is always handled by your roofing company and would be a part of the complete scope of work they have quoted you. 
• Now the actual work can begin. At this point the structure will be set up for the work to begin. This will include getting the surrounding perimeter of your property ready for the construction to begin. 
• Work begins. The actual replacement process begins and the scope of work and timeline goes into effect. This can take days or a week depending on the amount of work and the size of the home. Again, this will all be clearly spelled out to you from the contractor. 
• Once the full scope of work has been completed then a full cleanup of the property is done. Your property will be left in an equal to or better condition that it was in before the work started.

In any case the details and timing will vary. What won’t vary will be thorough, professional work done by well trained and qualified roofing professionals. The right resource at the right time will serve you for years to come in quality and peace of mind.   

Well, to begin with it’s over your head every-single-day and yet you may rarely think about it, it’s maintenance and how important it is. Your roof provides you with the defense against the elements no matter where in the country you live. Elements like wind, rain, heat, snow and hail. It is crucial that these elements stay outside and not in, that at its foundation is why it is crucial to make the conditions of your roof priority #1. 

The leading cause of roofing issues is poor maintenance. As one of the largest components of your home, your roof requires ongoing inspection, maintenance and subsequent repairs as needed. Your home’s roof is easily one of the most susceptible areas of your home and neglect can dramatically reduce its lifespan.  

Maintenance will increase the lifespan of your roof and will categorically determine the difference between repair or replacement, and that in and of itself is priceless.  The frequency of maintenance inspection will vary depending on weather conditions and the extremes that your home may experience. Even if your home and roofing are newer and have not had any major issues to speak of, it is a vital proactive position to have it inspected once every two to three years regularly. 

And never discount the factor of curb appeal of your home. Visually speaking, a new or well-maintained roof is worth its weight in gold when it comes to your home’s visual aesthetic. 

If your roof is over 10 years old or you’ve noticed worn out or missing shingles the only way to prevent leaks and keep your roof in optimum condition is to get a full maintenance inspection. If you’ve noticed a ceiling leak, don’t waste any time – inspection and repair will prevent additional damage from occurring.

We provide high quality roofing at affordable prices, so there’s no need to wait for a new roof. We are Owens Corning preferred contractors, GAF-certified installers, and Tile Center Institute certified – you can trust you’ll get expert level installation for any type of roof.

• Shingles
• Tiles
• Flat roofs

When the job is complete, you can trust that there will be no debris or nails left behind. We guarantee your satisfaction. If it’s time for roof repair or replacement, don’t wait. Call us today!

Experienced Commercial Roofing Repairs

If you need roof repair or replacement for your apartment or commercial building, look no further than the professionals at Imperial Roofing & Gutters Inc. We offer comprehensive roofing services for commercial property, and your satisfaction is guaranteed.

From complete teardowns to repair, you can trust the team that is certified by GAF and Tile Center Institute and is a preferred contractor for Owens Corning. You’ll get a quality roof at an affordable price, and your roof will be backed by the manufacturers’ warranties. Call or visit us to get your roofing project started.

Roof Repair and Maintenance for Commercial Properties

Whether you need roofing repair or you are looking for a qualified team to provide maintenance on your commercial roof, look to our experts for complete commercial roofing services.

• Shingle repair or replacement
• Roof coating and maintenance
• Leak repair
• Storm damage repair

Our local and family-owned company has been repairing and replacing commercial roofs in the Riverside, CA area since 2012. We are OSHA compliant in addition to our numerous certifications. Call us today for commercial roofing repair or replacement! 

Are copper rain gutters worth the investment? Yes, read on to learn more.

Copper rain gutters are worth it if you’re looking to upgrade the appearance of your home to create more curb appeal and a unique look. They’re great for coastal areas with saltwater air that eats through most metals. You’ll also want to consider that they’ve got the longest lifespan of any gutter material, over 60 years.

There are many benefits to copper rain gutters. Copper has a beautiful finish that adds a little dramatic flair and beauty of your house. Also, copper gutters do not rust as easily as aluminum gutters, nor does it crack or wear out as fast as aluminum. So, if maintained properly, copper rain gutters can last up to 50 years without needing to be replaced or repaired.

Copper exposed to the elements will develop this beautiful, green finish over time. … Copper gutters are extremely durable in most environments, and can last over 100 years with patina on them. The patina oxidation makes gutters or any other architectural copper application last longer.

Copper is not only elegant but also quite durable and widely considered to be the best long term investment. Copper gutters develop a rich patina as it weathers and it’s the patina coating that protects the copper from corroding and why copper often can last over 100 years.

Maintaining your copper gutters by cleaning the exterior portion regularly will help extend their lifespan. The warm sheen of your copper rain gutters will eventually tarnish over time. We recommend using a soft brush, along with a standard dish-cleaning solution and lightly scrubbing the gutters.

How to tell if its time to replace your roof

The last time you climbed up a ladder and cleaned out your gutters, you got a magnified view of your roof. A few turned up shingles, moss, some rust action.  Are these blemishes normal or are they signs that you need a new roof?  When you start noticing your roof’s age, bring in the experts to determine if it’s time for a replacement.

Roof damage can lead to leaks and cause significant structural damage. Plus, beyond protecting your home, your roof plays a key role in curb appeal when it’s time to sell.

“We want our houses to look as good as possible from the curb and from the photographs. And now that we use a lot of aerial shots and drone shots, the roof is much more visible. So, it’s just that much more important that the roof looks good,” shares top real estate agent Andrew Oldham, who, along with his partner Jennifer Oldham, sells 70% more single-family homes in San Jose than the average agent.

Don’t let a roof in disrepair bring down your home’s value. Follow these six steps to determine if you need to replace your roof.

1. Start by learning your roof’s history

Gauge whether you’re closing in on your roof’s expiration date by determining its installation date. If you purchased a new build or owned your home during the last roof replacement, then this should be fairly straightforward. Otherwise, dig a little deeper by reaching out to one of these sources:

Ask the previous owners: Give good old-fashioned communication a try and talk to the person who sold you the house. Even if they don’t know the exact date, they can provide you with a ballpark estimate. If you no longer have their contact details, your real estate agent can look into their records and provide them to you, so long as it would not violate any existing non-disclosure agreements.

Find the building permit: A roof replacement typically mandates a building permit from the local county. Head to your local municipality’s code enforcement office and request records of building permits for your address. A code or zoning officer will pull up any documents submitted for the project, including scope and building timeline.

Contact the roof installation company: If you know which company installed the roof, call and ask if they still have a record of the project in their database.

During your research, keep an eye out for any warranties included. A shingle warranty lasts 20 to 50 years, protecting you against manufacturing defects; a workmanship warranty covers issues that may occur due to improper installation.

2. Gauge material life expectancy

Build date in hand, compare your roof’s age to these average material life expectancies:

Asphalt shingles: 15 to 30 years

Architectural shingles: 25 to 30 years

Wood shingles: 30 years with regular maintenance

Clay tiles: 50 years or more

Metal roofing: Up to 70 years

Slate tile: 50 to 100+ years

How long your roofing material lasts largely depends on the climate you live in. For instance, a 30-year roof composed of asphalt shingles may live up to its life expectancy in Oregon, thanks to the cooler climate. In a climate like Florida, on the other hand, the same 30-year roof may only last 10 to 12 years under the stress of humidity, heat and turbulent tropical storms.

3. Take note of signs of wear

Climb back up that ladder and inspect these areas for deterioration:

Shingles: Curling or missing shingles equates to holes in your roof’s armor, leaving your home more vulnerable to the elements. Uneven discoloration, black streaks and moss signal that this layer is past its prime.

Rain gutters: Clogged rain gutters trap water along your roof’s edges which may lead to mold and decay. Granules of your shingle material in the gutter are another telltale sign that it’s time for a swap out.

Chimney flashing: Chimney flashing is the lining at the bottom of your chimney where it meets the roof. If your flashing is slathered with cracked cement or tar, you’ll want to upgrade to quality, water-tight fitting to prevent leaks. Note a red flag for rusty flashing, as well; rusted flashing invites leaks and further structural damage.

Wall and roof intersections: See decay where your roof meets the exterior walls? Damaged or missing step flashing allows water to settle into this meeting point, inducing corrosion.

Attic ceiling: Your roof is leaking if you see any stains, streaks, or light beams underneath it. A sagging ceiling in the attic or top floor also suggests leakage.

4. Get a professional roof inspection

With your amateur inspection complete, it’s time to phone the pros: roof inspectors.

“We encourage all sellers to go out and get a report because then you can properly disclose to your would-be buyers the condition of the roof and what it takes to fix the roof,” Andrew Oldham emphasizes. “And they’re going to give us a bid basically on what they think needs to be done and how much life it has left.”

With a detailed analysis, a professional roof inspector can even evaluate damage hidden underneath the shingles using an infrared scanner. With your inspection report in hand, you can move forward confidently knowing if it’s time to replace or repair your roof.

According to HomeAdvisor, a roof inspection costs between $119 to $303, though those utilizing infrared technology bump up to $400 to $600. The Oldhams recommend reaching out to your real estate agent to find a dependable, fairly-priced roof inspector.

“Our favorite inspector does home and termite, as well, so you can get three done at once. And sometimes the roof will be free if you’re also getting the home and termite,” Jennifer Oldham adds.

5. Decide whether to repair or replace your roof

Say your roof inspection report estimates you should replace your roof in the next five years, detailing several problems with the shingles and flashings. If you’re planning to sell within that window, you might wonder whether it’s best to replace or repair the roof before you list.

“That’s a discussion that you should have with your agent as a lot of that is going to depend on the state of the market your house is in,” Andrew Oldham advises.

“So, if the market is a very hot seller’s market and you would expect to get multiple offers anyway, you may not need to go the expensive route.”

Your agent will measure the return on investment that various roof modifications will yield and determine whether or not your home needs the upgrade to compete in your market.

What to expect if you replace your roof before you sell:

If your home demands a full roofing overhaul to sell, then prepare to fork up a significant sum to cover the project. HomeAdvisor reports that homeowners spend on average between $5,346 – $10,787 on roof replacement, though Jennifer and Andrew Oldham have witnessed clients spend as much as $60,000.

The good news is, a roof replacement returns a fair amount of investment: 61.2% to 65.9% by Remodeling Magazine’s estimate. Industry research leaders the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) and the National Association of Realtors (NAR) echo this calculation in their joint 2019 Remodeling Impact Report. New roofing ranks the number one project for ‘appeal to buyers’ and ‘likely added value to home at resale’. The report estimates that a new roof brings an average $8,000 return, with 33% of agents stating that a new roof has helped them close a sale.

What to expect if you just repair the roof before you sell:

Maybe your agent cautions that a full roof replacement is overkill. Instead, they recommend making a few minor repairs and disclosing the roof’s condition to interested buyers. At a minimum, you should invest a small sum to boost curb appeal and hire a professional to power wash your roof, scrub down the siding and clear out the gutters.

Here’s an overview of how much roof repairs costs:

Minor to moderate repairs: $300 to $1,100 on average

Shingle replacement: $1.20 to $4 per square foot depending on the shingle material and the roof slope

Paint fascia and soffit: $2.50 to $6.50 per linear foot (average project cost runs between $500 and $1,000)

Roof cleaning: $250 to $300

6. Disclose your roof’s condition to buyers at resale

Whether you replace, repair, or leave your roof as is, detail your roof’s condition in your seller’s disclosure form. This provides buyers with full transparency and indicates that your listing price accounts for the required replacement or repairs.

If you replace your roof or handle all necessary repairs, provide your buyer with a roof certification verifying your roof’s condition and lifespan for added confidence. Your roof inspector can provide this document for an added $75 to $200; the letter remains valid for 2 to 5 years after the inspection.  Alternatively, if you go without a pre-listing roof inspection and subsequent disclosure, you bite your teeth waiting on findings from the buyer’s home inspection. If the report reveals your roof is on the brink, it opens the floodgates for renegotiations mid-contract. Jennifer Oldham explains:

“If you don’t have these reports up front, somebody can do their inspection, their due diligence and then when they put in an offer, later come back and say, ‘well we didn’t know there’s $10,000 worth of damage on the roof. We want those credits or you need to repair the roof.’”

Now you’re on the hook for making repairs or conceding to lower the sale price to close the deal — not worth the gamble.

When your roof’s age is starting to show, reach out to experts for a reliable assessment. 3 main signs it’s time to replace the roof.  You’ll know it’s time to replace your roof if the following apply:

• Your roof shows signs of wear and is reaching the end of its average life expectancy.
• A roof inspector recommends that you replace the roof after a detailed inspection.
• Your real estate agent advises that a new roof will help your property sell, recouping a significant portion of your investment.