Thursday, February 27, 2014

Weather Is A Key Factor In Causing Roof Damage

Weather Is A Key Factor In Causing Roof Damage appeared first on www.Roofer911.com

Inspect And repair your Shingles When Needed

If you have a roof on your home, then you are aware that severe weather plays a key role with damages that can occur to it and your home. Inspecting for any needed roof repairs in your Woodbridge home now will save you much more money if the repairs are done before they become major costly problems. Look for missing or cracked shingles, broken gutters and any stains that may appear on your ceiling from roof leaks. Those are signs that some roof repairs needs to be done.



Weather Is A Key Factor In Causing Roof Damage first appeared on www.roofer911.com

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Roof Repairs In Oakton

Roof Repairs In Oakton appeared first on www.Roofer911.com

Oakton Roof Repair

If your roof is in good shape and you feel comfortable working on it, you can probably handle some immediate roof repairs in your Oakton home yourself.  Replacing damaged shingles; gluing down a badly curled shingles; and repairing shingles that have cracked. If the weather allows, always make roof repairs on a warm, dry afternoon. The shingles will be more pliable and less likely to crack. And do not ever climb onto your roof when it is wet, icy or covered with morning moisture.



Roof Repairs In Oakton first appeared on www.roofer911.com

Clear Snow Off Your Roof Before Ice Dams Form

Clear Snow Off Your Roof Before Ice Dams Form appeared first on www.Roofer911.com

Icicles Forming and Ice Dams

The snow on your roof is starting to melt and if you haven't started your ice dam prevention routine and removed the snow by now, you may have ice dam issues as the temps fluxuate. This month's combination of above freezing daytime temps, and sub-freezing temps at night is the perfect recipe for ice dams.



Clear Snow Off Your Roof Before Ice Dams Form first appeared on www.roofer911.com

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Loudoun County Roof Vent Pipe Leak Repair

Loudoun County Roof Vent Pipe Leak Repair appeared first on www.Roofer911.com

 

Same Day Service All Leaky Vent Pipes

 
Hi, This is Steve from Roofer911, we specialize in all types of roof repair in Loudoun County Virginia.  Now when you at these two photos, this a normal view photo that I took of the roof above the area where they had the leak inside there home and this is an infrared photo that shows the leakage underneath the roof in the area where they had the leak.  Now, the homeowner was getting estimates from other roofing contractors in Loudoun County to remove the roofing material around the stack pipe and also around the vent pipe that's down below this gentleman leg down to the flashing and then they were going to install Ice and water Shield and then re-shingle that area. When I looked at the flashing, the overall fastening procedures of the roof shingles around both pipes was done perfect so I wanted to go inside the attic to see how much they cut the breathing space underneath this Cobra Ridge vent and sure enough they cut it way to much, it was a 5" open breather.  So what's happening is during a heavy downpour, melting snow or a driving rain towards the back of the home the water is curling up underneath the roof shingles and then is finding an opening at both of these pipes.
 
Now, when you look at this infrared picture, it shows very clearly why the leak is coming from the ridge vent and I'll explain why.  Now the yellow, that's all dry plywood, that good. Where you see the blue, that's wet, where you see the blue around the stack pipe which is on the backside that's all wet as well and it's going all the way up to the top of the ridge.  As I said, the water is going up underneath the ridge vent.  So what we need to do is take off the cap shingles and then we're going to install a new ridge it's going to be the Shingle Vent 2 and it's plastic and is very wide but we need to close off that 5" breather and instead make it 3" and we'll put new plywood on both sides and then install a new Shingle Vent 2 and then new cap shingles and we're not going to do any work around either one of these pipes even though the leak is directly below both of them, neither one of them are the source of the leak.
 
My name again is Steve and we specialize in roof repair in all areas of Loudoun County and if you would like a free estimate, please give us a call at 703-475-2446.  Thank you and have a wonderful day!
 


Loudoun County Roof Vent Pipe Leak Repair first appeared on www.roofer911.com

Monday, February 24, 2014

Repair The Little leaks Before They Become A Problem

Repair The Little leaks Before They Become A Problem appeared first on www.Roofer911.com

Repair the Little leaks Before they become A Problem

Sometimes your roof leaks are due to minor problems, such as a torn, broken shingle or a small hole in the flashing.  You can usually handle the fix with a little experience and some basic tools. If you can't fix the problem yourself quickly and completely, call a Loudoun county roof leak repair professional as soon as possible. Water damage can spread quickly, even from a small leak.



Repair The Little leaks Before They Become A Problem first appeared on www.roofer911.com

Friday, February 21, 2014

Pay Close Attention To Your Shingles

Pay Close Attention To Your Shingles appeared first on www.Roofer911.com

Cracked, Broken Shingles With Mold Growth, Needs To Be Repaired

Do a visual inspection of your roof shingles several times a year. Your home in Occoquan may need roof repairs if you see streaking stains on the shingles, curled, cracked or broken shingles. There may be areas on your roof that have missing granules or rusted flashings. Look for water stains in the attic, moss or mold on the roof are also signs of potential problems.



Pay Close Attention To Your Shingles first appeared on www.roofer911.com

Inspect All Of Your Roof Add-Ons For Leaks

Inspect All Of Your Roof Add-Ons For Leaks appeared first on www.Roofer911.com

Roof Add-Ons Can Be A Part Of Leak Problems

When inspecting your roof, take a closer look at the flashings on your chimney, vents, skylights, wall/roof junctions and other areas where the integrity of your roof that may be compromised. Check your television satalites/antennas and other roof add-ons to see if there are any leaks that are a result of old or improper sealing of openings made in your roof. Your Oakton home may be in need of roof leak repairs, if you notice anything rusting, breaking away or just old and cracking.



Inspect All Of Your Roof Add-Ons For Leaks first appeared on www.roofer911.com

Hazards Of Climbing Onto Your Roof

Hazards Of Climbing Onto Your Roof appeared first on www.Roofer911.com

Avoid Climbing Up On Your Roof If You Arre Not Comfortable With Doing So

Before you begin climbing onto the roof of your home, know that It is easy to slip during the wet, stormy months. There are particular dangers on wet tile as well as from wind, tree branches, power lines and slippery ladders. Resist the urge to get up on a ladder to take a closer look at your damaged roof.  Leave that to a professional  roof repair company in Loudoun to inspect and repair your roof.



Hazards Of Climbing Onto Your Roof first appeared on www.roofer911.com

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Loudoun County Roof Leak Repair | By Roofer911.com

Loudoun County Roof Leak Repair | By Roofer911.com appeared first on www.Roofer911.com

This video shows very clearly how water can travel from an improperly installed ridge vent down to the exterior wall and show no signs of damage in between.

 

 

Hi, this is Steve from Roofer911.com.  I was at a home today in Loudon County that had roof leaks because of an improperly installed ridge vent and it also caused a skylight below to leak as well.  
 
Now when you look at this sample picture I put here, this is an aluminum ridge vent which is very common in Loudon county Virginia.  Before an aluminum ridge vent can be installed the wood sheathing should be cut approximately 1 and 1/2" on both sides of the center of the ridge and the next thing they should have done is apply polyurethane sealant heavy on bold sides of the ridge which they did not do in this picture.  Next, the ridge vent is pressed right into the sealant then when it's fastened into place they need to make sure that you nail into the rafters every 16 to 24 inches.  

infrared camera sees a roof leak from aluminum ridge vent

Now, the polyurethane underneath the ridge vent is very, very important and the reason why is because it will block any water from getting underneath from a melting snow, heavy downpour or wind-driven rain.  Once the ridge vent is fastened, we need to seal is seal all the fasteners.

 

All right, now these are infrared photos that I took at a home in Loudoun county.  Now where you see the blue, that's where the water got underneath the ridge vent from a melting snow and here you can see how the water was traveling right across the top of the rafters and settling behind wood fasia board.  Once the insulation behind the wall here becomes saturated which is just a matter of time, the leak will go right across the top of this door.
 
Now this picture here, we have a skylight.  There's a little bit of moisture here and a little bit of moisture here and the leak has nothing to do with a skylight, the water was traveling across the top of the rafter and settling at the corner of the skylight and here the water was coming from the ridge vent and traveling underneath the roof shingles on top of the felt and found an opening through a tear in the felt paper underneath and in just settled here.  
 
My name is Steve, we specialize in all types of roof repair in Loudon County and repair all leaks due to melting snow.  I can been reached at 703-475-2446 and our estimates are always free.  Thank you and have a wonderful day!

 



Loudoun County Roof Leak Repair | By Roofer911.com first appeared on www.roofer911.com

What Your Eyes Cant See

What Your Eyes Cant See appeared first on www.Roofer911.com

Checking your home with a visual inspection is good to find problems that you can see. But what about this things that are not visual to your eyes?

Infrared moisture detection can point out moisture behind your walls, under your floors and in your attic where you normally cannot see the moisture buildup.



What Your Eyes Cant See first appeared on www.roofer911.com

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Prepare For Spring Showers

Prepare For Spring Showers appeared first on www.Roofer911.com

Roof Leak Repairs

Precipitation is low right now but that does not mean that your home does not have a leak. Prepare for the spring showers in Occoquan and perform any roof leak repairs needed.



Prepare For Spring Showers first appeared on www.roofer911.com

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Fairfax County Ice Dam Removal - 703-475-2446 - Roofer911

Fairfax County Ice Dam Removal - 703-475-2446 - Roofer911 appeared first on www.Roofer911.com

fairfax county ice dam removal

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.roofer911.com//www.youtube.com/embed/NAVjgiPtPeQ" width="420">

 

Hi, this is Steve from roofer 911 we specialize in ice dam removal in Fairfax County Virginia.  Now when you look at his main picture you'll see this red dotted line and that's just so you can see where the ice dam has formed.  Ice dam can cause a tremendous amount of water damage inside a home so thank goodness this was not a finished area.  

 
When you look at his second picture over here there's about 6 inches of ice and it starts from the gutter line and it goes all the way up to where the roof and wall meet now when the ice starts to melt during the warmer temperatures the water actually backs up underneath the roof shingles and it goes inside the house.  
 
Now when you look at this infrared photo, this was taken right in this approximate area here and wherever you see the blue and purple and the discoloration of red that's all wet insulation and drywall.  So once all the roofing is done all the wet insulation drywall will need to be removed and replaced with new because if it's not they could develop mold.
 
So back to the ice dam, what we need to do is remove all this ice and snow from this entire lower roof and get all this ice and snow up here from the roof.  Once that's done, we will install ice and water shield but the difference is, were going to install it behind the gutter which is very, very important than when we install the gutter back into place the ice and water shield is going to seal the spikes from behind and it's also sealing the open breathing space that allows for expansion and contraction.  Without the ice and water shield covering your space the water is dropping down inside the wall and it can cause major damage inside the house.  So once the ice and water shield is installed, we will install all new roof shingles and everything will be nothing but 100% watertight even if we have 4 feet of snow.
 
My name is Steve, and we specialize in roof repair and ice dam removal in all areas of Fairfax County Virginia and I can be reached at 703-475-2446 and our estimates are always free.  Have a wonderful day!
 


Fairfax County Ice Dam Removal - 703-475-2446 - Roofer911 first appeared on www.roofer911.com

Roof Repairs Include Your Gutters

Roof Repairs Include Your Gutters appeared first on www.Roofer911.com

Roof Repairs Include Your Gutters

So you have done your inspection on your roof and you found that your gutters have taken a beating this winter with the wind and possibly a tree branch or two, hitting them and causing your gutters to become loose. This is the perfect time to find a roof repair company in Oakton and have them take care of your roof before the spring showers come and you need to move the water away from your house.



Roof Repairs Include Your Gutters first appeared on www.roofer911.com

Gutter Repairs Completed Before Spring

Gutter Repairs Completed Before Spring appeared first on www.Roofer911.com

Gutter Repairs Completed Before Spring

With mild weather and low precipitation in your weather forecast, It is the perfect time to inspect your roof and gutter to make any necessary repairs. This is the perfect time to get  ahold of your Loudoun roof repair contractor to inspect your gutters and make any repairs that may hinder the melting snow and move the water away from your house. Think spring showers and how you want to move melting water away from your house. Your gutters need to be in top shape in order to do that



Gutter Repairs Completed Before Spring first appeared on www.roofer911.com

Repair Your Gutters Before Spring Arrives

Repair Your Gutters Before Spring Arrives appeared first on www.Roofer911.com

Springtime is on its way, but this is not the time to stop being diligent about your roof care. There is still a predicted icy snow event on its way, so use the clear sky days to check your gutters and make a call to your roof repair company in Occoquan. The amount of water that will be melting when it does finally warm up will be dependent on your gutters to move it away from your house.



Repair Your Gutters Before Spring Arrives first appeared on www.roofer911.com

Monday, February 17, 2014

Oakton Roof Repair Contractor

Oakton Roof Repair Contractor appeared first on www.Roofer911.com

Make Roof Repairs While The Weather Is Good

With a break in the bad winter weather, now is the time to look about your property and inspect the roof for any damages. Now is the best time to get ahold of your Oakton roof repair contractor and make an appointment for any repairs that you may need before the spring hits.



Oakton Roof Repair Contractor first appeared on www.roofer911.com

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Leesburg Ridge Vent Leak Repair

Leesburg Ridge Vent Leak Repair appeared first on www.Roofer911.com

Same Day Service for All Leesburg, VA Homeowners

 

leesburg ridge vent leak repair because of melting snow and ice dam
 
 
 
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.roofer911.com//www.youtube.com/embed/9kqJ5G0yjfw" width="420">
 
Hi, this is Steve from Roofer 911.  I'm at a home in Leesburg, Virginia and this homeowner has a leak that's in between these blue dotted lines and I asked her, have you ever had this leak before?  She said yes, in fact I hired somebody back when we had hurricane Sandy and they did some roofing repairs to the valley and they did some other repairs to the other valley as well.  This leak is only occurring now when there's a heavy melting snow so when you look at the pictures to the right you can see all the discoloration inside the wall, this is not visible on the outside, it can only be seen infrared.  So where ever you see the red, that's moisture, it's wet insulation behind the drywall and that water is settling all the way down to the bottom and going underneath their new wooden floors.
 
So what we need to do is brush off all this snow here and this ridge vent, that's the source and this ridge vent has to be removed.  Now, once it's taken off, any shingles that are damaged they're going to be repaired or replaced.  Now very important, we need to seal the deck heavy at both sides of the ridge with polyurethane and then the new ridge vent is going to be pressed right into the sealant then we'll fasten it into the rafters and reseal it again.
 
Now with the polyurethane underneath, it will block any water from getting underneath from a driving rain or melting snow.  Now, the contractors who originally did the repairs when the leak was still in the same area the valleys were not the source of the problem, so to make a long story short, the homeowner spent her money on repairs that was not necessary.  Now the reason why, if the valleys where the leak they would have seen some stains on the ceiling right in this area here or they would have seen a leak right across top of the window and it could have gone all the way down to the bottom.  And the same thing with the other valley, they would have seen stains here or on the left side of the window or on the left side of the bottom window.  So once we're done with all the roof repairs this leak will not come back again.  My name is Steve and we specialize in roof leak repair in Leesburg, VA because of melting snow or driving rain and I can been reached at 703-475-2446.  Thank you and have a wonderful day!
 


Leesburg Ridge Vent Leak Repair first appeared on www.roofer911.com

Leesburg Roof Leak Repair from Melting Snow - Roofer911

Leesburg Roof Leak Repair from Melting Snow - Roofer911 appeared first on www.Roofer911.com

Same Day Service To Prevent More Damage

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.roofer911.com//www.youtube.com/embed/aPJHdLfHQe0" width="420">

 

 

Hi, this is Steve from Roofer 911.  Today I was at a home in Leesburg Virginia that had two separate leaks because of melting snow on the roof.  Now when you look at this main picture there was 14 inches of snow on this roof and it was all the way up to the top to the ridge vent and this can cause all sorts of problems especially if the ridge vent is not installed correctly or if it's not waterproofed properly underneath.  This is an aluminum ridge vent and the contractors who initially did the installation they just nailed it into place and didn't seal underneath so when the heat inside the attic is melting snow outside the water is backing up and leaking inside the home.  Here, this was an infrared photo that I took it inside the attic and in this area where you see dark purple, that's all wet plywood.
 
So the first thing we needed to do was removed this entire line of ridge vent but before we could do that we had to clean off all the snow.  Now once the vent has been removed any shingles that are damaged will be removed and replaced with new.  Next, we seal the deck heavy with polyurethane then the new ridge vent will be pressed right into the sealant and fastened into the rafters underneath.  Now with the polyurethane, it will block any water from melting snow, driving rain or heavy downpours.
 
Now when you look at this other infrared photo, this was taken right inside this bedroom in this area and there's a window here and the leak was about two to three feet straight back in and the reason why is because the ridge vent here was not sealed underneath as well so when there was a melting snow the water was backing up underneath the ridge vent and dropping down inside the attic and the insulation became will saturated.  Now when the insulation became completely saturated the water lets loose and then you see the damage inside so we had to perform the same procedures here and there was a maybe 26% moisture here so with that type of wetness the whole ceiling in this entire area here had to be removed and replaced with new insulation and drywall because otherwise they could have developed mold.
 
My name is Steve from Roofer 911 and we service all areas of Leesburg and Northern Virginia for ice dam removal and the roof repairs.  Thank you and have a wonderful day!
 


Leesburg Roof Leak Repair from Melting Snow - Roofer911 first appeared on www.roofer911.com

Friday, February 14, 2014

Before The Next Rain Storm

Before The Next Rain Storm appeared first on www.Roofer911.com

Wind Can Cause Damage To Your Roof

Weather can be predicted with about a 7 day range with some accuracy. With anticipation of the newest storm coming to Loudoun county next week, time to make any roof repairs, gutter cleanings and branch trimming needed before any major damage can occur from the new rains into your home



Before The Next Rain Storm first appeared on www.roofer911.com

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Check For Moisture In Your Home

Check For Moisture In Your Home appeared first on www.Roofer911.com

Moisture Detection Can Find Hidden Problems

After the storms have passed, it would be a good thing to have the moisture level in your home assessed. Trapped moisture breeds molds and can damage interior floors, walls, wood, insulation and other parts of your home, costing you more money to repair if left unrepaired. An infrared moisture detection inspection can be performed by a professional to locate any leaks that may have caused any moisture buildup from this past winter's storms.



Check For Moisture In Your Home first appeared on www.roofer911.com

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Call Your Occuquan Roof Repair Contractor When You Need Them

Call Your Occuquan Roof Repair Contractor When You Need Them appeared first on www.Roofer911.com

Call your Occuquan Roof Repair Contractor

If you don't have any damage to your roof during these winter storms that is a good thing. When, during your inspection you do discover roof damage, it is best if you find a Occuquan roof repair contractor right away and take care of your problems now before they become costly.



Call Your Occuquan Roof Repair Contractor When You Need Them first appeared on www.roofer911.com

Infrared Detects Wet, Damaged or Missing Insulation

Infrared Detects Wet, Damaged or Missing Insulation appeared first on www.Roofer911.com

We identify missing or damaged insulation caused by roof leaks, siding, windows, gutters

   

Poor attic insulation

   

Infrared image shows warm air seeping into the attic because of missing or bad insulation.

   

missing insulation inside exterior wall

   

Missing insulation inside exterior wall which is causing higher energy spendings.

    cold draft from missing insulation in the attic
   

The homeowner was complaining about a cold draft near this bay window.  Infrared image shows missing insulation inside the attic

    Cold air infiltration through the bottom of a window as seen in infrared
   

Cold air intration through the bottom of a window as seen in infrared.

 

Everyone in Northern Virginia knows that insulation is vital in keeping the conditioned spaces of a building at a comfortable temperature. In order to maintain this temperature, a continuous boundary of insulation is necessary between the inside and outside. Insulation that is wet or otherwise damaged will not perform as it was intended. In fact, wet insulation is worse than no insulation and can also cause black mold.  Missing insulation is a far more common problem than most people think.

 

Do You Have Any Problems as Shown Below?

•   Is your home cold and drafty?
•   Possible structural damage from roof leak?
•   Are some rooms colder than others?
•   Are your energy bills higher than you think they should be?
•   Does your home smell musty? Infrared scanning can easily verify insulation inside walls and ceilings. Our infrared scan equipment will reveal where there is missing, settled,or wet and damaged insulation.

When we do an infrared scan of a building, we look at the walls to determine if moisture is present, if air loss is occurring and if insulation is missing or damaged. We can easily see how the insulation is performing without opening any walls or the ceiling because of the difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures

Poor insulation is not only a cold weather "winter problem"! In this image ( see pictures 2) we are able to see exactly where there is a problem with the insulation behind this wall. The insulation behind the wall is displaced and is allowing the superheated attic air to make contact with the wall shown by the areas in yellow. As the wall in the room gets hotter it makes the room warmer causing the air conditioner to work harder and wasting energy dollars.

Here's an excellent image (see picture 4) of a living room window from a home in Northern Virginia that shows the regular visible light view and the Infrared view side-by-side. Infrared makes it easy to see where cold air (in dark blue) is leaking in from under the window and from where the floor and wall meet. This  room has air leaks across the entire length of this wall and floor making it very drafty. Also visible is the dark blue spot about 1/3 from the left side of the window just under the window sill, you are able to see where the insulation does not reach all the way to the bottom of the window creating a cold spot, leaking energy and allowing cold air into the home.

 

Serving the Following Areas for Infrared Flat Roof Leak Detection

DC InfraredNorthern Virginia Infrared, Loudoun County Infrared,
Prince William County Infrared, Fairfax County Infrared



Infrared Detects Wet, Damaged or Missing Insulation first appeared on www.roofer911.com

Oakton Roof Repair

Oakton Roof Repair appeared first on www.Roofer911.com

Replace Shingles In Oakton, VA

When you have an urgent issue such as leaks or penetration of snow, ice, broken shingles or other common problems, it may be time for you to prepare for one or two days of favorable weather in Oakton to perform your roof repair.



Oakton Roof Repair first appeared on www.roofer911.com

Trapped Heat and Moisture Can Raise Energy Costs

Trapped Heat and Moisture Can Raise Energy Costs appeared first on www.Roofer911.com

Condensation In Your Home

The heat and moisture that can be trapped inside your attic, could raise your energy costs, cause you to get ice dams, and damage your roof system components, leading you to seek  roof repair in Loudoun, county. Condensation that eventually forms inside your attic can be caused by the use of your washing machines, dish washers, bath tubs, showers, and tumble driers. These items should be properly ventilated through your roof. The condensation that forms can be bad enough to be mistaken for a roof leak.



Trapped Heat and Moisture Can Raise Energy Costs first appeared on www.roofer911.com

Detecting Hidden Moisture

Detecting Hidden Moisture appeared first on www.Roofer911.com

The accumulation of moisture can be lead to mold growth in your walls. Moisture intrusion due to wind driven rain under damaged shingles and roof leaks can accumulate in the walls, hidden behind wall paper and lead to mold growth. It is important to detect moisture before it can cause any internal damage. Your roofing professional can discover any moisture damages that are starting to occur in your home.



Detecting Hidden Moisture first appeared on www.roofer911.com

Leaks From Attic Condensation | 703-475-2446 | Roofer911.com

Leaks From Attic Condensation | 703-475-2446 | Roofer911.com appeared first on www.Roofer911.com

 

Are You Blaming Condensation Problems On Your Roof?

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.roofer911.com//www.youtube.com/embed/6dcAF2jDFD0" width="560">

 

"Condensation is water that collects as droplets on a cold surface when humid air is in contact with it. The conversion of a vapor or gas to a liquid."
 
Your home has many components that work together in order to create the perfect atmosphere for your comfort and too much humidity is not part of this perfection.
 
Weather proofing, sealing your windows and doors, all work together to build homeostasis within your home. The roof, exhaust and intake vents, heating and air conditioning units, air flow, insulation; all should be expelling moisture and fumes out of your attic. 
 
When you perform your home inspection this winter, you may find that you have significant ice build-up on your roof edges. You can assume that your attic also has condensation problems. 
 
Warm, moist air, which leaks into the attic from the living area below, can raise the relative humidity in the attic to a level that promotes mold growth. Elevated humidity in the attic encourages mold and increases the moisture content in the wood framing to a level that triggers fungal growth and rotting. If the warm, moist air in the attic comes in contact with attic surfaces, which have been cooled to the dew point temperature by colder outside temperatures, condensation will form. This condensation damages the surfaces on which it forms and on the surfaces onto which it drips. If the warm, moist air in the attic comes in contact with attic surfaces which are at or below the freezing temperature of 32 degrees Fahrenheit (32° F), frost will form. When the temperature of the attic surfaces rises above 32° F, the frost will melt, and now you have water damage issues.
 
Your condensation problems are most often blamed on the roof, when in fact, it may be the intake vents or fans not functioning properly, closed or blocked. Just because you have a fan in the bathroom and kitchen that makes a noise when you turn it on, don't assume that it is actually drawing air out of the house. The fact is, your kitchen and bathroom fans must be operating correctly. They must be drawing air out of the rooms where they are located. 
 
Your bathroom fans should be exhausting warm moist air out into the atmosphere and not allowing it to remain in your attic. Bathroom fans should remain on during showering, and for at least 15 minutes afterwards. Also, clothes dryers have built-in exhaust fans that are designed to vent the hot moist air extracted from clothing. Dryers should always be vented to the outdoors, even in the coldest weather. Your attic needs to have a balanced ventilation system consisting of an intake and an exhaust. This allows the attic to breathe properly, circulating the air and expelling the moisture.
 

When inspecting your home, review the ventilation systems. 
 

Roof soffit vents can be obstructed if they are covered with attic insulation. Rafter baffles are commonly used to hold back the insulation from the edge of the roof eave to maintain an unobstructed airway for the soffit vent. The soffits work as the intake and roof vents or ridge vents work as the exhaust.  To help with ventilation you should clear away any insulation at the soffit intake vents to allow the attic to breathe properly. It is recommended that you replace your static vent with a shutter vent. Repair or replace any damaged roof shingles once any vent has been removed. Cut wood sheathing underneath so that there is a total 3 inch open air space to prevent further condensation buildup. Seal underneath roof shingles with polyurethane, flash and reseal once again.
 
These are some of the recommended repairs to help stop your condensation problem, therefore preventing issues like ice dams and mold that may arise during the colder winter months. 
Correcting these condensation issues in your home can also create cleaner, more breathable air.
Article Source: http://www.roofer911.com
 


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How To Fix A Leaky Skylight

How To Fix A Leaky Skylight appeared first on www.Roofer911.com

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A skylight is an excellent source of both warmth and light for your home and they can enhance the overall appearance of your house as well as giving you a little extra air when required. There are a number of different factors that can lead to a leaky skylight but the most common factor is an improperly fitted or installed skylight. This inadequacy is usually brought about because having a skylight fitted by a professional roofing contractor can cost a lot of money, and people tend to revert to a handyman or, often worse still, doing it themselves.

 

Without proper knowledge of construction regarding the skylight fitting and the roof surrounding it, though, can lead to disastrous results. Even the inadequate fixing of an existing leaky skylight can make things worse. Roofing contractors tend to charge quite a high cost to fit a skylight because they would rather work on better paid, roof installments. That doesn't mean you can't find a reputable and highly skilled roofing contractor who will complete the job at a reasonable price. However, because fitting a skylight is a skilled job, as is all roofing, you will need to pay more to have one fitted properly by an expert when compare to paying a handy man to fit it.

 

Why is my skylight leaking?

The slightest hole, crack or blemish on the skylight, the panels surrounding the skylight or the roof can lead to a leaky skylight so it is important that whoever is fitting your skylight has a good knowledge of all these factors. Of course age, extreme conditions and accidents can also be the cause of your leaky skylight and it is important that you employ an experience and knowledgeable professional to repair the leak as soon as possible to prevent further damage to the skylight, the roof and the inside of the house.

 

Condensation.

Bear in mind that if you have drip on the inside of your skylight it does not necessarily mean you have a leaky skylight and condensation can often be the cause of sleepless nights and panicking homeowners. This is especially true in extreme conditions. Dryers, washing machines, hot baths and even the occupants of the home can cause condensation to build up on the inside of your skylight and this will inevitably drip off giving the impression that you have a leaky skylight. This becomes even more pertinent when the weather gets colder outside. A build up of ice or snow on the outside of your skylight is a sure fire way to promote condensation on the inside of your skylight and even a small crack means that this condensation can be in between the two panes of glass if you have double glazing.

 

The damage a leaky skylight can cause.

A leaky skylight causes relatively minimal damage in the short term, however over the long term this damage can become significant so you should make sure that the drops you saw coming off your skylight are actually condensation and not the first tell tale signs of a leak. You may end up having to replace wallpaper, carpets and worse still making structural repairs to the inside of your house (although only usually in extreme circumstances). A leaky skylight may also be indicative that you have bigger problems with your roof so you should get someone out to check it as soon as possible.

To learn more about skylights, please visit http://www.veluxusa.com which provides information on sun tunnels, and roof windows offered by VELUX America Inc.  Also read FAQs on most questions related to skylight purchase, installation, and service

Article Source: http://www.roofer911.com



How To Fix A Leaky Skylight first appeared on www.roofer911.com

Do Not Procrastinate, Get Emergency Repairs Completed Right Away

Do Not Procrastinate, Get Emergency Repairs Completed Right Away appeared first on www.Roofer911.com

Complete your emergency roof repairs

When you least expect it, you may have a need to have shingles repaired or gutters replaced to stop damage from getting any larger and more costly. You have completed all your roof inspections and found damage to a portion of your roof after a storm. Now is not the time to procrastinate, get the emergency roofing repairs completed before the next storm system comes, since winter is not over yet.



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Ice Dam Repair Is More than Just Melting The Ice

Ice Dam Repair Is More than Just Melting The Ice appeared first on www.Roofer911.com

The cost of ice dam removal is not just about getting rid of the initital ice build-up. It also is be about repairing and replacing shingles, fascia, and gutters. Preventing ice dams from re-occuring and installing ice and water shields to the roof deck and making sure to pitch it properly to insure a positive water flow to the drain.



Ice Dam Repair Is More than Just Melting The Ice first appeared on www.roofer911.com

Detecting Hidden Moisture

Detecting Hidden Moisture appeared first on www.Roofer911.com

The accumulation of moisture can be lead to mold growth in your walls. Moisture intrusion due to wind driven rain under damaged shingles and roof leaks can accumulate in the walls, hidden behind wall paper and lead to mold growth. It is important to detect moisture before it can cause any internal damage.



Detecting Hidden Moisture first appeared on www.roofer911.com

Ice Dam Removal, Prevention | 703-475-2446 | Roofer 911

Ice Dam Removal, Prevention | 703-475-2446 | Roofer 911 appeared first on www.Roofer911.com

It may surprise you to hear that approximately 95 percent of all roofing contractors throughout the country do not know the correct procedures for stopping and preventing ice dam problems permanently. This is one of the most common

ice dam
ice and water shield fastened to wood fascia

roof repair services performed, and since so many contractors are doing it improperly, a great number of homeowners will suffer ice dam leaks repeatedly. In fact, contractors who improperly install insulation and ventilation within the home's attic space account for the majority of ice dam leaks. Sometimes homeowners have very little insulation or ventilation and don't even know it.

Ice dam leaks cause serious damage and also the potential for black mold growth if they are not caught and taken care of right away. In order to prevent ice dam leaks and keep the roof in good shape for as long as possible, it is necessary to properly apply insulation in the attic to prevent warm air from rising up from the living space below. Likewise, roofing companies should make sure the attic stays equivalent to the temperature as the outdoors during the cold winter months by installing intake vents to let in the cold air and a ridge vent to let out the warm air.

Experienced roofers know that ice dam leaks most commonly occur around the tops of windows (see picture 1). In order to prevent water damage to all levels of the home and possible roof replacement, roofing contractors must stop ice dams permanently rather than just providing a temporary solution. Simply removing the snow does nothing to solve the problem, and removing the gutter will only solve the problem temporarily until it snows again.

Necessary Roofer911 steps to permanently prevent ice dam leaks:

1. Carefully remove as much ice as possible from the inside of the gutter that is located above the water leak. There will most likely be alot of ice in the gutter and some ice along the outside wall, which is probably melting into the walls and seeping out through the vinyl siding interlocking joints.  The real problem is inside the wall cavity, so there's no point removing the ice from the outside wall.

2. Install Ice and Water Shield to the roof deck along the entire length of the gutter underneath the roof shingles, approximately 32" up from the gutter, and then overlap fascia by 4" (see picture 2).

3. Staple the overlapping Ice and Water Shield to the wood fascia.

4. Secure the gutter back in place, making sure to penetrate the rafters behind the fascia and properly pitch to insure a positive water flow to the outlet.

By following these four basic steps, roofing companies can ensure they are doing the very best possible service for their customers. With this type of application by Roofer911 with Ice and Water Shield, the roofing nails will be sealed around that hold the roof shingles into place. Also very important, water can no longer travel through the sides of the gutter spikes and/or screws (see picture 3) that hold the gutter into place and into the house where it can do incredible amounts of damage. By performing this properly one time, homeowners and their contractors can prevent similar roof repairs in the future and can keep the roofing system and home in good working order. If you want to prevent ice dam leaks and serious damage to your home, requiring roof replacement or expensive basement reconstruction, it is necessary to make sure your contractor follows these basic steps when ice dam leaks occur.

 

Infrared Leak Detection SEES Water Damage from Ice Dam

The procedues as shown above were performed to prevent this home from having further ice dam leaks

Ice dam leak from snow and ice Ice and water inside wall from ice dam  

Small ice dam in the gutter and valley has caused thousands of dollars worth of interior damage to ceilings, walls and floors.

This picture shows water leaking along the top of the ceiling and also inside the exterior wall cavity behind the big screen TV.

Ice dam build-up in the gutter (60 linear feet) is causing water to leak inside the exterior wall cavity and settle underneath the wood floors.

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Ice dam on outside wall No insulation covering wall plate or wind baffles installed wet insulation and ice inside wall from ice dam  

Not only is ice on the outside of this wall but also on the inside from the ice dam above as seen in the picture to the far right.

Insulation is not covering the wall plate inside the attic along with having no wind baffle/rafter chute installed. 

This infrared picture shows ice and wet insulation inside the  exterior wall from ice dam build-up in the gutter above. 

 
       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Ice Dam Removal, Prevention | 703-475-2446 | Roofer 911 first appeared on www.roofer911.com

Vinyl Siding Repair VA - Roofer911.com

Vinyl Siding Repair VA - Roofer911.com appeared first on www.Roofer911.com

Why This Vinyl Siding Blew Off And How We Fix

By: Steven Briesemeister

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People have been using vinyl siding on their homes since the mid 20th century. It offers the benefit of low maintenance compared to wood siding at an affordable price, with complete resistance to rot and termites. Vinyl siding is not resistant to cracking and breaking, however, which can result in a less attractive exterior to your home and possible damage if water gets underneath. If you are in need of vinyl siding repair you have two options. You can go out and buy all the tools, get all the materials and learn how to do it yourself; or you can trust an experienced roofing contractor who is knowledgeable about vinyl siding repair to do it for you.

If you decide to go the do-it-yourself vinyl siding repair route, there are many tools that you will need to do the job right. You will need to find siding that matches perfectly with the material already on your home, first of all. You will also need to purchase a vinyl siding remover, which is also known as a zipper. This inexpensive hand tool is almost always necessary for vinyl siding repair because it loosens one piece of siding from the next and removes the damaged panel that is going to be replaced. You will also need tin snips; another relatively affordable and easy to find tool.  A hand saw or utility knife would also suffice. Polyurethane caulking and aluminum box nails are also necessary to reattach the new piece of siding.

While a professional contractor or someone who has a great deal of experience in home improvement projects can complete the vinyl siding repair fairly quickly and without much trouble, a novice homeowner might not have such an easy time. There is also no telling whether the vinyl siding repair project will run into some complications. If things don't go as smoothly as planned it could turn into much more than replacing a single piece of damaged siding.

Unless you are an expert home repair person, it would be better to contact a professional contractor, like Roofer911, that is experienced in vinyl siding repair. We have more than 40 years of experience in this field, and are known for our quality of service in roof repair and replacement. We bring that same high standard to all types of vinyl siding repair, from the smallest jobs to the largest of projects. When you call Roofer911, you can rest assured that the job will be done right in a reasonable amount of time.

It's true that some vinyl siding repair jobs are pretty simple to do, but when you call a professional to do the job you know you're getting the best result possible. Since the exterior of your home affects its value, it's important to know that all work done on your home is of the highest quality. Roofer911 will make sure your home looks great and your siding will stand the test of time.

NOTE: Sometimes trying to find an exact match for a missing vinyl siding panel can be quite difficult; please visit http://www.4specs.com for the correct manufacturer.



Vinyl Siding Repair VA - Roofer911.com first appeared on www.roofer911.com

Infrared Moisture Detection Performed By Roofer 911

Infrared Moisture Detection Performed By Roofer 911 appeared first on www.Roofer911.com

By Steven Briesemeister

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When you notice a water stain that is evidence of a leak in your house, as the homeowner, you should consider this a high priority repair. The longer a water leak continues to flow or accumulate untended, the more damage that leak causes. An excessive amount of moisture can destroy the roof, stain and soften ceiling drywall panels, or weaken the structural integrity of your home. It can even create huge, expensive problems like mold, mildew, and black mold that can eventually cause serious health concerns. Often, the problems that can occur are not obvious until it is too late; by discovering them early through infrared technology, homeowners can save a lot of money and increase the lifespan of a home's infrastructure dramatically.
 
Locating the initial spot where the roof is leaking is difficult, because water can enter into the roof at any place and journey down to another point before it starts soaking into the ceiling. It can take a while for a homeowner to recognize that a leaking roof needs repair; and by that time there may have already been extensive damage done. Professionals use infrared scanning technology, because it is the most effective, fail-proof method of locating the source of a leak, and the path the water has taken in a house.
 

Who Will Pay For This Mess?

 
A home insurance policy would generally pay for water damages caused from rain coming in through the roof or a broken window if it was caused by wind-driven rain. Most likely, if the water damage was due to you not keeping your house properly maintained, then your insurance would not cover it or any of the unforeseen damage that may be attributed to past water damage.
 
Home insurance companies will only cover water damage and roof leak repairs that are visible. This means that any damage hidden behind walls is not covered. Traditional methods of inspection, photographs, and water moisture meters have not always revealed all of the damage. Infrared thermography is a non-destructive scan that makes hidden water damage visible so now the homeowner can claim it. 
 
 

What Is Infrared Scanning?

 
Infrared thermography is by far the most reliable method for identifying water intrusion into a structure. An infrared scan looks like an x-ray, but it is not an x-ray - it actually shows temperature variations. Thermal patterns created by light and moisture become readily apparent. The temperature differences created by the presence of moisture on the inside of a wall, under the floor, around the windows, doors and ceiling, will appear differently than the surrounding areas that are not affected. An Infrared Inspection provides you with colorized information and documentation to evaluate the moisture condition of the infrastructure of your house. 
 

How Infrared Scanners Work

 
Scanners can distinguish between wet and dry by measuring the thermal variations of materials and translates each temperature to a color. This provides a clear picture of moisture damage along walls, beneath the floors, including heat and other variances in the structure's integrity. The scanner shows where there is moisture right now and also where previous water damage has dried up. 
 
A qualified roofer using thermography can find the actual source of a leak because the scanner gives them the ability to see problems that a visual inspection is unable to detect. Infrared scanned images can document a home's thermal anomalies from moisture, water damage, roof leaks, and window leakage, verifying the energy efficiency of the home. The scan can even show where there is mold, mildew, and black mold
 

Thermography Used to Improve Energy Efficiency

 
By showing energy differences, infrared scans also show energy leaks. When there is not enough insulation and heat or cool air is escaping, your furnace or air conditioner are working overtime to maintain a consistent temperature. This reduced efficiency causes higher utility bills for homeowners. Although most common sources of leaks are around doors and windows, they could be in unexpected places. Locating points of heat and cooling loss can be a difficult process. An infrared scanning inspection can readily identify energy leaks. Homeowners can perform appropriate repairs and add extra insulation. Over time, these improvements pay for themselves in reduced utility bills. 
 
Infrared scanners are now considered one of the most advanced and accurate tools that can be used for determining and documenting the moisture damage in a home. The results are immediate and the color oriented thermal images they produce are easy for a homeowner to understand.
 
Thermal infrared scanning has helped save hundreds or thousands of dollars for residential homeowners by discovering problems before they become major renovation or repair issues. Infrared scanning has the additional benefits of indicating the heating and cooling efficiency of the home, allowing homeowners to make improvements and save money.
 
Infrared Photos
window leak,seen by infrared camera flat roof leak as shown in infrared hidden roof leaks and missing insulation
Bumpout window leak seen by infrared. Flat roof leak as seen in infrared. Hidden roof leaks and missing insulation.
     
missing insulation inside attic infrared camera sees hidden leak from outside gutter wet drywall as seen by infrared
Missing insulation inside the attic is causing this homeowner to spend more on energy expenses. Infrared camera sees a hidden leak from the outside gutter which can lead to mold if not corrected. This homeowner is getting ready to paint over wet damaged drywall which can lead to mold if not removed and replaced with new. 
     
roof leak caused by a fallen tree limb roof leak and wet insulation from roof stack pipe roof valley leak and roof flashing leak
A fallen tree limb caused a hole in the roof above this bedroom.  All the drywall and wet insualtion had to be removed and replaced. Roof nails exposed in roof stack pipe
flashing caused this bedroom to develop a leak only during heavy rains or melting snow.
A roof valley leak just above the homeowners left hand and a second leak where her roof meets the adjoining neighbors exterior wall.
     
roof step flashing and sagging gutter leak condensation buildup inside air duct infrared sees a dryer vent leak from the roof
Infrared photo shows a hidden leak inside the walls from a sagging gutter and improper installation of the step flashing outside where the roof and wall meet. 
Our highly sensitive infrared camera sees condensation buildup inside the air duct behind the drywall and was being mistaken for a roof leak by other roofers.
Hidden dryer vent leak seen in infrared on the basement celing of a 3 story townhouse with no signs of damage on the levels above.
     
window leak fom another window and ridge vent Cold air infiltration and ridge vent leak hidden roof leaks as seen in infrared
Second level window leaking from top window above and ridge vent during wind driving rain. 18% percent moisture detected in drywall. Infrared see cold air infiltration in bathroom and roof leak because of aluminum ridge vent not being sealed properly underneath. Multiple hidden roof leaks as seen in infrared. Improper positioning of roof nails on an architectural shingle roof.

 



Infrared Moisture Detection Performed By Roofer 911 first appeared on www.roofer911.com