Work in Progress: James Hardie and New Roof in Lebanon, OH
Tips and Tricks: Winter Roof Care
As the weather turns cold and the holidays come around, it’s a great time to make sure your roof is in tip-top shape for the season. Winter is the time of year that your roof works the hardest to keep your house warm and dry, so take these simple steps to ensure your roof is ready for the weather to come.
Outside: Inspect Your Roof and Gutters
Look carefully at your roof, gutters, and surrounding trees from the ground, but don’t go onto the roof yourself, since this can be dangerous in winter. If you notice anything that needs closer attention, contact EMA Construction’s qualified roofers for a full inspection.
There are a few things you want to be alert for when making your inspection. [Read more…]
What To Do After Storm Damage
After any presence of a storm (thunderstorm, hurricane, tornado, or hail storm) a homeowner should check for any damage to their roof. Storm damage is most often caused from strong winds or hail that accompany storms. It is important to identify any damage as soon as the storm has passed, document it, and contact a reliable roofing contractor and your insurance provider.
EMA Construction, experienced roofing contractors in Cincinnati, specializes in repairing damage from wind and hail storms. We deal with insurance adjusters personally from start to finish. We have outlined below the steps to take after storm damage has occurred.
Spotting Roofing Damage After a Storm
Storms with strong winds and hail can tear off roofing shingles and tear down tree branches near your roof. A few initial signs of storm damage can include:
- Leaks or water damage in your home.
- Shingles, fascia, or other roofing materials that may have been stripped from the roof during the storm and are now on the ground.
- Lifted shingles from wind damage.
- A tree or any large limbs have fallen on your home.
- Missing shingle granules around gutter downspouts and valleys caused from hail.
After a storm, do not attempt to get up on your roof to inspect it’s condition. There can be serious storm damage that is not noticeable to the untrained eye so call a qualified contractor to perform a full inspection. Damage that a homeowner may consider as minor, with a few shingles missing, can escalate to severe issues.
Contacting Your Insurance Company
If you do notice any storm damage, contact your insurance company. You will want to have a clear understanding of your insurance policies, so if able to make sure to have documentation in front of you when speaking with a claim representative assigned to you. Typically once you have paid your deductible, your policies will cover the damage. This may, in some instances, take a few months.
Document any storm damage possible with photographs, especially if your homeowners insurance only covers certain types of damage. Include any potential issues such as mold, drywall crumbling, or power line exposure.
Choosing the Right Contractor
After storm damage, it is critical to address and work on correcting the damage as soon as possible to reduce any further damage from occurring and potential health risk to the inside of your home. You want a timely, professional, and trustworthy contractor fixing your home back to the state that you and your family expect. Read our tips on hiring the right contractor.
At EMA Construction we have experience in storm damage repair, we will start the process by giving you a free cost and time estimate to fix the damage left behind. Call EMA Construction today at (513) 279-8362 or contact us.
The Damage of Slow Roof Leaks
Water can cause havoc on a home; even before a homeowner has a chance to notice initial signs of its presence. A drop of water, repeated over a few thousand times can cause severe home structural damage as well as mold. Any small leak, especially originating from a roof, should be taken seriously. Most homeowners think a slow roof leak is just a roofing issue, but if a leak is consistently present for an extended amount of time it can cause damage from the roof or attic space all the way to the foundation of the home. Causing structural issues as well as a fire threat from wires and health issues from potential mold. In order to prevent severe water damage, slow roof leaks should be dealt with immediately.
Causes of Roof Leaks
There can be a number of reasons a homeowner’s roof may be damaged and causing a slow roof leak. Severe weather with strong winds, hail, thunderstorms, snow, or ice dams are the usual suspects. As well as poorly or improperly installed roofs or the aging and wearing of roofing materials. For these reasons, it is extremely important for homeowners to regularly inspect their roofs or contact a qualified roofing contractor in Cincinnati like EMA Construction for inspection. Roof inspections should take place at least once or twice a year, and typically after any major storms.
Signs of Slow Roof Leaks
The most common signs of slow roof leaks are:
Water leaks inside the home during a heavy room or when snow is melting
- Discolored ceiling or wall areas
- Discoloring or falling of ceiling paint
- Peeling paint around skylights or windows
- Plaster bubbling or cracking
- Crumbling drywall
- Wood in the attic decaying
- Damaged or stained soffits and fascia
- Shingle granules in the gutters
- Shingles that are curling, cupping, or missing
- A persistent musty smell in the attic
- Presence of mold on ceiling, attic, etc.
The leak may not always be located exactly where the sign of the leak is. Water can move in and around your home easily, and the source of the leak could be located elsewhere. If you are having difficulty locating the source of the leak, contact a reliable roofing contractor. You want to stop the leak before it is able to create any further damage. Also read our blog post on Common Roof Leaking Locations here.
Mold from Roof Leaks
Since slow roof leaks are typically present in a home for longer periods of times without being noticed, they are prone to resulting in mold growth. Mold growth can happen in just a couple of days in the right conditions. Sometimes the mold growth from a leaking roof is small enough and in a good enough ventilated area to be easily dealt with once the roof leak has been repaired. This is not always the case though and a professional may need to be called in to remove the mold properly. Mold can cause serious health risk to all living in the home, including:
- Asthma
- Sore eyes
- Itchy skin
- Runny or blocked nose
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Sore throat
If the above symptoms are consistent when you are physically in your home or heighten when you are home, it is more than likely due to the presence of mold.
Conclusion
To prevent severe water damage due to a leak, address the leak as soon as possible. Locating and repairing the leak is the immediate action homeowners should take upon seeing a sign of any leak. Contacting a roofing contractor is the best way to ensure fixing a slow roof leak. EMA Construction’s qualified roofers are able to advise and repair you on your leak before it causes major structural damage to your home. Click here to contact us today about any of your roofing concerns.
Questions to Ask Your Roofing Contractor
Your roof is one of your home’s most important structural elements and its repair or replacement is an important and often costly home improvement decision. When interviewing potential roofing contractors in Cincinnati it is useful to use a checklist of commonly asked questions as a guide. This way you won’t forget something important and can refer to their responses later. This may be imperative if you are choosing between your top two contractor picks.
Do you have any referrals I may contact?
Contacting homeowners that have worked with the contractor in the past will be one of your most valuable and trustworthy resources. These homeowners have had first hand experience with the company you are potentially going to work with and can give you insight on important factors such as:
- Time Management
- Professionalism
- Budget
- Complaints
- Cleanliness
Probably the most important question to ask a fellow homeowner is if they would hire the roofing contractor again.
Most reliable roofing companies are also listed on Better Business Bureau. This website, along with other online review websites or city specific associations, provide homeowners a good idea of the company and their reliability.
Are you insured?
For your own protection as well for the protection of the contractor’s employees it is best to hire a fully insured roofing contractor in Cincinnati.
How much roofing experience does your company have?
This typically revolves around how many years a company has been in business. A contractor with only a couple of years in business compared to a company with twenty plus years of roofing experience in Cincinnati will differ greatly.
Will your company match competitor’s bids?
With quality roofing in mind, affordability can be a deciding factor on which contractor to hire. Before deciding, it is often a good idea to see if a contractor will match a competitor’s bid if their own bid is slightly higher and affecting your decision.
Will your company be respectful of my home and yard?
Replacing a roof can be a messy job with lots of materials and debris moving around not only on your roof but on your yard, driveway, and sidewalks. Many homeowners take pride in their landscaping and should request their roofing contractors to respect their home and the surrounding areas while workers are present.
As well as being respectful, roofing contractors should also clear your yard and walking paths of nails or other roofing debris on a daily basis to prevent any harm to your family and visitors walking into your home.
What warranties do you offer?
Roofing contractors in Cincinnati should be able to provide you with a list of warranties including the materials used and the contractor’s work. Know the length of the warranties and the process of how to redeem any warranties if needed.
Who will be my main form of contact?
Often times with roofing companies, there will be a main person of contact homeowners can reach out to with any questions or concerns. More than likely this contact will be onsite daily and up to date with the project’s progress, etc.
If any damaged or rotten plywood is found, what will be the costs?
When removing an old roof, sometimes unexpected damaged or rotten plywood may be found. Since roofing contractors can not expect exactly how much of the plywood will be damaged or rotten beforehand, it is hard to include in an estimate. Discuss the different variables and costs with your roofing contractor beforehand so you are not blindsided when an invoice arrives.
This also relates to any other unforeseen issues or problems during your roofing project that may arise.
Will the roofing company obtain all permits?
Any construction work to your home will require a permit. This can be city or state permits, depending on where you live. Reliable roofing contractors in Cincinnati should obtain all roofing permits required on your behalf.
What are your payment terms?
Know the terms and conditions involved with payments and deposits made to the roofing company.
Define a project timeline with your contractor.
Discuss how long your roofing project is expected to take. What will happen if the project goes over a certain number of days promised? This is both so the homeowner knows what to expect and the contractor is held reliable for promises made.
Does your company offer maintenance programs?
Many roofing contractors offer programs to upkeep your roofing maintenance. Inquire about the programs at the beginning of your work with the roofing contractor. You may be able to negotiate a deal on a program after the initial work is complete and form a lasting, trustworthy relationship with the company.
Will tarping and covering be done on a daily basis?
During the timeframe that your roof is being worked on, it will be exposed to the elements. It is important that workers tarp and cover the roof at the end of each work day so that no further damage is incurred.
Conclusion
Interviewing roofing contractors can be intimidating, especially if you are in an emergency situation, creating a list of questions to ask ahead of time will prepare you.
EMA Construction is an experienced, reliable, affordable, and accountable roofing contractor in Cincinnati. We are fully insured and we offer free roof inspections and estimates. To schedule yours, just give us a call at (513) 279-8362 or send us an email today.
Roof Leaking Repair in Cincinnati
A leaking roof can be an easy enough repair that can quickly turn into a roofing emergency. A roof contains a number of seams on it that can be prone to leaks and cause extreme structural damage on your roof. Any leaking roofs should be addressed immediately for repair unless you want to end up replacing the entire roof.
Signs of a Leaking Roof
Unfortunately, for homeowners, finding the source of a leaking roof or even knowing that your roof is leaking is not always the easiest job unless the leak is obvious from the interior of your home. Once a leak has reached the inside of a room it is easier to notice from water stains discoloring ceilings or walls, mold, peeling paint, or soft spots that may appear. Even then, finding the source of the leak to stop it is the key. Click here to read our blog post on common roof leak locations in order to find the source of a leak.
Home Damage Caused by a Leaking Roof
Water is a powerful element and can cause destruction to a roof’s structure in a limited amount of time. Contacting an expert roof repair contractor like EMA Construction is the first step to stopping any further damage from a leaking roof. Our fully insured roofing repairmen in Cincinnati will visit your home and provide a free estimate after inspecting the roof and leak sources.
A leaky roof can lead to major damage in your home including:
- Toxic mold and mildew
- Collapsed ceiling
- Fire hazards
- Insect and rodent infestation
- Wasted energy
- Slip hazards
Repairing the roof as quickly and efficiently as possible is the best way to avoid any serious home damage caused by a leak. Contacting a certified roofing contractor is the best way to achieve this.
Roof Leak Repair in Cincinnati
A leaking roof should be a homeowner’s top priority. Although some homeowners may believe they are knowledgeable enough to find the source of a leaking roof and properly repair it, this is often not the case. Instead, contact a qualified roofing contractor to ensure the repairs are down correctly. This is even more important if the leak has been present for some time without being addressed as the damage could be far more worse than what the naked eye can see.
EMA Construction has over 20 years of quality service and affordable pricing in roofing repairs in the greater Cincinnati area. EMA Construction is fully insured and we offer free roof inspections. To schedule yours, just give us a call at (513) 279-8362 or send us an email.
Roof Recycling for Homeowners
Rather than sending left over or replaced roofing materials to landfills, more and more roofing contractors and homeowners are opting for recycling. The recycling of shingles is the process of collecting asphalt shingles from roof removals in order to use in other products.
Recycled roofing products
The number one use of recycled asphalt shingles is in the pavement used to build roads. Rather than using newly mined asphalt, pavement can be produced from the recycled asphalt shingles. This in turn reduces the cost of paving projects when recycled asphalt is used. An average sized home’s recycled shingles can pave up to 200 feet of a two-lane highway. Other potential uses are still under research.
Benefits of Roofing Recycling
As already mentioned, the main benefit of recycling asphalt shingles is to prevent these materials from ending up in landfills. This contribution from homeowners and contractors leaves a positive mark on the environment. Creating products out of recycled asphalt, like pavement, saves money. Plants that recycle materials like asphalt create new jobs overall assisting the economy in the surrounding areas.
Recycling Asphalt Shingles
If you have the desire to recycle your roofing materials during a tear off, first check with your roofing contractor to see if this is an option. Some contractors do not offer this service or are not able to because their area does not have a shingle recycling facility nearby. Once you have decided to recycle, you will need to find a recycler to take your materials. Roof recycler resources include shinglerecycling.org, earth911.com, or recyclerfinder.com/. Using one of these resources will ensure you are using a legitimate recycling center.
Once you have found a recycler, check to ensure your current type of shingles can indeed be recycled. Recycling centers will either provide with a container at your home during the construction process or it will be the responsibility of your contractor to transport the recyclable materials to the center on your behalf. This typically involves the same process as it would be transferring the debris to a landfill.
During the roof tear-off process shingles will need to be clean of debris, such as nails, as much as possible. Most recycling centers have specific protocols on what is allowed and what is not, so call ahead before delivering.
Cost of Roofing Recycling
The cost of roofing recycling varies by the recycling center you use. In some cases, recycling may even be free. Recycling is almost always cheaper than landfilling which costs are rising as the landfills continue to fill up.
If you are interested in recycling your roofing materials after a tear off, contact EMA Construction’s qualified roofers for more information in the greater Cincinnati area.
Energy Efficient Roofing
In today’s world more and more homeowners are focused on energy efficient aspects of their home. Your roof is no exception to this.
According to the Department of Energy, an energy efficient roof or “cool” roof is one that has been designed to reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat than a standard roof. Consider it similar to the same concept as wearing a dark colored shirt versus a white colored shirt on a hot summer day. A roof can be considered energy efficient if it’s materials include highly reflective paint, a sheet covering, or reflective tiles or shingles.
Energy Efficient Roofing Benefits
The most obvious benefit to having a cool roof is the energy saving costs. Using energy efficient roofing materials can make your roof nearly fifty degrees cooler than a roof with regular roofing materials. This allows homeowners to save energy by saving costs on air conditioning. With a normal roof, your air conditioner has to work much harder because higher temperatures from your roof are conducted down toward your home making rooms hotter. A cool roof can also help make outdoor spaces without air conditioning like garages and patios cooler and more comfortable.
The other most obvious benefit of energy efficient roofs are their effect on the environment especially in urban areas. By decreasing the amount of energy your home consumes, it helps to decrease environmental factors like urban heat islands or local air temperatures. An urban heat island is where an urban area is warmer than the surrounding rural areas due to the amount of people living there and their daily activities. Energy efficient roofs can result in better air quality and fewer greenhouse gases emitted in your community’s air. Buildings that are built with energy efficient roofing materials can also benefit from lower cooling costs and reduce their emissions of carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrous dioxides, and mercury.
Since energy efficient roofing materials can decrease the temperature of your home’s roof it can also mean a longer life expectancy of your roof. Home owners should weigh in this factor when considering to build or make a current roof energy efficient. It may cost more up front but save you in the money in the long run with a longer lasting roof that does not have issues.
Types of Energy Efficient Roofs
Any pre-existing roof can be made cool simply by altering it’s roofing materials. Applying a cool roof coating, a thick white or reflective pigment paint that protects a roof’s surface from ultra-violet (UV) light, or replacing shingles or asphalt with lighter colored versions can instantly transform a normal roof into an energy efficient roof. There are other energy efficient roofing materials that can be used to transform low or steep sloped roofs into cool roofs. To view more details on these options review the Department of Energy’s synopsis here.
If you are in a new build process and considering an energy efficient roof, there are a number of products available to you. Roofing products are rated based on their reflectiveness. The higher the number the product is given, the more reflective a product is and the cooler your new roof will be.
Cost of an Energy Efficient Roof
Most homeowners are going to base their decision on having an energy efficient roof or not based on its cost. When deciding on whether or not to make your roof cool evaluate how much energy you will be saving. This is easier to determine with a new build home, but both scenarios should consider the climate and environment the home is located in, the home’s cooling and heating system, the home’s insulation, and type of roof being used.
Energy efficient roofing costs include installation, including materials and labor, and maintenance which may include repair, coating and cleaning. Additional costs can include specialized materials and labors if you are doing anything outside of the norm. In general, converting a current roof in fairly good condition to a cool roof will be more expensive than building a new cool roof. For a more detailed account of costs, be sure to consult an experienced roofing contractor like EMA Construction. Our qualified roofers will walk you through the process and timeline involved for your specific roofing needs, contact us today.
As you can see energy efficient roofing is becoming more and more popular with homeowners, especially those with new builds, due to the energy saving benefits and environmental positives.
Tips and Tricks: Summer Roof Maintenance
Summer has arrived and in between the hustle and bustle of grilling out, going on beach trips, and kids summer vacation it is important to still find the time to do your home’s outdoor maintenance. Roof maintenance is important to ensure your roof holds up against the summer heat and is prepared for the fall and winter months ahead.
Inspect for and Remove Fungus, Algae, or Mold
Like with any season change, you should always inspect your roof for any fungus, algae, or mold that may have accumulated on top of your roof. These are more typical during the summer months with the storms that pass thru. Also inspect your roof for any storm debris left behind such as limbs, birds nest, or leaves that can clog up your gutters. After you have inspected the roof remove whatever is present. It is probably best to perform this task, or any roofing task during the hotter months, earlier in the morning before it becomes too hot.
Inspect Shingles and Metal Stripping
Along with debris, summer storms can also cause shingles to loosen, crack, or go missing. Inspect your roof to ensure all your shingles are still present and are not in need of repair. The summer heat can quickly damage a shingle’s granules, the protective covering of a shingle, making them and your roof even more vulnerable. The same goes for the metal stripping on around the roof’s ridge, vents, and chimney that can become loose. If left damaged, shingles or metal stripping may lead to cracks and leaks causing bigger home issues down the road.
Check Overhanging Tree Limbs
We love the look of big, beautiful trees especially in the fall months when leaves begin to change, but our roofs do not like overhanging limbs and the potential dangers they bring. Inspect and remove any tree limbs near your roof for any low bearing or rotten limbs that might break in the months to come causing major roof damage.
Inspect Gutters
Generally speaking all aspects of your roof should be checked before the next season begins. Gutter systems are a priority roof area to be inspected for any debris that may inhibited the flow of water down the gutter. Also check on the gutters tightness and proper angle of the downspots for water to run off.
With the summer months becoming dryer and hotter each year, they have become one of the most important times for roof inspection. Your roof and roofing materials are most vulnerable to the sun, ensuring they are in the best conditions possible protects your home from the same elements. If you need assistance in your roof’s summer maintenance, contact EMA construction’s qualified roofers for a full inspection.