Different types of Gutters

If you have a new house or if you want to renovate your home, there are some elements that you need to keep in mind when choosing the type of gutters you’ll add to your house’s exterior. These include the aesthetic appearance you’re looking for, the budget you’re working with, and the amount of gutter repair you’re ready to schedule. 
With these aspects in mind, at US ROOFING Contractors located in Atlanta, Augusta, Savannah and Alabama, we give you four types of gutters that you can choose from:

1. Aluminum Gutters:

Aluminum gutters are durables, easy to install, lightweight and have low prices; they have a longer life span than those made out of vinyl. Comes in various colors and can be painted. They are also rust proof, but aluminum gutters more commonly dent or become misshaped over time.

2. Vinyl Gutters: 

This is one of the most popular types of gutters, vinyl gutters are lightweight, inexpensive and durable, but the disadvantage of vinyl gutters is their tendency to crack after years of use or being exposed to colder temperatures.  Its color is susceptible to fading from UV sunlight.

3. Copper Gutters:

Copper gutters are much more expensive than other gutter types but have an exceptional beauty. They are durable and can withstand multiple temperatures, won’t rust and don't need painting. The appearance of copper gutters can add an elegant, rich look to a home’s exterior. Are used primarily on high-end residences and historic restorations.

4. Steel Gutters:

Priced somewhere in-between vinyl and copper gutters, steel gutters are a sturdy solution. You can choose from galvanized or stainless steel, but be prepared to schedule more routine gutter maintenance on steel gutters as they tend to rust over time. Comes in many colors and can be painted.

At US ROOFING Contractors our commitment is to make you feel safe!

If you are in need of roofing installation, roofing services or gutter services in the Atlanta, Augusta, Savannah or Alabama areas, please Call Us: (855) 877-6631 and visit us at  www.augustaroof.com for a free estimate.

Spring Roof care and maintenance

Prevention is better and far cheaper than a roof repair or a roof replacement. The lack of maintenance can result in major problems including premature degrading of the roof covering, dampness, leaks and may even invalidate your roof covering guarantee. 
During the winter months, your roof is seriously beaten so in the spring you should do a basic maintenance to make sure your roof is looking great throughout this season and keeping you and your family safe and happy.

At US ROOFING Contractors, we give you eight simple spring roof maintenance tips for your home:

1. Clean all debris from the roof surface, rainwater outlets, chutes, gutters, etc.

2. Examine any wear near the roof valleys. Water runs down these valleys and into the gutter, so they are prone to water damage.

3. Cut back the branches of the trees that overhang the roof to give a 3 ft clearance, this will significantly reduce the risk of blockages caused by leaves.

4. For asphalt shingles, look for cracks in the shingles. These will appear as black areas or lines.

5. For shingle roofs, look for curled pieces. They may turn upward or be broken, split or missing.

6. Examine the area surrounding the vent pipes and chimney. Look for gaps, cracks or missing caulk.

7. Examine the trim, flashing and area around the chimney for cracks, loose shingles and wear.

8. Inside the home, look underneath the roof for signs of discolored or stained ceilings.

At US ROOFING Contractors our commitment is to make you feel safe!

If you are in need of roofing installation, roofing services or gutter services in the Atlanta, Augusta, Savannah or Alabama areas, please Call Us: (855) 877-6631 and visit us at  www.augustaroof.com for a free estimate.

Spring Outdoor Cleaning Tips

Your home is a reflection of your personality and by taking care of it and making it fresh and presentable after accumulating months of winter dirt, you make a better impression on neighbors and guests. If you plan outdoor activities in the spring and summer, a fresh, clean home is more enjoyable and you'll find yourself wanting to spend even more time outside. Exterior cleaning can also help you transform your grass, garden, and yard from an inactive winter state to a renewed spring appearance, ready for growth and blooming.

At US ROOFING Contractors located in the Atlanta, Augusta, Savannah or Alabama areas, we give you our top spring cleaning jobs for the outside of your home.

1. Repair the Roof:

Take a good look at your roof. Scan for missing shingles, uneven surfaces indicating damage, or other evidence that the roof needs repair, then give us a call if you need any roof repairs

2. Clean Your Gutters:

Cleaning out rain gutters is a fall chore for many homeowners, but checking them again in the spring will ensure that no debris has become clogged in them during winter storms, so give them a good clean out with a pair of gloves and a plastic scoop and remove all those leaves, twigs and gunk. A blast with the hose will help you figure out if the spout is clogged or if your gutters are leaky. If you don’t feel comfortable climbing a ladder, hire a professional roofing contractor who can do the work for you.

3. Clean Your Siding:

Pressure wash the siding of your home to remove grime. Be sure to start at the highest points of your home to avoid washing dirt down onto clean areas.

4. Wash your windows:

The incessant rain of the winter months will have left dirt on your windows, so you should give them a good clean. You can make your own natural cleaner by mixing white vinegar with water which will leave your windows very clean.

Here at US ROOFING Contractors, we know how important it is to take care of your home. That’s why we are specialized in roof maintenance as well as fitting and installing. 

If you are in need of roofing installation, roofing services, siding services or gutter services in the Atlanta, Augusta, Savannah or Alabama areas, please Call Us: (855) 877-6631 and visit us at  www.augustaroof.com for a free estimate.

House Siding Maintenance

Making regular preventive maintenance of your home’s siding every year and keeping it in good condition extends the life of any siding and decrease replacement costs.

Most siding systems require very little maintenance since it is designed to be exposed to extreme conditions.

However, no matter what type of siding is on your home, at US ROOFING Contractors
located in the Atlanta, Augusta, Savannah or Alabama areas, we give you some methods to keep your siding in good shape.

Vinyl Siding Upkeep

Vinyl siding is designed to be left alone, but if a piece of siding happens to come loose, you need to fix it soon. If it is allowed to flap in the wind, get bent or curved into a different shape then it won’t go back on and will need to be replaced.

It is a good idea to contract an expert to have your vinyl siding power washed either before or after summer. Insects like to live in the small ledges made in the siding stair-steps. Pressure washing will remove most of these, though it is a good idea to run a broom over as much of it as you can. Also, your siding will just get dirty from blowing wind and the elements and a good washing once a year with make a difference you won’t believe.

Removing siding completely can be a dirty and difficult job requiring specialized equipment and protective gear. It’s best to leave this job to a siding expert.

Maintaining Stucco Siding

Stucco siding is often attacked by woodpeckers, and the holes they leave need to be replaced so that you don’t have a family of birds living in your walls. They are not hard to hear, so once you notice the woodpecker damage, do what you can to deter them from returning.

Stucco siding is very porous, and if trees leak sap or mold is allowed to grow, it can take over. Even if you are working near your home and spill a drink, it can stain rather quickly if it is not tended to. Go around your stucco siding at least once or twice a year to remove any stains that are starting to form. Degreaser works well, and bleach might do the trick on the right color of stucco. Test in a discrete spot first.

At US ROOFING Contractors, we are roofing experts and we have many years of experience in the roofing industry. Our commitment is to make you feel safe!

If you are in need of roofing installation, roofing services, siding services or gutter services in the Atlanta, Augusta, Savannah or Alabama areas, please Call Us: (855) 877-6631 and visit us at  www.augustaroof.com for a free estimate.

What Causes Gutters to Clog?

Cleaning out gutters in the spring and fall might seem like an unimportant task, but failure to do so can cause serious problems for your home. From foundation damage to roof leaks, clogged gutters can lead to expensive repairs when left untreated.

When searching out the perfect home, many families seek a peaceful setting with scenic surroundings, which is typically bounded by trees and although this adds some beautiful aesthetics to a home, you’re also in line for clogged gutters.

At US ROOFING Contractors we give you the main reasons why and how gutters get clogged:

Nearby trees:

The main cause of rain gutter clogging is your home’s proximity to trees. All year, and then more intensely in autumn, trees shed leaves. Some leaves find their way onto roofs and from there, into the gutters and downspouts. The clogging is quicker and more troublesome for houses that have flat or near-flat roofs. Clogging also rapidly arises in gutters that are not sufficiently angled toward the downspouts.

Gutters that become clogged by leaves and twigs remain wet for longer and are difficult to blow out. This type of block generates the perfect environment for molds, pests and birds to make their home. Clogging also leads to gutter sagging and gutter overflows, which may seep into and damage the roofing structure or the building’s foundation.

Accumulated ice:

Snow is another gutter-clogging agent. Again, the inclination of the roof and the setting of the gutter play a major role in prevention. In the typical case, the accumulation of snow on the roof is not, by itself a problem. The trouble is that a poorly ventilated attic retains more warmth than a properly ventilated attic would, leading to the thawing of the snow on the roof. The snow then slides onto the cold gutter, and the sudden temperature difference freezes some of the snow into ice. Soon enough, the gutter is clogged.

Downspouts:

Sometimes nature has nothing to do with it. A poorly designed or improperly installed gutter downspout may trap debris, particularly at the entry or exit points, blocking the natural flow of water and causing water to dam in the gutter and trap more debris. The result is the clogging of the gutter that is often blamed on leaves and twigs.

Preventing Gutter Clogging:

The obvious solution to clogged gutters is to unclog them. But well maintained gutters will make it less likely that a gutter clogs in the first place. The established rule is to have two major cleanings a year. The best timing is before and after autumn, because that is when trees unload more leaves. But it may be necessary to clean the gutter in between the two major cleanings, depending on the age and state of the gutter.

At US ROOFING Contractors, we are roofing experts and we have many years of experience in the roofing industry. Our commitment is to make you feel safe!

If you are in need of roofing installation, roofing services, siding services or gutter services in the Atlanta, Augusta, Savannah or Alabama areas, please Call Us: (855) 877-6631 and visit us at  www.augustaroof.com for a free estimate.