Reasons why Moss and Fungus grow on your Roof

For some of homeowners, the black streaks or stains they see on asphalt shingles is something new. These black streaks are called gloeocapsa magma, or GM, more commonly called mold or fungus. This is a bacteria that get their strength to survive through photosynthesis and the limestone filler found in the composition of shingles.

At US ROOFING Contractors located in Atlanta, Augusta, Savannah and Alabama, we give you the information that you need to know about Moss and Fungus on your Roof:

- In the past, shingles were constructed using felt and asphalt. Now that shingle composition has changed to mostly fiberglass and limestone, the GM blue-green algae thrives, using the limestone as their source of food. GM has a blue-green color. GM’s other self-protective factor is that it enjoys the cooler, shady areas of the roof where moisture is usually present.

- The American Roof Manufactures Association (ARMA)  state that GM is only an aesthetic issue, giving a home poor curb appeal. However, roofs with GM can attract other life forms that do cause damage.

- When algae and fungus get together, they form something new, lichen. Lichen is a photosynthetic fungus that has roots that wrap around the granules, feeding on the nutrients of the GM and the filler in the shingles. Once on the roof, lichen cannot easily be removed. Even if it dries out, it can come back to life when rain or moisture appears. Scrubbing or power washing the lichen will only do more damage.

- Another organism growing on your roof is moss, which is a plant, not a fungus or algae. Moss aides in shortening the life span of your roof because it retains moisture and in cold climates can freeze, causing damage to the shingle and granules.

- When you’re trying to decide whether to clean your roof or have a professional perform the cleaning, keep a few things in mind. Roof cleaning is not a DIY project. Some homeowners might want to tackle this project but without proper training and equipment, the end result could be a disaster.

- Shingles should not be cleaned using a high-pressure washing system. Professional roof cleaners have special equipment and most will clean the roof in the same manner as suggested by roof manufacturers: a low-pressure chemical treatment. A roof cleaning can remove black streaks or other discoloration for a fraction of the cost of replacement.

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.

The importance of Home Gutters

The most important function of rain gutters is to protect your home from the harmful effects of water.

When you have old, damaged, or missing gutters parts then you are risking damage to your home.  It can prevent the gutter from doing what it is meant to do which is to keep water away from the edge of your home and a wet and saturated ground can produce a whole host of problems.

At US ROOFING Contractors located in Atlanta, Augusta, Savannah and Alabama, we give you the information that you need to know about the Home Gutters:

1. The importance of installing Gutters:

Installing rain gutters is something that is very important. The importance of properly installed and maintained gutters can’t be stressed enough. Every house should have gutters, and in recent years building officials across the land have been recognizing this. Here’s why rain gutters are so important:

- Foundation problems can be avoided

- Soil around the house is stabilized

- Flooding under houses and in basements can be prevented

- Erosion can be prevented and this preserves landscaping and turf

- Water damage to siding can be prevented

- Water staining on brick and stone masonry can be prevented

- Settling and cracking of sidewalks, patios and driveways can be lessened

- Exterior doors and garage overhead doors can be preserved

2. What will happen if you do not install gutters?

If you don’t install a rain gutter system on your home when you build it or install a new system when your existing one is in disrepair, you’re looking at a lot of issues.

- A gutter system that is not in good shape can cause water to run underneath the shingles on the roof. This can cause roof damage to occur.

- A home without a gutter system will have water running down the side of the house. This means that the water can get underneath siding if the home is sided.

- The foundation can become damaged. When the foundation has large amounts of water running against it for long periods, cracks start to form.

- Without gutters in place, you literally have a moat around your house. The basement can easily flood if there are any cracks in your foundation.

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.

Vinyl Siding or Fiber Cement for your Home?

When most homeowners are contemplating replacing their home siding or a new home construction, material choice is a difficult decision that can affect how your home will look in the next few years.

The most popular home siding material is vinyl siding and it has evolved into a superior exterior cladding material over aluminum siding and other products, with many color choices and styles that can fit the aesthetic of any home.  Another house siding material is fiber cement, which is more typically associated as being a replacement for wood.

At US ROOFING Contractors located in Atlanta, Augusta, Savannah and Alabama, we show you the differences between Vinyl Siding or Fiber Cement before choosing the right one for your home:

1. Material Composition:

- Fiber-cement siding is made from a mix of wood pulp and cement that’s formed into long boards or shingles. It’s attached to your home directly with nails.

- Vinyl siding is made primarily from PVC, a rigid plastic material, and is securely affixed to your home’s exterior in a manner that allows it to expand and contract with changing temperatures. 

2. Look:

- Fiber-cement comes in boards as half-round, staggered, or square shingles as well as in long plank boards. It can be painted or stained, which means you can make it any color you’d like, and it’s also now possible to buy prepainted fiber cement siding in a range of colors so that you can eliminate this step.

- Vinyl siding offers a much greater variety of decorative options, from maintaining the appearance of an historic home to creating a clean and modern facade. In fact, no other siding option offers such a range of styles and colors. Available in shingle, plank and also in a variety of panel designs including clapboard, board and batten, and Dutch lap. 

3. Insulation:

On their own, both vinyl and fiber-cement siding are relatively thin products that aren’t particularly good insulators, although they are both effective at keeping the elements away from your home.

- Vinyl siding is available in an insulated version in which there is a layer of foam adhered between the siding and the walls of your home. This type of vinyl siding increases the insulating ability, or R-value, of the walls by blanketing the house’s studs, which are poor insulators and a source of heat loss through a process known as thermal bridging. Insulated siding also helps keep your house cool in summer by preventing the sun’s heat from toasting the walls of your house.

4. Durability:

Both vinyl siding and fiber cement are very durable exterior cladding options. Vinyl siding, however, edges out its heavier cousin because fiber cement has been known to absorb water, which can cause it—and the walls of your home underneath—to rot.

Because of vinyl siding’s flexibility, it’s also virtually impervious to chips and cracks. That’s not the case for fiber cement, which is so rigid that it can easily crack both during the installation process and after it’s hanging on your home.

5. Maintenance:

- When fiber cement is installed, it needs to be caulked and painted (unless you opt for the prepainted version). Over the long haul, you’ll need to paint fiber-cement siding periodically because it will fade due to the demands of Mother Nature. Likewise, you’ll need to ensure that the caulking in the joints maintains its integrity to avoid water intrusion.

- Vinyl siding needs no additional work before or after installation. On the other hand, needs little more than a periodic spray cleaning with your garden hose and some soapy water to retain its vibrant look.

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

If you are in need of roofing or siding installation, roofing, siding 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.

All that you need to know about Summer cleaning for your Roof

Part of maintaining your roof is actually keeping it clean. Roofs can collect all sorts of debris during the cold months of the year and can cause some serious problems, from leaks to backed-up gutters, so when it’s finally the warm again, it’s time to focus on getting everything cleaned up. Summer provides a better weather for going up on top of your house and clean your roof.

If you take time this summer to clean your roof, at US ROOFING Contractors located  in Atlanta, Augusta, Savannah and Alabama, we give you seven tips to keep your roof in the best shape possible:

1. If you can see significant amounts of debris on your roof, you’ll definitely need to clean it this summer. Built-up debris from tree leaves and other things on your roof can cause some serious problems. Debris can itself start rotting, which can cause certain roofing materials to do the same. 

2. Cleaning your roof is a job you’ll want to have a professional do, though you can do some limited roof cleaning on your own if you’re comfortable with it.

3. It’s never recommended that you walk on your roof, as this is both dangerous and can cause damage to your roofing materials. But you may be able to pressure-wash some of the debris off your roof if you can reach it from the ground.

4. Ask your trusted roofer to check the roof thoroughly for potential problems, so that you can have your US ROOFING Contractors out to do minor repairs before they become major repairs.

5. Remember that roofs that are red or light-colored may be more obvious when they need cleaning. You can easily see streaks and debris on these roofs. But even dark asphalt roofs will need cleaning on a regular basis. For these roofs, the problem is with stains, which can happen when water isn’t draining correctly or there’s decaying debris on the roof.

6. Keeping your roof stain-free will ensure you don’t have to replace it as often, either, which saves you money in the long run.

7. With regular inspection and cleaning, you’ll enjoy the following benefits:

- Energy Savings: Clean roofs tend to reflect more heat compared to dirty ones. More reflected heat means less use of cooling systems, which reduces your energy consumption and costs.

- Health Benefits: Summer is that time of the year when you want to stay outdoors most of the time. You wouldn’t want to get sick because of mold and fungi, which can come from filthy roofing.

- Curb Appeal: A clean roof is pleasing to the eyes. Not only does it make your home fresher, but it also enhances the overall look of your exterior.

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.

How to choose the Best Rain Gutters for your Home

Rain gutters are essential to channeling rainwater away from your house. This prevents soil erosion and damage to your landscape and foundation. If you are in need of new gutter system, you are probably wondering how to choose the proper ones for your house. With so many options on the market, it can be hard to choose one of all of the materials and types of gutters available. 

At US ROOFING Contractors located in Atlanta, Augusta, Savannah and Alabama,  we give you some factors that can help you make a wise decision if you need to replace an older gutter system:

1. Types:

- Traditional gutter systems: Traditional gutter systems can last up to 18 years if they are cared for and properly maintained during every season. They are pre-manufactured and will need to be painted following installation.

- Seamless gutters: Are a great option if you are looking to keep birds and different types of pests out of your gutters. They are easy to maintain and come in a number of colors and styles to match virtually any home.

2. Material:

Gutter systems come in copper, steel, aluminum, and vinyl. Before deciding on a certain material, make sure you understand its style, durability, and maintenance.

- Copper: In addition to being visually appealing, copper gutters are extremely durable. However, they require upkeep and maintenance as they may get discolored after quite some time.

- Vinyl: Since they are lightweight, easy to maintain, and come in a wide array of colors, vinyl gutters are a popular option for homeowners.

- Aluminum: While aluminum gutters are affordable and light, they lack in strength and durability and require regular maintenance.

- Steel: Steel gutters are ideal for homeowners who live in areas with harsh weather conditions because they are durable and long-lasting and require special care as they rust easily.

3. Gutter Maintenance:

Once you choose the proper gutter system for your house and get them installed, you must ensure your gutters are well-maintained. Gutters can clog with leaves, pine needles, shingle grit, and other debris. When your gutters clog, they can no longer do their job and may cause costly and annoying home damages such as landscape erosion, basement flooding, mold and mildew, and foundation flaws.

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.