5 Signs That It’s Time to Replace Your Roof

The roof is one of those things that most of us really don’t start to pay attention to until something goes wrong. Your home’s roof is one of the most important parts of your house; it protects you all year long, so now it’s time for you to protect it.

So what are some signs that it’s time for you to replace your roof? Let’s take a look:

1. Attic Leak

This should seem obvious, but if your attic has puddles after a rainstorm, it might be time for your roof to be replaced. This problem could arise due to a variety of issues such as: inadequate shingle underlayment, poorly installed flashing (the aluminum or steel pieces between joints), or deterioration. Wind is one likely culprit of a leaky roof, and ice damage is another (we all know how the Pennsylvania snow can be sometimes).

2. Blistering/Peeling Paint

When the paint inside or outside you home begins to blister or peel off, it may be because of a high amount of moisture in the house. The cause of this is the air not being able to ventilate correctly.

3. Stains, Mold, or Mildew on Ceilings and Walls

Let hope you’re able to catch stains on your walls and ceilings before mold starts to grow, but any of these things inside your home could be warnings that it’s time to replace your roof. Failing shingle underlayment may be causing water to manage to seep into your house.

4. Dark Spots

Dark dirty looking spots could just be dirt, but it could also mean mold, fungus, algae, or vegetation growth! This doesn’t necessarily mean your roof needs to be replaced, but it definitely should be taken care of. At Aspen Home Improvements, we offer roofing complete with Scotchgard™ Protector to help protect against algae on your shingles.

5. Missing, Cracked, or Curling Shingles

Your roof’s shingles are out in the sun all day long, and over time the sun can slowly dry them out. If you can touch your roof’s shingles and they fall apart, it’s time for a new roof. While a single broken shingle may just need a quick repair, multiple damaged shingles could require replacement.

If your home is experiencing any of these signs (or all, yikes!), contact us. There’s no better time to replace your roof than before the winter snow hits!

4 Common Roof Problems

If you’ve got a roof over your head, you’ve got a place to get away from the elements and keep yourself and your family safe. But what if that roof isn’t quite doing it’s job?

Overtime, the shingles or tiles on your roof naturally become weathered and need either repairing or replacing. If your roofing is in bad shape, the underlying roof material becomes prone to dry rot or mold, which can then lead to leaks and major repairs later on.

There are a few factors that can worsen your roof quickly overtime if action isn’t taken to fix the problem. Here are a few common roofing issues that we’ve seen throughout Central and Eastern Pennsylvania at Aspen Home Improvements:

Improper Installation: Although many roofers in the area are highly qualified, it may happen that your shingles or tiles have not been properly installed. If your contractor does not offer a lifetime grantee on both material and labor like we do here at Aspen, it may be a costly fix. Improper roof installation can lead to quicker wear and improper water drainage, which can be harmful during the winter months.

Poor Maintenance: After a new roof is installed properly, some maintenance may be needed to keep debris from clogging drains. Minor fixes may also be needed from time to time. If ignored, they could lead to larger problems.

Weathering: This is the most common problem, and it is completely natural, but the amount of time that it takes for a roof to weather depends on the type of material used. See which types of roofing we use at Aspen Home Improvements under “Quality Roofing and Accessories” on our roofing page.

Flashing Issues: Flashing refers to the weather resistant barrier that is installed between joints on a roof. If flashing is improperly installed or poorly adhered to the surface, you may encounter a leaky roof.

If you’re having problems with your home’s roof in Lancaster, Harrisburg, York, Reading, Chester, or Berks, contact us! We’re here to help!

Easy Ways to Protect Your Home from Long-Term Wear and Tear

Rain. Snow. Wind. Sun. Salt.

It’s a wonder that some things last as long as they do with all the weather variances we face. If you haven’t already done so, now is the perfect time to start an annual maintenance program. The importance is obvious – to extend the life and protection of your home. You want to catch problems early or even before they occur! 

Protect your investment with these tips to add life and value to your home:

1. Invest in Good Roofing

           

The roof of your home is an easy aspect to neglect, but proper roofing and shingles can provide a lifetime of benefits. Aside from adding curb appeal, a sturdy roof can save you money in the long-run by preventing algae growth and providing protection from rain and hail. To learn more about how quality roofing can benefit you, read this bulletin from Aspen Home Improvements.

2. Test Your Water

While most homeowners test their water supply, it’s always a good idea to have your water tested for high mineral content. High concentrations of calcium and magnesium could corrode your plumbing and also be hazardous to your health. Installing a water softener could be a cheap and easy fix compared to replacing your plumbing. 

3. Use Energy-Efficient Windows

Once you install energy-efficient windows, you will never want to settle for less. These sturdy windows will not only last you a lifetime, but they will save you money on energy costs by keeping the heat of the summer from entering your home. An unexpected benefit of energy-efficient windows is that the insulation can also protect your furniture and carpet’s color from fading. Aspen Home Improvement offers a variety of Energy Star windows for your next renovation.

4. Don’t Neglect Your Gutters

No one likes to clean the gutters, but if they’re neglected long enough, your home could be vulnerable to water damage. Unkept gutters can lead to leaky roofs and basements, and repairing water damage could not only be costly, but time consuming as well.

5. Purchase Insulated Siding

Not only does it greatly enhance the outward appearance of a home, but properly insulated siding can be extremely cost effective while providing unparalleled resistance from the elements. The impact from intense storms and debris often shows in a short amount of time, and investing in good siding can provide a lifetime of protection. To learn more, visit the Aspen website to read all of the benefits of siding replacement.

Need help making repairs to your house? Let Aspen HomeImprovements help you! Contact us today to speak with our experts and schedule your free estimate. We serve customers over a large area of central and eastern Pennsylvania, including Lancaster, Harrisburg, York, Reading, Chester, and Berks County.

Customer Testimonials

If there’s one thing we take more seriously than our award-winning home improvement services, it’s the satisfaction of our customers.

We have been so lucky to work with homeowners from all over – including Maryland, West Virginia, and right here, locally, in Lancaster County. One of our favorite parts of the remodeling process is hearing how happy our customers are with their updated home!

Whether it’s our beautiful custom doors, our award-winning roofs, our energy-efficient windows, or our durable siding, we pride ourselves in providing the very best for our hard-working customers.

Recently, we have gotten a lot of fantastic feedback that we want to share with you!

“We purchased 2 Angie's List vouchers for Aspen Home Improvement totaling $1000.00. We wanted to replace 2 windows that were drafty. The installers were professional and cleaned up after themselves.”

Barbara, Lincoln University, PA

“Mark is a class act! Love the new door!”
Josiah, Windsor, PA

“The installation crew came on the date they were supposed to come. It took 2 full days to do all the work. We are pleased with the work!”
Janet, New Freedom, PA

“Very fast – in one day! Very professional! The roof is BEAUTIFUL!”

Mark, Biglerville, PA

A huge thank you to all of our customers who took the time to provide us with feedback on our services! We are so happy that we were able to help you fall in love with your homes all over again!

Have we completed a renovation project for you in the past? We want to hear from you! We would greatly appreciate if you would review our work.

Roofing Trends in 2015

We know it’s already April, but not all of us can afford home improvement projects at the onset of the New Year – especially since it is right after the holiday season.

We gave you a list of New Year’s Resolutions for your home for 2015, but we found some new trends that are just for roofing! As you know, not all trends last – which, admittedly, is sometimes for the better. We know remodeling your home is a huge investment, so we didn’t want to give you a list of trends we didn’t believe would increase the value of your home.

These 3 roofing trends have been growing over the years and are more popular than ever in 2015!

1. Go Gray

Gray embodies simplicity, elegance, and refinement. Across America, the top choice for roofing color in 2015 is gray!

Your home does not have to be brightly colored to be unique. Get the right kind of attention with a neutral color that will never go out of style. Trust us – you may have a much harder time trying to sell a bright-colored roof in the future.

2. Metal Roofs

Nothing protects your home better than a metal roof! So, it’s not surprising to see that metal roofing is more in demand than ever before. It is predicted that metal roofing will continue to increase over the next few years.

Why metal? They last longer than other roofing materials and require less maintenance. Also, they are more environmentally friendly and offer lower energy costs than popular roofing of the past.

3. Environmentally Conscious

As we see how our choices impact our environment, it’s no surprise that trends are still continuing to progress into the environmentally friendly realm (and we hope that trend is here to stay!).

Environmentally friendly roofs may be more expensive to install initially, but that doesn’t seem to affect homeowners! They know that these environmentally friendly roofs will not only help to preserve the Earth, but that they will also see reduced energy costs as well.

We hope that this list is helpful when you start researching roofing options for your 2015 home improvement project!

If you have any roofing questions, please contact us! We want to help you put the best roof over your head.

Prolong the Life of Your Roof

Is your roof brand-new or a few years old? Your answer to this question doesn’t matter. You can apply these tips for making your roof last longer to any roof! But keep in mind – the older the roof, the more temporary these solutions will be.

Scheduling a roof replacement is a commitment. An expensive commitment. Once you have finally made the decision to replace your old roof, you’re going to want to care for it. So get the most from your roof! The more you protect it, the less often you will have to replace it. (Imagine what you could do with all that extra money!)

Prolong the life of your roof by following this checklist we have put together for you.

Clear away leaves. Piles of leaves sitting on top of your roof are not a good thing. The longer they sit there, the more moisture they collect. As a result, more moisture will begin to build up in your roof. If they are dry, removing them is not very difficult. You can even use a leaf blower. If they are wet, however, you may need to use your garden hose.

Tip: Never use a pressure washer. A stream that strong can force water underneath your shingles.

Trim surrounding branches. Take a few hours during your weekend to trim away branches that are touching or close to touching your roof. Constant rubbing from branches irritates your roof and will eventually lead to damaged or broken shingles. Also, animals (like squirrels) use branches like bridges to your roof. They, too, can irritate shingles by scratching or biting.

Tip: If the branches are large in size, hire a professional for help. You don’t want to cause further damage.

Clean gutters regularly. Not many people love this part of being a homeowner, but most homeowners don’t realize that clogged gutters can hurry up roof rot. A few hours of work could save you thousands in the future.

Look for warning signs. Every once in a while (or after any high winds or major storms) look for damage to your roof. The biggest warning signs are loose, missing, or broken shingles. If you catch these early on, it could mean a quick fix and a lower cost of maintenance.

If you have any additional questions – or have seen warning signs that may indicate the need for a roof repair or replacement – contact our team of professionals! We want to help you keep your home in tiptop shape.