GOLF-BALL SIZED HAIL IN CASTLE ROCK SHATTERS WINDOWS, DAMAGES ROOF SYSTEMS

Hail is nothing new to Colorado residents, but recent storms have really given some neighborhoods in the greater Denver area a shakedown.

A hailstorm earlier this month around Castle Rock was one of the worst in recent memory. “It was like somebody beating on our roof with a hammer, or, as the kids said, like a helicopter was shooting at the house. It was very heavy hail,” resident Cliff Hancock told CBS Denver.

The golf-ball sized hail managed to shatter some windows and damage roof systems, much to the chagrin of homeowners in the area.

Luckily, residential roofers in Denver CO are accustomed to this type of damage and can easily replace or repair shingles, tiles, or other parts of your home that you don’t want to leave exposed to the elements.

On average, a homeowner can expect to spend 1-4% of a home’s value on annual maintenance and repairs, including roofing. For a $200,000 home, for example, you’ll want to budget about $2,000 for maintenance every year.

That doesn’t mean that all of those costs go toward fixing a few shingles after a hailstorm, however. In fact, homeowners will likely find that they can save money in the long run by investing in high-quality roofing materials to begin with.

Residential roofers, especially in the Denver area, often recommend tile roofing because it’s more durable than shingles but can still offer a variety of colors and textures. It’s also withstood the test of time: practically every region and climate around the world has used tiling, dating all the way back to 10,000 B.C. in Neolithic China.

Additionally, routine check-ups and maintenance can help avoid expensive overhauls and safeguard your roof and home against a potential hailstorm (or snowstorm, or tornado… this is Denver, after all!).

Have your roof professionally inspected by residential roofers once or twice a year, even under normal circumstances. With freak weather patterns like the ones we’ve been experiencing this summer, however, it might not hurt to call in for an extra check-up before the next storm starts brewing.

WINTER IS COMING: GET YOUR ROOFING READY

Winter is just around the corner here in Colorado and around the country, and that means colder temperatures, snowfall, ice, and more cold. Love it or hate it, every homeowner or commercial property owner should take the time now to prepare their roof systems for the coming weather changes. A little bit of extra preparation now could save you from some unpleasant roof repairs in the dead of winter. Here are three ways to keep your home and roofing safe all season long.

  1. Clean Your Gutters
    Buildup and debris on your roof and in your gutters could cause ice damming once cold temperatures hit. If snow repeatedly melts and freezes on top of your roof without a way to drain, it will become stuck and weigh heavily on your roofing. Be sure to clear off leaves, branches, and any other kind of debris from your roof during late fall, or hire roofing contractors to do it for you.
  2. Get Inspected
    While cleaning your roof or gutters, keep an eye out for any sign of loose, missing, or damaged tiles. Have an annual inspection scheduled for before the first snowfall to make sure that there aren’t any leaks or weak spots where your roof may be vulnerable to damage. Even flat roofs should be inspected for hail damage or holes that might need repair before the winter weather sets in.
  3. Check the Attic
    Proper insulation and ventilation in your attic space can make a huge difference to your home heating costs during the winter months. As much as 40% of indoor heat loss occurs through the attic, but you can prevent unnecessary losses by ensuring that your insulation is up to par. Additionally, proper ventilation is key for preventing mold or residue buildup on the interior structure of your home.

Don’t let Old Man Winter get the best of you this year. Protect your commercial and residential roofs alike by taking the time to properly winterize your home before the season starts. For the best advice on how to keep your property safe, call in our local experts at Advanced Roofing Systems, who have been dealing with Denver winters for more than 35 years.

RENOVATING YOUR HOME? KEEP THESE 3 HELPFUL TIPS IN MIND

Major renovations and remodeling projects can be great for homeowners — once they’re completed. Afterward, you’ll finally be living in the home that you’ve always wanted, and the ROI of that remodel will pay dividends in the long run, if you decide to sell your home. But embarking on a renovation can be daunting. Here are some tips to help you navigate the process.

 

HAVE A PLAN

Simply thinking to yourself, “we should get a new roof!” isn’t really a plan; it’s more like an idea — which is fine as a starting point, but you need to go a bit further. Start thinking about budgeting for this project, and bear in mind that a new roof isn’t a quick fix. You’ll need to prepare for some mess and fuss while the work is being done. Perhaps the most important step in the process, however, is to evaluate the different types of roof systems available to you. The best roofing materials for your home will depend on the type of house, the climate that you live in, the aesthetic effect you’d like, and of course your budget. Begin planning this renovation project by setting that budget, setting aside some time for the project, and researching the different types of impact resistant roofs.

 

WORK WITH THE PROS

Working with professional roofers, rather than doing it yourself, will be the best decision you’ve ever made. Unless you’re confident that you know how to safely install a roof, can prevent rain, snow, and hail damage, and can purchase the materials at a good price… you should probably contact residential roofers who know what they’re doing.

 

HAVE A PLACE TO STAY

Whether you’re having roofers install an average sized roof, which takes three to four days, or having serious interior remodeling done, you may want to stay at a friend’s place, family member’s house, or a hotel so you’re not interfering with the project and so your family doesn’t feel too cramped. Roof repairs and installation are messy, noisy endeavors, and it’s best to stay out of the way.

If you’re looking or roofing company in Denver, contact Advanced Roofing Systems today!

A NEW YEAR’S CHECKLIST FOR ROOF MAINTENANCE

The start of a new calendar year is the perfect time for homeowners to go through their property and plan out any repairs, upgrades, or fixes that might become necessary in the near future, especially when it comes to your roof systems. Planning ahead with preventative maintenance can help you avoid the high costs of unanticipated fixes like roof repairs. On average, homeowners have to spend between one to four percent of their home value on annual maintenance and repairs, though those costs tend to increase the older a house is. To help you plan and budget, here’s a list of inspections and maintenance worth going through in January to keep your home’s roof in tip-top shape all year round.

    1. Schedule an inspection
      Your roofing needs to be inspected at least once a year for loose or missing shingles, leaks, soft spots, or any problem areas. Don’t think that you can accurately assess it yourself from the ground. Hire professional roofing contractors to check over everything thoroughly and safely.

 

    1. Review your insurance
      You never know when wacky weather might strike here in Colorado. Make sure your insurance protection and coverage is up-to-date and covers hail damage to your roof. On the other hand, if you’ve made improvements like adding impact-resistant shingles, you may be eligible for a discount on your insurance premium.

 

  1. Check the attic space
    The winter is a great time to determine just how well insulated your attic space is and whether your roofing needs any leak repairs. Check for wet drips during a sunny day after a snowfall or look for pinholes of light shining through the ceiling. These are sure signs that you have at least a few small repairs to make or if you might need an entirely new roof altogether.

The best way to save money on home maintenance is to plan for repairs before problems come crashing through the roof. Get inspected, get insured, and check for leaks this New Year’s and you’ll be able to rely on the roof over your head for the rest of the year to come.

PROTECT YOUR COLORADO ROOF FROM ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT

Colorado’s altitude makes it a welcome place for getaways, outdoor lovers and residents craving low humidity and moderate, gorgeous weather. However, along with the elevation comes higher ultraviolet light rays, which can be damaging not only to your body, but to your roof as well. Knowing the risks of high UV can help you prepare and prevent issues down the road.

The Risk of High UV Light in Colorado

At an elevation of 5,280 feet, Denver is at the mercy of higher ultraviolet rays than most. Because there is less atmosphere for the sun’s rays to pass through, the Mile High City is right in the line of more intense radiation. This stronger radiation can affect rooftops, particularly flat ones or those with flat membranes, that are exposed to a high amount of direct sunlight.

Ultraviolet Damage to Roofing

What happens when a roof is exposed to such strong UV radiation over time is a change and breakdown of the chemicals in the roof’s material. When enough chemical breakdown occurs, the roofing material is prone to allowing water to seep through.

Types of Roofing Prone to UV Damage

All roofs are at risk of ultraviolet light damage, but those with flat membranes, materials made of EPDM, Modified Bitumen, BUR or TPO, and/or asphalt shingles are at particular risk for premature roof degradation.

In the case of asphalt shingles, the molecular changes caused by strong sun rays leave them at high risk of cracking and brittleness. When combined with the thermal shock (the expansion and contraction of the material triggered by hot and cold temperature fluctuations) that occurs in the hot summer months, these types of roofs are at higher than average risk of UV-related damage.

How to Protect Against UV Light Damage to Roofs

To give your roof the best chance of lasting longer under the Colorado sun, make sure a roof coating is applied, which drastically reduces the temperature of your roof, fixes and seals leaks, and ward off degradation to increase the roof’s lifespan.

Also consider replacing your roof with a metal roof (learn more about the many benefits of metal roofing here).

Finally, make sure to have your roof inspected regularly by a professional, who can check for the signs and symptoms of a damaged roof and provide the information you need to file an insurane claim.

Advanced Roofing Systems offers a full range of services to meet any of your roofing needs, including coatings, repairs, replacements and assessments. Call us today at 303-219-1025.