Showing posts with label roof repair in Queens. Show all posts
Showing posts with label roof repair in Queens. Show all posts

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Choose Copper Roof Shingles?

The world is full of copper lovers, and lovers of the copper roof New York are by no means an exception. There are essentially two different types of copper roof you can buy, there is the solid copper roof that consists solely of sheet copper on your roof.

It is very resilient to weathering and will protect your house for decades but it is incredibly costly, as you can imagine. On the other hand, copper roof shingles are made by attached sheets of copper around standard asphalt shingles. All in all, the cost is likely to work out less than a slate roof but once the copper roof shingles have aged and been weathered they will take on the magnificent green look that only copper can create.

Can I use copper roof shingles?

One of the advantages that copper roof shingles New York offer over other forms of long lasting roofs, especially the solid copper roof, is that the shingles are actually surprisingly light and most roofs and structures can usually cope with the load admirably. As long as you are prepared to pay approximately $4 per square foot (compared to $1 for standard asphalt but up to $15 for solid copper) there is unlikely to be any good reason why you can not use copper roof shingles on your roof.



What kind of life can I expect from copper roof shingles?
This is something of a confusing issue. Asphalt roof shingles will normally only last 20 years, but covered in copper sheeting the life of the asphalt shingles can easily be extended to between 30 and 40 years. However, the copper sheet itself will last an average of about 150 years. Obviously the copper roof shingles themselves will only last as long as the asphalt roof shingles that are found underneath the copper.


The cost of copper roof shingles.

Copper roof shingles New York are by no means a cheap alternative to other styles of roofing but if you like the look of copper and you want a longer life than asphalt shingles can offer then copper roof shingles are an excellent option. The copper sheet doesn’t an excellent job of protecting the asphalt shingles underneath effectively giving them an extended life of around 30 to 40 years.

The copper sheeting also protects the shingles from most general wear and tear meaning that with good, regular maintenance you won’t need to have repairs done too often. On a yearly basis copper roof shingles do work out cheap but not overall and not for the initial installation.

Standard asphalt roof shingles usually cost around $1 per square foot, whereas solid copper roofing will set you back around $15 per square foot. Copper roof shingles are available at approximately $4 to $5 per square foot so they are 4 times more expensive than asphalt but considerably cheaper than a full solid copper roof. However, you are undoubtedly paying for the attractive looks of a copper roof but for less money than covering the entire roof in an expensive metal.


Do You Need a New Roof?

This is the first question many roofing contractors New York get asked when dealing with a new potential customer. Often the answer is that repairs will do the trick. Other times a new roof or re-roof will be in order. We will discuss some common problems that occur and try to determine the best course of action for each. I’d like to note here that it is always best to seek the advice of a reputable, qualified professional. Early detection of problems is by far the most desirable option available. Yearly inspections by a knowledgeable, licensed professional can save you a ton of money in future repair, or replacement costs.

Exterior Inspection

A thorough exterior inspection should be the first step in making a decision on whether to replace or repair a roof New York. A frequent culprit is damaged or missing shingles. High winds as well as improper installation can cause shingles to become displaced. Some regions of the country (especially in the southeast) may have shingles permeated by algae or fungus which can lead to damage of the roof decking material. Damaged or improperly installed flashing around chimneys, skylights, and vents may also be a source of potential problems. Checking rain gutters for granules and bits of rotten wood may also indicate trouble. It should be mentioned that loose granules found after application of new roofing should not alarm you, this is normal; on older roofs this indicates the need for replacement. Buckling of shingles may be a result of improperly installed felt, or shifting of the roof deck. Though there are other things to look for while inspecting the exterior of your roof an interior inspection is most likely to be the deciding factor when asking “Do I need a new roof?”


Interior Inspection

An interior inspection can be instrumental in deciding whether or not to go with a new roof New York. Deteriorated decking or decking that sags between the rafters (sometimes visible during an exterior inspection) is a sure sign that superficial repairs such as replacing a few shingles will not suffice. If both the decking and rafters are badly damaged it is time to consider a new roof. Re-roofing (placing a new roof over the existing one) when there is extensive damage to rafters and/or decking can lead to major future problems, even roof collapse in areas with heavy snow.

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Vinyl Siding on Your Home

Vinyl siding is a fascinating building material. . As happens with many other building products, vinyl siding pushed and bullied aluminum siding out of the spotlight. I clearly remember my childhood home getting aluminum siding on it. The cost, in 1958, was $400 for labor and material.

If you've seen how fast vinyl siding can be installed, you may be easily tempted to read a vinyl-siding how-to booklet or guide. If you've been hypnotized by a home-improvement television show that tempts you into thinking you can tackle installing vinyl siding yourself, wake up. It's not as easy as it appears. It takes considerable skill to get professional results. What's more, you need help in most cases as well as an assortment of ladders and hand tools.

Vinyl-siding colors usually are muted, lighter tones. There's a reason for that. Deep colors absorb and retain the sun's heat. Vinyl siding reacts violently to heat, and expands significantly. If you don't install vinyl siding correctly, it can buckle, warp and distort from the sun's rays. Deep colors would simply make the situation worse. Some paints can be applied to this siding to create different vinyl-siding colors, but beware painting vinyl siding a dark color.

When you obtain a vinyl-siding cost estimate, don't panic. Rest assured that there is a significant cost for the material, especially for all of the trim pieces that are necessary when the siding abuts windows and doors as well as inside and outside corners. Vinyl siding is a product made primarily from crude oil. If the price of oil is high, vinyl-siding material costs will also go up accordingly.

Then there is the labor involved. Don't underestimate the amount of time and effort required for a typical vinyl-siding installation. There is a considerable amount of time spent in setup, trimming, dealing with utility penetrations in walls and even fighting insects. Dealing with wasp and bee nests is common, especially in warmer months. If you watch siding installers, you'll quickly discover that they spend little time installing the siding. The trim work, caulking and fitting take up a majority of time on the average job.


Leaks in the Roof

A skylight is an excellent source of both warmth and light for your home and they can enhance the overall appearance of your house as well as giving you a little extra air when required. There are a number of different factors that can lead to a leaky skylight but the most common factor is an improperly fitted or installed skylight. This inadequacy is usually brought about because having a skylight fitted by a professional roofing contractor can cost a lot of money, and people tend to revert to a handyman or, often worse still, doing it themselves.

Without proper knowledge of construction regarding the skylight fitting and the roof surrounding it, though, can lead to disastrous results. Even the inadequate fixing of an existing leaky skylight can make things worse. Roofing contractors tend to charge quite a high cost to fit a skylight because they would rather work on better paid, roof installments. That doesn’t mean you can’t find a reputable and highly skilled roofing contractor who will complete the job at a reasonable price. However, because fitting a skylight is a skilled job, as is all roofing, you will need to pay more to have one fitted properly by an expert when compare to paying a handy man to fit it.

The damage a leaky skylight can cause.

A leaky skylight causes relatively minimal damage in the short term, however over the long term this damage can become significant so you should make sure that the drops you saw coming off your skylight are actually condensation and not the first tell tale signs of a leak. You may end up having to replace wallpaper, carpets and worse still making structural repairs to the inside of your house (although only usually in extreme circumstances). A leaky skylight may also be indicative that you have bigger problems with your roof so you should get someone out to check it as soon as possible.

Monday, February 22, 2010

Gutter Guards


Purpose of a Gutter Guard:

There are many products that claim to be gutter guards. They can be anything from a piece of chicken wire to complete vinyl covers with a slit allowing water to go through. When attached to your gutter, the guard is supposed to keep leaves and debris out so you don't have to climb up a ladder, reach over and clean the gutter. Some claim to keep you from ever having to clean your gutter out again. But the truth is, while most do an excellent job of keeping out the big leaves, other debris does get in the gutter. You will have to take the guards off and clean the build-up inside the gutters once in a while.

How the Guard Works:

The guard is attached to, placed in or placed over the gutter, depending on the type. As leaves fall, the guard prevents them from getting into the gutter. Twigs and seed pods also fall from trees, and the debris may pile up on top of the guard. As it rains and the wind blows the debris blows off the top of the guard and the water runs into the gutter and out the downspout. If some roof gravel

A Real Advantage Construction is your #1 source for gutter cleaning in New York, Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx! The professional staff will work hard to make your gutters spotless. Choose A Real Advantage Construction for your next gutter cleaning needs!


Monday, February 15, 2010

Problem Rain Gutters


When it starts raining outside an incredible amount of water beats down on the roof of your house. Your roof principally does the job of protecting your house and everything in it from this rain. Most roofs are sloped in order that the water can run off and prevent heavy collections of rainwater gathering in pockets all over the roof.

If this were to happen the roof can become severely damaged and eventually holes will form where the rainwater once was (it would now be underneath the hole that has formed).

The damage that rainwater can cause.

If left to it’s own devices the rain water would run down the sloped roof and subsequently continue to pour down the wall of the house passing over window frames, windows, door frames, doors and possibly onto the damp proofing at the bottom of the house. Here it would collect in puddles that would take a long time to evaporate. All in all this would cause damage to the structure of your house, it can rot away wooden window and door frames and cause cracks in paving amongst other problems. During winter this damage does not take long to manifest itself and can cause further damage itself.

What drainpipes do.

The gutter and down pipes are there to prevent this from occurring. They collect the rainwater once it has reached the end of its descent. From there the slight slope in the guttering will encourage the rain water into the down pipe, subsequently carrying it down into the drain and safely away.


The effect of having improperly pitched gutters can have a similar effect, and in some cases it can be even worse. Improperly pitched gutters that are pitched away from the wall with even a slight gap is the equivalent of having no gutter whatsoever and you will face similar problems. However if you have improperly pitched gutters that cause all the rain water to collect in one area, this rainwater is then likely to run down one area of the wall.

Instead of all the rainwater from one day or one week being spread over the whole wall it is now being concentrated in just one area. The power of the water can erode the brickwork and the cement work causing serious structural damage and internal damp and rot. Both of these occurrences will cost you a lot more to right than having your drainpipe fixed or even having your improperly pitched gutters completely ripped down and replaced.

The dire consequences of improperly pitched gutters.

Improperly pitched gutters can end up costing you a very large amount of money and it is important that you regularly check that everything is running smoothly. You can easily tell whether a gutter is pitched properly by watching when it rains. However, you should have it checked regularly when you have your roof checked to make sure that the water isn’t running back into the roof because this will also cause serious damage and it is difficult to tell unless you know what you are looking for.

A Real Advantage Construction is your #1 source for roof repair in Brooklyn, Bronx, and Queens New York! Choose them for all your roofing needs!


Leaking Chimneys!


A fireplace can be a truly marvelous thing. They are usually the centerpiece of any living room they happen to be in. A fireplace provides ambiance, warmth, and mood, all while lowering your heating costs. But, to have one you must also have a big hole in your roof. This is where the potential for trouble comes in. These are the basics of getting a good, weather tight seal around your chimney.


When dealing with roof leaks, place flashing high on the list of usual suspects. It is the most common thing to go awry, and chimney leaks are no different. Flashing is sheet metal that keeps the transition between the chimney and the roof watertight. If water manages to get behind the flashing, it can do extensive damage to the roof decking, framing, and even the interior of your home. You will want this fixed immediately, in order to avoid expensive repairs.

To properly install flashing will require two layers. The first layer is called step flashing. L-shaped sections of sheet metal are woven into the shingle courses and lapped up the side of the chimney. The next layer of metal (counter-flashing) should be imbedded in the mortar joints of the chimney and folded down to cover the step flashing.

Even if installed by a skilled professional the corners will need a bit of extra attention. As the metal is cut and bent around the corners it leaves a very small gap that should be sealed with a quality urethane caulk. Please note that extra caulk is not a viable substitute for quality flashing work.

There are quite a few different metals used as flashing. Aluminum and galvanized steel are two of the most common types. Copper is available, and lasts a very long time, but as you may have guessed it also happens to be very expensive. Lead is also used, and its malleability makes it rather easy to work with.

If a chimney happens to be located at the bottom of a roof slope, it may be a good idea to build (or have built) a cricket. A cricket is a small diversion roof built on the high side of the chimney. This roof helps keep the flashing from being slammed against by water rushing down the length of a roof slope.

It is a very good policy to inspect the seal around your chimney every year or two. Look for missing or damaged flashing, as well as cracks in the masonry. Small cracks can be caulked with a masonry specific caulk. Some builders even recommend spraying the chimney with a silicone based sealant to keep moisture from soaking into the brickwork.

A Real Advantage Contruction is your #1 source for all your roofing needs in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens, New York! Choose them for your next roof repair need!


Roofing Cost Estimates

As with any major job that needs doing to the house one of the most important factors that is likely to play on your mind is the cost. Roof price is made up of several factors, that we discuss below, and you should always be careful that you aren’t compromising quality or service in order to lower the roof price by a few dollars.

Many roofing contractors will provide similarly price quotes but you should always ensure that you are comparing them on a like for like basis and don’t forget that the cheapest offer isn’t necessarily the best value for money and the most expensive offer isn’t necessarily the worst value for money.


Materials.

Materials will be one of the biggest factors involved in calculating your roof price and while it is possible to reduce the cost by using different types of material you have to remember that this can often lead to a false economy. If using a different material means a saving of 10% on your roof price, but the material will last 30% less time then your best option is to choose the more expensive material. Obviously it is important that you select materials that are hard wearing and good looking where required but are also cost effective. You should have selected a roofing contractor that you have some faith in and discussing the particular materials with him or her will usually give you the answers you are looking for.


Labor.

Labor cost may vary slightly from one contractor to another but not by very much and it is certainly unlikely to be an area that can be negotiated. Within your roof price will be charges for all laborers including the people who strip your roof and load the skip. Any preliminary work you can do yourself is always advisable and if you are able to do any of the menial work yourself then you should consider this also. You need to check the terms of liability insurance with the roofing contractor first though and agree the tasks you will complete yourself before negotiating a contract. This really can make a difference to your roof price.


Profit.

This is the area that may have a little room for negotiation but every company needs to make a profit. Get quotes from small companies and from large companies and compare the roof price associated with these quotes. While small companies may not require the same level of profit as the larger companies, they will usually have to pay more for materials and other factors making the bottom line roof price very similar

A Real Advantage Construction is your #1 source for roof repair in the Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn, New York! They have the background and experience to make sure that your roofing estimate is right on! Choose them for all your roofing repair needs!


Cathedral Ceilings

Classic cathedral ceilings are beautiful and timeless. They give the home and open, airy feel but they are also more prone to moisture damage than a traditional ceiling. The design of a cathedral ceiling creates isolated air spaces, which are more difficult to treat. There has been an ongoing debate, for years, among experts who feel that ventilation is necessary for cathedral ceilings.say that it is required to help eliminate the moisture buildup, while others say that a simpler method will suffice. The question that may are asking is, “What is best?” The real answer, however, lies with only one question. “What is best for my home?” You, and only you, can make a well-informed decision about how to properly care for and protect your ceiling.

Say ‘Yes’ To Ventilation For Cathedral Ceiling

We believe that a ridge vent is, in fact, highly recommended for a cathedral ceiling. It will allow warm and moist damaging air to be released between the rafters. This moist air, which can cause a lot of damage if left alone, would otherwise be trapped between the rafters and would soon begin to cause the wood decking to rot. In addition, many other problems could begin to occur.

It is necessary to provide ventilation to cathedral ceilings in order to release the moisture and prevent it from worsening. The presence of moisture can cause a lot of damage to the roof’s structure, including rotting, weakening and a possible need for replacement. If left untreated, moisture can damage the ceiling, but also cause problems throughout the structure of the home itself.

Improper Ventilation For Cathedral Ceiling

Roof vents or a power fan would not be recommended for a cathedral ceiling home. The reasoning lies in that either of these types of vents will only ventilate the space between the rafters, but are not sufficient for completely eliminating moisture damage. These types of ventilation are most widely used for homes with wide open attic space, but not a cathedral ceiling. A ridge vent, on the other hand, will be able to properly handle ventilation for a cathedral ceiling.

Find A Local Contractor In Your Area

Unless you are certain about installing the proper ventilation for your cathedral ceiling, you should call a professional roofing contractor. They are trained and work daily with all types of roofing problems, including ventilation for cathedral ceilings and will be able to better inform you of your options to better protect your home. It is often recommended that you speak with several before making a final decision. Ask questions, get quotes and ask about warranties.

A Real Advantage Construction is your #1 source for roof repair in Queens, Bronx, and Brooklyn in New York! Choose them for all your roofing needs!

Black Mold

You may have heard about black mold on the news, a passing story about a baby who got sick or a family that discovered their house was overrun with the stuff. But do you know what black mold is and how it could affect your family?

Toxic molds such as the infamous black mold are a form of fungus, one of the most common forms, in fact. It spreads easily under the right conditions and unfortunately, the right conditions can be found in many homes these days. While an extreme quantity of any kind of mold can cause problems in humans, some people are more sensitive than others and black mold tends to trigger health problems in most of the population

What are the health problems caused by black mold? They are numerous and include difficulties breathing and allergic reactions. According to a study done by the Mayo Clinic back in 1999, 37 million Americans suffer from mold-related sinus infections which are chronic in nature. Also, asthma has risen at an alarming rate the past few years and experts claim that this is due to mold exposure.

Small children, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems (such as pregnant women and those suffering from HIV) are most at risk for problems related to black mold, although it can affect anyone exposed to it for long periods of time. Most of the time, the symptoms are fairly mild, simply allergic reactions. However, they can actually be deadly to some individuals and for this reason it is important to identify and remove any toxic mold from the home.

Black mold tends to grow in moist, dark places. Bathroom showers and in the cabinets under a sink are two very common places to find this mold. While these are areas that would normally be fairly damp and dark, leaking pipes or faucets and floods can also trigger the growth of this noxious fungus in areas such as the basement and inside the walls. If you have a leaking roof, you might also notice black mold growing on your ceiling and down the walls.

Once black mold has become established in one area, it can quickly spread. Unfortunately, this usually means that extensive renovations will need to be done in order to get rid of the mold entirely. That could mean replacing drywall, floor boards and baseboards, among other things. For the safety of your family, though, it is well worth the expense and the hassle.

Any leaks or flooding should be cleaned up immediately and the area dried thoroughly before any mold gets a chance to start growing. You should repair a leaking roof as soon as possible and keep your home well ventilated so that mold doesn’t have a chance to get a foothold.

A Real Advantage Construction is your #1 souce for fixing and preventing roof leaks in Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx in New York! They have the background and experience to make sure that your home is perfectly fitted with a nice roof! Choose A Real Advantage Construction for all your roof repair needs!

A Leaky Skylight

A skylight is an excellent source of both warmth and light for your home and they can enhance the overall appearance of your house as well as giving you a little extra air when required. There are a number of different factors that can lead to a leaky skylight but the most common factor is an improperly fitted or installed skylight. This inadequacy is usually brought about because having a skylight fitted by a professional roofing contractor can cost a lot of money, and people tend to revert to a handyman or, often worse still, doing it themselves.

Without proper knowledge of construction regarding the skylight fitting and the roof surrounding it, though, can lead to disastrous results. Even the inadequate fixing of an existing leaky skylight can make thing sworse. To charge quite a high cost to fit a skylight because they would rather work on better paid, roof installments. That doesn’t mean you can’t find a reputable and highly skilled roofing contractor who will complete the job at a reasonable price. However, because fitting a skylight is a skilled job, as is all roofing, you will need to pay more to have one fitted properly by an expert when compare to paying a handy man to fit it.

A leaky skylight causes relatively minimal damage in the short term, however over the long term this damage can become significant so you should make sure that the drops you saw coming off your skylight are actually condensation and not the first tell tale signs of a leak. You may end up having to replace wallpaper, carpets and worse still making structural repairs to the inside of your house (although only usually in extreme circumstances). A leaky skylight may also be indicative that you have bigger problems with your roof so you should get someone out to check it as soon as possible.

A Real Advantage Construction is your #1 source for repairing roof leaks in Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx in New York! They have the background and experience to make sure that you will receive total quality care! Choose A Real Advantage Construction for all your roof leak needs!

Roofing Repair and Contractors

The primary concern of any house owner when he or she goes in for roof repairs is whether the contractor to whom they have awarded the contract is capable.

Is the contractor worthy of being given the responsibility for repairing the roof and other structures in the house? Does the claims which he makes as regards past repair and projects actually relate to his expertise in the field of repair. Can he be trusted? Is he qualified enough to suggest the replacement or repair of the roof? If you are plagued by these questions, then read on.

Whatever be your roofing repair or roof replacement needs, you need a qualified professional roofing contractor whom you can trust. This translates to finding a roofing contractor who knows good roofing practices. He must be aware of roof flashing details, on how to handle problem spots on building roofs and alternative roof covering products like shingle types,

grades, colors, low slope roofing, flat roofing materials, etc. A competent roofer will provide the client with sound advice on products, reasonable explanation of procedures, and, most importantly dependable results in the form of a strong and a durable roof.

It's difficult to determine the capabilities and reliability of a contractor just on face value or when he or she approaches you with a printed brochure. In order to select a qualified contractor there are few steps which are advised to be taken so that the client who is getting the repairs done gets a fair deal. These include doing a market survey of available contractors and their market credentials, meeting members of the local councils to get their suggestions and then homing on to a manageable list of contractors whom you think can do the job for you. Based on referrals and your meetings, you need to make a checklist of people who qualify for your job.

A Real Advantage Construction is your #1 source for roofing repair in Bronx, Queens, and the Bronx in New York! They have the experience and background to make sure that your roof is repaired promptly and affordably. Choose A Real Advantage Construction for all your roof repair needs!

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Aluminum Siding

With the maintenance associated with wood siding came the desire for an alternative. Aluminum siding fit the bill and has evolved over the years into a very low maintenance and popular siding choice for newer homes.

Aluminum siding comes in strips and has perforated holes at the top for fastening into the exterior wall and interlocking flanges top and bottom to seal against weather.

Common retrofit siding and has often, unfortunately, been applied over wood siding in many home "improvement" projects where maintenance won out over aesthetics or the wood siding was severely damaged. Durable material but prefinished painted finishes have been known to fade, chalk and runoff onto brick walls often below the siding. Newer vinyl coated finishes are available and alleviate past paint problems. Prone to denting and being noisy. Aluminum lacks the ability for detailed trim work.

A Real Advantage Construction is your #1 source for aluminum siding in The Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn! They offer all ranges of siding for your home and are dedicated to making your home your dream home! Choose A Real Advantage Construction for all your aluminum siding needs!

Wood Plank and Beveled Wood Siding

Wood clapboard siding is among the oldest types of house siding. You can see its beauty on older and historic homes. Its disadvantage is that it is not low maintenance, requiring painting and caulking and is often replaced with aluminum or vinyl siding. Frequently when that happens, a lot of the charm and detail of the wood home is lost.

So if you own a wood clapboard home you probably own a beautiful home, and as you know keeping it looking good requires taking care of paint problems and regular exterior paint maintenance. And there are often special considerations for painting historic homes.

A Real Advantage Construction is your #1 source for wood plank and beveled wood siding in New York: Brooklyn, Bronx, and Queens! Their siding professionals are there for you and ready to take on any job! Choose A Real Advantage Construction for all your siding needs!

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Types of Siding for Your Home

Few home improvements or repairs can improve the appearance, curb appeal and value of your house like new house siding. House siding materials have varied over the years and have included:

•wood siding,
•asbestos siding,
•aluminum siding,
•vinyl siding,
•hardboard composite,
•fiberglass,
•cement fiber siding.

Asbestos siding is not used any more and fiberglass and hardboard composite siding have been largely replaced with more modern siding like vinyl and cement fiber siding.

So let's take a look at wood, aluminum, vinyl siding and cement fiber as possible siding choices and learn about them including their features, pricing and maintenance implications.

A Real Advantage Construction is your #1 source for new home siding in Brooklyn, Queens, and The Bronx! They have home improvement specialists dedicated to the cause of improving your home! Choose a Real Advantage Construction for your next siding job!

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Most Common Leak Locations

The Field of Shingles

If your roof is older, it is possible that the leak is within the roof field. This means the expanse of shingles, slate, shakes, whatever. If your roof is asphalt, then you can walk around with ease. Other materials such as slate, concrete tile or clay tile may not be so forgiving. You can crack roofing if you walk on it, so be careful. With regular shingles, look at the tops of the vertical knockouts. Look for missing colored granules. Look for cracks. Possibly a nail has backed itself out of the roof sheathing. Simply take your time and hunt.

Valleys

A valley is a line where two roof planes intersect. Here we use a metal flashing in the valleys. Some areas use rolled roofing. Other places simply lace the shingles together. Valleys can be big problems if you do not trim the shingles correctly. When you trim a shingle for a valley you end up with a chisel point on the end of the shingle. If a second cut is not made to make this point like an arrow point, then water can travel along the top of the shingle and find its way inside your house. The shingle wrapper tells you how to make this simple second cut.

Head Wall Flashings

Some roofs stop at a vertical wall. A metal flashing must be in place to direct water streaming down the wall away from the stopping point of the shingles. This flashing may be behind wood siding or in front of a brick wall. The flashing should extend over the shingles at least three inches. If the wall is brick or other masonry, the flashing must bend and extend one inch into a mortar joint. Tar, caulk or roofing cement should never be used in conjunction with these materials. If you see them, it is a sign that someone tried to patch a leak!

A Real Advantage Construction is your #1 source for repairing roof leaks on your home! The professional staff will work hard to find at fix the leaks they find! Choose A Real Advantage Constrution for all your roof leak repairing needs in New York, the Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn!

When You Should Replace Your Siding?

When is a good time to replace your siding? That's a good question for the Seattle are as our weather is one of the wettest in the nation and our winters can cause many problems with your homes siding. For the most part you find 4 types of siding on homes in the Pacific Northwest:

Wood siding which is usually Cedar, Vinyl Siding and occasionally Asbestos siding and fiber cement. The typical life expectancy for cedar is about 40-70 years. A lot depends on how well it was maintained.

The most common siding material you will see on homes in our area is cedar. Cedar cared for properly caulked and painted or stained on a 5-7 schedule will be able to make it to the later part of our 70 year time frame.

You will start to see the effects of weather on your siding because the siding will begin to crack and split. We also find the nails start to pop out as the wood expands and contracts. The paint will crack and peel off the siding and you may have layer upon layer of paint to deal with.

A Real Advantage Construction is your #1 source for roofing and siding repair in New York, Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx! They work hard to ensure that your roof siding is repaired with the most beautiful craftsmanship! Choose A Real Advantage Construction for your next siding repair!

When to Get Your Roof Repaired


A leaking roof is the most obvious sign that it's time to replace your roof, but it's hardly the only one. Many of these signs will eventually lead to a leaking roof, but identifying these problems early enough can prevent water damage and save you money for your roof replacement project. Sometimes this early intervention can also be the difference between repairing your roof and replacing your roof. You should consider part of this decision, however, the age of the roof, otherwise you may find roof repair a constant burden.

Look for these signs in your roof:

Missing or torn shingles expose the roof to water damage and rot, and make nearby shingles more susceptible to being blown away. Old shingles will curl, split and lose their waterproofing effectiveness. These weakened shingles are more likely to be blown away by wind gusts.

Rusted or missing flashing can result in a leaking roof. Flashing is the metal that surrounds chimneys, skylights and vent pipes and often is found in the valleys where roof sections meet.

Check gutters, downspouts and splash pans for evidence of decay or damage. Broken pieces of paint and scraps of roofing may be visible.

Indoors, look for discolored plasterboard or cracked paint and peeling wallpaper.

A Real Advantage Construction is your #1 source for roof repairs in New York, including the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens! They will repair your roof with the utmost care to make sure everything is done to perfection! Choose A Real Advantage Construction for all your roofing repair needs!


Components of a Gutter System

The Roof - It takes a well designed roof to drain all of the storm water into the gutters or roof drains.

The Gutter - The gutter (or roof drain in some flat roof) needs to be designed to capture all the roof drainage and direct the water into the downspouts.

The Downspouts - These are the pipes that carry the water from the gutters to the drain system.

The Drain System - This is the in-ground set of pipes the leads the water away from the structure and into a storm drain or on site system.

A Real Advantage Gutter System:

■ Drainage Improvement
■ Leak & Debris Removal
■ Downspout Cleaning
■ Gutter Repair and Installation
■ Gutter Adjustments
■ 5” and 6” Gutters are available in over 30 different colors

A Real Advantage Gutter system helps protect from all sorts of falling debris which can cause uneven water flow thus leading to roof damage.

A Real Advantage Construction is your #1 source for roof repair and gutter cleaning in Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx! They will work hard to maintain your gutters, so you don't have to! Choose A Real Advantage Construction for all your roofing and gutter cleaning needs!


Thursday, November 12, 2009

Glossary of Roofing Terms 2

Gable:

A type of roof with two slopes meeting at a horizontal ridge. Also, the triangular area formed by such a roof.

Hip"

A downward sloping intersection of two roof planes that extends from the ridge to the outside corner of the house. Also, a type of roof.

Rake:

The edge of a pitched roof at the gable end.

Ridge:

The top edge of the roof, where two roof slopes meet in a horizontal line.

Sheathing:

Boards or plywood sheets that form the nailing base for roofing shingles or tiles.

Slope (or pitch):

The number of inches of verticle rise of the roof over a horizontal distance of 12 inches; a “4 in 12” roof has a slope that rises 4 inches over a 12-inch run.

Soffit:

The underside of the rafters and roof at the eaves.

Square:

Unit of measure equaling 100 square feet, used as a basis for measuring roof area. Also, the amount of roofing material, allowing for overlapping, needed to cover 100 square feet of roof.

Underlayment:

The material, usually asphalt-saturated roofing felt, used to cover deck sheathing before the roof surface is put down.

Valley:

The junction where two downward sloping roofs meet at an angle, an important channel for water runoff.

A Real Advantage Construction understands that repairing roofs can be stressful and frustrating, so they work hard, so you don't have to! They are your #1 source of roof repair, siding repair, and gutter cleaning in New York, including Queens, Bronx, and Brooklyn! Choose A Real Advantage Roofing Contractors for your next roofing project!