 So here in Texas we just experienced a historic weather event that brought inches of snow and ice. These conditions are definitely not our normal and now many want to know what that means for their homes. The more obvious damages came in the form of busted pipes and loss of power, but what many don’t know is that there could be some less apparent damage that could have occurred to your roof and gutters. Today we will discuss those potential problems and what to do next.
With ice dams also comes potential damage to you gutters and fascia. As the size of the ice damage grows, so does the weight that is being help by your gutters. This weight can bend your gutters and can also sometimes cause the gutter fastenings to be pulled from your fascia, in turn also damaging it.
Condensation In the winter months, the cold temperatures can conflict with the warmth coming from heating your home. If your roof isn’t properly insulated, the warm air in your home will rise to the roof and leak out, coming in contact with the cold air. This causes water droplets to form and rest on the underside of your roof shingles. This can lead to mold, mildew, and cause the rot of your decking. This can be very hard to spot to an untrained eye. It is important to make sure you get a professional to confirm this is not occurring in your home. High Winds and Flashing Leaks Flashing is strips of metal placed along portions of your roof to ensure protection in areas where shingles meet that actual structure, such as around chimney and walls. However, during severe weather, wind may blow shingles and flashing upward, and sometimes even off your roof. Missing or damaged flashing reveals small cracks for melting snow, ice, and rain to drip through and cause water damage to your decking or the interior of your home.
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 Though we recommend having a professional inspect your roof twice a year, we understand that life is busy and you might want to check for signs of damage before you take the time out of your schedule to have a professional come out. The only way to know for sure if your roof has hail damage is to inspect the surface of your roof, but most homeowners do not feel comfortable to climb on the roof themselves. And most probably should not; the roof surface can be slippery and difficult to walk on. If you are a homeowner who does want to inspect the roof surface, we recommend that you take precautions before you do so. Wear shoes with grip and if possible, stay on the lower elevations and low slope areas of your home. But if you are not that homeowner, keep reading for alternative signs of hail damage that you do not even need to climb a ladder for! When it hails, the hail does not only hit the roof, obviously, and there are often signs around the exterior of your home that can be indications of the amount of damage the roof did undertake. Damage to Window Screens and Bead One of the most common damages that can easily be seen, is damage to your window screens. Though window screens are a more delicate component of your home that can be damaged by a variety of things, they often show signs of hail damage. Window screens can be damaged by animals, falling debris such as limbs, but if you have recently received a hail storm and are just now noting small spots of damage to your screens that were not there before chance are that the hail caused the damage. Another part of the window that is commonly damaged by hail is the window bead. Check for small spots on the screens and bead that look like the photos below! ,Damage to Gutters and Downspouts Another very common part of the home that shows signs of hail damage are the gutters and downspouts. Though this is not a perfect indication of damage, it can be a sign that you need to call a professional to check out the condition of your roof. It is important to note that you can have no damage to the gutters and downspouts, yet still have damage to your roof. Even if you see no damage to your gutters, but you have received hail it is important to have a professional, like Mill Creek Roofing, inspect your roof. Check out the images below for examples of hail dents in gutters and downspouts. Damage to Garage Doors A component that most people don’t think to look at is your garage door. More often than not the garage door can withstand small hail. That is why if you do see hail dents on your garage door, you will want to call a professional, like Mill Creek Roofing, as soon as possible for an inspection. Check out the examples below to know what to look for! Look out for these types of damages, if you suspect your home might have damage. If you find them call a professional to come perform a comprehensive inspection today. They can help you move forward to make sure your home is performing at its best. If you are in the Greater Houston Area, call Mill Creek Roofing to schedule your free inspection today at 832-840-1400!
 The roofing industry has a notorious reputation to be full of less than desirable contractors who scam homeowners and leave town before the homeowners even know that they have been scammed. We at Mill Creek Roofing are trying to push for this to change and we want to give you all the tools so that you do not become these contractor’s next victim. Below we go through 5 tips to avoid being scammed.
#1 Limited-Time Offer Don’t be pressured by a “limited-time offer” to hire the roofing company, especially following a damaging storm in your area. High-pressure sales tactics are a tell-tale sign of storm chasers. #2 Non-Local Roofers Be leery of roofers from out of state. Storm chasers look for opportunities and conditions where they can prey upon homeowners who may be distracted or distressed by storm damage. Check for out of state tags, or if their contact information is a non-local phone number and/or a P.O. Box. #3 Paying Your Deductible It sounds good. Get insurance money, get your roof replaced, and never pay a deductible. Disreputable roofing storm chasers will offer to pay for or absorb the homeowner’s deductible to get the business. A homeowner is committing insurance fraud if the contractor pays for the deductible. #4 Fake Damage That “free inspection” from a non-reputable company can end up costing you more than you realize. Roofing storm chasers have a terrible reputation of faking damage in order to file a claim. This can carry large fines and cause them to deny coverage of your roof. #5 Do Your Research Visit BBB’s website to see if anyone has filed a complaint against the roofer. Always check the roofer’s references, insurance, and certifications. If asked, a legitimate roofing company should provide proof of credentials. If you have any questions or would like to schedule a free roof inspection with a local, reputable company call us today at 832-840-400!  Leaky chimney problems can quickly become costly, and may include drywall warping, ceiling stains, insulation saturation, mold growth and interior home damage. That’s why we recommend annual inspections handled by a professional to ensure a properly working roof. When you hire a roofing contractor to check the integrity of your roof, they will inspect not only the roof, but also the chimney, vents, skylights, and all areas of flashing, along with your home’s drainage systems. If there are any problems with the chimney, such as broken bricks, loose mortar joints, cracks around the chimney foundation, or deteriorating flashing, prompt repairs should be your priority.
Chimney Flashing Repairs Vs Replacement Chimney flashing needs to be replaced when it becomes rusty, corroded, chipped, or broken. Masonry caulk can seal small gaps or holes on a short-term basis, but is not designed to take the place of the flashing. Depending on the state of the flashing, part of the chimney and surrounding roof shingles may also need replacement. Oftentimes flashing can be repaired. However, if flashing shows signs of rust or other weather wear, your contractor may need to remove shingles to install new flashing. This is not a do-it-yourself undertaking, since improper flashing installation could void your roof warranty. We repair leaky chimneys! If you’d like to schedule a free inspection to diagnose specific problems or evaluate the overall condition of your roof, contact us at 832-840-1400. We’re a family-owned contractor with experience in residential and commercial roofing. We offer affordable, expert roof repair, replacement and installation services to customers.  The roof over your head is your home’s first line of defense against exposure to weather. And living in South Texas, you’re sure to be exposed to all types of extreme weather conditions, from scorching heat to heavy rains and hurricanes.
The unfortunate truth is that weather damage is inevitable. Your roof is constantly exposed to the elements, and it is only natural that it will wear and age over time. Harsh weather is the main reason shingles deteriorate sooner than expected, and the following elements are the most common culprit:
Many consider the fall season to be the best time of the year to complete home improvement projects, including roofing projects. Before anything else, you should prioritize your roof, as it protects the rest of your home. While it’s tempting to do maintenance yourself and save a few bucks, it can be extremely risky and could cost you a lot of money in the long run.
Expertise Matters Hiring a reliable roofing company with well-trained roofing specialist comes with many benefits. These specialists have been on hundreds of roofs and know the right strategies and best practices to diagnose and address issues in a timely and effective way. DIY is Risky DIY roofing projects can pose several risks to your home. Damage to your roof can sometimes look like nothing to an untrained eye. While you might assume that a small leak is insignificant and doesn’t pose much harm to your home, a small leak can quickly grow into a large and costly issue. Guarantee of Workmanship Our experienced project managers are trained to diagnose leaks and other roof problems. After a diagnosis, they will walk you through your options and the fix process. You can count on Mill Creek Roofing and that’s why every job comes with a workmanship warranty. We offer the guarantee of professional, high quality repairs and replacements! Call us today to schedule a free roof inspection at 832-840-1400!  Attic and Roofing
The attic of your home acts as the lungs for your roof. Having attic ventilation allows for the roofing structure to stay properly aired out. Proper ventilation allows fresh cooler air to enter the attic, and allows the hot humid air to escape the attic. Balanced Ventilation Balanced ventilation is important for all roof structures, commercial and residential alike. A properly ventilated roof system receives plenty of fresh air through the eaves, soffit, or fascia. It also needs proper exhaust through roof ventilation. These intakes and exhausts are vital to regulate the temperature of the attic. Ventilation and Heating The most noticeable differences that ventilation makes to a homeowner are possible added heating and cooling expenses. Lack of proper attic ventilation can cause these expenses to skyrocket. Without proper ventilation, your attic traps cool air within it. This causes your central heating and cooling unit to spend more time artificially regulating your home’s temperature. Lack of ventilation can be expensive throughout the year, but can be especially expensive during fall and winter. During the colder months, moisture has a higher chance of damaging your roof. So, Does It Matter? In short, yes! Proper ventilation is a vital part of a complete roof system. Ventilation protects your roof from premature deterioration and helps keep heating and cooling costs low. If you have any questions about proper roof systems, feel free to contact us today at contact@millcreekroofingtx.com or call us today to schedule an inspection to make sure your roof has proper ventilation. Asphalt is the main waterproofing ingredient for many roofing materials, including the majority of shingle products. But many don’t know it is made from petroleum. Asphalt is a black sticky semi-solid form of petroleum made from crude oil. In addition, gas is a huge indirect cost of roofing materials. Both raw materials and finished roofing products have significant transportation cost because of the size and weight. In short, gas and roofing prices are definitely linked. However, while these prices are directly linked, they move slowly. As of June 2019, the gas prices are significantly higher than they were in the fall, and there has been only a slight increase in roofing material prices. So, what is going on? As gas prices rise, the cost to manufacture the roofing materials, and consequently the cost of a new roof, is higher. But don’t sit around and wait for a decrease in costs. There’s been a general trend of rising cost over the last decade. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statics, fluctuation in gas prices varies much more than in asphalt prices, but both trend up to show a general rise in both gas and asphalt. There was no real fall in roofing prices, and based on this history, a drop is unlikely. The best we can hope for is keeping the increases in check.  Call us today to schedule a roof inspection or an appointment to go over the insurance process at 832-840-1400!
Whether you are a new homeowner or already own your forever home, there are a few things you should do to prolong the life of your roof. It’s important to care for whatever type of roof is protecting you and your family. With some simple maintenance and car, you roof can last longer. Timely inspections, roof maintenance, and prompt repairs all factor into the lifespan of your roof.
Trim Your Trees Here in South Texas, it’s common to have strong winds tearing down a tree or knocking down some limbs. If you have low-hanging branches, your roof is liable to take a few hits. Consider trimming back those pesky branches before they have the chance to do damage to your roof. Don’t risk scratches, gouges, or full-blown holes from falling or swaying branches. Clean the Debris Climbing up a ladder and cleaning out your gutters and valleys from time to time can make a huge difference for your roof--not just for appearance, but to extend the longevity of your roof. Debris like leaves and dirt can accumulate in the gutters and valleys and lead to standing water, which can lead to rot and mold. Neither of these is good for your shingles or decking. Shingle Inspections When you have an asphalt shingle roof, a popular roof in our area, it is important to check it every season. It’s easy to skip an inspection and wind up with missing or broken shingles, especially after storm season. Look at your shingles for signs of wear or damage and note any issues or outright missing pieces that require repair. For all residential roofing services, be sure to call Mill Creek Roofing at 832-840-1400! |
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Mill Creek Roofing24715 Farm to Market Rd 1488 Ste. 5
Magnolia, TX 77355 HoursM-F: 9am - 5pm
Sat: 10am - 3pm Sun: Closed Telephone |