Blue Nail Roofing & Construction Blog

Days are getting shorter, nights are getting colder, and, depending on where you live, you may notice a definite crispness to the air. Fall is well on its way, and you may already be living that pumpkin spice life. But if you own a home, chances are you also have a fall checklist of things to do around the house before the weather turns cold.

Is your roof looking a little rough for the wear? Even if you don’t weather a major storm—or the blistering heat and humidity of summer in the South—the truth is that your roof doesn’t last forever. Asphalt roofs only have an average lifespan of 15 to 20 years. It sounds like a respectable lifespan, right?

Are you thinking of installing a metal roof on your home or business? According to reports, metal roofing is the second favorite roofing type in the US and is growing in popularity every year. Metal roofing has a range of benefits and is a brilliant roofing material choice for durability.

Whether you’re buckling down for tornado season, preparing for a hot Texas summer, or just carrying on an average day, your roof is what constantly protects your home. If your roof is looking a little rough for the wear, it might be time to hit refresh and think about replacement and the types of roofing that you can choose from.

The roofing industry today is on track to become a $20 billion market. The roofing business field thrives because homeowners consistently need roofing work to keep their homes intact, safe, and at their best.

Did you know that there are more than 100,000 roofing contractors in the United States?

The summer months keep getting hotter every year. The eight warmest years on record have now occurred over the past decade. Hot temperatures can cause high energy bills and problems for your roof and home. Staying cool this summer doesn’t mean you have to pay a fortune to keep the air-conditioning running day and night to prevent roof damage. We have some actionable tips for quick fixes to your energy systems. Reducing the heat on your roof will help provide energy savings. These energy savings will allow for more extended wear, reduced load on your HVAC system, and help reduce the overall ‘heat island’ effect on your property in the heat of summer.

Solar panel installations have come a very long way technology-wise and can be mounted on roofs, patio covers, awnings & gazebos. So, where should you mount a solar panel array on your home?

Solar roof tiles are changing the roofing industry. Did you know that the total installed solar power capacity in the U.S. reached 71.3 GW in the third quarter of 2019, with a new capacity of 2.6 GW added during this quarter? It was also the best quarter in history for residential solar, which has experienced remarkable growth throughout the decade. Solar is currently the type of renewable energy generation that is growing the most.

When a big storm or other weather event leaves your roof damaged, it can be tempting to start repairs immediately. While you don’t need to wait until your insurance company pays out, it’s essential to take the proper steps before scheduling a cost estimate or undertaking any repairs. You must make sure you can prove the cause and extent of the damage to get the most out of your claim. Homeowner’s policies generally cover most roof damage, but they will look hard at the cause. It’s essential to check your policy to see how your provider handles roof insurance claims. If you have worked with a reputable roofing company doing regular inspections, those records may be helpful in the claims process. In addition, any service should include a warranty. The cost of replacement for different roofs varies considerably, as do deductibles and the amount of actual cash needed for replacement cost coverage. Using quality materials and regular roof inspections are also necessary. If your roof was in poor condition to begin with, it might be too late for a professional roofing contractor to do simple repairs. You may require a roof replacement after severe storm damage from a wind storm. When buying or selling a home, one of the items on an inspection report that mortgage companies and mortgage lenders pay attention to is the roof’s current condition. They also factor in any anticipated repair costs depending on the type of roof. As a consumer, it helps to have regular conversations with your insurance agent, keep your homeowners’ insurance policy updated, and accessible copies of all your documentation.

A sturdy roof will protect you from rain, snow, wind, heat, cold, and general bad weather. A bad roof will leak and won’t maintain its integrity in the wind. The layers of a properly built roof are important to understand. The following list of roof parts are the major components of a complete roof and their functions in a modern home design.

Data from the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) during 2007-2011 shows that U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 22,600 fires per year started by lightning. Of these, 19% occurred in homes, and another 7% involved businesses and non-residential buildings. When lightning strikes, it doesn’t matter if the materials it hits can conduct electricity or not. If the roof is covered with combustible materials such as wood shakes or extremely flammable asphalt shingles, they are easily ignited as it channels through to the ground via the house’s pipes and electrical system. Fire is the most severe risk of a lightning strike to your home. Lightning can spread in the attic and within the walls after jumping from the roof, seeking the most conductive path to the ground. In addition to structural damage, your home can experience a surge of electrical current through water pipes, phone lines, and electrical outlets that impact devices such as a television, electrical appliances, landline or corded phones, cordless phone chargers, computers, and other expensive electronics.

According to new fourth quarter (Q4) data from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Commercial Construction Index, more contractors in the roofing industry are facing a shortage of building materials as the pandemic continues. Most contractors (71 percent) say they have faced at least one material shortage, up 17 points from 54 percent in Q3 2020. In addition, there has been an accelerated increase in material cost for board feet of lumber and tertiary wood products. On top of materials shortage and rise in construction costs, roofing companies have experienced an unusual delay in deliveries of all available products.

Hurricanes are high-energy tropical storms and can have winds over 150 miles per hour in addition to very heavy rain. Preparing your roof for hurricane season is an essential step and preserving your roof from major damage. High winds can rip off tiles and shingles during the storm season and even tear off the roof deck. Here are some preventative steps for hurricane season preparedness you can take as part of your regular maintenance to reduce hurricanes’ damage, whether you’re a homeowner or have a commercial roof.

Wind damage from unusually high-speed winds and tornadoes is increasing in the United States. Structures built to meet or exceed current model building codes for high-wind regions have a much better chance of surviving tornados and other violent windstorms and not needing roof repair. The Standard Building Code (written and updated by the Southern Building Code Congress International, Inc.) is one source for guidance on building recommendations that help ensure your home can withstand a tornado. Although no house can withstand a direct hit from a severe F4 or F5 tornado, solid construction and products rated for high-wind use can help your home endure many of the more common weather events.

Roof design affects the likelihood of wind damage because the varying strong force winds apply different forces to your roof. For example, houses with gables are more vulnerable than those with hip roofs. Like the corners and eaves, certain areas of the roof are at greater risk of being compromised. The materials and installation also affect the resilience of your roof.

Protecting your roof from on-going water damage is important for the prevention of expensive roof leaks. When it’s dry, only rains a little, or if you have small leaks that are being absorbed by the attic, a leaky roof will go unnoticed. Most leaks form when it’s not raining. In some ways, small leaks can be worse than major leaks because they go unnoticed and, over time, lead to much more expensive damage, such as rot and mold.

When a winter storm strikes your home, it is important that you understand the type of precipitation and what winter roof effects are being created from the weather.Freezing rain or sleet is more dangerous to your roof than standard hail. As sleet builds up into a layer of ice, it can further damage an aging or weaker roof.