Living
in the neighborhood of Elkton or just crossing the line in Bear, chances are
you've experienced firsthand that houses here really get battered by the
weather. One week it's heavy rain that just won't stop, the next it's such a
high humidity level that it feels like the air is dripping, and then out of
nowhere a windstorm will come and remind you that the roof is probably doing a
lot more work than you ever gave it credit for.
Lately,
we have really been talking to a lot of home owners about Roof Replacement in Bear, DE and the majority of these conversations, to be honest, usually start
with a very minor thing that on the surface didn't look like a priority...
Something small
usually marks the beginning... until it is not small anymore
Actually,
most of the time, no one gets up and says, "I think I will get my roof
replaced today." Generally it's something like a stain on the ceiling, a
couple of shingles in the yard after a storm, or a drip barely noticeable
during heavy rain.
The phase when you think, "It must be
nothing"
We’ve
all done it, haven’t we? You notice a little problem and think, I’ll watch it.
Life goes on, and if the issue isn’t worsening immediately, it is so easy to
push it to the bottom of the list of things to do.
One
of our clients in the Bear area told us that that small water spot in the attic
that they had been monitoring on and off for months. Initially it was pretty
stable so it didn’t seem like a big priority. But after the rainy season it
suddenly spread a lot faster than they had anticipated.
That's
the thing with roofing problems, they don't always worsen dramatically in a day
or two but, when they do, it seems like the change has occurred overnight.
Weather can also be a factor in the rapid
development of the problem
Locally,
the combination between the sea humidity and different seasonal storms can
massively help the roofing deterioration process. A roof that without
discomfort would be able to exist in a drier climate, here, in case minor
problems are ignored, it won’t be able to survive the stress.
Moisture
is one of the most destructive elements for a roof and the problem is that
moisture enters the house without noticing. The main sites of any dripping will
be seen only after the initial few inspections have been made.
What
environmental factors causes roofs in the local are to deteriorate faster
One
of the reasons certain phenomena keep recurring in different neighborhoods is
not only due to the homes being aged but also due to their environment.
The triple threat of humidity, moisture and
storms
Besides
the outside atmospheric air always containing moisture, there is also the
moisture coming from the earth and accumulated moisture in closed spaces like
basements. Roofing materials are affected in their own ways by moisture that is
why older shingles can show curling as well as granule loss and subsidence of
materials leading to weakened structures.
Sudden
storms coupled with high wind speeds will create wind-driven motions and it
will become easy for the rains to find the weakest part of the roof. Once the
moisture gets in it will not be limited to insulation, areas may also be
affected that are rarely opened thereby causing the problem to go unnoticed for
a long time.
Tree shadows and accumulated debris
Beautiful
mature trees are very common in residential areas around Elkton and Bear. They
are a source of shade and at the same time can also be a source of leaf litter,
small branches pieces and in some cases even moss.
When
leaf litter and similar substances do not get removed, they will retain
moisture. This moisture retention scenario is very bad if the target area is
the roof and unfortunately this happens more often than you would think.
In
fact, we think that houses surrounded by trees require more maintenance
especially when it comes to the clearing of gutters and making sure that no
debris is left after a storm.
One particular
house in the Bear neighborhood that we helped still lingers in our minds
In
a sense, this family pretty much conveyed simply what it is that most people go
through from one end to another.
First signs of trouble
It
all began with a little leak upon heavy rains. It was nothing very alarming,
just a steady drip in the attic's corner. They were comfortable putting a
bucket underneath and decided to get on the problem later.
But,
as so often happens," later" turned into a couple of months.
Inspection uncovered a lot more
Their
decision to examine the problem closely came too late, as the damage had spread
to different areas. Some of the decking had started to rot and there were signs
of the presence of moisture lasting much longer than the homeowner had
anticipated.
Looking
from above, the roof was not bad. That is why they were so surprised. Problems
with roofs do not usually make themselves obvious from the ground level.
Sentiment following the finish
The
thing that they were most impressed by after everything had been taken care of
was not the appearance of the house but the feeling that it gave. No more
stress every time it rained. No more inspections of the attic during a storm.
The
bottom line was that it was simply the peace of mind that they gained that was
the biggest impact.
Not
surprisingly, it's also one of the things we hear most often people stating as
their reason for doing a roof replacement.
Frequently Asked
Questions about Roofing in Bear, DE
Each
house is a little different but here are a few questions that we hear most
often.
Repair or Replacement? How Can I Know Which I
Need?
This
will, of course, vary from house to house and it depends on how old the roof is
and to what extent is the damage. Repairs are the ideal thing to do when the
damage is isolated to very few areas. However, if the wear is seen in a number
of places, a new roof will probably be the more sensible decision from a
practical point of view.
What Kind of Time Frame Are We Talking About?
In
general, the shorter duration will be the surprise for most homeowners as they
consecutively discover that the project barely keeps the house from its use for
more than a couple of days at the most, weather including.
Having
said that, it's always going to be different depending on the house, the
situation and so on. But as a rule, it's very seldom a nerve-wracking eternal
matter that homeowners imagine.
What Time Will I Need to Block Out?
Yes,
the work will produce a lot of noise and create some disruption, though that
will be very much temporary. Actually, quite a few homeowners are even
wondering whether they really have to stay at home because it all returns to
normal so fast once the project is completed.
Little Things in
Your Daily or Weekly Routine That Will Help You Maximize the Life span of Your
Existing Roof
A
full replacement may still be a few years away but through just a few habits,
you can significantly extend the life of your roof without major investments.
Keeping Those Gutters Run Free (Way More
Important Than It Sounds)
Water
can not only damage floors and walls but also your roof so clogged gutters are
a serious problem that should not be overlooked. Mold, rot, and other issues
can result from an excessive amount of water accumulated.
Just
do it especially after heavy leaf-fall:
Downloading layers of leaves and other organic
residues
No
need of climbing on the roof, just getting up and watching what happens right
after a storm will be enough to reveal any strange things that have appeared or
have gone wrong (e.g. the shedding of shingles, any kind of build-up of debris,
and so on) But if you find something that seems wrong, that can give you the
chance to get a contractor to fix it before it completely fails.
After All is Said
and Done, Here's the Reality: You Haven't a Clue About It—Until You Do
Roof
replacement is not exactly what people would like to spend money on. It’s a
thing that quietly serves you in the background until one day ... nothing
happens anymore.
What
we have learned from working with home owners around Elkton and Bear is that by
simply noticing the small signs, being able to ask questions early and stepping
up a little will all together be able to make that roof removal and replacement
one of the most stress-free experiences possible.
The
roof really is just the element in the house that gives protection from the
elements. What ultimately matters is feeling safe albeit whatever weather
changes the next day might bring.
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