Dec 28, 2022 | Cool roof, Roof Replacement, Roofing Company
A cool roof is specifically designed to reflect more sunlight than traditional rooftops. It can be a great energy saver and will certainly add to the comfort of your home. By offering temperature stability, a cool roof reduces overall energy usage, which in turn, offers you an eco-friendly way of maintaining comfortable temperature inside your home.
Homes in warmer climates like Sacramento benefit most from this innovation since cool roofs provide protection from solar heat gain. Just think about how we dress in the winter vs. the summer. We prefer lighter colors in the warm weather and tend to wear darker colors in the winter months. In the summer, we choose those lighter colors due to their reflective properties against the heat.
Cool roofs operate in much the same way. A typical cool roof is composed of special reflective pigments that reflect the sunlight. CertainTeed offers residential cool roof products such as Landmark Solaris® and Presidential Solaris® that achieve EnergyStar® levels of solar reflectivity even with rich, dark colors.
In the Sacramento area, we definitely see our share of very warm summer days. Because our homes see warm, sunny days throughout much of the spring and fall, and all of the summer months, a cool roof could benefit you and your family. Here are some of the top benefits of a cool roof:
- Improves indoor comfort. A cool roof offers temperature stability across your entire residential structure, including your garage, covered patio, or a bonus room where you may not normally heat or cool that space.
- Reduces energy bills. A cool roof will not absorb as much heat as a traditional roof, requiring much less energy to keep your home cool. This can be a significant savings, especially if your HVAC is not the most efficient or is getting on in years.
- Avoids high demand during peak energy rates. Since your cool roof is reflecting the sun’s heat, you are using less energy to air condition your home. Using less energy during peak rates will lower your overall bill even more dramatically.
- Ecologically conscious. If you are like many who see eco-conscious improvements to your home, a cool roof is an excellent way to improve efficiency. With a third of all carbon emissions originating from the use of electricity, your cool roof will boost our collective efforts to reduce electrical demands and offer long term benefits to the environment.
- Longer Roof Life Span. When a traditional roof absorbs heat, over time it will stress the materials and shorten the roof’s lifespan. In general, the life expectancy of the roof is proportional to the quality of materials it is built with. A cool roof takes that concept to the next level.
Cool Roof Installation
Harlan Roofing provides Cool Roofing services and Energy Star rated cool roof products eligible for federal tax credits. Call us today to learn more!
Oct 26, 2022 | Roof inspection
When was your last roof inspection? Either by you or by a professional?
Don’t be caught off guard. Many people neglect their roofs until it is too late for maintenance. Now the problem can no longer be ignored.
Your roof is the umbrella of safety for your home and its contents. The structure, your furniture, your photos, and much more can be victims of water damage, and can possibly irreplaceable.
Residential roofing materials are designed to be durable and withstand the sun, wind, and other natural elements. But they too will breakdown after years of exposure. Moss and algae growth can accelerate that breakdown.
The older your roof gets, the more frequently you should inspect it. Visually inspect the roof yourself from a safe vantage point when possible. Your local roofing company can offer you recommendations for inspection and maintenance. Knowing these tasks are on your calendar can provide peace of mind. In addition, having a relationship with a local roofing company can come in handy in the event of storm damage.
Whether you have a professional inspection or inspect your roof yourself (or some combination of both), here are some common roof problems to look for.
- Roof Leaks
Sounds obvious but roof leaks are the single most common roofing problems and sometimes they are not visible at first, creating more damage before detection. Leaks can be a result of many roof issues, such as damaged or missing shingles, flashing issues, and more.
Check your attic for water stains or mold. Bring a flashlight to shine into the corners and along the roof line. The leak may be several feet from where it has appeared in your living space.
Leaks are common near the chimney and around skylights and vents as they are flashing points. Check around gutters and look for damage or debris there.
A visual inspection of your roof is an excellent idea. On a quarterly basis and after a storm. Call a professional if this is not something you are comfortable doing.
- Damaged Flashing
Flashing is a material often made of sheet metal and used to protect the roof from leaking at junctures with fixtures such as skylights, vents, and chimneys. If your flashing is damaged or missing, the fixture become vulnerable to water.
A thorough roof inspection includes an examination of the flashing, and your roofer will advise you of any damaged flashing that should be replaced.
- Missing or Broken Shingles
Depending on the age of your roof, you may start to see some signs of age including damaged or missing shingles. As the sealant ages the shingles may loosen and break off completely. These should be replaced promptly and should indicate that the professional inspection is in order. The missing shingle could be a one-off, but if other shingles are loose, you want to know about it.
- Roofing Granules in Your Gutters and Downspouts
A new roof may shed a few granules in the weeks/months after installation. However, if your roof is getting on in age and you see granules in your downspout, this may be a sign that your shingles are losing their integrity and may need to be replaced.
Granules are built into the shingle to protect the roof from UV rays, and once they fall off, the shingles are vulnerable and start to crack.
- Mold and mildew
When roof angles and gutters collect debris, the roof holds water. The moisture remains on the roof where normally it runs away and dries.
This can form mold or mildew, leading to roof damage.
Finding a way to keep the debris off your roof or a means to regularly clear it away is important to the life of your roof. The roof is designed to have water run off it. Pooled moisture will harm the roof and cause long-term issues.
- Tree Damage
One of the most common roof problems homeowners face is damage from falling branches and trees, especially during the rainy season. The best defense is to keep the trees trimmed away from the home. Sometimes this is not always possible especially when the fateful limb came from the neighbor’s tree.
- Damaged Roofing Materials
Nature is a major contributing factor to the deterioration of your roof, and your best plan includes regular inspection and maintenance. Catching the issue early will potentially save you money and prevent loss.
Make a Plan for Your Roofing Inspection
We have looked at some of the most common roofing problems and how a little attention and maintenance can avoid larger problems.
Contact us today for roof inspections, repairs, & more!
Have you had a roof maintenance check lately? Let’s work together to be sure your roof is thoroughly inspected and well-maintained. Contact Harlan Quality Roofing online today or call (916) 292-9548 for roof repairs or replacement.
Sep 26, 2022 | Roof Repair, Roofing Company, Roofing Contractor
Your roof is the most important aspect of your home. Not only does it keep you and your belongings sheltered from the elements, but it also protects the rest of the structure as well. When there is a problem with your roof that is not addressed right away, it could cause damage to other parts of your home and potentially danger to you and your family.
Let’s Uncover some Tips for Finding the Best Roofing Repairs in Sacramento
Start with Friends and Family
If any of your local friends or family members have had a successful roofing project completed recently, ask them about their experience. If any of them had a roofing project that they were happy about, then ask them to share the roofing contractor details.
If your family is out of state and your friends have not engaged with a roofer recently, then broaden your search using the internet. Google local search will help you not only find qualified roofing companies in your area but will also share reviews with you so you can find a roofer that has a great reputation in your area.
Connect with Previous Clients
Once you have identified a couple outstanding roofing candidates that you would like to work with, check out their websites, read testimonials, and search the company online to find all of their reviews, how long they have been in business, and what their primary services are. The worst mistake you can make is to hire a company that has great reviews but not for the products and services that you are intending to purchase.
Check BBB Ratings
The Better Business Bureau is a great place to research a company’s credibility. The BBB has a record of all the complaints that are filed against a service provider. You can learn a lot about a company’s reputation using the BBB website.
Licensed and Insured
Always check that your chosen roofing company is properly licensed and insured. Having proper insurance is important so that you know if there are any damages or injuries during your roofing project, your roofing contractor is able to cover the costs and liability. Most reputable roofing companies will post their license on their website or will share that information with you upon request. Do your due diligence and check before you commit.
Only the Best
At Harlan Roofing, we believe that the best roofing projects begin with the best materials. They are completed using the most highly trained installers and they are complemented by dedicated staff that make sure your questions and concerns are promptly handled.
For a great customer experience from a licensed and insured Sacramento roofing company, contact Harlan Roofing. See our reviews and testimonials of what our clients are saying about their roof repairs and new roof projects!
Harlan Quality Roofing
For Quality and Service… You’re in the Right Neighborhood!
916.292.9548
Jun 23, 2022 | Roof Replacement
Does a New Roof Increase Your Home Value?
A new roof is generally a sound investment in your home, whether you are planning to enjoy that new roof for many years or planning to sell in the near future. Very few remodeling or home improvements offer 100% return on investment, but most professionals agree that a new roof will increase the sale value of your home at an ROI of about 60% of the cost of the roof replacement.
Here are a few factors to consider before you simply reroof your home with the expectation of a higher resale value.
The Condition of Your Existing Roof
Keeping your roof maintained is an important part of being a homeowner. A home that displays a shabby, worn roof or has even minor signs of a leak will be very make buyer very reluctant to consider your home.
However, if your roof is less than 10 years old and in relatively good condition, a new roof may not offer a significant ROI. It is always a good idea to look at the situation from the buyer’s perspective. Would you be willing to pay $30K more for the home with a new roof or would you be comfortable purchasing a home with a well-cared for roof that is projected to last?
There is always the middle ground. If you have a roof that still has significant life, have it repaired rather than replaced. Most repairs are significantly less than a roof replacement and will give you and the new owner a sense of security that the roof is in good condition and will last for years to come.
Market Conditions
There is no doubt that a realtor would value a new roof as an effective selling tool, but the age of your existing roof and the market conditions may not always make this the right choice. As the price of homes fluctuate and the interest rates change, we recommend that you have your roof evaluated as well as consult with an experienced real estate agent to get advice about reroofing or repair if you intend to sell your home. That new roof will certainly give the home a face lift, especially if quality shingles are purchased. In addition, it will show the buyers that your home was well-maintained and give them a sense of security in their potential investment.
Dec 8, 2021 | Roof Repair
Wind and rain are common weather conditions, but when they strike together and strike hard, their combined efforts could spell trouble for your roof. The heavy wind may lift and tear shingles, debris may fall on the roof causing damage, then the rain beats down and makes a complete mess of the situation. So, what should you do when disaster strikes your roof?
You may not have experienced a damaged or leaking roof before, but you can well imagine the damage to your home and your belongings when it does. When disaster strikes, it’s important to contact a roofing contractor immediately. The moisture that has entered into your home can cause mold, mildew, and wood rot, all of which can impact the structural integrity of your home and the air you breathe.
After the Storm
Once the storm has passed, walk around the exterior of your home to assess the damage the storm has inflicted on your roof. Bring along your phone and take photos of any of the damage you can see from the ground. Specifically look for missing or damaged shingles, exposed plywood and tarpaper, dented or dangling gutters, and any other areas that appear to have been affected by the storm. Taking photos will help your roofing contractor assess the priority of your situation and will also be helpful for insurance purposes.
Be Sure to Contact Your Insurance Company
After you make that important call to your local roofing contractor, the next call should be made to your insurance company. Find out the procedure for filing a claim, what your deductible is, and anything required by you to get the ball rolling for getting reimbursement for the cost of repairs.
In the event of a significantly violent storm, many fellow homeowners in your area may be seeking our roofing repair. Roofing companies may not be able to meet the demand. Having a local, established roofing contractor that you do business with is an important asset. Be sure to accurately convey the extent of your damages and ask for a referral if your preferred roofing company is already booked out with roof repairs.
Being Prepared is Half the Victory
If you keep your roof well-maintained and have a great working relationship with a reputable local roofing company, you are as prepared as you can be when it comes to natural disasters.
Be prepared, stay safe, and contact Harlan Roofing when you need any assistance with your roof. A local, quality roofing company is your best go-to when disaster strikes your roof.
Harlan Quality Roofing
For Quality and Service… You’re in the Right Neighborhood!
916.292.9548