by Sarah | Apr 29, 2022
If you’ve lived in North Carolina for any amount of time, you’re aware that every spring, a thick yellow cloud of pollen descends over the entire state, settling on every nook and cranny in sight. You might have noticed the pollen on your roof, or perhaps you’ve seen some stains starting to form up there, and you’re wondering how exactly you should go about cleaning your roof.
Many roofs get stains over time, and this is often from algae growth. Not only are these stains unsightly, certain stains can also be a sign of a bigger problem that can lead to more serious damage over time if left unchecked.
Cleaning your roof is tricky business, and we suggest that you have your roofing contractor do it for you. Not only is it a safety risk to be climbing around on your roof with cleaning supplies, but it also takes special measures to clean your roof in the right way without damaging it.
If you have an asphalt shingle roof, one of the most important things to keep in mind is that you should NOT pressure wash it. The strong streams of water from pressure washing can remove the small granules on your shingles, and these granules work to protect your shingles and your roof from the elements. In addition, pressure washing can loosen and/or remove shingles altogether.
Soft washing, which is a cleaning method that uses low pressure washing, is a safer alternative to pressure washing. You can contact a pressure washing professional or a roofing contractor to ask them about soft washing.
Asphalt shingle roofs can also be cleaned with a good ol’ garden hose and a spray nozzle. You can also find cleaning products made especially for your roof. Be sure not to use household cleaning products, as they may contain chemicals that could harm your roof. Again, if you choose to clean your roof on your own, you need to do so with caution and only if you have prior experience working on your roof, as it can be very risky.
If you have a metal roof, you can clean it with your garden hose, some mild soap and water, and a cleaning brush. If you have tougher stains that need something stronger than soap and water to be removed, we recommend that you reach out to a roofing professional to ask for their expertise. Like asphalt shingles, we also recommend that you do NOT pressure wash your metal roof.
Housetop Roofing & Home Improvement offers these services:
If you notice any stains forming on your roof, reach out to the roofing contractors at Housetop Roofing in Raleigh, NC and Wake Forest, NC.
by Sarah | Mar 30, 2022
When it comes to roofing contractors in Wake Forest and Raleigh, NC, Housetop Roofing can’t be beaten. We make sure that your roof is done right by hand nailing all of the shingles, only using in-house employees, and having a foreman on site. We don’t stop there with our quality work: We also offer a number of home improvement services, where we provide the same quality service.
All gutters are the same, right? Wrong! There are a number of ways that you can upgrade your gutter system and keep your home in tip-top shape. At Housetop Roofing, we are happy to discuss your options with you. We install and repair a number of gutter systems in the Raleigh, NC area.
Gutter Upgrade Services
When you think about your home’s exterior, gutters are often something that goes unnoticed. However, they are an integral part of your home. They help to protect your roof, siding, and even your foundation from water and storm damage. Without properly functioning gutters, your home is subject to serious damage.
Gutters have come a long way in recent years. One popular new type of gutters is seamless gutters. Seamless gutters are made of one, continuous piece of metal or plastic. Traditionally, gutters are made up of multiple, smaller pieces joined together. With traditional gutters, there are more joints and connections, and thus more potential for leaks, cracks, and sagging gutters.
Not only are seamless gutters less likely to have leaks, but they’re also easier to clean and maintain. In addition, they increase your home’s curb appeal and resale value if you ever decide to sell your home. Furthermore, seamless gutters are longer lasting than traditional gutters and usually only need to be replaced every 20 years.
Upgrade Your Gutters With Gutter Guards
Aside from seamless gutters, gutter guards are another great way to upgrade your home’s gutter system. Gutter guards are metal, plastic, or rubber grates that go on top of your gutters to prevent yard debris like leaves and twigs from entering your gutters and causing clogs.
Gutter guards are made from various materials, and some attach to your gutters, while others lay on top of them. If you’re interested in adding gutter guards to your gutters, we can help recommend which type will work best for your gutter system.
With gutter guards, you need to clean your gutters much less often– typically about once every 2 years. You’re also less likely to get clogged gutters, and thus less likely to have leaks, overflows, or sagging gutters.
Another way to upgrade your gutter system is to get black gutters and downspouts. Traditionally, gutters and downspouts have been white. However, in recent years, black gutters and downspouts have become increasingly popular. They are a great way to add a bit of contrast and crisp lines and edges to your home.
Housetop Roofing & Home Improvement offers these services:
If you’re looking to upgrade your home’s gutter system, we are here to help. Just give us a call at Housetop Roofing in Raleigh, NC, and Wake Forest, NC.
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Sources: https://www.forbes.com/advisor/home-improvement/seamless-gutters/#:~:text=Also%20known%20as%20continuous%20gutters,maintenance%20compared%20to%20regular%20gutters
