How Important are Gutters in Your Home?

Your roof might be performing one of the most important functions in your home exterior, but there is a fixture within it that, when absent, can negatively impair its function: the gutters. A reliable gutter system allows rainwater to flow smoothly away from your roof and into the ground (it also keeps this very water from getting into your house foundation and seep its way through your basement).

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Ensuring Genuine Roofing Repair Following a Storm

Following a destructive storm, many contractors pay homes a visit to offer their roof services; however, more often than not, these businesses can be shady. The more reliable ones are busy due to unsolicited referrals from happy customers, which can serve as an effective measure to gauge a roofer's trustworthiness. Homeowners need to be careful in choosing a roofer, as some will try to capitalize storm-ravaged communities.

Looking for a reliable roofing contractor can be a tricky trade. Much like in their situation after the storm, in sifting through the array of options, there are several factors to consider when looking for reliable and genuine roofers to service your needs.

Before you contact a local roofer, take a picture of your roof before anyone takes a look at it. One of the most common scams in the roofing industry is damage deliberately caused by the contractor. It is, therefore, advised to have an insurance adjuster's eye be the first to examine your roof's damage.

Thorough research and looking for third party directories to cross-check facts about your selected contractor is vital. Most importantly, make sure no document is signed before making an informed decision. Many make the mistake of closing the deal early in the process.

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Impact-Resistant Shingle Roofing

Impact-resistant shingles feature a fiberglass backing, which gives them the ability to resist the impact of hail, wind, sleet, snow, and heavy rain. These fiberglass shingles are usually topped off with asphalt to make them waterproof. Aside from that, the shingles promise good fire resistance. Moreover, insurance companies sometimes provide discounts to homeowners who use impact-resistant shingles when they build a home or install a new roof. All these benefits make the roofing material an ideal choice for many homeowners.

To further evaluate these shingles, check a product's UL Standard 2218 rating, or the benchmark used to assess their impact resistance. Under this system, shingles are classified from 1 to 4, with 4 being the best impact score.

Impact-resistant shingles will have a significant effect on your overall roofing cost because they are pricier than traditional shingles. Thus, it’s important to obtain an estimate before starting installation. Add to that, impact resistant shingles need to be properly installed to maximize their performance, so be sure to find a reliable contractor for this type of work. Visit a contractor’s website, view the galleries, and read reviews to get to know a contractor and what he’s capable of. Check with your local Better Business Bureau for good measure.

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Understanding Blown Insulation

Blown insulation (also called blown-in or loose fill insulation) refers to the insulating material that's blown or sprayed onto attics, wall cavities, and floors. There are three basic types of blown insulation available, namely: fiberglass, mineral wool, and cellulose. Since the use of special equipment is required, and the even distribution of the material is critical to its effectiveness, installation is usually done by a professional.

Blown insulation presents many advantages. For one thing, it is fairly economical because it can be used in hard-to-reach areas and made to work around obstacles such as stove vents and chimneys. For another, it's environmentally friendly, because it makes use of recycled materials like spun glass fibers (fiberglass), particles of rock or steel slag (mineral wool), or recycled newspapers and cardboard (cellulose).

However, this material does have some disadvantages. For instance, blown insulation has been found to settle as much as 20 percent over time. There are also some concerns about this insulation material finding its way to living spaces. These concerns can be alleviated with a proper installation, so it's important to guarantee the expertise of your installer. Have him provide you with an attic card that states the type, amount, and density of insulation applied, along with his contact information.

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