Even though asphalt shingle roofing systems have a poor reputation for being the least durable roofing systems on the market, they are still among the most popular. That’s because, with good maintenance and some dedication, you can increase their lifespans to 20-30 years, which is more than respectable when it comes to the total amount of time that you might expect to spend in a certain house.

 

Taking care of an asphalt roof is no easy feat of course. Consider just a few of the measures you can take to make sure your roof lasts more than the typical 10-15 years most asphalt shingle roofs are rated for:

 

• Thoroughly inspect the roof at least 2-3 times per year, and make sure you bring in an expert roofer such as MidKansas of Wichita to perform a complete inspection at least once a year.
• Never leave repairs unattended to. If you postpone repairing the flashing or replacing shingles that are in key areas of your roof, you might run the risk of more serious damage and costly repairs down the line.
• Use roof coating to your advantage. A properly selected roof coating material can greatly increase the chances that your roof will withstand the test of time.

 

Even though you might just have bought a new asphalt roof, it’s very important to follow these tips, especially if you want it to last for up to 20-25 years or even more.

First Seen right here: The Longevity of an Asphalt Roof and What It Can Improve It

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So, is it a good idea to inspect your roof for damage every month? If you own a roof that was poorly built then this might be a good approach, although it’s usually less of a hassle – and less of an investment – to just have it replaced with a better one. Nevertheless, experts do admit that there are certain times of the year when even the best roofing systems should be checked for damage.

 

Roof inspections are important in the grand scheme of things. They will prevent smaller leaks from growing in size and causing costly damage to your home. They can also prevent undetected roof damage from allowing rainwater to damage the roof’s internal structure and lead to costly decking repairs or even the need to replace the entire roof structure just to avoid making your attic feel like a sauna.

 

While some homeowners might avoid checking their roofs more than once a year, if they just got a new one, some experts admit that it’s better to be safe than sorry, and to inspect your roof at least twice a year.

 

The first time you have a complete roof inspection and perform the required maintenance work should be at the beginning of spring when all the ice melts and you can see the damage that ice dams and other winter-related roofing issues might have caused. Another good time to contact a Wichita roofing company is at the end of summer, when the heat is strong and you have to prepare for sudden drops in temperature and the greater precipitation of the fall season.

Article Source on: How Many Times Per Year Should You Have Your Roof Inspected?

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Wind problem is a big concern for roofers, since some areas often feature strong winds, especially if you live in tornado country or areas in the South where hurricanes are common and wind speeds can exceed 100 mph.

 

One of the best strategies to consider when it comes to protecting your roof from the wind is to use heavy shingle materials and strong fasteners. Slate and concrete are among the best, and steel roofs are also great to prevent the wind from making off with your shingles. Moreover, if you contact an experienced contractor, they should be able to help you with selecting a better set of nails and fasteners for your project.

 

Recently, many architects and designers have been looking into the option of designing aerodynamic roofs. While most sloped roofs are pretty aerodynamic, modern roofing systems exist that can channel wind power more efficiently and prevent it from damaging any part of the roof itself.

 

Finally, it’s also a good idea to look into cheaper materials with high wind resistance such as metal and composite asphalt shingle roofing. While they might not perform as well or last as long as slate, they can be an excellent solution when considering the lower cost.  Talk with a roofing expert at https://midkansasexteriors.com/topeka.html to see what roofing products work best for your home and area.

Originally Posted here: Protect Your Roof from the Wind – Strategies and Materials to Consider Using

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Gutters are made to channel the rainwater away from your home and to the surrounding environment. While gutters have been greatly perfected in recent years, there are only a few designs and materials that really stand out in terms of both their appearance and their efficiency:

 

• Mimicking crown molding, the front side of a K-style gutter system can definitely be extremely attractive and appealing. You can consider different styles and shapes, and the system itself is very efficient as well.
• Another style you might want to look into is the “half-round” style. Half-round gutters are exactly what the name suggest, being shaped like a cylinder sliced in half and typically made from copper or other metallic materials.
• Aluminum gutter systems are some of the most popular due to the unique property of aluminum to be resilient, easy to work with and extremely light. If you need repairs or a gutter replacement, you won’t have to look too far to find a reliable Topeka roofing contractor with experience who can help you out.

 

These and many other types of gutter systems can also be used with gutter guards to enhance t heir efficiency and appeal. If you want your gutter system to last longer, then using one of these three types of gutters with the addition of a reliable system of gutter guards should be your prime concern.

Original Post over here: Types of Gutters to Consider – What Gutters Should You Use for Your Home?

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There are a lot of good reasons why you might want to keep your home exterior in good condition. Curb appeal and general appearance are only part of the story, but they are still very important if you have guests over often, or if you plan on selling your home sometime soon.

 

Another reason is that damaged walls and siding can lead to lots of practical issues down the line. For example, rainwater can make its way into your home or damage your walls more easily when the siding or exterior insulation is damaged. Also, there’s a lot to be said about the heat-resistance and energy efficiency of your siding and roofing systems. If damaged, they can allow in too much heat or allow heat to escape from your home.

 

So to keep your home exterior in good condition, you have to first consider the practical aspects. Are your siding panels damaged? Are all the walls structurally sound? And should you consider painting your home in a more reflective color to prevent it from absorbing as much heat or sunlight?

 

Once you have all the practical aspects down, it’s time to look at curb appeal. How well do you like the current color of your home exterior? Would siding be a better choice than paint? Also, what decorations, plants and painted features can you use to boost your home’s overall appearance? All these considerations have to be taken into account if you want your  home to look great.  If the tasks are too big for you to handle, consider hiring Wichita roofing contractors to do the work to keep up with your home's requirements.

Originally Posted right here: How to Keep Your Home Exterior in Great Condition This Fall

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When it comes to the roofing industry, a lot of people tend to prefer family-owned businesses because of their unique friendliness and other qualities pertaining to their relation to clients. The way a business handles its customers makes all the difference in the world, and in most areas, family-owned businesses are a lot better at doing that than anyone else.

 

So what is a family-owned Topeka roofing company all about? First of all, they are typically based in local areas where they don’t try to overextend themselves. They cover just enough ground to be able to service all their customers with ideally rated quality services and timely turnaround times for most project. Secondly, they are also very good at informing their clients, planning the projects and making sure all the details are covered.

 

With a family-owned business you won’t run into problems such as when they are too busy to even answer the phone. They’ll be at your house in no time to assess any damage you might have to cope with, and they’ll offer quick patchwork fixes for roofs that are leaking after a storm and other problems that have to be dealt with immediately.

 

Reliable family-owned roofing businesses are also cheaper than larger, more established roofing contractors. Even though they don’t normally handle commercial roofing – although that isn’t necessarily a rule – they are the best people for the job when it comes to roof repair and residential roof replacement.

Original Post on: The Main Differences Between Using a Family-Owned Roofing Business and a Regular One

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Living in Kansas can be a beautiful experience, but it can also come with lots of challenges. If you just moved to a part of Kansas where the weather is pretty chaotic, then you probably already know what all that is about.

 

Impact resistant shingles are designed to reduce the amount of maintenance work your roof might need over a longer period of time. More maintenance work usually translates to a lot of free time lost and greater expenditures.

 

The great thing about impact resistant shingles is that they aren’t just good to withstand the strong impact of hail, but also to be resilient when faced with powerful storms that can normally rip shingles right off the roof or cause branches ripped off nearby trees to hit your roof.

 

An impact resistant shingle roof will help you minimize the damage that would normally come from these types of impacts and to ensure that your Kansas home is protected from roof leaks and other problems that might come with dented shingles and damaged flashing.  Ask a Wichita roofing company with extensive product knowledge.

 

A more robust roof will often save you hundreds if not thousands of dollars you’d normally spend on repairs and replacement shingles. Even a roof that’s a bit more expensive would have to be completely replaced, if it didn’t have at least some kinds of impact resistant qualities.

Article Source on: Kansas Homes and Impact Resistant Shingles Go Together Well

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A solid roof above your home is a particularly important asset, because a faulty roof allows water and weather in general to cause all kinds of damage, from weakening the structure, rotting the wooden elements and promoting mold formation, to damaging personal belongings.

When the roof doesn`t fulfill its purpose anymore, it should be replaced promptly.

There are signs indicating that the lifespan of your roof is about to come to an end and if you identify them during inspections and maintenance operations, you can be better prepared for a new roof project.

• Damaged shingles

Shingles can get damaged by weather or improper human action and typically they can be replaced. However, when the roof is too old, there are larger areas of damaged shingles and repairing them doesn`t solve too much anymore. Shingles that start losing their granulation represent another indicator that they are past their life expectancy.

• Compromised roof valley

Rain and snow flow down through valleys into gutters and when valleys are compromised, the roof starts to leak. When leaks are too extensive, there is little to do other than replacing the roof.

• The age of the roof

The most common roofing materials last about 20 years, while the most durable materials have a significantly longer lifespan (50+ years). However, no material lasts forever, so when the roof is old, it must be replaced.  For roof replacement or repairs, call MidKansas Exteriors professionals for help.

 

Article Source on: How To Know When It’s Time For A Roof Replacement

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The climate in the Midwest is rainy, from spring to fall. In many parts of the region, rainfalls occur several days a week. In the cold season, snow is more or less common in different areas of the region.

Weather hazards here include tornados, especially during May-June, but they may also occur later in summer. Drought is also common in September, as well as flooding (especially in lower areas of the Midwest), caused by heavy rain falls.

In these climatic conditions, homeowners should make a priority from getting their homes ready for potentially severe weather manifestations.

Roof maintenance

The roof represents a building`s first line of defense against the elements. It must be inspected and maintained regularly by professional Topeka roofing contractors to prevent vulnerabilities. It is best to let these operations in the hands of roofing specialists, who are properly equipped to check all the roof`s elements and related systems.

Gutter cleaning

The drainage system is formed by gutters and downspouts, designed to collect the water from the roof. However, clogged gutters will fail to accomplish their purpose, so they should be cleaned periodically from debris accumulation.

Trim the vegetation from your yard

In September, vegetation is mature and fully grown, so you should consider some trimming and pruning, just to be sure that no branches risk falling on your roof or breaking your windows, during a storm.

 

Article Source over here: Getting Your Home Ready For September Storms In The Midwest

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