Yearly Archives: 2019

When you need to repair or replace roof flashing in Canton, GA, get help from the experts at Affordable Gutters Plus LLC. We install and repair flashing at affordable prices. To schedule an estimate, give us a call at 770-735-4433.

How roof flashing works

Roof flashing is set up to protect various roofing components like chimneys from water damage and leaks. It keeps water from getting under the shingles, and is shaped in various ways depending on where it’s placed. 

Chimneys, for instance, require flashing in several different areas. Continuous flashing runs along the bottom of the chimney, whereas step flashing runs up the sides. Cap flashing is lapped over the top of the other flashing to prevent seepage. Flashing is also placed at the top of the chimney so water will drain from the top. Continuous flashing is also used along vertical walls. Flashing is also placed around vents, skylights, and along drip edges and valleys.

How long should roof flashing last?

Your roof flashing should be some of the most durable material on your roof, especially if you have a traditional asphalt shingle roof. If you expect your roof to last 20 years, your flashing should last at least that long. If you have a metal roof, for instance, which can last 50 years or more, the flashing should last at least 50 years. Most flashing is made from rust-resistant metals like galvanized steel or aluminum so it will last as long as or longer than your roof.

How do you fix roof flashing? 

When you get roof leaks, it’s usually due to damaged roof flashing. In some instances, repairing flashing can be a simple job for do-it-yourself types that can save you money at the same time. Here are some basic repairs and repair tips to help you with minor damage.

• Repair small holes or corroded spots by either plugging pinholes with roofing cement or patching holes of ¾-inch diameter with the same material as the flashing.
• Flashing seals can be repaired by chipping away old mortar and caulking the edges of the flashing. Special masonry caulk needs to be used to seal the joints between flashing and chimney.
• Vent pipe flashing can be replaced by prying the old flashing loose and positioning new flashing in its place. Nail it down so shingles will cover it, replace the shingles and cover nail heads with roofing cement.
• If you have severe corrosion or multiple holes or other similar damage, you will need to replace the flashing, which will require you to remove a large portion of the shingles. You may want to call a professional to replace the flashing in this case.

While roof leaks are commonly caused by damaged flashing, hard water and mineral build up can cause problems like leaks for your water heater requiring water heater repair.

Does flashing go over or under shingles?

When you are repairing or replacing roof flashing, generally your flashing should go over your shingles or other roofing material. Occasionally, with asphalt shingle roofs, an extra row of shingle tabs is placed over the flashing for aesthetic reasons. The main shingles, however, are still placed underneath the flashing. These additional shingles might be mistaken for a defect in a roof inspection, so if you are selling your home, you might want to alert the inspector if you are aware of this being the case on your roof.

Can you reuse roof flashing

Given that roof flashing tends to be made from durable materials like steel and aluminum, when you’re replacing your roof, you may consider reusing the flashing rather than replacing it. This, however, may not be a good idea if you want to preserve the integrity of the roof. It’s usually better to replace the flashing as well. 

Reusing flashing can pose problems when installing a new roof. The nails, for instance, may not go into the same holes they were originally in, so new holes will need to be made. You might also discover as you begin replacing the roof that the original flashing wasn’t properly installed or may have been repaired frequently over time. The flashing may also have already been reused several times and may be worn or in disrepair.

Roof flashing and gutters

Drip-edge flashing or gutter flashing should be installed along with other flashing. This type of flashing keeps water from running under the shingles at the edge of the roof. It’s also used to protect the fascia boards from dripping water. This flashing sends water to the gutters but also keeps water from dribbling behind them. That protects wood behind the gutters from dry rot, and prevents the gutters from coming loose.

How much does it cost to replace flashing on a roof?

Costs to replace roof flashing will be affected by various factors. A significant issue affecting will be the type of roof you have and the types of other repairs you may need. For flashing around your skylights, you can expect to pay anywhere from $300 to $500 for each, while flashing around your chimney will cost anywhere between $200 to $500. Large or multi-flue chimneys could cost as much as $1,500 to replace the flashing. You may have to pay for repairs to shingles or other roofing components as well, which will affect the cost of the flashing replacement.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Metal Roofing?

If you are on the fence about whether a metal roof is the best option for your home, then you need to learn more about the pros and cons of a metal roof. Knowing what the disadvantages and advantages are will help you make the best decision for your home.

Metal Roofing Benefits

• Long-Lasting: A lot of people ask, “How long will a metal roof last?” and the answer is that a metal roof can last 50 to even 70 years when they are properly taken care of.
• Resistant: Depending on the metal material that is used for your roof, metal roofs can be impact resistant against hail, they can resist severe winds, as well as resist against fire, corrosion, and cracking.
• Energy-Efficient: Metal roofs have a reflective material, which means they are able to reflect UV rays and radiant heat. This is great as it can save a lot of money on energy bills.
• Sustainable: These types of roofs are made up of recyclable materials and once they have reached their lifespan, they are able to be completely recycled.

Metal Roofing Drawbacks

• Expensive: Metal roofing is a lot more expensive than most residential roofing materials.
• Noise: If you don’t want your metal roof to be noisy then you will need to add insulation to block out any outside noise.
• Fading: Another question that people like to ask about metal roofs is, “Will metal roof fade” If your metal roof has a coated or painted finish, then it can start to fade.
• Dents: Depending on the metal that your roofing uses, some metal roofs can dent very easily.

What Are the Best Metal Roofs?

If you are interested in metal roofing, then you probably want to know what the best metal roofing is. There are several choices when it comes to metal roof materials, which include aluminum, copper, steel, tin, and zinc. Aluminum roofs are resistant to corrosion, but they can be pretty expensive. Copper roofs are very long-lasting, but it can be easily dented. Steel is affordable, as well as has a couple of types to choose from like galvalume, galvanized, and weathering, and stone coated steel, but steel doesn’t have the best insulation. Tin is easy to install but its hard to come by and it rusts easily. Zinc is self healing because of its patina, but it does have a chalking effect to it.

Not only do metal roofs have a wide range of materials to choose from, but there are several styles to choose from. The most common styles that you will see are corrugated, standing seam, and metal shingles. Corrugated metal roofs are manufactured as metal panels, standing seam metal roofs are manufactured as panels and sheets, and then metal shingles can mimic the look of popular roofing like slate, tile, and wood shakes. Depending on what you want in a roofing system will determine what material and style metal roof you want. Fortunately, a professional roofer can help you make a decision that’s right for you and your budget.

Metal Roofing Vs Asphalt Shingles

When choosing residential roofing, asphalt shingles are always at the forefront. This is because they are affordable, look good, are easy to install, and last awhile. A lot of people who are choosing between metal roofs and asphalt shingles typically ask, “Is a metal roof better than shingles?” The function of a roof is going to depend on what features you want in a roof. Metal roofs do last longer than asphalt shingles, are more eco-friendly, energy-efficient, and durable. Asphalt shingles do cost less than metal roofing, but they will not last as long. When investing in a new roof, choosing a new roof might depend on how long you are going to be in your home. If you aren’t going to live there for a long time, then you might go with asphalt shingles; if you plan on making your home your life long home, then you should consider metal roofing.

Metal Roofing for Houses

What does seamless gutters mean? Seamless gutters mean that the gutter is manufactured in one long piece and is not sectioned, unlike regular gutters. There are no seams in seamless gutters (hence the name) so there doesn’t have to be any sealing at the joints or seams. When deciding on gutters, people want to know which is better. So in terms of seamless gutters vs regular gutters, which is better? Its honestly going to depend on your home, but also your finances. Seamless gutters are more expensive upfront, but they require less maintenance and will last longer than regular gutters. Because regular gutters are made of sections, they have the potential to leak, which will cost you money in repairs. Talking to a roofer about which one you should get can make the decision a lot easier.

Are Seamless Gutters Better?

To understand if seamless gutters are better than regular gutters, it’s important to look at seamless gutters pros and cons. If you’ve been wondering, “What are the advantages of seamless gutters?” or “What are the disadvantages of seamless gutters?” then you can read on to find out more about the benefits and drawbacks.

Seamless Gutter Advantages

• Low Maintenance: Because there are no seams or joints, you won’t have any leaks and your gutters won’t be near as clogged with leaves and debris. This means less maintenance for you.
• A decrease in Clogs: Again, because there are no seams or joints, clogs will be reduced. This will prevent water from overflowing on your roof and causing leaks.
• Easy Installation: Because seamless gutters come in one piece, they are a lot easier to install.
• Aesthetically Pleasing: Since there are no obvious seams or joints, seamless gutters are a lot more attractive.
• Fewer Leaks: Without joints or seams, these gutter systems are less likely to leak.

Seamless Gutter Disadvantages

• More Expensive: Because they are constructed into one piece, they can be more expensive in terms of materials and installation.
• Replace/Repair the Whole Gutter: If for some reason seamless gutter needs to be repaired or replaced, you have to remove the whole gutter system instead of one section.
• Expert Installation: Installing these types of gutters require the expertise of licensed roofers.

Seamless Gutters with Leaf Guard

Seamless gutters are a great investment for your home, ensuring that you don’t get clogs or leaks in your gutters. Another way to ensure you never get clogs is by having a leaf guard installed. Leaf guards are placed over the top of gutters and they are able to catch leaves and other debris. A leaf guard will take it the next step further and make sure that your seamless gutters never have any issues with clogs. Finding the perfect leaf guards is crucial, as there will be some that are better than others. When you call a roofer to install your seamless gutters, ask them if they are able to install leaf guards, as well. They are able to point you in the right direction and help you find the best leaf guards for your gutters.

Do I Really Need Gutters?

But what is a roof drainage system? A roof drainage system is a system that is installed on the roof to divert water and debris off the roof. Many people ask, “What are roof drains called?” and they are simply called roof drainage systems. The drainage system starts at the roof line and then you have roof drainage to ground. The components that you need for a roof drainage system is a gutter system and downspout. With these two components working together, water is able to be removed from your roofing system easily.

What Do Roof Gutters Do?

When it comes to roofing drainage systems and gutters, people typically think that they are different systems; this is actually not true. A gutter system is a component of a roof drainage system, which allows water, twigs, leaves, and other debris to collect off of the roof and flow toward the downspout and onto the ground. The water from the roof drips into the gutter system, which is a long piece of material that is installed along the edge of the roofline. The water will then flow through the gutter and then make its way to the downspout where it will then absorb into the ground.

There are some homes that don’t require a gutter system–for homes that are located in dry climates or your home slopes downhill. However, if you get plenty of rain and your home was built on pretty level land, then you need a proper roof drainage system that includes a gutter. Not only will a gutter help collect water from your roof, but it will also protect your landscaping from soil erosion and your home’s foundation from cracking.

How To Install Roof Drainage

Installing a roof drainage system is pretty easy when you have the right tools and materials. Many people ask, “Where does roof drainage go?” Depending on what type of roof you have will determine where the drainage system will be installed. If you have a flat roof, the drain will be installed onto the actual roof and then the drain will be linked together. For roofs that have a low slope, the water will just flow into the gutter system. Another question that is asked in regards to installing roof drainage systems is “How do you size a roof drain?” It will all depend on the size of the roof. Here are the steps to install roof drainage.

• Clean Roof: You’ll want to clean the roof line/fascia so that the gutter system has a clean place to be installed.
• Plan Placement: This will include planning where the gutters will line up on the roof line and where the downspouts should be installed.
• Hang Gutters: Once you know where the gutters are going to go and have cut the gutters to the correct size, the gutters can be installed.
• Attach Downspouts: After the gutters have been installed, the downspouts can then be installed.

Roof Drainage Cleaning

Signs You Need Gutter Cleaning Service

• Water Spilling Over Gutters & Eaves
• Sagging Gutters
• Plant Growth
• Birds or Pests
• Water Stains on Siding of Home
• Gutters Not Cleaned in a Long Time
• Debris After a Severe Storm
• Leaf Falling During/After the Autumn/Winter

Why gutter cleaning is important?

Gutter cleaning is important as it ensures proper roof drainage and prevents damages from occurring. Your gutters are installed in order to provide a streamlined path of water removal away from your roof, siding, landscape, and the foundation of your home in order to feed directly into your sewage system.  

How much is gutter cleaning service?

A gutter cleaning service cost can range from $100-$250. Depending on the size of your home or the number of stories of your house. If there are special procedures involved you may have extra costs between $90-$225 added to the original amount. Discuss your specifications with a professional for more information.

What does gutter cleaning include?

A gutter cleaning service will typically include cleaning out the debris and leaves that are obstructing the pathways of the gutter system. Such debris will be bagged and the entire system or line will then be flushed out.

What happens if gutters are not cleaned?

If your gutters aren’t cleaned and a storm hits you can expect water to overflow on several different pathways such as onto your roof, siding or landscape. The resulting damages can range in severity as a result of improper water drainage. When the soil of your landscape has become too moistened your foundation will shift and move around which can cause pressures on your piping systems that connect to your home. Such heavy pressures from movement can cause corrosion on your pipes from rubbing against the chemicals in soil or even pipe leaks on your plumbing lines. What’s more, cracks in the cement of your foundation can form which can cause slab leaks. Additionally, when your roof is pooling with water, it can become waterlogged which can cause weakened roofing materials such as fascia, eaves and more. In the winter time, this water would become frozen unevenly on the roof which would lead to ice dams. What’s more, frozen water in the gutters can weigh heavily on your gutters which can cause them to sag, loosen or fall to the ground. Finally, heavy waterfall around the roof can pour off onto the siding walls of your home which can cause water stains and loosened panels depending on the materials composed there.

Can dirty gutters cause roof leaks?

A dirty gutter or clogged gutter can cause water damages to your home as water runoff would be blocked. With the proper paths to the downspouts blocked water may overflow on the roof and seek alternate paths of escape. If there is a crack or hole in your roof this could be aggravated, worsened, weathered further or weakened which could cause a leak to emerge inside your property.

When you require a gutter cleaning service in Canton, GA call 770-735-4433 with Affordable Gutters Plus LLC!

Clogged gutters can be very detrimental to your home when they are severe. It’s important to consider the water runoff capabilities that your gutters provide in preventing water damages to the roof and foundation of your home. When rainwater has nowhere to go, it can pool in certain areas of your roof and try to find other means of escape. It can seep through the cracks of your roofing materials and if larger punctures are present than your beams could become waterlogged which poses a threat to your roof’s structural integrity! Without the tunnels of the gutters to the downspouts, water can flow down indiscriminately which in turn can cause damage to your foundation. Your gutters and downspouts naturally create a path away from the soil and concrete that your home rests on, if they are heavily wet, this could cause movement of your home and thereby your plumbing systems which are directly connected to your home and foundation. Movement can cause pressure to all sides of your pipe which heavily wears it down and makes it susceptible to breaks or soil corrosion. If ultimately your pipes burst or leaks, you can have the potential for sewer line or slab leaks that can have heavy costs in repairs. So believe it or not, the minor issue of clogged gutters can escalate and snowball into severe consequences in regards to home damages and repairs. Consider these points for the protection of your leaf guard gutters and roofing! (Energy efficient HVAC systems)

Do I need gutter guards?

If your home resides in a region where rainfall and high winds are prevalent, or perhaps when autumn hits you often experience high levels of leaves falling, it may be beneficial to install leaf guard gutters.

What do gutter guards do?

Gutter guards act a protective and removable addition that is placed inside your gutters to catch debris. The openings are able to allow for water to seep through while it catches bigger objects like dirt, debris, and leaves. To get a better idea, you can think of some types of gutter guards as a sort of gutter colander or drain strainer.

How much are leaf guard gutters?

They range in costs between $1.50-$10 per linear foot.

Do you need to clean gutters with gutter guards?

To go with the strainer analogy, you can remove the guard and dispose of the gunk that was caught every so often to protect the progression of natural water flow. Gutter guards are ideally designed for easier removal of gunk and should still be cleaned out every so often, at least a year unless specified otherwise.

Do gutter guards work with pine needles?

Only a few certain leaf guard gutters are able to protect against small and thin objects but most are not able to due to the size of the openings or functionings a particular gutter guard.

How are leaf guard gutters installed?

With leaf gutter guard installations, some have snaps or clips for installation while others, like plastic mesh or gutter brushes, only lay on top of the gutters. (Gutter services)

Gutter Leaf Guard Types

Perforated: perforated leaf guard gutters are made of metal and have holes distributed throughout the metal plate. Although this type of gutter guard is able to keep out leaves it’s not able to keep out more fine materials such as seeds, pods or needles. This option is prone to having small debris getting stuck in their perforated holes which increases the likelihood of overflowing due to the coverage of the opening.

Screens: screens can come in different opening sizes and can be made from mesh or plastic. Fine mesh screens, for example, were specifically designed to remedy the issue of caught material often experienced with perforated metal leaf guard gutters. However, the issue with fine openings may be that they won’t be able to handle rainwater well and won’t allow them to pass through the guard and into the gutter for proper water run out. Regular mesh or plastic screens keep bigger leaves away and will let water through, but they may be susceptible to being blown off by the wind and are less likely to stop smaller objects from going through.

Brushes: bottle brushes are leaf guard gutters that are made from bristles that are inserted inside gutters and aim to prevent the accumulation of debris and leaves. Small materials aren’t able to be blocked and larger objects either get stuck in the brushes or behind them. It’s hard to remove what is trapped as the entire unit has to be removed and most report that it’s better to avoid this option entirely.

Foam: foam leaf guard gutters are made from polyurethane and are porous enough to allow for water to pass through. However, everything else just builds up on top of the foam which will clog easily if not cleaned regularly. These too require the entire guard be brought out and reinstalled for cleaning.

Reverse-Curve: reverse-curve or surface tension leaf guard gutters have been around since the early 20th century and have been proven as a good option for protection. They are designed to form a curve or nose that will allow debris to slide off the roof while water is encouraged to follow the curve and move downstream. These options are not readily available in the market and must be professionally installed. Some may lift your roof’s shingles so it’s important to select a type that isn’t prone to this occurring.

For leaf guard gutters installation in Canton, GA call 770-735-4433 with Affordable Gutters Plus LLC!