Winter is here and that means cold temperatures, and maybe even snow. As temperatures drop you can expect your heating costs to rise. That’s inevitable. However, if you’re noticing that they’re even higher than usual—higher than they should be—it could be a sign that your insulation is insufficient. If your home isn’t properly insulated, heat (and your hard earned money) is literally escaping out of the roof.) Insulation is the key to keeping heating costs down this winter so here are some tips to keep in mind.

Maintenance

Before we talk about insulation, let’s talk about basic roof maintenance. Though insulation is often to blame for high heating costs, other common roofing issues could be to blame as well. It’s important to keep your roof in good shape by inspecting it regularly and replacing any *****ed or warped shingles as it becomes necessary. Also be sure to take care of any rotted wood or gaps in the fascia or flashing as these are ways hot air can escape your home.

Cold vs. warm roof space

There are two ways to insulate your home. The first is to insulate along the rafters. This will allow for a warm roof space because warm air can heat up your attic space. The advantage of a warm roof space is better heat retention in your home and lower heating costs. The down side to a warm roof space is that it could cause ice dams to form on your roof. For a cold roof space, you insulate at the joist level to keep your attic space cooler. If you live in a colder climate where snow is common, this is the better option though it will result in higher heating costs.

Blanket insulation

Blanket insulation is probably the most common form of roof insulation. Blanket insulation is typically made from fiberglass. The contractor will make sure that there is a vapor barrier and then the blanket insulation will be rolled out flush with the roof joists or rafters to ensure that there are no gaps where warm air can get through.

Spray foam insulation

An alternative option to blanket insulation is spray foam. This can be used with either a cold or warm roof space. The contractor sprays the material which is in the form of foam along the joists or rafters. Over the course of a day or two, the foam will harden and become a rigid thermal insulation barrier.

Home improvement news brought to you by bartonroof.com

Source: wxow.com/story/30702724/insulate-your-roof-to-stay-warm-and-save-cash

The roofs of our homes serve an important purpose, and it is our responsibility as homeowners to take care of our roofs to make sure that they can continue to keep us and our families safe. *Depending on the type of materials your roof is made out of, much maintenance is not required, but regularly roof checks should be a priority to make sure that problems do not arise. *Unfortunately, roofs are often forgotten about despite how important their purpose is, and homeowners comfortable trusting that their roof is holding up just fine without proper maintenance. *If you want to avoid spending a fortune on roof repairs and problems, here are a few ways you can take care of your roof with little effort and little money. *

Common roof problems

It is only natural for roofs to wear over time, no matter what they are made out of. *No roof can completely withstand all the elements without proper maintenance. *Water particularly has a major effect on roofs of all types, and can cause leaking and mold problems that you are not aware of until it is too late. *Shingles are the most popular roofing material, and they often *****, curl or fall off after a while. *Colder seasons have more of an effect on roofs, as ice can often build up and cause problems with draining. *While all of these problems are common, they are also easily fixed if caught in time, which is why regular roof maintenance is important.

Checking for damage

There are obvious problems like gaping holes, missing shingles, *****s, and clogged gutters, but there are also problems that are harder to spot. *Dark spots on your roof usually indicate water damage and possibly mold. *Venture into your attic occasionally to catch any water damage or mold problems before they turn into major problems. *Max Real Estate Exposure suggests that you regularly inspect your ceiling for sagging areas or discoloration because these are clear signs of major water damage that can be dangerous to those inside your home. *Lastly, search for any small openings or areas where pests can enter your home, because pests are obviously a problem you do not want to deal with.

Repairing on your own

Most minor roof problems can be take care of by homeowners, but safety measure should always be taken. *Keep an extra supply of shingles and tar in storage so you can replace shingles when necessary. ****** up any holes, *****s and small areas where pests can enter. *Even if you are skilled with home repairs, it is important that you call contractors if the problems are dangerous to repair. *

Home improvement news brought to you by bartonroof.com

Source: maxrealestateexposure.com/tell-need-new-roof/

They say April showers bring May flowers, but the onset of spring brings other things too. Unfortunately, one of those things is scam artists. For one reason or another they tend to come out in full force just as the winter season comes to an end. Among the door-to-door scammers that come knocking, some will be offering roofing services. The Better Business Bureau calls these scammers “storm chasers” because they tend to come in the wake of nasty weather. While these scams vary, they usually have a few things in common. They ask for payment up front (usually in cash), they either do a very poor job or they do no work at all, and finally they skip town before the police can catch up with them. The Better Business Bureau has offered the following tips to protect yourself from being taken in by a roofing scam.

· Ask to see their roofing license. Almost all communities require roofers to have a license to work in that community. Don’t agree to any work if the roofer can’t supply a license.

· Get at least three quotes. There’s no way to know if the price you’re being charged is fair unless you have other bids for the same job. Don’t go with a roofing company just because they’re the one already on your doorstep.

· Don’t pay in advance. Reputable roofing companies can afford to pay for roofing materials up front. They collect their payment when the job is done. Storm chasers demand payment up front because they have no intention of finishing the work.

· Watch out for high pressure sales tactics. Reputable roofers make a bid and will honor that price even if you take a week or two to decide. Storm chasers use high pressure sales tactics like saying you have to agree to the work on the spot to lock in a certain price for the work.

· Check with the Better Business Bureau. Ask for a company name, then look up that name on the Better Business Bureau website. If there is no record of that company, or if the company has a poor track record when it comes to customer satisfaction, don’t agree to anything.

· Look for a company vehicle or uniform. Most storm chasers aren’t elaborate enough to have any kind of company markings on their vehicle or uniform.

· Get everything in writing. Even if everything else checks out, make sure you get everything in writing. Any good roofer will have you sign a contract before any work begins. This contract will outline the scope and timeframe of the project and will also list the materials needed and the estimated cost for the materials and labor.

Home improvement news brought to you by bartonroof.com

Source: mystateline.com/fulltext-news/d/story/bbb-warns-of-spring-scams/36801/orjKvZCk8Ui458LrEr-GkA