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What happens if your home doesn’t have gutters?

Are home gutters necessary? The first thing that most homeowners here in Frisco are concerned about is their yard. They want pristine landscaping. However, a home without gutters will have a messy, muddy yard. As the rain comes off the roof, it will fall directly onto flower beds and puddle around the foundation. 

Not only will this wash away the dirt, flowers, mulch, and shrubs, but it will begin soaking under the foundation. That is when you’ll learn how important a gutter installation service can be! Why? Because you’ll need a foundation or house leveling service next, and that is a lot more expensive than a gutter installation service.

Here is a quick checklist reviewing what makes a gutter installation service beneficial for your home: 

• Water will surround your house. Without a gutter installation, water will surround your home and yard because it isn’t rerouted out and away from the house to a specific area. With the hard and heavy rains that we get in Texas, you’ll feel like you’re living in a houseboat. 
• Water drips down the house. Without a gutter installation service that carries water away, the rain will drip and run down the side of your home. For a home with siding, it can begin to soak into the seams, get inside the walls and begin destroying the walls of your home. 
• Standing water causes foundation damage. A home built on a foundation or a home on a pier-and-beams will become unlevel as the water seeps into areas under the house or into the cracks of the foundation. The house will be unlevel, doors and windows not closing or opening, plumbing issues develop as pipes are being bent. 
• Erosion. Without a gutter installation service, the flowerbed and the lawn will be ruined with the abundance of rainwater that isn’t redirected. 
• Damage to other parts. Without gutters, other important components of your home can be damaged, like the HVAC system or your swimming pool. 

How do gutters protect your home?

Gutter systems are often taken for granted and can be one of the most ignored features of a home. Even homes that have gutter installation, service of them is ignored, like knowing how to clean gutters or having them professionally cleaned. Once they are installed, you need to keep them in working condition, and that include cleaning them and repairing as needed. 

Rain gutters are often seen as a cosmetic feature that is simple in design and operation. Yes, they carry and reroute water from the roof, and then out and away from the ground immediately around your home. What many people do not realize is the serious water damage that a home can have without a gutter installation service. 

The fundamental function of a gutter system is to collect rainwater from the roof, channel it into one area and the send it out and away from the house through a downspout. What happens as it rains is the water rolls down the roof slope and into the gutter runs. The water then pools up in the gutter urns and travels to the downspout. And it is the downspouts that carry that water out and away from the base or foundation of your home. At the base of the downspout is a backsplash that will further divert that water away from the house.

Which gutters are best for your home?

Choosing the style for your gutter installation service is an important decision. You want to choose one that will service your home correctly, but you want it blend in with the aesthetics of your home. And of course the budget is a huge part of the gutter installation service too. With those three issues, which is the better option for you: 

• A sectional rain gutter installation: The gutter run materials come in sections. Those sections are then joined together and fastened as the gutter installation service proceeds. 
• A seamless gutter installation: Seamless gutters are custom made on site to fit your home specifically. A truck-mounted machine will dispense single, long sheets of metal and the contractor and team will affix them to the fascia around your home. 

The seamless gutter installation service is more expensive, but the advantages are worth the cost. Starting with the lack of joints and seams to come loose and disconnect over the years. This minimizes repairs and replacements that are a dread homeowners have had for years.

Which gutter material is best?

The next important thing to choose for your gutter installation service is the material of the gutters. Here we have a list of the common gutter materials used in the Frisco area. We have provided you the benefits and the drawbacks, so that you are making a well-informed decision: 

Vinyl Gutters

The favorite of most homeowners for two reasons: ease and expense. They are lightweight which makes them easy to install and they are the most inexpensive of all gutter installation services. They are also favored because they do not corrode or rust, and fluctuate with the temperatures, giving them a longer life span. However, if a poor gutter installation service can result in sagging gutter sections. The vinyl material is known to become brittle over time, leading to cracking and the color tends to fade. 

Aluminum Gutters

Another cost-efficient choice for gutter installation service. Lightweight materials make installation easy and fast and they are rust-proof and weather-resistant. They maintain their paint through the years and this gutter installation service is available in a seamless style. The biggest drawback is the lack of strength, meaning they bend easily with ladders placed against them or tree limbs falling against them. 

Copper and Steel Gutters

There are a few varieties with steel gutter installation service, with galvanized steel being the more popular choice due to cost and sturdiness. The downside to the steel version of gutters is the rust factor which will take its toll over the years. Routine maintenance with gutter cleaning can expand their lifespan. Copper gutter installation service is one of the most expensive but also the most aesthetically pleasing. 

Stainless Steel

Virtually indestructible, a stainless steel gutter installation service will last for years on end. They will never rust, making them one of the industry’s strongest materials to have for gutters. The one drawback is a big one – the price. Stainless steel gutter installation service will cost up to 4 times more than other gutter materials. 

Wood Gutters

Wood gutters were the norm a hundred years ago, but then the cheaper and mass-produced gutter materials came along being more weather resistant. Typically made from cedar, fir, or redwood, they are still available and popular for older homes that are being restored to their authentic architecture. If any gutter installation service can more expensive than copper, the wood gutters are the ones. 

How long does gutter installation take?

On an average-sized, single-story home, a gutter installation service will take between one hour and up to four hours. A larger home, multi-story will take one to two full days. 

Is gutter installation difficult?

For a seamless gutter installation service, it takes a specific machine that isn’t readily available for just anyone. These are used by experienced contractors that specialize in gutter installation. 

For the snap-together style of gutter system, it is possible for a DIY homeowner to do their own gutter installation service. There are multitudes of how-to videos and some home improvement stores will have in-store classes or videos to show you the steps. 

Help, especially help learning how to file a roof insurance claim, is often needed to make sure you’re paid what you have coming to you and that you get it as quickly as possible. This is because if you’re not careful, you can easily get suckered into roof replacement insurance scams and pay a lot of money but end up with nothing done to your roof. 

Before you take the services offered by door-to-door roofing sales pitches, you should understand your homeowner’s insurance policy and what coverage is provided. And with that coverage, what is it going to cost you out-of-pocket, if anything? Most insurance companies offer roof insurance claims help, like how roof insurance claims work and more. 

Does homeowner’s insurance cover wind damage to a roof?

First, let us state that no two homeowner’s insurance policies are the same, and no two insurance companies operate the same. With that statement, we can’t stress enough that you need to review your own policy and become familiar with the content regarding coverages. 

Most homeowners’ insurance will typically cover wind damage. Depending on the type of homeowner’s policy you have, wind damage will be covered, but it may not cover ‘other structures’ like a free-standing garage, garden, or storage shed. 

Your policy should have detailed explanations about the coverage provided for either roof repairs or replacement needed after wind damage. Things that will impact the decision include the roof’s age, lack of maintenance, etc. If you’re not clear on what is covered, call your insurance agent, and ask for clarification and roof insurance claims help.

What kind of roof damage is covered by insurance?

For your homeowner’s insurance to coverage for roof damage, the damage must be caused by extreme weather, like straight-line winds that typically accompany any of the following: 

• Hailstorm
• Hurricane
• Microburst
• Nor’easter
• Thunderstorm
• Tornado

Including a derecho, which is a line of fast-moving, intense, widespread, windstorms, sometimes associated with thunderstorms, that move across a large distance. 

Does homeowner’s insurance cover roof replacement?

Ah, the age-old question is a common one when a homeowner has had roof damage and is seeking roof insurance claims help. If you’re needing a new roof because it has aged and is showing its age, nope, you’re not going to get any help from the insurance company. So, will insurance cover a 15-year-old roof that has storm damage? 

Maybe, maybe not. This all depends on what the insurance adjuster that inspects your roof determines. If the 15-year-old roof was in good condition prior to the storm damage, then yes, they will pay towards repair or replacement. That doesn’t mean they are going to pay the full amount though. That will depend on what type of coverage you chose when you took your policy out. 

There are two types of coverage offered with homeowner’s insurance: 

• Replacement Cost Value (RCV): This pays to repair or replace storm damage without deducting any depreciation of the existing roof.
• Actual Cash Value (ACV): This pays the amount after depreciation of the existing roof is deducted. Meaning, that the older your roof, the more it is depreciated and the less money you’ll get from the insurance company. 

Now, back to what homeowner’s insurance will cover! If your roof is damaged by events or perils listed within your policy, like hail, high winds, fire, vandalism, a tree, an airplane, or anything of a heavy weight landing on your house. Other times that you’ll find roof insurance claims help pay for your roof is any damage caused by an explosion, rioting, a volcano erupting, ice, or snow weight causing collapse, or theft. 

Your homeowner’s insurance may provide coverage for accidental discharge or water overflow caused by a home system, like an accidental and sudden air conditioning, fire protection system, or water heater. Any damage caused by accidental electrical current or freezing weather. 

Some of these things may seem out of a movie, but they have happened. Other coverage that a homeowner may want to review their policy is for coverage of damage or destruction caused by animals. This would be something a homeowner on ranch property should inquire about with their insurance agent. The insurance commercial that says, “We’ve seen it all.”, should be something considered. 

Can you keep insurance claim money for a roof?

Once upon a time, when a homeowner filed an insurance claim, they were sent a check in the amount of what the insurance company was going to pay. Today though, because of too many crooked roof repair dealings, that is no longer how it works. 

There are situations where the homeowner isn’t the recipient of the insurance check. For example, if your home has a lien or you have a mortgage on the home, the lender will be paid, and the money goes into escrow. You will need to show proof the work is completed before the money is released to you or the contractor. 

If you own your home outright, with no liens against it, you will be paid directly and can do as you please with the money. The responsible thing would be to get the work done that is needed, however, you can put in the bank, take a cruise, go on a shopping binge, or do anything you decide. 

However, if you have more roof damage that requires filing for roof insurance claims help, you will probably be denied by the insurance company, and possibly lose your insurance coverage. 

Why is window replacement important?

Window replacement is one of the best home improvements you can do to your home. The following benefits are an important features to consider when investing in your home with upgrades: 

1. Energy Costs Reduced

Nobody likes skyrocketing energy bills, and a window replacement job can reduce your cooling and heating cost by as much as 30 percent. Why? Because the thermostat won’t be constantly adjusted to cool or heat the house. It also saves you money because you won’t be wearing your HVAC unit out faster too!

2. Secure Your Home

Yes, a window replacement is essential in keeping your family safe and providing a peace of mind. With better window technology today, keeping intruders out is as much a feature as keeping the UV rays out.  And with the film they build into the windows days, should a window get broken, it splinters into small pieces, instead of shattering in big shards.

3. Curb Appeal

While a window replacement is a large investment, because windows are one of the most visible features of a house, it can improve the curb appeal. There is a variety of colors, materials, and styles today that will improve any home’s aesthetics and give your home a new visual interest too. Realtors and home builders will tell you that a window replacement job will add value to your home should you decide to sell. Buyers are always looking for homes that offer energy efficiency. 

4. Comfort 

All these benefits we’ve mentioned will also make your family feel safer and more comfortable. This is the place where you make the important memories and with the more natural lighting and noise reduction that new window replacements offer, you’ll be glad you made the investment. 

5. Less maintenance

With new window replacement, the maintenance of cleaning and painting are gone! This leaves you time to simply enjoy looking out your windows. 

How do you know when you need to replace windows?

If you are experiencing any of the following, it is time to look into window replacements: 

1. Windows are opening and closing as they should. 
2. Cold air drafts in the winter making it uncomfortable and causing the heat to run more. 
3. The outdoor noises are getting louder every day.
4. The curb appeal is old and outdated, the house looks tired.
5. You have as many or more damaged windows as you do good windows.

Should I replace all my windows at once?

It is recommended to do them all at once, but you can do one at a time or a section of the house at one time. It is your financial choice, but yes, it is recommended having all the window replacements at one time is the better option if possible. 

What does window replacement cost?

New window replacement will have a high return rate! The more energy efficiency level of windows you choose, the higher the ROI. According to remodeling experts, the Cost vs. Value with an upscale vinyl window replacement has over 70% return! A kitchen remodel is just over 60% and a new deck is less than 70% ROI. 

Is window replacement tax deductible?

And another win for window replacement! Go with an EnergyStar-rated window replacement and you’ll be eligible for a tax credit, even if you must do one window at a time. 

Is window replacement messy?

It isn’t the neatest job.  A replacement window installation will be messy, but by choosing the right contractor and taking some precautions yourself, it doesn’t have to be as messy.  There will be hammering, painting, and sanding being done – possibly even some drywall work. An experienced and professional contractor will clean as they go through, and then do a walk-around after the window replacement job is complete. 

Do I need gutters around my entire house?

Usually not; this depends on the slope of the roof. Water is a home’s worst enemy, as it causes erosion around the foundation along with rot under shingles and inside walls. Most roofs are designed for directing water down the roof slopes, and where they slope is what determines where gutters are needed. An experienced contractor will help you determine by the architecture of your home and the landscaping around your home where to install gutters on a house so that it gives your home the most benefits. 

Is gutter installation expensive?

The cost of a gutter installation will be determined by a few factors: 

• The size of the house 
• Single story or multiple story home
• The type of gutters

Experienced contractors typically charge by the linear foot for the material and additional for the labor. For a home needing 125 feet to 200 feet of gutter installation, materials will start around $1100 and reach upwards of $2500. The labor will add another $10 to $20 per linear foot. 

Is gutter installation difficult?

While it may not seem that difficult from the hundreds of YouTube videos, the experience and skill of a contractor is recommended. That’s because the experience and skill acquired from providing gutter installation will give you a gutter system that has accurate pitch and components that are properly fitted and sealed. 

How long does gutter installation take?

The gutter installation process for an average sized home, around 1200 square feet to 1500 square feet, can typically be completed in four hours or less. A gutter installation for a larger home, around 1800 square feet and up, can take a full day, or eight to 10 hours. 

Closing Comments and Information

There are six steps we recommend when getting a gutter installation. Figure out what to know about gutter installation first. From there, the research continues.

Research

Do thorough research before hiring any contractor that claims they can do a gutter installation, especially if their pricing is a lot less than other quotes. Remember, you get what you pay for! After you have narrowed it down to a few companies or contractors, do your due diligence in following up with checking references.

Check the online reviews, ask your neighbors who did their gutter installation, and choose a local contractor. They are the ones that will know the weather patterns where you live and will typically have a solid client base that you can get references on this contractor. 

Request Written Estimates and Quotes

Once you have a contractor lined up that meets your needs and requirements, you want to get a written estimate and quote, with details spelled out. An experienced gutter installation contractor will take measurements around your home to provide you a quote. Going with a contractor you should get custom-made gutters, either made in a shop or the seamless style gutters that are made on-site. 

Check Documentation

Ask to see their licenses and insurance, making copies for your records. Ask about their guarantee or warranty, and again in writing. Having your gutter installation done by a contractor without the proper credentials can put you and your home at risk.

When considering how siding works, contractors and expert siding services will tell you that siding is more than just for aesthetics. Siding offers a level of protection from weather elements like hard, harsh winds, hailstones, rain, and snow. It also provides a level of safety and security for your home.  Keep reading as we discuss in more detail the importance of siding services and how your home benefits.

Benefits of Good Siding

What can siding do for you? Consider these factors:

1. A Waterproof Envelope

Moisture is the enemy when it comes to your home’s stability and structure. It can begin deteriorating and causing expensive, excessive damage to the cement foundation, doors, masonry, and windows. Moisture left unaddressed will create mildew and mold, with mold eating away at the structure and causing health problems in addition to structural issues. 

Properly installed siding will protect your home with waterproofing. In addition to the foundation, gutters, and roof, which provide the first line of defense, getting siding services to keep your home’s interior dry is essential.  

2. Critter and Pest Control

Properly installed siding services will keep small critters, insects, and pests out of your home. Today, most siding is manufactured to be crack-resistant and warp-resistant, which makes them critter, insect, and pest-proof. When the siding is of low quality, it wicks moisture, and that attracts critters, insects, and pests, especially termites. 

3. Insulation

Siding services offer an added layer of insulation along with providing weather protection. Cold north winds and hot summer sun have a huge impact on your home’s energy efficiency. With quality siding, the energy efficiency is increased with an outer envelope, upgraded with rigid foam insulation and house wrap. 

4. The Curb Appeal

While we have this listed last, it is not the least important factor to any homeowner. Siding services do more than what we have listed here already. They also improve the curb appeal of your home, and with the various choices in siding materials available, finding the right one for your home’s architectural style is easy. 

For a home that is looking old and worn, having new siding installed will renew the home’s exterior and give it a boosted curb appeal. If you’re planning to place your home on the market, new siding will bring in more offers at a higher value. 

What are the different types of siding? 

There are several types of siding services available today, each having its own character, positives, and negatives. From this list of six, you can find one that has the appearance you want with the durability and longevity you need.

• Stucco: Maybe the most unique siding that is made from blending aggregates like cement and sand.  Applied in layers to be smooth or textured, it can complement many architectural styles. A fairly durable siding service that includes resistance from dings and knocks. It is cold and heat resistant as well and can be painted, allowing you to change your home’s exterior look. During hot summers, stucco siding services will reflect the UV rays, keeping your home cooler. 
• Wood: A popular choice for siding, and one of the oldest around. The appearance and style options are almost endless with this lightweight material. Easy installation with various sizes that allows you to create different patterns like board-and-batten, shiplap, or the traditional horizontal install.  It can be made to look contemporary or rustic, working with most architectural styles with the different types available. 
• Brick: A common material found today on homes all across the country, easily recognizable with a completely different appearance from other siding services. The look of brick has remained unchanged for centuries and is unaffected by the weather. Fire retardant and insect resistant, it requires little to no maintenance and never needs painting. 
• Stone Veneer: A popular choice in siding service for the accents both interior and exterior. No longer made from actual stone, this fiber cement stone is lighter weight making installation easier and faster. 
• Metal: An older style but tried and true, aluminum siding has been around for what seems like forever. Available in other types of metal now, including a standing seam type of metal siding that gives it the look of a log cabin. Flame, insect, and moisture resistant in either contemporary, rustic, or traditional styling. Boasts a long lifespan with little maintenance required.
• Fiber Cement: Created from mixing cellulose fiber, Portland cement, sand, and silica, and installed to have the appearance of wood siding. A durable material that is fire, impact, insect, moisture resistant. Choose from a board and batten style, lap siding architectural panels to create a contemporary or traditional style. Available in a variety of colors with a chip and peel resistant finish with low maintenance required. 

What siding lasts the longest?

While vinyl siding will give it a run for the dollar, fiber cement siding services are not only attractive, low maintenance, and has a fairly inexpensive cost, the durability gives it a lifespan of 100 years or more. Next to that is brick siding – with either one, you’ll never need to redo the siding on your home again. 

What is the cheapest way to side your house?

If budgeting is a concern, vinyl siding services offer the same result of making your home look refreshed, but for less money. Vinyl siding has improved over the years and more homeowners are choosing it when their budget is tight. While you can paint it, with advancements in the colorfastness and texture, you probably won’t ever want to, but if you do, remember – you’ll have to repaint on a regular basis. 

Which is better, siding or stucco?

Well, this is a tough one because both siding services offer a home several different pros. Each has a wide variation in profiles and styles with two main applications.

Vinyl siding services come in a non-insulated and an insulated version. Stucco siding is a single, low insulated coat or up to three coats for greater insulation. Cost is always a concern for homeowners, and vinyl siding services win that as the less expensive choice. 

Both stucco and vinyl materials are pretty tough, with vinyl taking wind speeds of 110 mph and Stucco taking wind gusts of 130 mph. For hail resistance, vinyl isn’t as resistant as Stucco. 

When properly installed, both can last up to 50 years or longer with vinyl stretching into 75 year lifespan and Stucco stretching into a 100-year lifespan. For your investment dollar, vinyl will get up 77% ROI, and Stucco averages an ROI up to 70%. 

What are the arguments between siding vs painting a house? 

If your home has wood siding, it will need painting every few years – usually every five to seven years, depending on the quality of paint used and the weather in your area.  If your home has aluminum or vinyl siding, both siding services, you can replace it, a pretty costly investment, or paint it.  

Before painting vinyl siding, consider that you’ll void any warranty on the material, and most come with a lifetime warranty. Those choices of colors are limited as to what will work well on vinyl, it can be difficult to find a color that paints well on vinyl, and replacing any later will be difficult, perhaps requiring repainting of the entire house. 

Before painting aluminum siding, issues to consider are that dents and dings will show more after painting.  There are perforations along the planks that will stand out and aluminum will rust. 

Can siding be repaired?

In many cases, yes, vinyl siding can be repaired.  There are do-it-yourself kits at home improvement stores for dents, small holes, and similar issues. This is an inexpensive way to get your vinyl siding services looking good again. 

For vinyl siding that is buckled, delaminating, split, or warping in larger areas, you may be better off hiring a siding services company to make the repair for you. There may be damage under the siding that will take some extra work you may not be equipped for.

Which is better: stucco or vinyl siding?

Depending on a home’s style and where it is located, a homeowner may prefer a stucco siding instead of the more traditional vinyl siding. However, is one better than the other, and what are the differences between them so you can choose one? A few facts to consider: 

• Insulation: Vinyl siding installation comes in a hollow-back material and foam-back. Stucco siding has no insulation but can be applied in multiple coats to create layers for insulation. 
• Cost: Always a concern for homeowners, higher-quality vinyl siding installation costs the same as low-end stucco siding, averaging between $7.00 and $13.00 per square foot. Higher-quality stucco siding can cost upwards of $14.00 per square foot. 
• Durability: Any homeowner will want siding to be made from a durable material that won’t need repair or replacing soon, and both stucco and vinyl siding installation will offer you that. Note – the thicker the vinyl, the better the durability. Vinyl has wind resistance up to 110 mph and stucco offers up to 130 mph. When it comes to impact-resistance and life expectancy, stucco is the winner, lasting up to 100 years whereas vinyl installation will last up to 75 years. 

• Insulation: Vinyl siding installation wins in this category with an R-Value of .20 per inch. Stucco siding has to be installed in a triple thickness that maxes it at .75 R-Value. 

Secondary Factors to consider between stucco and vinyl siding install is the ROI, with vinyl winning at 77% and stucco offering only 70%. Both come in a wide range of colors as multiple colors are mixed together to achieve the desired color. Design-wise, vinyl is more varied with anything that wood siding can offer, with options such as a lap board profile, shakes, shingles, split-wood, and vertical panels. Stucco doesn’t mimic other material, but is instead installed without seams in a basic texture. 

Both stucco and vinyl siding installation are fire-resistant materials, but vinyl will buckle or warm in an intense heat from even the grill or UV ray reflection. Vinyl siding installation can be a DIY project with plenty of how-to vinyl siding installation videos available online, whereas stucco should be installed professionally due to the specialized equipment required. Both need to be cleaned annually. 

What brand of vinyl siding is best?

Fortunately, and unfortunately, there is a wide number of brands to choose from for your vinyl siding installation. There may be too many if you don’t do some research and study before you go into this project. Some are superior, and some offer bottom-of-the-line quality, but you can find a good value for vinyl siding that suits any budget and purpose. A few of the brands we recommend are: 

• ALSIDE

Alside has been in the business of vinyl siding installation for more than seventy years. The company started with a residential baked enamel siding in 1947 and has improved upon their already great product over the years. With this company, they offer 14 different product lines with 19 colors for the Premium Charter Oak siding. 

• CERTAINTEED®

CertainTeed® is a high-end brand of vinyl siding with great popularity in this country. Starting as a roofing company in 1904, it has diversified with the times to offer other exterior and interior construction products. They offer a variety of options that are attractive, including accessories. This is a well-known brand name that offers affordable quality. 

• CRANE

Crane has been dedicated to helping homeowners save money since 1947 with technology that it sells to other vinyl siding manufacturers. It offers a large selection in colors and styles, and also provides an insulating material. 

What is the average life expectancy of vinyl siding?

Vinyl siding installation will last up to 60 years or longer, depending on the quality of the installation, material, and the homeowner’s upkeep and maintenance. 

What is the average labor cost to install vinyl siding?

In Frisco, Texas and surrounding cities, a 1,200 square foot home will cost around $4,500 for vinyl siding installation labor. The rate per square foot is between $2.15 and $5.25 with the average cost at $3.70 per square foot.

How much does it cost to put siding on a house?

While many homes in Frisco have brick siding, there are almost always areas that are not brick. In this case, homeowners may choose to go with vinyl siding installation. For 2020-2021, the average costs began around $3,800 and went up to $5,300.00. Some homeowners prefer Hardie board siding, a more expensive, but also a more durable material. This can cost between $2,500.00 and $15,999.00.

Masonry chimneys are found in everyday life just about anywhere you look, and many need chimney repair, but the homeowner may not realize it. Today, the masonry chimney isn’t a given standard on most new construction. However, the beauty of a brick, rock, or stone chimney is still a desire for many, and will eventually need chimney repair.

A well-built masonry chimney can last for decades, even centuries. A look at the Roman Arches still standing today can attest to that statement. Unfortunately, not all masonry chimneys are built like those arches. Today, many of the masonry materials used to construct a chimney are  susceptible to the elements and weather, and therefore, need professional chimney repair. 

What is chimney repair and what does chimney repair involve?

All masonry materials used in chimney construction with the exception of stone, can be a victim of accelerated deterioration when exposed to prolonged water contact.  

The moisture that freezes, thaws, refreezes, rethaws, can penetrate into the masonry materials. This causes them to contract and expand over and over, stressing the strength of the materials. This creates a need for professional chimney repair. 

A professional contractor with experience in How to repair a chimney is the best person to call. The following are chimney repair process steps a professional contractor will take in doing a chimney repair: 

• The chimney crown: This is the top element of a masonry chimney that provides coverage and seals the chimney top from the chimney edge to the flue liner. Many masonry chimneys have an inadequately built crown with mortar that wasn’t mixed properly, which leads to its cracking and deteriorating from exposure to the elements.  A chimney repair could include constructing and installing a properly made chimney crown using a Portland cement-based mixture that provides overhanging on  all sides of the chimney. 

• The mortar joints: If there are gaps in the mortar or the mortar joints deteriorate, it allows water to enter into the chimney. A common chimney repair for deteriorated mortar joints is to repoint the mortar. This is done by cutting the mortar joint to a proper depth and repack new mortar into the joint.  Next, the joint is then cut, forming a concave surface that will direct water out and away from the joint. 

• The Flashing: Flashing is the metal strip that seals between the chimney and the roofing material, preventing rainwater or snow from running down inside the chimney and into the house, damaging ceilings, walls, and rotting the rafters. The chimney repair for flashing is replace with new flashing if the existing is corroded or missing. 

How long do brick chimneys last?

Brick is a material that can withstand the huffing and puffing of the big bad wolf and when used to construct a fireplace, it can withstand the various weather elements, and regular use by the homeowner. A brick chimney that is professionally constructed, well-maintained with professional chimney repair when needed can last more than 100 years. 

Why is water coming down my chimney?

If there is water coming down the chimney inside your home, something is wrong. From an occasional drip to a constant dribble, this is an indication of a problem and should be inspected by a professional chimney repair service like a masonry specialist. 

Does a brick chimney need to be sealed?

Most definitely! Brick is a porous, soft material and like any brick structure – water is the enemy for a brick chimney. Water will quick deteriorate a brick chimney if it isn’t sealed, and professional chimney repairs and maintenance isn’t kept.

When brick is being made, it is given a waterproof outer shell that is baked in that keeps them from soaking up water. However, because brick chimney is continuously exposed to cold and hot, rain, snow, and wind, that outer shell is pierced over time. 

With that waterproofing beaten off the chimney, tiny holes form on the surface, creating a sponge-like material that allows water to penetrate. That moisture damage the chimney components like the flue and others, requiring chimney repair to correct the problem. 

That excessive moisture exposure also soften the mortar and when left untreated, the mortar will melt away, leaving large gaps between the bricks. This enables water to get inside the chimney. When that isn’t discovered in time, chimney repair may not be viable, and the chimney has to be replaced or removed entirely. 

Do flat roofs always leak?

Flat roofing doesn’t always leak. They are more likely to leak than pitched roof, but they don’t always leak. A flat roofing system isn’t 100% flat, there is a slight slope, but it must have a unique draining system. Two common causes for flat roofing to leak is poor maintenance and poor construction. 

What causes flat roof leaks?

The main culprit to flat roof leak causes  is the construction of the roofing membrane wasn’t installed correctly. Yes, human error can be the reason your commercial structure has flat roofing leaks. This will happen when a contractor is keeping within a budget and time frame, they’ll cut corners on things like the flat roofing, then you have leakage.

 It doesn’t take much to make flat roofing a leak liability, even the smallest amount of corner cutting will do it. Flat roofing that is installed properly and maintenance and upkeep are done as advised will give you a lifespan of thirty years or longer without any problems. 

How do you find a leak in a flat roof?

Water will always follow the path with the least resistance. So, if you notice water stains on the ceiling or have flat roof leaks in heavy rain in the middle of your warehouse, it could be coming from anywhere on your flat roofing. After it has quit raining for several days, follow these 7 tips that can help you locate the flat roofing leak.  

• One: Clear all debris from the flat roofing surface and look for punctured or torn places in the roofing membrane. 
• Two: Walk around and inspect the metal flashing on the flat roofing. There should be two layers of roof flashing. The first layer covers the sheathing, and the second layer is on top of the membrane protecting the first layer of sheathing. Sheathing is found around any roof protrusions like chimneys, pipes, vents, etc. These are key areas for flat roofing leaks. 
• Three: Examine the plumbing vent collars, a flange should be in place to protect the roof opening. If it is cracked or decayed, it will allow leaks around the flat roofing. 
• Four: Look for caulk or tar patches on the flat roofing from a previous owner. These are meant to be temporary and if a flat roofing repair or replacement didn’t take place, the patches can start leaking. 
• Five: Inspect the seams of the flat roofing material for possible flaws where water can leak. If you can pick the edges and pull them away from the roof, there isn’t any seal to keep your flat roofing waterproof. 
• Six: Inspect for low spots, apparent by concentric circles left from standing water. The center of these circles could be a source for roof leak where the standing water seeped through. 
• Seven: Using a water hose, run water along the potential areas you discover and after a few minutes, go inside and see if there is water leaking, do this one troubled area at a time so you’ll know which spot is leaking.

If none of this helps you find where your flat roofing is leaking, call a professional commercial roofing contractor that works with flat roofing.

Step Three: Pour one gallon of the elastomeric coating on the roof surface and with a paint roller, spread the material out from one corner and walk backwards around the roof, careful not to step on the coating. Repeat until the entire roof has been coated, wait twenty-four hours, and then apply another coat in the same manner. 

After your two coatings are applied, inspect your flat roofing to make sure it thoroughly covered. Take monthly inspections and keep the roof clear of any debris that can damage the coating. Once a year, have a professional inspect the roofing. Call 214-471-6210 today for your flat roofing repair needs in Frisco , TX.

Do tile roofs need maintenance?

Fortunately, tile roofing needs extraordinarily little maintenance, however, to get the longest lifespan you can, it shouldn’t be overlooked. With a regular routine of maintenance, like your HVAC system, you’ll get many years of beauty and enjoyment with tile roofing. The basic maintenance tasks that roofing contractors and experts recommend are: 

• Routine Inspection: This is not something for a homeowner to attempt because of the dangers of slick tile roofing and heights. Hire a professional roofing contractor that is experienced with tile roofing to check  your entire roof for cracked or missing tiles. Once a year is sufficient and after a weather event of hail and high winds could find small issues before they become big problems. 
• Clear Debris: The wind may feel good sitting on your deck, but the winds also bring in dirt, dust, leaves and more, dropping it off on your roof and into your gutter. Have your gutters and tile roofing cleaned by a professional twice a year will keep that debris off and your gutters clear and free flowing. 
• Repairs: When an inspection finds that you have cracked or missing tiles, repairs are important, and there two choices: You can try to repair the cracked tile roofing pieces or have them replaced.  If there is any cracked or missing tile roof to wall flashing, this needs to be replaced as soon as possible to ensure that water doesn’t accidentally get inside your home. 

Which roof tiles last the longest?

There are eight types of tile roofing material, so what you’re looking for in your home should consider some important elements:

• Architectural Style  – your HOA may have rules to follow.
• Roof Application – new or replacing, roof pitch.
• The Budget
• Durability
• Climate
• Energy Efficiency

Once you have considered those factors, the choices available in roofing tiles to choose from are: 

• Metal Tile Roofing: Similar to a metal roof in longevity, minimal chance of leaking and a durable material. The metal tile roofing today is made to look like other types of material including clay, slate, and others. Coated with an acrylic that enhances their look and protects them. 

• Copper Tile Roofing: Has a long lifespan, over 100 years, and a durable, versatile material that is compatible with almost any roof style. 

• Slate Tile Roofing: For centuries, this has been a roofing material on structures all around the world. Expensive and installation is challenging even for the experienced roofing contractor. 

• Ceramic Tile Roofing: Fireproof and durable, common in the Southwest on Spanish architecture. Available in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. 

• Polymer-Sand Tile Roofing: Binding sand with polymers make a suitable alternative for ceramic tiles, lending to the same appearance, but less prone to breaking.  They look similar to ceramic tiles, but they are more durable and less likely to break.

• Composite Tile Roofing: A multi-layered tile of acrylic, metal, and stone, giving it a natural look, but light weight compared to the natural material. 

• Bituminous Tile Roofing: A fiberglass material that is lightweight, easy installation with little chance of leaking. 

• Concrete Roofing Tile: An alternative to ceramic roofing tiles and not as likely to break. Appearance is close to a ceramic roofing tile, but costs less and installation is easy.

When should Roof tiles be replaced?

 There are obvious indicators when your tile roofing needs to be replaced, like your tile roof is leaking or an inspection finds several damaged tiles. Roofing tiles that are buckling, cracked, curled, loose, missing, or torn are the damaged tiles you need to watch for and when you see several of these at one time, it is time to replace your tile roofing. 

Even when you  have high-quality windows installed and keep them well-maintained, they can have a lifespan of twenty years. However, several factors come into play that window replacements are needed now, not 4, 5, or 6 years from now. Here are some examples that your home could use a window replacement job now: 

• Drafty, Fogged, Sticking Windows: If your windows are drafty, fog up, or stick when closing, opening them, Won’t open all the way, or not all, they’re talking to you.  They are telling you a window replacement is overdue! 
• Energy Bill Needs Reducing: In the winter, you can get some heat through the windows on a sunshiny day, but if they are drafty, that warmth is going right back out, adding as much as  25% to your energy bills. A window replacement job can reduce your energy bills between 10% and 25% , and if you’re considering selling your home, new windows are an excellent selling point. 
• A Makeover and Update: Every home gets aged and worn looking and nothing can make it look better than a window replacement. If the color of your windows has started fading or the window frame is warping, getting a window replacement job will spruce up the curb appeal and add value to your home too. 
• Storm Damage: Hailstorms, hurricanes, high winds, and heavy rains that seems to come in sideways can impact the windows of your home. If your home is on the coast, you have the additional concern with sea salt air corroding the windows, affecting their operation. If you’re noticing corrosion and more, get some quotes on window replacement and start planning a budget before the next bad weather season arrives. 
• Renovation: Simply because you purchased a historic home and have visions of bringing it back to its original grandeur, doesn’t mean window replacement isn’t possible. Call a contractor today and they will inspect your windows, get your budget , and let you know what they can do. If they had a chance in the 1800s, they’d do a window replacement! 

Should I replace my windows all at once?

Well any contractor or salesperson will tell you it should be all at once, but not everyone’s budget can afford a full window replacement expense. So, if you need to spread the project out over months or  years, that is your choice and decision. 

Before you decide you can only do one window replacement at a time, get quotes for several contractors for one, five, ten windows.  Keep in mind, you want to choose a basic style that fits your home’s architecture, but if you can only do one or a few window replacements at a time, make sure it is something you can get more at a later date. 

What time of year is best to replace windows?

Summer and winter window replacement installations both have pros and cons when it comes to the best time for this job. It is best to ask the contractor that you choose to work with their choice and opinion on the matter. They are the best ones to advise you what conditions and considerations they need to do a proper window replacement that is done right. 

Will new windows help with electric bill?

If you are considering a window replacement for your home, there are many decision to be made in regards. From the type of window, the frame, the glazing, gas fill, spacer, and operation type. The Window replacement services contractor you choose will ask you many questions, provide advice, feedback, and information. Ask questions! 

Energy efficient window replacement is an important investment, and you want to consider what you can expect for ROI from a window replacement job. You are likely losing as much as 30% or more of the cooling and heating through your windows currently. Any type of window replacement you choose will save you energy expense and make your home more comfortable. 

Also, consider that they need to be installed right to do the energy-saving job intended, right? Manufacturers may not honor a warranty if your window replacement isn’t done by a certified dealer either. So, is window replacement hard? Yes and no, but in our opinion, it isn’t worth the risk of losing your warranty or having to buy another window. Call 214-471-6210 today for your window replacement in Frisco , TX.