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Signs Your Porch Needs a New Roof

Porch with roof

Is it Time for a New Roof For Your Porch?

As you sit on your rocking chair, drinking coffee, admiring the color of the leaves changing, and feeling the crisp breeze on your face, the last thing on your mind is the maintenance of the porch’s roof. However, it is not too late to take care of this space so you can continue making memories with your loved ones. 

Read on to keep an eye out for signs that may indicate that your porch’s top needs a replacement. 

Stained Roof

Discoloration is the most visible sign of wear and tear on your porch’s roof, as it changes the home’s overall appearance. This occurs when there is water damage or mold growth apparent. Rather than going through the process of repairing and increasing your health risks, we recommend that you consider looking at a replacement. 

Broken Shingles

Due to powerful storms or other severe weather, your porch’s covering may have sustained damage. With broken shingles, the roof cannot prevent outside elements (e.g., rain or harsh sunlight) from ruining the interior. It is always a great idea to call professional roofers to inspect your roof to get an idea of how bad the damage is. You don’t want to wait until another storm completely removes the roof off your porch.

Sagging Roof

If you notice that your porch’s roof has a significant dip, it is becoming warped. Unfortunately, that is a clear sign of water damage or excess moisture forming, resulting in the rotting of the structural support. Not only will it cause damage to your home but also your entire structure. Therefore, it is crucial to fix the problem before you have a disaster on your hands.

Roof Replacement in Fairfield County

Don’t let a damaged porch prevent you from enjoying a nice cup of joe with your family! Our team of experts at JM Roofing and Siding strives to provide roofing installation and repair services for homeowners in Norwalk, CT. You can count on our reliable, top-notch roofing assistance – contact us today at 203-299-0716.

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Are Solar Panels Safe for Your Roof?

Roof with solar panels

Will Solar Panels Damage My Roof?

Has the thought of going solar been on your mind? With an increase in solar panel installations in the past couple of years, you may see them everywhere. Don’t let concerns for your home’s integrity stop you from protecting the environment; our team of Norwalk, CT, roofing specialists is here to ease your mind by providing some advice to ensure your roof doesn’t get harmed during the installation process.

Roof Life Span

One of the main elements to consider is whether your home can handle solar panels on top. Being energy-efficient is a lengthy process – after spending months installing the system, you won’t want to go through the hassle of having to remove it for roofing renovations. Therefore, if your roof has approximately ten years or less left, we recommend holding off on going solar until it has been replaced.

Increased Protection

Not only can solar panels create renewable energy, but they can also protect the roof from the elements – mother nature will have nothing on you now! Additionally, they prevent the color of the house’s covering from fading and bad storms from ripping roofing materials. What’s more, with the panels absorbing the direct sunlight, there will be a cooling effect that will keep the inside of your home nice and cool during the warmer months.

No Extensive Holes

Most homeowners second guess attaching solar panels to their roofs due to the thought of holes getting drilled in, which could cause leaks or damage to the shingles. However, that is not the case, as most solar systems do not require any holes. Some may need to attach bolts into the roof’s rafters; still, it is not something that will lead to water leaks. 

Roofing Professionals in Fairfield County

If your roof needs to be replaced or repaired, our team is ready to help! JM Roofing & Siding of Norwalk, CT, will ensure your roof is durable enough to handle anything, even solar panels, because our quality is over your head.

Request a free estimate today at 203-299-0716 or online. We look forward to helping you become eco-friendly!

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Roof Maintenance Tasks For Summer

Just because it’s summer doesn’t mean that there isn’t plenty of maintenance that needs to be done on your roof! The more time you take to do some basic maintenance tasks now, the less you’ll have to worry about fixing leaks and other problems once the temperature gets warmer and the rain storms start rolling in. Take a look at these four important tasks you should be doing on your roof this summer.

Schedule Seasonal Inspections

Although you don’t have to inspect your roof every day, it is good practice to schedule a seasonal inspection. Like how you would check your tire pressure before hitting winter weather, it’s smart to get on top of any potential issues before they become bigger. The best time to do so is in spring when temperatures are more moderate.

Keep up with Repairs

Skipping maintenance on a home is one of the quickest ways to fall into financial trouble. It’s often easier to put off a roof repair or gutter cleaning, but you could end up spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars on repairs. 

A general rule is that if you can see the damage, it’s time to act — and by acting now, you’ll be able to avoid much larger (and costlier) issues down the road.

Clean Gutters Properly

One of summer’s biggest headaches is a clogged gutter. This can lead to water flowing over your roof, which can damage your house, as well as mold and rot inside. Cleaning out your gutters throughout the warmer months is a summertime project that can help prevent such problems.

Waterproof Under The Shingles

Summer is no stranger to heavy rain and thunderstorms. Shingles are designed to resist water damage, but they can’t do their job if your roof isn’t waterproof. 

Waterproofing beneath your shingles should be done annually. This prevents your roof from becoming a breeding ground for all kinds of bacteria and mold that can hurt your health and lower its lifespan.

Roofing Experts of Norwalk

Our team of experienced and professional roofing contractors looks forward to serving Connecticut residents’ roofing needs. We can thoroughly examine the roof, identify the underlying problem, and make the needed corrections. Homeowners who notice any preceding concerns are urged to contact us as soon as possible.

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What is The Most Fire Resistant Roofing Material?

Sun glaring on roof

Although typically only experienced during the summer months, many regions have been experiencing extreme fire conditions in the past few years due to unusually high temperatures and extremely dry conditions. As a result, it’s important to make sure your home and other buildings are safe from fire and take precautions to keep it this way. 

Your roof plays an important role in keeping your home safe, but unfortunately, not all roofing materials offer the same level of protection as others do. Here is our list of materials we recommend the most! 

How Fire-Resistant Roofing Materials Work

First, fire-resistant roofing materials work by preventing a fire from spreading. To do so, they must remain nonflammable for as long as possible to provide additional time for you and your family to evacuate a burning building. 

They also need to resist the heat that could reach them from below. It’s important to note that fire-resistant roofing material won’t keep flames off your roof completely, but it will make sure your home stays safe if there is a fire.

Best Fire Resistant Options

Some of these fire-resistant materials can withstand temperatures reaching up to 1,600 degrees Fahrenheit while only needing minimal maintenance to last a long time. Here’s a quick overview of the top roofing materials to consider to protect your home from a fire: 

  • Asphalt shingles: Asphalt shingles are a great material to consider when looking for fire-resistant roofs. Many asphalt shingle manufacturers offer a special formula that makes their product more resistant to heat, which can help prevent fires from starting in your home.
  • Slate roofing: A specialized type of slate made for roofs called fire slates or fire-resistant can be used as shingles to increase your home’s resistance to fires if you live in an area prone to wildfire risk.
  • Ceramic tile: Ceramic tile is a creative choice in fire-resistant roofing! A ceramic tile roof can be made from clay, porcelain, or concrete and can last for decades. It’s also very durable and less likely to be damaged by hail or other natural disasters.
  • Metal shingles: They are not only resistant to fire, but they also last a very long time. They have a thicker gauge than most other roofs, which helps them withstand all weather conditions, including high winds, snow loads, and hurricanes.

Roofing Experts of Norwalk

Our team of experienced and professional roofing contractors looks forward to serving Connecticut residents’ roofing needs. We can thoroughly examine the roof, identify the underlying problem, and make the needed corrections. Homeowners who notice any preceding concerns are urged to contact us as soon as possible.

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Can Roof Moss be Composted?

It is a common occurrence for roofs to get moss on them. It can be unsightly and detract from the curb appeal of your home. While some types of moss are beneficial to the environment, most roof moss is more of an issue than anything else. Roof moss can block sunlight from getting into your home and increase cooling costs by up to 20%. Luckily, removing this problem is quick, easy, and eco-friendly!

Why Does Moss Form?

Often, moss, algae, and other issues will form on your roof due to moisture and outdoor debris. The more water gets on your roof or debris ends up stuck, the more it will be susceptible to turning green. Also, parts of your roof that receive the least amount of sun tend to get these moss spots more easily. 

How to Remove Moss From Your Roof

No matter how confident you are in your home maintenance skills, removing the moss from your roof is a matter that is best left to professionals. This is suggested mainly because moss can create slippery surfaces, making climbing up unsafe for homeowners. 

A professional will come in and hose off the worst areas downwards with water. After, they’ll utilize a soft-bristle scrub brush to remove any remaining moss. Professionals will know how to go about this without lifting up your shingles or damaging them. 

How to Compost The Moss

Any leftover amounts of moss that washed down from your roof can, in fact, be composted! Whether you are placing it in a composting bin or throwing some into your garden, try to avoid adding too much. Moss can spread easily, so as long as it’s a smaller amount and mainly the ones that fell off your roof in pieces after getting washed off, it can provide a nutrient-rich environment in its new home. 

And if any leaks or damage occurred due to the large build-up of moss on your roof, our team here at JM Roofing is here to assist you with all your repair and maintenance needs! 

Roofing Experts of Norwalk

Our team of experienced and professional roofing contractors looks forward to serving Connecticut residents’ roofing needs. We can thoroughly examine the roof, identify the underlying problem, and make the needed corrections. Homeowners who notice any preceding concerns are urged to contact us as soon as possible.

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Halloween Decoration Dos and Don’ts

Home decorated for Halloween

Halloween is almost here, and now is your last chance to get all your decorations up before the spooky day comes! If you still have a few goblins and ghouls that need to be hung up, make sure you’re taking safety precautions. You can’t just throw items along your roofing or siding— it takes special care to ensure your home is safe. 

Here are some of our top Halloween decoration dos and don’ts: 

Do: Keep Your Yard Safe

When little trick or treaters are coming to your home, you want to keep your yard safe! Ensure no protruding objects could cause injuries, such as extension cords or objects blocking your walkway. 

Don’t: Use Too Many Flashing Lights

Avoid using strobe lights or any other lighting that flashes on and off—they can trigger seizures in people who have epilepsy or other seizure disorders.

Do: Remember Ladder and Roof Safety

When putting up decorations on your roof, it’s important to always remember ladder and roofing safety tips. Never climb after rain or icy conditions, and certainly never use a ladder without a spotter. It’s also imperative that you don’t just go up and stand on your roof without getting it inspected— it could be weak and result in an injury. 

Don’t: Use Nails, Staples, or Screws

If you utilize puncturing items such as screws, staples, or nails for either your roofing or siding, you’re causing a lot of damage. These can leave holes and breaks along with the structure, leading to leaks from your siding or roof. 

Get in Touch With us For Roofing & Siding Expertise in Norwalk

When it comes to ensuring your siding and roofing lasts and is safe for your family, you need to hire the best contractor possible. The experts at JM Roofing and Siding are licensed and insured to serve you in Norwalk, Connecticut and the surrounding areas. Contact us today for a free estimate!