Signs to Look for When It’s Time to Replace Your Roof

The roof protects your property from the elements, facilitates insulation, and keeps you comfortable. But how can you tell it's time for a replacement? Here are a few tips to determine if you need a new roof.

Buckling, Loose, or Broken Tiles

If you are wondering if it is time to replace your roof, take the time to examine the tiles. Are the shingles buckling, broken, warped, or missing? You can fix it if it only affects a few tiles. But extensive damage calls for a replacement. The valley where two slopes of different gradients meet is susceptible to damage. If there are missing shingles on parts of your roof, it is usually a sign that you need a replacement.

Pools of Water and Moisture Problems

If the tiles feel soggy or spongy, it could be an indication of moisture problems. The flashing is responsible for channeling water away from the roof. When it is damaged, it can encourage pools of water. Roofing professionals may tear parts of the underlying structure if there has been extensive water damage. It is essential to evaluate the condition of the flashing around on areas vulnerable to leaks, such as the chimney and skylight. Installing quality ice dam protection prevents damage to your new roof.

Signs Algae Growth

If you notice black stains or streaks on your shingles, it is a sign of algae growth. With the right conditions, algae can take over your roof in less than four years. Microorganisms will break down the shingles, particularly if the tiles have substandard additions such as limestone. Depending on the stage of the infestation, it can cause the underlying wood to rot. When that happens, a replacement is necessary to avoid further damage to other parts of your home.

Your Roof Is Old

Most roofing materials can last between 20 and 30 years. But exposure to hailstorms, rain, and hurricanes can shorten its life. Therefore, if your roof is approaching the end of its life, you may want to consider a replacement. You could add a layer of roofing tiles over your existing one. However, many jurisdictions across the United States no longer allow multiple layers of roofing tiles. You can save a modest amount of money by overlaying the old roof. But it can trigger weight complications that could get worse when there is heavy snow or ice dams. The best option is to install a new roof that can last.

You can fix some roofing issues, but it is always wise to arrange for a professional evaluation. A new roof could prevent costly repairs in the future and may cut down your energy bills.

5 Tips to Keep Your Gutter Clean Throughout the Year

Keeping your gutters clean allows fresh rainwater to flow through, and is better than letting the water sit on your roof. If water does damage to your roof, you may need to call a professional roofing company to make repairs.

The care of your gutters is something that most homeowners know they need to do, but often don't have the time. With five quick tips, you can keep your gutters clean throughout the year and avoid expensive repair bills. With that said, here are five tips to keep your gutter clean throughout the year.

Make Sure Your Gutter Is Clean

Gutter clean-out is a necessary procedure to avoid clogged gutters. The leaves, sticks, and dirt that accumulate in your gutter will slide down when it rains. Not everything comes out so easy though. Tree branches coming off the roof during the autumn seasonal change, or birds using sticks and twigs for nest material, can cause problems as well. That is why it’s important to get up there regularly to clean your gutters.

You may think you don't need to perform this task annually because everything may easily slide off on its way down once the water comes bustling through. However, not all debris

is removed with rainwater.

Ensure Downspouts Aren't Clogged

Water can lead to mold and mildew if it sits in gutters. When rainwater runs off of a roof, one way this runoff water collected on your property or street below gets carried away is by the downspouts at each end (down from where they enter through knobs). If these spouts get clogged with dirt and leaves, they won't be able to flow, which puts pressure directly onto your plumbing system that can lead you right back into sagging problems all over again.

Check if Gutter Spikes Are Loose

The spikes are the connectors going through eaves and gutters into your roofing from below. You'll notice them because they're long. If they don't reach down, you will need them fixed or replaced because it could mean there's a separation happening on top. You can tell if these become loose by looking for jiggling in their placement next time it rains. When this happens, professionals recommend fixing anything out front immediately so that there is no risk for any future damages.

Clean the Gutters With Water

To get your gutter system flowing again, you can use a power washer or hose to rinse away any leaves and debris. As long as the spikes stay fixed and there aren't any clogs in the drain line from blocked entries, no damages will be done.

Check for Any Leaks

In conclusion, once the whole system is clear, run water through the system to look for holes, cracks in the caulking at the seams, or other areas of damage that may be leaking. Repair any leaks right away. If you need assistance repairing your gutter system, contact a professional gutter company to help.

How to Clean and Organize Your Home

Keeping your house clean and tidy can be overwhelming and challenging at times. That is why taking things step by step can help you maintain your house and keep it organized. These are some tips and tricks that will help you out. 

Start by Making the Bed

The simplest way to get into the cleaning zone is to start by doing an easy task first. Once you wake up, try to turn making your bed into a number one priority. Firstly, this will get you to get out of bed and start the day productively from the moment you wake up. Also, it will motivate you to keep going. 

To make this task as easy as possible, try to simplify your bedding. For instance you can cut out the top sheets and just use a duvet and a cover. If that’s the part you’re not willing to cut off, then you can try minimizing the number of pillows on your bed. Having to move around way too many pillows will end up turning your task of making the bed into a complete nightmare. 

Declutter

The next thing you can do is to declutter your house. Keeping things tidy and organized is also about being smart about how you use the storage space around you. You can start by putting away the things that are in the way. Take care of the trash lying around and the move on to the things that are misplaced and things that weren’t put back into the place they belong. 

Another great trick for decluttering is to go through you wardrobe and get rid of the clothes you are no longer wearing. You can donate the clothes to charity or gift it to someone who wants them. This is a great way to make some room for new clothes and make your wardrobe look more organized. 

Do One Load of Laundry per Day

We all know how fast the laundry can pile up and then you end up having to take a whole day off just to wash all of the clothes. On top of that, if you have kids, it takes even less time for the laundry to pile up.

So, to avoid ending stuck in a mess and a pile full of clothes in the bathroom, you can do one load of laundry per day. Try to take it step by step. One day you can wash the underwear. Then on the second day, you can take care of the black clothes. After that, you can wash the colored clothes and then lastly you can take care of the bedding. This is just one example of how you can spread this task into multiple smaller tasks. 

Do a 15 Minute Nightly Clean-up

Try to develop a new habit of doing a quick 15-minute clean-up every night. You can get the whole family to help you out. Once you start doing these quick clean-ups, you’ll realize that it’s not so much of a tough job after all. 

The goal is to stick to some of the top priority cleaning tasks. Don’t overdo it. Just take 15 minutes to do some light cleaning. For example, the kids can declutter their toys in the rooms. You can wash the dishes and put away the trash, and your partner can put away the laundry that was washed that day. This way, you are ensuring that the house is clean at all times and you don’t end up with a pile of dirt, mess, clothes and dishes lying around at the end of each week. 

Keep your Basic Cleaning Supplies Close to Where You Use Them

This trick can save you a lot of time and it is especially useful for the above mentioned 15-minute nightly clean-ups. If you want to efficiently and quickly finish a cleaning task, try keeping some of the basic cleaning supplies where you can easily access them. This means keeping the supplies next to the space you are going to use them in. So for example, the cleaning supplies for the bathroom can go to a small drawer in the bathroom. The kitchen cleaning supplies can be under the kitchen sink. 

Deep Clean your Carpets

Maintaining the carpets in the house is not an easy job. However, every once in a while you have to make yourself get over with this task. Carpets can soak up a lot of dirt, fine dust, and even germs that you can transfer with your shoes. On top of that, the kids can also spill food and crumbs all over the floor that you don’t even notice if it gets stuck in the carpet. So, deep cleaning the carpet at least once in a couple of months can be useful. You can also look for professional house cleaning services to help you with more complex tasks. They can always help you get the job done efficiently and professionally. Soon, you’ll see how a cleaned carpet can change the appearance of the entire room. 

Clean as You Go

Lastly, this one goes without saying but it can help a lot of people who struggle with staying organized clean their home. When you are cleaning the house, try to clean as you go. For example, you can start from the bedroom and then once you are completely finished with that room move on to your kids’ bedroom, then living room, then kitchen, and so on. Start in one direction and do things in that order. You will be less likely to forget something and get distracted by other cleaning tasks. This is a habit that can be developed and practiced over time. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, if you want to keep your house clean at all times, separate bigger tasks into smaller ones, follow an order, do little by little every day, start with easier tasks, and keep the supplies in the place where they are easily accessed for when you need them. 

5 Kitchen Renovations You Should Try

In most homes, the kitchen is the most important room in the house. When making delicious meals, the mood starts with the surroundings. Although the floor plan determines the functionality of a kitchen, it has to be warm, inviting, and personalized for full appreciation. With that said, let’s go over five kitchen renovations you should try.

Bold Cabinet Designs

Cabinet designs play a big part when house hunting by making a huge statement in any kitchen. The types of kitchen cabinets determine the aesthetic appeal of the whole area. Regardless if you prefer upper or lower cabinets, go for bolder color designs if the kitchen is large. Wood cabinet designs vary, and all that is needed is your imagination.

Kitchen Island

More homes are built incorporating a kitchen island as a means to open up smaller spaces. Although slabs and countertops come in handy, kitchen islands give the home a different class, which the two cannot. Kitchen islands are considered high functioning, and walls to the kitchen are removed for open space, overlooking the dining or living room for inclusivity. 

Unique Shelves and Storage

Shelving is more than planks of wood drilled into the wall. Newer interior designs offer innovative kitchen shelving ideas that liven up the kitchen. Hanging storage is essential in both small and large kitchens. The best part is that the customization of shelves for storage opens countertop space, which is always needed.

New Backsplash

It’s recommended to paint your kitchen when renovating. However, changing the backsplash is unique. With countless backsplash designs available online, choose one that fits with the family style. It’s advisable to choose a tile backsplash in the kitchen as it is easy to clean and will not retain moisture, as would wooden panels.

Go Stainless Steel

You’ll never need to replace your stainless-steel appliances if you adequately take care of them. Most of them are durable and can withstand extreme cold and hot temperatures, and they can give a beautiful look. As they are sleek looking, they give a gorgeous appeal for everyone’s view. The best part is that it’s easy cleaning them, as they only need a simple wipe down.

Kitchen customization goals include having a warm and cozy feeling when cooking in the kitchen. However, be aware that too much personalization can be detrimental to the final sale price if you will be moving soon.