Advantages of Vinyl Siding

One of the greatest advantages of vinyl siding is that it requires minimal maintenance. But it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t take care of it. Below are some do’s and don’ts of vinyl siding maintenance.

The Do’s

• Clean Your Siding Regularly — Make it a point to clean your vinyl siding once a year, ideally during springtime. Unless otherwise stated by your siding contractor, all you need to clean your siding is a garden hose. Use a soft brush with a telescoping handle for those hard-to-reach corners.

• Clean Your Siding Properly — In case of stubborn stains, mix a quarter cup of dish soap for every four gallons of water. Use the same soft brush to scrub the stains out. Make sure the water is spraying on the siding in a downward direction or the water may get under the siding where it won’t easily dry out.

• Perform Regular Inspections — Siding and roof replacement contractors like us recommend inspecting your siding twice a year. Keep an eye out for cracked, warped and loose siding. Softly but firmly tap sections using an elongated tool, such as a screwdriver. If parts fall out, dry rot may already have set, which may necessitate siding replacement soon.

The Don’ts

• Allow Dirt to Accumulate — more than a few homeowners make the mistake of assuming that vinyl siding requires absolutely no maintenance. This is not true; while dirt doesn’t infiltrate vinyl, it still stays on the surface and uyou will need to clean it off. Fortunately, as described above, keeping vinyl siding clean is easy.

• Paint Vinyl Siding Yourself — Vinyl siding has molded-in colors which, in most cases, is enough. However, if you must paint it, there are specific instructions on how to do so. The outer surface should be cleaned and primed before any painting is done. When in doubt, consult a painting professional. Also, check your warranty terms and conditions, as painting the siding may void your warranty.

• Let Plants Get Too Close — Keep the shrubbery near the siding trimmed. Twigs and branches may poke into the siding and cause scratches or even cracks, which may expose the exterior wall to moisture intrusion.

Greenawalt Roofing Company is voted one of Lancaster County’s Favorites in siding installation. Contact us today for a FREE estimate, 717-898-6000 or 610-779-3111.

In response to COVID-19

As we all adjust to our new normal with the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) causing disruption in our families, communities, and businesses - Greenawalt Roofing Company is doing all we can to effectively serve, and responsibly protect our workers and customers. 

As you all know, Governor Tom Wolf has ordered a shutdown of all “Non-life-sustaining” businesses in Pennsylvania. We will be closing our doors to the public and adhering to the strict guidelines given to us. We are taking all the recommended precautions to help prevent the spread of the virus.

We will continue to operate for EMERGENCY INSTALLATIONS ONLY to ensure your home continues to be the place you feel the safest. We are also able to continue free estimates and storm damage inspections utilizing our no-contact procedures. 

In response to COVID-19, we have put together a comprehensive business plan to continue these limited operations in a safe manner with our current and new customers.

Our procedures will consist of the following during this pandemic, and until further notice:

• Inspections, consultations, and installations will be completed with zero physical contact.

• If you would like to review samples of our products, such as siding, or shingle colors, we will have a Greenawalt representative drop them off at your front door.

• Our software system allows us to offer digital paperwork and e-signatures as paperwork will be sent directly to your personal devices (or snail mailed if requested).

• Digital paperwork gives our small business the ability to continue inspections, consultations, and construction as seamlessly and safely as possible during this unprecedented time.

• In an effort to stay aligned with current health safety guidelines, all emergency replacements will be done with a construction crew as small as possible without affecting your install (less than 10 people).

All employees, who are able to do so, will be working from home until further notice. They are available to take all of your calls, emails, and text messages. This is an uncertain time for the world, for local businesses like us, and for individuals. As the situation progresses and evolves over the upcoming days and weeks, we will continue to modify our business to ensure we can continue to serve those who need us at this time of uncertainty.

Our hope and prayers are for the safety and good health of everyone! Your home is where you should always feel the safest. Greenawalt Roofing Company will go to great lengths to ensure your safety. 

Home Exterior Projects for This Spring

As the snow melts and the brown foliage emerges, you can start to see your home’s exterior again. This means it is time for exterior maintenance! Spring brings a variety of outdoor projects that can reveal some problems with your exterior and/or yard. To help, we created a list of what you should do and the problems you might encounter when doing so.

Front Door

Project: Inspect your doorway and wipe it down.

Problem: If there is any squeaking or rattling, your door could be misaligned. Your door might not be properly insulating your home. If you have a squeaky and dented door, you may want to replace it. Front entry doors have a fabulous return on investment.

Walkways

Project: Look over your walkway and driveway.

Problem: If you have uneven or cracked pavement, seal any cracks and replace parts that are unrepairable.

Lights

Project: Check your outdoor light bulbs.

Problem: Are they old or broken? Replace the bulbs with LED energy efficient bulbs.

Siding

Project: Walk around and inspect your siding.

Problem: If your siding rattles, appears melted, is missing parts, or has dents, you should replace that section as soon as possible. If your wood siding gives and seems mushy, you will want to replace that right away, too. If you see a lot of these siding issues, consider replacing your home’s siding.

 Windows

Project: Clean the outside of your windows.

Problem: Moisture, warping, rattling, and drafty windows should be replaced this spring. You can find very cost effective windows that are energy efficient. Here are 4 signs you need to replace your windows.

Roof

Project: Inspect your roof from the ground.

Problem: Damaged or missing shingles need to be replaced. Here are some Common Signs of a Bad Roof.

Chimney

Project: If you have a chimney, see how the exterior of it looks.

Problem: Blockages, creosote build up, and cracks in the flue pose a threat to your home. Have your chimney cleaned out by a professional, don’t let it sit dirty until fall.
 

Appliances

Project: Clean your air conditioner.

Problem: Refrigerant leaks, corrosion, and electrical issues are a few problems you may face if you don’t properly maintain your air conditioner.

Faucets

Project: Check your outdoor faucets for any visible damage.

Problem: If you turn on the outdoor faucet and no water comes out, call a plumber right away.

Gutters

Project: Clean out your gutters.

Problem: Your gutters may be loose, rusty, or have holes in them. If there are too many issues with your gutters it may be best to replace them. They are important for keeping water away from your home’s foundation.

Yard

Project: Walk around your yard and look for problems.

Problem: If areas of your yard have some flooding or lack of grass, you may need to install a drainage system or reseed these areas.

 Mulch

Project: Add some new mulch around your trees, shrubs, and plants. Don’t add mulch until the ground thaws.

Problem: Using too much mulch can cause root decay, attract rodents, and fungi. This can harm the plants you are trying to protect.

Tools

Project: Clean and take inventory of your yard tools.

Problem: Broken, old, or dirty yard tools may not work properly and may harm you.

Trees

Project: Take a look at your trees. Any sick or broken branches should be pruned right away. Wait to prune the rest of your branches until early spring to stimulate growth.

Problem: Pruning the wrong way can harm your tree. Prune the proper way at the right time.

Plan

Project: Create a budget for any repairs or improvements you want to make to your home's exterior.

Problem: Without a plan, you may not have enough money saved up to complete your project.

Need to replace your gutters, siding, roof, or windows? Greenawalt Roofing Company has you covered. We offer a variety of roofing, siding, and windows to fit your home’s style and needs. Contact us today for your FREE estimate at 717-898-6000.

How to Spot Storm Damage to Your Home

Lancaster County and the surrounding areas have seen some pretty wild weather this past summer that left behind some damage to homes and property. It’s important that you know how to identify this type of damage so you can properly address it to get it fixed. These are some of the telltale signs that you might need a storm damage contractor.

Roof Storm Damage

The most likely place that you will find storm damage is on your roof, where there is a huge surface area specifically designed to protect against the weather and keep your home and your family safe inside. If you (like the majority of homeowners in the U.S.) have asphalt shingles on your home, they can suffer damage after heavy rains, hailstorms, or high winds and tornadoes. The most common signs of damage to your roofing shingles include:

• Missing shingles

• Areas where shingles have lost excessive amount of the protective granules that prevent UV damage

• Cracked or broken shingles

• Rusted or dented flashing around roof protrusions such as skylights or vents

The easiest way to spot hail damage is to look for dark spots, called “bruises”, where the granules have been knocked off. You can also look for signs of shingle damage in your yard, such as pieces of asphalt shingles on the ground or granules in the gutters and on walkways surrounding the house.

Home Exterior Damage

If you have siding, paint, or a similar home exterior material, you might also notice damage to this area following a storm. The sides of your home, like the roof, are susceptible to damage from hail or high winds and also from flying debris. Check your entire home exterior for dents and dings, cracked or split siding, holes, chipped areas, or discoloration after a storm; if you see any of these things, get them checked and repaired quickly.

The Dangers of Storm Damage

Whether it’s damaged roofing or siding, it’s important to discover it early and get it fixed quickly. Leaving damage for extended periods of time can lead to water leaks, mold and mildew growth, and damage to the underlying structure of the roof or walls of your home. Getting it fixed sooner than later by a HAAG certified storm expert can help prevent these problems.

CALL FOR YOUR FREE HAIL INSPECTION

Unsure if your home sustained damage from a hail storm? Let Greenawalt Roofing Company help! Schedule your free hail inspection with one of our Hail Damage experts.