The Roof’s Top Problem Areas

Roof inspection should be at the top of your home maintenance priority list. Inspections let you get ahead of leaks, sparing you from costly damage. You can do your own inspection by performing regular visual checks from the ground. If you notice any problems, seek the help of reputable roofers like Greenawalt Roofing Company for a more thorough inspection.

Roofing Shingles

Curling or buckling roofing shingles usually point to a problem with ventilation. When hot, moist air gets trapped in your attic, it can heat up the underside of the shingles. This causes them to curl or buckle, which provides an easier entry for leaks. Additionally, look for dark spots on your roof that are caused by missing shingles, since this problem leaves the underlayment exposed to the elements.

Gutters

Your gutters are a key component of your roofing system and play a critical role in keeping your home dry and damage-free. Unfortunately, they can easily get clogged with debris. When this happens, water can back up onto your roof and seep through the shingles. Water can also pool around your home’s foundation and cause damage. It’s important that you clean your gutters at least twice a year to prevent clogging and related damage. Alternatively, you can invest in a gutter protection system to keep your system clog-free throughout the seasons.

Flashing

Flashing is to the strip of metal used to seal and protect your roof from water infiltration. It is usually installed around joints or intersections, such as vents, chimneys and valleys. Since these are areas where water often pools on your roof, it’s important to check them for cracks and rust spots. You also need to note if the sealant is shrinking around its edges.

Voted the number one roofing company in Lancaster County, Greenawalt Roofing Company can help you maintain your roof’s excellent condition. We have a variety of services that can improve your home’s beauty and protection. Call us today at (717) 898-6000 to learn more.

Tips to Help You Make a Roof Maintenance Checklist

As a roofing expert, Greenawalt Roofing Company strongly recommends including roof maintenance in your regular home maintenance checklist. By staying aware of your roof’s condition and fixing small problems before they escalate, you will improve your roof’s lifespan, performance and appearance.

Roof Leak Warning Signs

You don’t need to climb on your roof to spot signs of trouble. It’s best to leave that to the professionals. Instead, examine your roof from the ground with a pair of binoculars, looking for damaged or missing shingles, rust spots or cracked caulk on your flashings, cracked or worn out rubber boots around vent pipes and masses of mold and lichen. Check your gutters for piles of asphalt granules, as well. Granules in your gutters can indicate that your asphalt shingles are nearing the end of their service life.

Other Signs of Roof Leaks

You can also check the other areas of your home for early signs of roof leaks. Go to your attic and look for wet insulation or sunlight peeking through the roof. Both signs mean your home is vulnerable to leaks. You can also look for dark areas on your ceilings, water stains on pipes venting the water heater or furnace and peeling paint on the underside of roof overhangs. As a roofing specialist, we recommend calling us for a professional inspection if you spot any of these signs.

Our Roof Inspection Services

Our professional roof inspection and maintenance services will provide a more accurate picture of your roof’s condition. Water can travel from one end of your roof to another, making it hard to pinpoint the source of a leak without professional help. We can also determine the status of your roof underlayment and see if there is hidden damage to your roof’s structure. We can spot small problems before they cause costly water damage, so we suggest scheduling a professional inspection at least twice a year.

We can help you with all of your roofing maintenance, and replacement needs. Greenawalt Roofing Company is a Certainteed 5-Star SELECT ShingleMaster. By choosing Greenawalt Roofing Company for your roof replacement you are selecting a contractor in the top 1% of his profession who has met the most stringent credentialing requirements in the roofing industry. In other words, your home is in the very best of hands. Greenawalt Roofing Company has proven expertise in roof installations, is properly insured, and held to the highest standards of the program's code of ethics. Greenawalt Roofing Company is fully licensed and insured and we will provide a Certificate of General Liability and Worker’s Compensation for every job we perform. Call us today for your FREE estimate or schedule online!

Preparing Your Roof for Warmer Weather

With another cold winter behind you, it’s time to prepare your home for the warm months ahead. In addition to spring cleaning and gardening, you need to pay attention to your home’s most important structure — the roof. Below are a few tips to keep this covering intact and help you avoid costly roof repairs this spring.

How to Maintain Your Roof This Spring

1. Clean the Gutters

Your gutter system plays a crucial role in water drainage. If the gutters are clogged, water will back up onto the roof. Over time, this moisture will warp the shingles and seep into your home. After winter, clear any leaves, branches, and dirt from the gutter system to ensure water can flow through it easily. 

2. Inspect the Shingles

Spring showers can lead to serious water damage if your roof isn’t prepared. Hire a roofing contractor to inspect for signs of missing or curled shingles, loose flashing, or mold growth. If they identify any issues, they can make the necessary roof repairs so your home isn’t susceptible to a leak or pest invasion. 

3. Trim Overhanging Foliage

Overhanging trees are a threat to your roof during periods of heavy rain and strong winds. Excess growth can also attract pests. Trim dead, diseased, and overhanging branches and foliage to prevent them from falling on your roof or utility lines.

Greenawalt Roofing operates every day with the goal of achieving 100 percent customer satisfaction by doing whatever it takes to exceed expectations. We only use the highest quality materials with a precision installation on every job. In fact, we’re so committed to a superior installation that we offer an exceptional warranty on all of our roofing and gutter systems. Contact us today for your FREE estimate, 717-898-6000.

How To Properly Clean And Maintain Your Windows

Spring is the perfect time to clean your exterior windows. Most homeowners try not to think about cleaning exterior windows because it can be a difficult job for homeowners. But cleaning those exterior windows will make your entire house look better and it will make sure that you get plenty of sunlight into the home. Here are some tips for cleaning the exterior windows of your home:

Use The Right Tools

Cleaning exterior windows is a lot different than cleaning interior windows. While most people use a rag or newspaper to clean interior windows that isn’t going to clean effectively on exterior windows. Exterior windows can have a lot of buildup from dirt, dust, debris, pollen, and other contaminants. The best thing to use to clean exterior windows is a professional grade squeegee. Get several different sizes because you will need different sizes for different sizes and styles of windows.

Use Cold Water

Washing exterior windows with hot water is a bad idea. The hot water will evaporate quickly which can leave detergent streaks on the window. Instead you should use cold water and a commercial grade window cleaning detergent.

Use Detergent

The blue window cleaner you can get at the big box store or the grocery store isn’t going to be powerful enough to clean exterior windows. If you haven’t cleaned your exterior windows in a year, or even longer, you will need a pretty heavy-duty cleaner to get all the grime and gunk off of your exterior windows. Look for a professional grade window cleaning detergent or hire a professional to clean the windows. Professional window cleaners have access to the best commercial quality detergents and equipment to get the job done quickly.

Don’t Forget The Window Frame

In addition to cleaning the actual glass you will need to clean the window frame and the area around the window. You may need a different cleaner that is paint safe in order to get the dirt off the window frame without damaging the paint around the window.