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Helpful tips and advice for home maintenance from your roof to your porch.
What's New? |
11/28/2016
Ponding on a flat roof topRepairing ponding problems... *Customers with flat (low-slope) roofs often have questions about standing water. Over time, water standing on a roof surface will damage roof coatings and roofing materials. Standing or “ponding” water eventually leads to roof leaks, damage to roof and deck materials, and damage inside the structure.
By definition, all properly designed and constructed roofs should have adequate and proper drainage. This means at least 0.25 inch per foot roof slope with proper grading and placement of drains or outlets. Roofing practice forbids and roofing material manufacturers usually will not guarantee, any roof subject to prolonged ponding water. Ponding water is often defined as water that will not drain or dissipate from the roof surface within 48 hours after precipitation. Ponding water may also result from other water sources such as leaking cooler lines and pans, AC-condensate lines and pans, and similar sources. Water condensation, a cool weather problem, can also occur frequently in winter weather. Recommended Solutions Eliminate any water leaks coming from AC units, coolers, or drain lines. Check around drain areas for roof debris or roof patching materials that may be blocking drain exits and remove them. On granulated roofs, remove all loose mineral granules as they trap moisture. Refer all other ponding problems that you wish permanently fixed to a qualified roofing contractor. The contractor may suggest repitching the roof, installing crickets to redirect water, additional drains, the opening of existing drains, or other procedures. Professional solutions are always best.
11/25/2016
DC's Best Family Owned Roofing CompanyBenefits of hiring a family owned business for your roofing needs...Getting work done on your home? You want to make sure to hire the best company in Washington DC area! There’s only one roofing company in all of Washington DC that offers exceptional roofing services, affordable prices, and personal service that stands out above all others, and that is by far Boyd Construction Co, who have been family owned and operated for generations since 1932.
There are so many benefits to working with a family-owned company like Boyd Construction Co. Their extraordinary customer focus, affordable service, and attention to detail make them stand out from the rest of the Washington DC roofing industry. You won’t have to worry while these professionals are on the job. They specialize in flat roofs that are prevalent in the Washington DC area, gutters, roof replacement, and repair, so all you have to do is schedule an inspection with one of their certified experts and they’ll take care of the rest. Customers are always a priority for Boyd Construction Co. They make a point to meet with each client prior to beginning a project. This provides an opportunity for concerns to be addressed and specifications to be laid out for the job. If you’re worried about the cost of getting roofing work done, don’t hesitate to talk with their team of local roofers. They’ll work with you to figure out what will best suit your current budget. Finding roofing companies that are passionate about what they do and detail-oriented can be difficult, but Boyd Construction Co are the exception. With an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, and exceptional reviews on Angie’s List, Google and Social Media these roofing experts go above and beyond to ensure their clients’ roofing is sound and secure. No matter how big or small the job may be, you can depend on Boyd Construction Co to do their best work each and every time!
11/21/2016
Warning Signs You May Need A New RoofKnow when it's time to call the pros........1) If you are approaching the 25 year anniversary on your roof it may be time for for a professional inspection.
Just because you've reached the 25 year mark doesn't necessarily mean you need to immediately replace your roof. However it is a great time to reach out to a pro in your area like Boyd Construction Co for a free roof inspection, to head off any number of problems that can arise with age. Another great indication is that if you live in development or row home where your neighbors are replacing their roofs, it may also be time for replacement for you as well. 2) If your shingles are curling. Shingles can curl in two ways: There's cupping, which happens when the edges of the shingles turn upward; and there's clawing, which is when the edges stay flat and the middle starts to come up, they are both signs of weathering and are indications of problems and potential leaks. 3) Shingles are missing. Functionally this only a slight problem which can easily be fixed by replacing the shingle. Aesthetically the problem is that it is almost impossible to find a new shingle that will match the old ones. Granule colors have changed significantly over the years, plus the weathering over the years can change the colors of the shingles as well. 4) Shingles are cracked. They are usually the result of wind damage. If the cracking isn't isolated to one particular area and it's random throughout the roof, that's a telltale sign that you should start thinking about a new roof. 5) Granules in your gutter. Granules help keep the sun off the asphalt. Once the granules fall off and the shingles start to bake, the quality will deteriorate in a hurry. If it's been at least 10 or 15 years it is time to call a pro. 6) Shingles are covered with moss or algae. This is not really a reason to panic and is mainly a cosmetic issue. Some people may choose to replace the roof just because they don't like the aesthetic (and a lot of new shingles are algae-resistant). Whatever you do, don't take matters into your own hands by power washing or scraping away at the green stuff. "That's a good way to chip off all the granules, which again, essentially renders your shingles useless." 7) Sun shines through your attic (and not through a window). Obviously that is NOT a good sign. Check for light and also water leak stains. Call a pro immediately. Smaller leaks can be patched, but larger leaks may indicate the need for a roof replacement. 8) The whole roof is sagging. And the time to panic is NOW! There could be a problem with the decking in the attic or, worse, with the supports in the foundation. "You're not necessarily in imminent danger, but this is the kind of thing that's a lot easier to take care of when it's small and localized, than when it has progressed." |
Boyd Construction CoFamily owned and operated in the greater Washington DC area since 1932. Archives
September 2019
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