Summer Maintenance Checklist

We know you're trying to enjoy these final days of summer, but now is the perfect time to tackle any maintenance projects you've yet to complete. On top of making sure your Fayetteville, AR, roof is replaced or repaired if needed, there are plenty of other areas of your home to check before the cold of fall and winter descends on your home. Follow this checklist and you'll ensure your family is protected through the end of the year.

[Read more "Your summer home maintenance checklist" here]

Taken from the article:
"Get your roof in shape – The bright midsummer sunshine is wonderful, but not when you can spy it twinkling merrily through the holes in your roof. Roof holes mean leaks, and leaks mean the looming possibility of serious water damage in your home's near future, not to mention the negative effect that mold and mildew can have on your family's health. So take action now and get your roof in shape – whether that means getting it repaired or, if necessary, replaced – before the cold and snowy season (yes, we're talking winter) comes around once more.

Install energy-saving windows and entry doors – Have brand new energy-saving windows and entry doors installed this summer and you'll reduce your carbon footprint and save on HVAC bills all year round. Obviously, you will find it more comfortable to tackle this type of project in July than in January when your hands will be freezing. Equally important, though, is the fact that installation in warmer temperatures will also permit your caulk to adhere properly, sealing up air leaks and making your new windows or doors even more energy-efficient, in summers and winters to come.

Update your driveway – Is your concrete driveway showing signs of wear, such as cracking, pitting, or spalling? Or don't you have a drive at all? Summer is the ideal time to install or resurface a driveway (not to mention a concrete parking pad, patio, sidewalk, or garden path). Why? Well, concrete needs the right weather conditions to cure properly. (Curing refers to a process of controlling the water content after installation, which strengthens the concrete and avoids cracks due to shrinkage). A stretch of several dry days with the temperature above 50 degrees is just right."

First Posted here: Summer Maintenance Checklist

Knowing When You Need a Roof Replacement in Arkansas

As a homeowner, it's important to know the difference between roof repairs and a roof replacement, and when the latter is most necessary. Being informed is your best defense against scammers in both the roofing and insurance industries. At Foster Roofing, we will answer your questions honestly and will never pressure you into purchasing unnecessary services.

Protect yourself and your family by calling the most trusted roofing company in Fort Smith, AR.

[Read more "Should You Repair Your Roof or Replace It?" here]

Taken from the article:
"The goal of the good quality contractor is to help educate and advise potential clients so they can make the best decision possible, based on their roofing problems and current needs. If you're considering a roofing repair or replacement, we recommend the following list of considerations and ask your roofing contractor these questions prior to deciding which decision is best for you.

1. How long will the current roof last?

2. How long can you expect the flashings and other roofing components to last?

3. What signs of deterioration is the contractor seeing?

4. If you are selling the home in 1-5 years from now, consider these points:

• Will the roof pass an inspection at that time?

• If it will not pass an inspection at that time, will it pass with more repairs or will it require replacement?

• How does the roof look from the ground? Is it unattractive and likely to affect the curb appeal when selling or renting?

• Is it in good enough condition to be cleaned for substantially better appeal without harming the roof? (Pressure washing harms asphalt shingles and any type of wood roofs. A chemical treatment and hand brushing should be used for these types).

5. Has the roofing estimator inspected the entire roof to address potential leaks and deficiencies — or did they only examine the current leak area or obvious deficiency? The roofer should always inspect the entire roof.

6. What is the likelihood of additional leaks manifesting? If there are potentially more, compare what would it cost to fix any interior damage against the cost of doing preventative repairs now.

7. If a repair is performed, will it be visible and will it match, or be a potential eyesore? This matters more if selling the home (most visible repairs do not match due to weathering and organic growth on the existing roof covering; some repairs do weather-in after a few months)

8. Will potential leaking be on your mind if you do not replace the roof? Has this leak been hard to find? Would you have more peace of mind with replacing the roof, taking into consideration its age and condition?"

Originally Posted on: Knowing When You Need a Roof Replacement in Arkansas

Identify Storm Damage

There's no one obvious sign that your roof has sustained damage from the latest storm, but there are certain things you can be aware of. If you notice any of these, it's better to call in an inspector to assess the extent of the damage and how to best approach it. Remember, repairing the damage quickly is the best way to protect your family. Call the roofing experts best equipped to handle your Springdale storm damage; call Foster Roofing today.

[Read more "IDENTIFYING STORM DAMAGE" here]

Taken from the page:
"On an asphalt roof, hail damage looks like a dark spot, or bruise, where the roofing granules have been knocked away. In some cases you may find holes, cracking, or missing shingles on roofs with hail or storm damage. After a tornado, you may notice split seams and torn or missing shingles. This can result in leaking and serious water damage, which can lead to mold formation and wood rot, which can compromise the structural integrity of your roof resulting in collapse. In severe wind storms, it is common for shingles or sections of the roof to be missing altogether.

On other types of roofs, including shake (wood), metal, tile and slate, damage can include broken or cracked shingles, missing shingles, torn or split seams, and missing sections of the roof. If a tree limb or other debris has fallen onto your roof during the storm, you may have structural damage, and will want to exercise extreme caution.

Common Signs of Roof Damage

• Missing shingles
• Bruises or dented asphalt shingles
• Cracked or broken tile, slate, or concrete shingles
• Granules collecting in gutters or downspouts
• Leaks in your roof or ceiling
• Dents on vents, gutters or flashing"

Article Source right here: Identify Storm Damage

Man’s Best Friend Teaches Safety

We can always learn a thing or two from our four-legged buddy, but how to remain safe while on a roof? That's not a lesson one thinks about every day. So when this pup inexplicably climbs on his roof all of the time and concerns the neighbors, he created the perfect occasion to discuss being on your roof safely. If you are concerned about your safety but need a pair of eyes on your roof, call for a free estimate from the roofing experts of Fayetteville, AR.

[Read more "What a Dog on a Roof Can Teach Us All About Roof Safety" here]

Taken from the article:
"As such, it's essential that people take every precaution to ensure they won't fall and seriously injure themselves. If you're heading on up, take a tip or two from experts on how to stay safe.

• Watch the pitch. If you're going to climb on your roof, Clement says you must make sure the roof pitch—the degree of steepness—is walkable. "The roof pitch on Huckleberry's house looks like a three-pitch, or 14 degrees, the equivalent of walking up a shallow hill," says Clement. If your roof is a five-pitch—22.5 degrees—or steeper, it's not safe to walk on, says Biyevetskiy.
• Use the right ladder. Your ladder should extend three rungs past the edge of the roof where you transition from the ladder to the building, says Clement. Otherwise, getting off and on will be much more difficult and dangerous. "A lot of people make the mistake of using a ladder that gets up to the edge of the roof, not past it," he explains. "And getting onto the ladder is not the hardest part—it’s getting down."
• Use a ladder stabilizer. Unstable ladders are one of the leading causes of injuries sustained by homeowners trying to clean their gutters, Biyevetskiy explains. So if you plan on using a ladder to get on your roof, consider buying a stabilizer. It will set you back about $25 and makes it almost impossible for a ladder to slip and fall sideways. "The stabilizer should be placed on the edge of the roof just above gutters, or against the wall just below gutters," says Biyevetskiy.
• Wear the right shoes. For scaling a roof, always wear good running sneakers, as those provide the best grip, says Biyevetskiy. As obvious as it may sound, you should never wear sandals.
• Don't climb on a metal, slate, or tile roof. If your house's roof is made of metal, slate, or tile, avoid walking on it at all costs. "Metal and slate roofs are very slippery, and slate roofs are usually steep, which makes them very difficult to walk on," Biyevetskiy says. "Tile and slate roofs are also dangerous to walk on because they can break under your feet, and then falling is almost inevitable."

First Posted on: Man’s Best Friend Teaches Safety