Church Commercial Roof Installation 2

5 Components That Impact the Life of Your Commercial Roof

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To keep your commercial roof lasting for a long time, it’s essential you know the different obstacles that may impact its lifespan. Most roofs have a life of up to 30 years when properly maintained. Routine maintenance and repairs must be managed and executed in your commercial space, and it’s vital that none of these expectations are missed.

Properly caring for your commercial property will ensure its financial value stays the same, and this is particularly important should you wish to rent or sell in the future. Whether you pay monthly rent for your commercial property or own it, monitoring the life of your roof is a must. Below we will explore five crucial components that affect the lifespan of your commercial roof.

Monitor the Integrity of Your Roof

Different components that can affect your commercial roof’s life include:  

1. Weather

Every winter, depending on where you live, water freezes repeatedly on your roof resulting in a buildup of ice. This continually fluctuates the weight your commercial building bears. Because of this, some of your building’s internal structure can begin to strain.

Unfortunately, extreme weather can really take a toll on your commercial roof. If you reside in a climate that’s particularly cold or hot, your commercial roof may not last as long as a roof that’s in a more temperate climate.

Even severe winds or a harsh hail storm can substantially damage your commercial roof. If you reside in a location that has regular thunderstorms, you’ll want to keep in touch with your local roof contractor. You may need to have your roof inspected twice a year rather than once. 

2. Material

Materials are the most crucial factor to take into consideration, since some types of roof materials are more sturdy and durable than others. There are various material options for your commercial roof, such as:

  • Asphalt shingles: These dominate the roofing market since they’re affordable and provide a variety of benefits. They often come with warranties of up to 25 years, but are not as long-lasting as tile or metal roofing.
  • Tile,concrete, and slate roofs: If cared for and maintained correctly, these roofing materials are designed to last for years.
  • Wood Roofs:  Weather and climate conditions can easily affect wood roofing, meaning the area you live in matters. Wood roofs usually last up to 30 years before needing replacement.
  • Metal Roofs: Whether aluminum, steel, or another metal, these roofs are incredibly durable and can last for over 70 years. Metal roofing is also energy-efficient and easy to maintain.

3. Water Elimination

Moisture is a very common roofing issue. If your commercial roof isn’t good at diverting water, any instances of heavy rainfall can result in damage.

As moisture begins building up in the interior of your commercial building, serious issues can occur. The structural integrity of your commercial building can be in danger because of unwanted moisture. If you think your commercial roof isn’t eliminating water well enough or you’ve noticed leaks, it’s recommended to call in a professional to assess it for a repair or replacement.

Making sure your commercial roof gets required maintenance and repairs in a timely manner should be your top priority. If leaks and other damage are ignored, the life of your commercial roof will be shortened.

4. Maintenance

Even the strongest roofs can crack and become damaged through poor maintenance. You need to inspect the roof carefully and verify no damage has occurred. Recruit an expert roofing contractor to come and check for signs of damage, including:

  • Missing or broken shingles
  • Leaks
  • Cracks

Certain types of roofs require less maintenance than others, and it’s recommended to speak with an area roofing professional to learn regular maintenance requirements and guidelines. Doing so will help ensure your commercial roof stays in tip-top shape for the future, and your warranty isn’t affected because of poor maintenance.

5. Initial Installation

It’s vital that you verify that the roofing contractors who initially installed the roof on your commercial building kept up with industry standards. There are numerous roofing contractors across the U.S., and completing thorough research on companies you’re considering can make a substantial difference. When researching your candidates for initial installation, we encourage you to review the following:

  • Past and present client testimonials
  • Online reviews
  • Licenses and certifications
  • Project history
  • And more

From this, you will be able to gather insight on whether you can expect quality craftsmanship and customer service from the contractors you’re considering. Partnering with an industry-leading company for your commercial roof installation will ensure that the structural integrity of your roof is reliable, and repair and replacement projects will run smoothly.

Choose A to Z Construction for Your Next Commercial Roof Project

Inspecting your commercial roof to ensure it’s in the best condition possible is worth the time and money for future savings. A to Z Construction has a team of only the best commercial roof installers in the industry. We strive to provide every customer with remarkable craft, memorable service, and long-lasting relationships. There’s no project that’s too big or small for our commercial roofing experts, so we encourage you to contact us today to talk about your next project.

Storm Damage Repair

10 Signs of Storm Damage Every Property Owner Should Know

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Have you ever wondered why a few houses remain untouched after inclement weather? Most of the time it can be chalked up to good luck, while other times, the structural integrity and roofing material of the home play a significant role.

When a severe storm strikes, it can cause serious damage to your property. However, the damage can often go unnoticed, and place your property at higher risk when subsequent storms occur.

After a storm, you should conduct an inspection to evaluate the extent of the damage and have it repaired by a professional storm damage contractor. Spotting the signs of storm damage can help you resolve the issue and schedule repairs before it becomes more detrimental to your property.

What Is Storm Damage?

Storm damage is any kind of destruction that can occur to a property as a result of harsh weather conditions. According to CNBC, about 35 million homes in the U.S. are affected by inclement weather in a given year. The interior and exterior parts of your property can be impacted by these occurrences.  

Types of Storm Damage

There are four different types of storm damage that can affect your property. These include:

  • Water: Heavy rainfall can affect the interior and exterior of your property by impacting the walls, floors, roof, and plumbing.
  • Ice: Heavy hail storms produce ice that can easily damage your roof and siding.
  • Wind: Strong winds can damage your roof and shingles.
  • Impact: Falling objects like falling trees or light poles can damage your property.

How to Know if Your Property Has Storm Damage

The roof and exterior walls of your property are the areas that are most susceptible to storm damage. However, in severe weather, the entire structural integrity of your home can be impacted.

When conducting an inspection of your property after a storm, here are the signs to look out for that likely indicate storm damage:

1. Missing Asphalt Shingles

Many homeowners choose asphalt shingles for their roofing system as asphalt is one of the most popular roofing materials. Professional contractors use nails to install and secure asphalt shingles.

Heavy storms can displace shingles by causing them to detach from the roof. If you’ve noticed a couple of missing shingles on your roof after a storm, then it’s likely your property has storm damage.

2. Dented Metal Flashing

The purpose of the metal flashing material on the roof is to direct stormwater away from the roof and prevent water leaks. During a heavy storm, impact from hail or debris may dent the flashing on your home’s exterior. It’s important to repair or replace this material right away to prevent your roof from leaking.

3. Broken Tiles or Cracked Concrete Shingles

Tiles and concrete shingles are the most durable roofing systems. However, during a heavy storm, impact from flying debris may cause cracks in your tile roofing or concrete shingles. Initially, the cracks may be difficult to notice, meaning a closer inspection will be required from an experienced home exterior contractor.

4. Leaking Roof or Ceiling

Every roofing system is installed with a waterproof material to protect the property’s interior. During a heavy storm, your roofing system can be compromised due to shifted ties or missing shingles. Any changes in the structural integrity of your roof can lead to water leakage.

It’s vital that you look for early signs of water leakage on your roof or ceiling. Whether you notice discoloration or brown ring-like patches, both can indicate your roof may have been damaged in a storm.

5. Dented or Chipped Siding

Dents, chips, or missing sections of the siding material are an indication of storm damage. Storms and heavy winds carry debris and when they land on your property’s exterior, the impact causes damage.

It’s important to update your siding to protect your house from harsh weather. The siding material serves three purposes:

  • Protecting your property’s interior
  • Insulation 
  • Enhancing curb appeal

6. Dampness on Interior Walls

During construction, contractors install waterproof material to create a barrier between the exterior and interior walls. The barrier protects the interior walls from water damage. However, during a storm, the roof or the sides may be exposed to leakage, causing the interior walls to soak in water. 

7. Visible Growth of Mold or Mildew 

Mold and mildew grow in damp, humid areas. When your interior walls are exposed to water after a storm, you’ll notice green, gray, or sometimes black residue on the walls. The residue is a sign of mold or mildew growth due to water seeping through the walls.

8. Chipped Paint on Exterior Walls

If your property has painted exterior walls, you may notice chipped or peeling paint after a storm. Damage to exterior paint is common after a hail storm or storms with heavy winds.  

9. Damaged Window Frames

Professional contractors install strong window frames to support the panes during every kind of weather. Damaged window frames are a sign of wind damage. If you notice dents or chips on your window frame, it’s important to do a thorough inspection of the entire property to find other possible damaged areas.

10. Shattered Windows

Harsh hail storms are notorious for causing the most damage to a property’s exterior. Ice drops from the sky at a very high force and when it hits the window, it shatters. Shattered windows indicate heavy hail storms, and you should check the roof for additional damage.

Call A to Z Construction for Quality Storm Damage Repairs

Installing a proper roofing and storm drainage system can save your property from severe damage. Early storm repair is vital to saving your property from further damage. At A to Z Construction, we provide professional storm damage repair services in MN to help restore your property better than before. Contact us today to get a quote and to learn more about our services.

3 Ways You Can Benefit From Updating Your Siding

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Replacing your home’s old and outdated siding is one of the simplest steps that you can take to instantly transform and modernize the look of your home, thus boosting its overall curb appeal. Yet, considering replacing your siding represents a significant investment, you are not alone if you have been putting off replacing your dated siding for some time. 

However, what many homeowners do not realize is that their siding is not purely aesthetic, it also serves a critical role in protecting their home’s structure, and there are many practical benefits that come with having outdated siding replaced. 

In fact, replacing worn siding is one of the most important things that you can do to maintain your home. If your home’s siding is showing signs of age, and you are unsure whether to have it replaced, here is a look at just a few of the benefits you stand to gain by doing so.

 

Increased Curb Appeal

Nothing makes a home look more old and worn out than siding that has seen better days. If your home has begun to look run down and no longer has the curb appeal that made you fall in love with it to begin with, it may be time to consider replacing your home’s siding. You will likely be surprised by how transformative replacing your home’s outdated siding can be. 

In fact, with countless colors, materials, and designs to choose from, new siding can make your home look brand new. Alternatively, if you enjoy your home’s antique charm, choosing a similar siding will allow you to restore your home’s original look. Not only can replacing your home’s siding give it a fresh look, boosting its curb appeal, but choosing a weather and UV resistant material will ensure that your home looks beautiful for years to come. 

Of course, not only will replacing your home’s outdated siding boost its curb appeal, but it will also increase your home’s resale value as well. In fact, while replacing a home’s siding is a significant investment, it is one of the best investments to make if you plan on selling your home in the near future, as siding replacement has an extremely high return on investment (ROI), with homeowner’s earning back 80-90% of the project price. 

As an added bonus, replacing your home’s siding can also make your home easier to sell, as an attractive home with good curb appeal is more likely to entice prospective buyers. 

 

Improves Energy Efficiency

Many homeowners are aware that having old windows can cause them to spend more money heating and cooling their home, which is why it is often one of the first things homeowners replace during a remodel. However, what you may not be aware of is that replacing your home’s siding can improve energy efficiency as well. You may be surprised to learn that old siding may not be doing much to protect your home from the elements, and replacing your worn siding could actually increase your home’s insulation. 

Additionally, if your home tends to feel drafty and/or it does not have sufficient insulation, your contractor could add insulation to your exterior walls when they replace your siding to reduce heat transfer. You could even choose to invest in a house wrap to help prevent wind from entering your home, further improving energy efficiency. Replacing your home’s siding can improve your home’s overall energy efficiency by:

  • Reducing heat transfer
  • Helping seal your home against drafts
  • Reducing the need to heat and cool your home

You will likely be surprised to discover the extent to which replacing your siding and adding insulation helps to keep you comfortable year-round. Even something as simple as choosing light-colored siding could help you to stay comfortable. If you live in a warm climate, light-colored siding will help to reflect sunlight, keeping the summer heat out. 

Dark colors absorb heat, so if you currently have dark siding, this could be contributing to your high summer electric bills. Replacing your outdated siding with something light-colored and insulated will then help improve your home’s energy efficiency.

 

Ensures Your Home’s Structural Integrity

Having your siding replaced can also help to ensure your home’s structural integrity. One of the biggest problems with old siding is that it can warp and crack, allowing water to seep into the walls of your home. Unseen water damage is one of the biggest threats to your home’s structural integrity, as even a little bit of moisture can lead to wood rot and widespread structural damage that could end up being extremely costly. 

Replacing your siding once it begins to look warped, cracked, faded, or damaged in any way is then an important preventive step to take in order to prevent costly damage to your home. Having aging siding replaced can help protect your home’s structure as it will allow your contractor to:

  • Look for signs of water damage
  • Perform any repairs if necessary
  • Take preventative measures to prevent future water damage
  • And inspect your home for any damage that could threaten its structural integrity

If you replace your siding soon enough, you may be able to prevent any damage from occurring, and proper siding installation will keep moisture out of your home for years to come. Replacing your home’s siding will then allow you to rest easy knowing that your home is protected from water damage and does not have any hidden structural problems.

 

Transform Your Home With Replacement Siding

Replacing your home’s siding is a significant investment that can help to increase your home’s value and curb appeal while helping to ensure your comfort and safety year-round. If your siding is looking worse for the wear, and you believe that it may be time to have it replaced, feel free to contact us to learn more about the benefits of residential siding replacement.