Have you been wondering whether you need a new roof for your Buffalo home? Rather than waste time, it’s best to educate yourself about roofing issues so you know what needs to be addressed.

While there are countless issues that can occur with a roof, here are three of the most common signs you need to call a roofer ASAP:

Water stains and leaks

While water stains and leaks do occur occasionally, excessive water leakage on your roof is a sign of concern, especially as water damage can occur in your attic. In particular, it’s best to look for signs of water damage after severe storms, as pools of water can form and seep into usual spots in your home. Along the same lines, any signs of debris from storms should also be addressed to avoid further damage to your rooftop.

Algae, moss, or mold

If you spot any algae, moss, or mold on your roof, it’s best to have it evaluated immediately. Even minor formation of bacteria can rapidly grow in cracks or corners within your roof and even cause leaks or stains to form. Overtime, this can completely destroy your roof’s structure and cause the need for an entire roof replacement.

Old age

If your roof has reached or surpassed its expected lifespan, it’s time to strongly consider a full replacement. Even if your roof appears aesthetically fine, an older roof’s structure will become compromised and require extensive repairs as time goes on. As your roof ages, it’s important to monitor its condition and seek the opinion of a professional contractor who can assess the scope of maintenance or repair work that may be needed.

These are just some of the signs it’s time to have your roof evaluated for a full replacement. In certain cases, you may only require some repairs or maintenance. However, being proactive with calling a professional contractor like AVA Roofing in Buffalo will ultimately save you from costly roofing expenses down the road.

Do you have any concerns or questions about your roof’s condition? Contact AVA Roofing in Buffalo for new roof installation, repair and maintenance services, and schedule your appointment today!

Are you planning to give your roof a good cleaning this fall? Between constant debris and weather elements, there’s no question your roof takes a beating throughout the year. However, if you’ve thought about power washing your roof, you may want to think twice. While power washing may seem like a great idea in theory, there are many reasons to avoid this method of cleaning. Though power washing can be effective for cleaning other parts of your home, it can have long-lasting damage to your roof’s surface.

Here’s why you should avoid power washing your roof: 

image of roof

Permanent damage

Power washing is likely to strip the granules off your roof’s shingles which protect your home from rain, snow and sleet. Damage to shingles will deteriorate the integrity of your roof, causing the need for a replacement much sooner than its expected lifespan. Also, if you’re new to using a power washer, chances are you won’t know how to properly regulate the output of pressure coming from the machine. If you assert too much water pressure when spraying, your shingles can easily fall off. For older roofs in particular, power washing can especially cause severe damage. This is because your roof’s shingles have likely already experienced deterioration, making them more susceptible to further damage from the power washer. Furthermore, if you have a large amount of debris on your roof, power washing can cause unwanted moss and fungus to spread to other parts of your home’s exterior, potentially resulting in the growth of bacteria and mold.

Warranty issues

Many people don’t realize that roof warranties often exclude the use of a power washer, as it is likely to cause irreparable damage. If power washing causes permanent damage to your roof, there’s a high likelihood that your warranty will not cover the cost to fix it. If you have an extended manufacturer’s warranty, be sure to read the fine print and avoid doing anything that can potentially have a detrimental effect on your roof’s condition.

If you believe your roof needs to be cleaned, it’s always best to consult with a qualified professional who will be able to fully inspect your roof and provide the best recommendations. From there, you’ll be able to proceed with a cleaning option that will preserve your roof for years to come.

Let AVA Handle Your Roofing Needs

Are you in need of roof maintenance or repairs this fall? Get in touch with AVA Roofing and let our experienced professional contractors answer all your questions!

Often the treacherous winter months can wreak havoc on your roof, resulting in the need for both minor and major repairs. From broken shingles to leakage issues, you may find yourself facing a variety of roofing challenges, depending on the type of damage that ensued from this year’s winter weather conditions. Spring is often the ideal time of year to rectify issues that may have occurred throughout the winter. Here are some basic steps to take this spring for getting your roof into top shape: 

roof repair

Clean your gutters.

As one of the hallmark springtime chores, an annual gutter cleaning is always essential – especially after your roof endures heavy amounts of precipitation and hail. Whether you clean your gutters yourself or hire a professional to do it, clearing out unwanted debris will allow for proper drainage on your roof, as well as prevent mold growth and pest infestations. Most importantly, keeping up with gutter cleaning will ensure your roof can continue to function so that water can drain properly without affecting your roof’s structure.   

Review your warranty and homeowner’s insurance policy.

Whether or not you have to make any roofing repairs, it’s always a good idea to refresh yourself on your current roofing warranty and homeowner’s insurance policy. Knowing what your roofing warranty covers – and what it doesn’t – will help you determine how much money you may have to save in the event of major roof damage. Furthermore, it’s important to be informed of your homeowner’s insurance policy and whether it covers roof damage, especially if you live in an area with severe storms and unpredictable weather conditions. Using the springtime to educate yourself about what your policy covers will help you budget for roofing repairs accordingly this spring.

Consider a full roof replacement.

Depending on the age of your home and roof, it may be time to consider getting a full roof replacement. Typically, a roof that’s 20 years or older is likely in need of a full replacement, as shingles often start to deteriorate over the course of this lifespan. If your roof is in poor condition, it will ultimately result in major leakage issues that can cause significant harm to your home’s exterior and interior. Therefore, while a full roof replacement will cost substantially more than minor repairs, it will protect your home’s value and save you thousands of dollars in the long run.

Contact AVA for your roofing needs

Taking the steps about this spring will set your roof up for another successful year, and most importantly, help to prevent irreversible damage to your home. Now that the winter months are over, is your roof in need of some TLC? From minor repairs to full roof replacements, learn how AVA Roofing can address all your spring roofing needs!

Did you know that as simple a chore as cleaning your home’s gutters can prevent serious problems down the road? Poorly-functioning gutters can cause water to back up in your gutter system, causing any number of different issues in your home. Here’s a quick look at why it’s vital that you don’t skip this simple household chore.

Avoid Moisture Damage and Ice Dams by Gutter Cleaning

When your gutters are full of debris, they can very easily become backed up with water from rainstorms, especially heavy showers. This is caused by the debris preventing the water from draining out of the system as it was intended in your home’s design. This creates extra weight in your gutters that your home’s fascia is not necessarily designed to withstand, leading to cracking and water damage.

Excess Moisture Causes Serious Damage

If the rain happens when the temperatures are cold or the rain begins to switch to ice, it’s very easy for the water to back up onto your roof. This water can get underneath your roofing materials, causing leaks. If it’s not taken care of promptly and properly, it’s very easy for this excess moisture to cause serious damage to your roof’s decking materials. If left untreated, this backup can form an ice dam, which can add a serious load to your roof’s structure while causing a lot of damage to the roofing materials themselves. This can also cause leaks to form later on in the year, when a warm winter’s day causes the ice to thaw and leak into your home.

Poor-Functioning Gutters Lead to Siding Damage

Poorly-functioning gutters can also cause water to overflow onto your siding. Because siding is somewhat protected by the roof overhang on your home, it’s more sensitive to water than your roofing materials are. When water overflows behind your gutters, it can splash your siding. Algae can build up in your gutters, causing staining.

AVA Can Help You Avoid This Damage

By taking on as simple a task as cleaning out your gutters regularly, you can avoid this kind of damage to your home’s structure, siding and roofing. If you have had damage to your roof from ice dams or staining on your siding from overflowing gutters, we can help you get your home back to looking beautiful again. Please feel free to contact AVA Roofing & Siding today with any questions, to get more information or to request a free estimate from our experienced professional contractors.

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