Roof Maintenance

The Importance of Flat Roof Maintenance

As a property or home owner, you rarely ever see your flat roof, which can lead to missed maintenance and a shortened lifespan. Flat roof maintenance is just as important as any other building maintenance. Whether it is a residential flat roof or a commercial flat roof, both should be inspected at least once a year to make sure everything is holding up, and that any needed repairs are done. A good roof maintenance program can extend the life of your flat roof by years, saving money in the long run.

While the flat roof membrane, EPDM, TPO, or PVC, will easily last its lifespan of 20-30 years, the roof penetrations, perimeter flashings, and membrane seams can sometimes fail prematurely. If such a failure happens, and goes unattended for weeks or months, it can ruin the whole roof system resulting in costly flat roof replacement. To avoid situations like these, a consistent flat roof maintenance schedule should be followed with at least one flat roof inspection in the spring. A flat roof's worst enemy is snow, ice, and cold temperatures, with many roofs being damaged by the frigid winds and freeze/thaw cycles of winter. A spring flat roof inspection can reveal any issues or problems that may have been caused by the winter, and in most cases Smart Roofing Inc. can repair these small issues before they create serious damage. We have We also recommend having another inspection done in the fall, to make sure your commercial or residential flat roof does not try to weather the worst season with holes or other deficiencies. A proactive approach to your roof will always be more cost effective than a reactive approach, saving you headaches, and money, in the long run.

We offer full maintenance programs, for either commercial flat roofs or residential flat roofs. We have trained service crews that have experience installing and repairing modified bitumen roofs, EPDM roofs, TPO roofs, and PVC roofs, as well as sheet metal work. We work with homeowners, associations, property managers, and builders alike to guarantee that you are provided with the best service. Ranging from small flashing repairs to flat roof patches, to gutter cleanings, and full replacements, Smart Roofing Inc. is your go to roofer for all things flat roofs.

As always, if you have any questions, concerns, or would like to schedule your roof flat roof maintenance inspection, flat roof roof assessment, or flat roof estimate, feel free to contact the roofing experts at Smart Roofing Inc. at (847) 797-0404 or email us at contactus@smartroofers.com

Proper Gutter Maintenance

Proper gutter maintenance is the #1 way to prevent expensive water damage to your home.  Gutters are designed to do one thing — channel water away from the foundation — and they’re critical to protecting the structural integrity of your house. However, in order for gutters to do their job properly, they need to be maintained the property, and have to be kept free of clogs, holes, and sags.

Here are the most common gutter problems and how to fix them:

Clogged Gutters - This is the most common problem of all. Left untended, gutters and downspouts get so clogged with debris that they’re rendered useless. The excess weight of leaves, twigs, and standing water can also make them sag and pull away from the fascia.  Clean them at least once a year, and twice a year if you have a lot of trees nearby.

Sagging Gutters - This is usually a problem with the hangers, the hardware that secures the gutters to the fascia. They might have deteriorated over time, the fasteners may have backed out of the wood, or they’re spaced too far apart to support the weight of full gutters. The cost to fix it yourself is cheap; hangers generally cost $10 or less apiece, and the fasteners run about $1 each.

Leaks and Holes - Leaks in gutter joints can be sealed by caulking the joint from the inside with gutter sealant.  A tube costs about $5. Very small holes can be filled with gutter sealant. Larger holes will require a patch.

Downspouts Draining Too Close to the Foundation - Downspouts need to extend several feet from the house, or they’ll dump right into the basement. Gutter extensions attached to the bottom of the downspout will discharge water well beyond the foundation. They’re inexpensive and easy to install.

Contact Smart Roofing, Inc. at 847.797.0404 or email contactus@smartroofers.com for all of your residential and commercial roofing and gutter needs!

-excerpts from www.houselogic.com

Roof Maintenance & Inspections

Fall is the time for roof maintenance, roof inspections and roof repairs.  Before the cold, snowy weather returns, contact us to schedule maintenance and repairs to your roof.

Gutters: Gutters are one of the most important parts of a home, and blocked gutters are a big source of leaks. If gutters are clogged with leaves, shingle granules, branches, and other debris, then water can’t funnel off the roof and away from the house. That can cause severe damage to the roof, walls, and gutters, and can be quite pricey to fix.

Shingles: An inspection will uncover any shingle tabs that have come loose or have broken, curled, or warped. Another possibility is that a branch could’ve fallen on the roof and caused damage. These simple repairs will help avoid costly water issues down the road.

Vents: Neoprene or rubber can crack with age, while critters can cause damage to any vented area on the roof. Resealing will fix these vent problems and help keep animals and water out.

Flashings: Chimneys have three potential issues: flashing, siding, and the cap that can contribute to leaks. An inspection will ensure the area is properly flashed and sealed. Flashing on skylights can easily get water trapped behind them as well.

Attic: Many times it’s the attic that is the source of the problem rather than the roof. Issues such as improper ventilation, plumbing, air conditioning, fans, or animal or bug infestation can cause mold, algae, or moisture condensation in the attic space.

Remember to contact Smart Roofing, Inc. at (847) 797-0404, or email us at contactus@smartroofers.com for your residential or commercial roofing needs.

Fall Home Maintenance

Prevent roof damage and boost energy efficiency in your home before the cold weather hits Chicago.  Smart Roofing, Inc. can help you with your home maintenance checklist.

Care for trees and shrubs. If you have trees on your property, know how to prune properly to avoid falling limbs in winter storms.  Beautiful autumn foliage is less attractive on the ground than it is in your trees. Have fruit trees? Be diligent about cleaning up fallen plums, pears and apples or you could find yourself playing host to millions of fruit flies.

Clean gutters and downspouts. Once most of the leaves have fallen, clean out gutters and downspouts. Clogged gutters during rainstorms can cause water to pool and damage your roof or siding. Make sure downspouts direct water away from the foundation, sidewalks and driveways, so that they don't become icy.

Make exterior repairs.  Look for signs of damage to your roof, siding and foundation. If you spot anything that needs repair, schedule it now.

Stock up on winter supplies. Fall is the time to prepare for Chicago's cold and snowy winter.  Check the condition of snow shovels and ice scrapers; purchase a roof rake for heavy snowfall.

Shut off exterior faucets. lawn sprinklers, and store hoses. Protect your pipes from freezing temperatures by shutting off water to exterior faucets before the weather dips below freezing. Contact a landscaper to properly drain lawn sprinklers. Drain hoses and store them indoors.

Schedule a chimney cleaning and heating system maintenance. Making sure your chimney and furnace or boiler are cleaned, maintained and in working order before you need to turn on the heat is an important safety measure. And be sure to add a chimney cap if you don’t already have one — it will stop critters from crawling down your chimney!

Remember to contact Smart Roofing, Inc. at (847) 797-0404, or email us at contactus@smartroofers.com for your residential or commercial roofing needs.

-excerpts from houzz fall home maintenance checklist

The Importance of Commercial Roof Maintenance & Repair

The roof is a commercial building’s first line of defense from natural hazards such as wind, rain, fire, hail, ice, snow, and extreme heat. It is also the most vulnerable part of your building. Every day, your roof is exposed to weather and other elements that may contribute to decay and deterioration, increasing the risk of damage to the roof itself and the contents below it.

The International Building Code (IBC), which sets safety standards for commercial building, requires that roofs “serve to protect the building.” Having a roof that “protects the building” starts with design, materials selection, and installation at the time a facility is built or remodeled—events that occur infrequently and may be outside the scope of most businesses’ ongoing activity. But it also includes a regular program of inspection, maintenance, and repair—activities that should be part of your operational planning in order to prolong the useful life of your roof and make sure it does its job in protecting your business from weather damage.

Contact SMART Roofing, Inc. today at 847.797.0404 for your commercial and residential roof maintenance & repair.

Excerpt from Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety