Orange County

5 Things to Know About Your Roof Rain Gutters by an Orange County Roofing Professional

If you’re working with an Orange County roofing contractor to repair or replace your roof, you may consider having your contractor check out your gutters, as well. Though you might assume they’re in great shape, new gutters can work wonders for the efficacy of your roof and the overall look and feel of your home.

When it comes to gutters, most homeowners don’t think about them until something is going terribly wrong--like they’re starting to fall off the house. But the right gutters can protect your home during a deluge, and can even add to the overall style of your home.

What if you had a home in San Juan Capistrano, and you wanted a new roof? In that case, you’d likely call in a San Capistrano roofer to learn about your options. In the course of the conversation, your chosen Orange County roofing company no doubt would make mention of asphalt shingles – with good reason. Asphalt shingles offer homeowners a number of distinct advantages.

One of the primary advantages asphalt shingles bring to the table is affordability.  Your Orange County roofing contractor can offer asphalt shingles at considerably lower cost than that associated with competing materials such as tile, metal, and wood shake.

Despite their relative low cost, asphalt shingles offer remarkable durability. Once installed by an Orange County roofing company, these shingles can last anywhere from 20 to 50 years, making them an excellent long-term investment.

But the advantages don’t end there. Along with asphalt’s affordability and durability is its relative ease of installation. In fact, it’s one of the simplest materials a commercial roofing contractor can possibly install. Being easy to set in place, asphalt shingles require less installation time and therefore carry lower labor costs, allowing your Orange County roofing contractor to pass the savings on to you.

Asphalt also offers certain aesthetic advantages – always important to homeowners, particularly if they’re contemplating attracting buyers when it’s time to sell their home. Your Orange County roofing company can install asphalt shingles in a variety of textures and looks, ranging from a wood finish to tile and other popular materials. Complementing this range of looks is asphalt’s equally diverse selection of stylish colors.

If you have questions about asphalt shingles, be sure to reach out to Luke Roofing. Among the long-established Orange County roofing companies, we provide prompt, reliable expertise for every need and situation. Whether you need roofing services in San Juan Capistrano, Mission Viejo or anywhere else in OC, Luke Roofing is an Orange County roofing company you can count on.

A recent post introduced the issue of roof moss and some general solutions for eliminating this unwanted addition to your home. For people in an Orange County city such as Newport Beach, roof moss is something that can crop up any time. Newport Beach roofers routinely deal with the issue, particularly in damp coastal areas. This post delves a bit deeper into the problem, revealing a highly effective solution backed by most Orange County roofers.

The earlier post pointed out that moss thrives best in shady conditions. Therefore, removing or reducing as much roof shade as possible is crucial. How do you achieve this all-important objective? The easiest and most efficient way is by grabbing your favorite gardening implements, utilizing them to clip overhanging tree limbs and other sunlight-blocking foliage.

Admittedly, this is a tough decision -- especially if you reside in a sunny climate. Those scorching summer months in particular can be beastly, making any heat-controlling elements, such as shade, exceedingly welcome. (We hard-working Orange County roofers know the value of shade as much as anyone). Moreover, shade contributes wonderfully to lower air conditioning bills.  That’s a couple of solid plusses. Still, shade must be eliminated or reduced if you’re besieged by roof moss. It certainly won’t leave on its own.  

While shade removal or reduction is a highly effective strategy, you could be thwarted by one factor -- overcast weather. If gray skies are common in your community, nature is providing miles and miles of irreversible shade. And nothing will alter those conditions until the sun makes its appearance. If your overcast lasts and lasts, you’ll likely require the intervention of a reputable commercial roofer to conquer the moss.

If you have questions about removing roof moss, be sure to reach out to Luke Roofing. Among the long-established Orange County roofers, we provide prompt, reliable expertise for every need and situation. Whether you need roofing services in Newport Beach or anywhere else in OC, Luke Roofing is an Orange County roofing company you can count on.

With all the trees beautifying Orange County, shade naturally comes with the territory. So if you have a home in say Aliso Viejo, chances are you’re getting a great deal of complimentary air conditioning courtesy of all those spreading limbs and branches. Shade, however, also brings an unwelcome addition to your  home – roof moss. If you see masses of this green stuff on your rooftop, you needn’t call in your local Aliso Viejo roofing contractor to deal with the issue. You can personally eliminate the problem with the right resources. But before you launch your moss assault, this Orange County roofing company suggests that you get slightly acquainted with your foe.

In a nutshell, moss is a kind of plant that thrives in moist regions. Dampness is necessary because it lacks roots, the typical water intake system for vegetation. For a busy Orange County roofing contractor, moss is a common sight. As previously mentioned, the abundant tree cover so common in OC provides the shady conditions so vital to its growth.  Once you add in a dose of moisture, particularly common in coastal areas, you’ve set the stage perfectly for the future appearance of moss.

As any commercial roofing contractor will tell you, there are three basic ways to eliminate roof moss.

•    Remove the shade that is promoting the growth of rooftop moss.
•    Create a highly acidic environment for moss. Or convert it into a base environment (these exceed 7 pH levels).
•    Remove all water and other forms of moisture from the vicinity.

Luke Roofing will elaborate on these solutions in a future post. So stay connected.

If you have questions about removing roof moss, be sure to reach out to Luke Roofing. A long-established Orange County roofing company, we provide prompt, reliable expertise for every need and situation. Whether you need roofing services in Orange or anywhere else in OC, Luke Roofing is an Orange County roofing company you can count on.

Interested in New Roof Tax Credits in Orange County?

Are you considering replacing or repairing your roof in 2016? Or did you make some improvements in 2017? If so, you might qualify for tax credits from either your federal or state income taxes.

Not all home improvements are eligible for tax deductions or credits, but many that make your home more energy efficient are. Here’s what you need to know about possible roofing related tax credits if you’re considering hiring an Orange County roofing contractor to make energy-efficient roofing improvements this year.

Federal Tax Credits

In 2016, you can claim 10% of costs--up to $500--or a specific amount from $50 to $300 on certain ENERGY STAR products. You must make the repairs or upgrades on your existing home, which must also be your principal residence. Vacation and rental homes, and new construction homes don’t count.

For roofs, the tax rebate applies to metal roofs with certain pigmented coatings, and asphalt roofs with appropriate cooling granules. You can also include costs for items like weather stripping, spray foam, house wrap, and caulk to seal air leaks.

Let’s say you’re selling a home in Irvine. In that case, you might need the assistance of reliable Irvine roofing services. The reason is simple: a faulty roof often is a stumbling block to a sale. Should an appraiser notice you need a new roof, he or she probably will include this in the report: “contingent on roof replacement or acceptable roof certification.”  Which means the buyer likely won’t get a loan until the matter is taken care of. So no matter what OC city you reside in, the sale of your home may depend on the skilled intervention of an Orange County roofer.    

When faced with such a contingency, homeowners obviously need to call in a recognized Orange County roofer to conduct a roof inspection. No matter which commercial roofer you involve, remember that 100 % perfect predictions are impossible.  Estimating the exact moment a roof will be completely worn out and beyond repair is an educated guess. One commercial roofer may say your roof is good for a year. Another may believe it can last two or three more years before leakage commences. Despite the divergent opinions, however, you can count on most estimates to be fairly accurate.

Remember, your Orange County roofer likely will be extremely careful during an inspection, as he or she must be aware of even the subtlest hints of potential problems. In most cases, however, evidence of wear and tear is fairly simple to spot.

If your roof is completely worn out, repairs probably aren’t an option. In that case, you’ll want a dependable Orange County roofer to install a new roof. Don’t expect buyers to foot the bill for the installation. They want neither the expense nor the hassle involved with the job.

If you have questions about roof inspections, be sure to reach out to Luke Roofing. A long-established commercial roofer, we provide prompt, reliable expertise for every need and situation. Whether you need roofing services in Irvine or anywhere else in OC, Luke Roofing is an Orange County roofer you can count on.

Whether you’re replacing or renovating your roof, you might be ready for some upgrades. Roofing upgrades, when installed by a licensed Orange County roofing contractor, can not only add to the value of your home, but also make it more comfortable and energy-efficient. And we don’t just mean spending thousands moving from asphalt shingles to clay tiles. You can actually take smaller steps to upgrade your roof, including these five options:

1.Improve the ventilation

One of the best ways to improve the overall efficiency of your home, especially in warm climates like ours, is to improve the ventilation in your roof. Proper roof ventilation allows heat to escape out of the roof, rather than collecting in your attic and slowly warming the floors below it.

All too often, roofs aren’t properly ventilated when a home is built. This causes the attic to act as a furnace when the weather is warm, adding to your cooling costs. To keep your attic cooler, as your Orange County roofer to add soffit vents. These vents go in the soffits under the eaves, and draw cooler air into the attic. Then a vent in the top of the roof allows hot air at the peak to escape. This ensures airflow through the attic, keeping it at a cooler temperature when the weather gets hot.

2.Add insulation

Another option for adding to the efficiency of your home is to add insulation to your roof or attic. The easiest option here is blown-in insulation - a thick layer of the stuff on the attic floor. Talk to your roofer about other possible ways to add insulation that will keep the attic’s heat from warming up the rest of the house.

One possible caveat here: make sure the insulation doesn’t negate your ventilation efforts. You may need to use shields or ducts to hold back the insulation around vents, so that it doesn’t block up the vents and render them useless.

3.Opt for lower-maintenance gutters

If you’re replacing your roof, why not go ahead and look at the gutters, as well? If your existing gutters aren’t properly aligned or just need a color change and upgrade, opt for a lower-maintenance option. The latest gutters include built-in hoots, which make them practically maintenance-free. With hoods to keep debris out of the gutters, you won’t have to worry about cleaning out your gutters a few times a year.

4.Reflect the sun

In sunny SoCal, one of the best choices you can make is a roof that reflects the sun. Reflective options include galvanized metal and light-colored roofing shingles. These materials bounce the sun’s light back away from your home, helping to keep it cool.

There are a myriad of high-efficiency sun-reflecting options on the market today. Talk to your Orange County roofing professional about the options available for your particular roof. This can be one more step to keep your home cool in the hot summers, which can, in turn, add value to your home as a whole.

5.Add some texture

What if you’re looking for a visual upgrade that will boost your home’s curb appeal? The easiest way to achieve this goal with your roof is to move from a flat surface - like a traditional shingle roof - to a surface with some interesting texture. Again, there are plenty of options that will achieve this goal.

Siding makes a huge contribution to a home’s overall appearance. But as this Orange County roofer knows, it also has a more basic function – protecting properties from the unwanted entry of water. Siding, of course, is like any other part of your house – it’s subject to normal wear and tear. Along with lowering your home’s aesthetic appeal, such deterioration invites leakage, especially near windows, doors, and corner moldings. Fortunately, homeowners can steer clear of trouble by conducting their own siding inspection. Here’s what to look for:

Caulk – Time can be brutal to caulk. Check yours for cracks or signs of loosening -- both open invitations to water leakage. If you notice either of these warning signs, re-apply caulk as soon as possible. For best results, choose a warm, dry day. Caulk adheres best when temperatures exceed 65 degrees.

Cracks and Chips – Both are very common with siding that’s past its prime. For wood, telltale signs are chipped or peeling paint, as well as cracks in boards and trim. This applies whether the material is pine, spruce, cedar, redwood, or fir. Equally vulnerable is stucco, which can develop its own cracks and chips over time.

Brick Siding – The big giveaway here is crumbling mortar joints. If you see evidence of this deterioration, repairs will be necessary.

Good News for Homeowners

A thorough cleaning can help preserve siding, thereby saving homeowners from premature repair and replacement costs. Basic equipment for the job is a bucket of warm, soapy water, and a scrub brush. Once the scrubbing begins, commercial roofers generally recommend going from bottom to top. This prevents streaking. Depending on your siding’s square footage, the cleansing job can take one or two afternoons. So don’t plan on going anywhere for awhile.

If you have questions about home siding, be sure to reach out to Luke Roofing. A long-established commercial roofing contractor, we provide prompt, reliable expertise for every need and situation. Offering roofing services from Dana Point to Tustin, Luke Roofing is your trusted Orange County roofer.

Perhaps it starts with a steady drip plopping onto your forehead as you settle into your sofa. Or maybe you notice a small, widening puddle soaking your carpet when it rains. (You remember rain, don’t you?).  Whatever the signs, roof leaks spell big trouble. As this Orange County roofer knows, however, you can minimize the trouble if you have advance warning. With that in mind, here are three possible causes of roof leaks to be on the lookout for.   

Missing Shingles

Not too difficult to spot this telltale sign. Just glance at your roof, scan, and look for different-colored patches amidst the shingles. If patches are present, it’s a sure bet shingles used to occupy those spaces. The typical cause of missing shingles is harsh weather, particularly rain and wind.

Open Valleys

On sloping roofs, the place where two planes meet is called a valley.  This meeting point, of course, must be properly sealed. If gaps are present, rainwater can drop right through. Look for any signs of moisture along the roof seams. These indicate improper sealing.

Most often, the open valley problem starts when the original sealing is improperly done.  And it only gets worse from there. Obviously, you want a commercial roofer who gets the job done right from the beginning.

Skylight Gaps

Sometimes skylights can let in moisture along with the sunshine. This can happen as a result of shoddy installation or withering skylight insulation.  If you notice damp spots around the skylight edges, you’re probably looking at leakage. At that point, it’s best to call in a commercial roofer to investigate. Unless you love the steady plunk of water filling a bucket.

If you have questions about roof leaks, be sure to reach out to Luke Roofing. A long-established commercial roofing contractor, we provide prompt, reliable expertise for every need and situation. Offering roofing services from Buena Park to Foothill Ranch, Luke Roofing is your trusted Orange County roofer.