Author Archives: Quality Exteriors

Slate roofing is the strongest, longest-lasting roof material on the market today. So, many times, when homeowners have a slate roof on their home, they have questions like, ‘is a roof leak an emergency with slate roofing?’ and, ‘is a roof repair covered by insurance?’. Because slate roofing is known to be the most durable roofing material available, many believe that there is no need for maintenance and service until they have an extensively damaged slate roof that’s costly and sometimes impossible to replace.

Why Repair Roof System Made of Slate?

When roofing systems begin to fail, they present multiple types of problems. Slate is no different and can lead to serious, costly leaks and other issues when damages aren’t repaired properly and efficiently. So, when does your slate roof need to be repaired? There are multiple signs to look for to identify roof damage on a slate roofing system.

• Cracked or Worn Slate Tiles: If you have slate on your roof that is cracked or worn, those tiles should be replaced immediately to prevent further, more costly damage.
• Flashing Separation and Degradation: Flashing is the metal sheet that covers joints and seams such as the area where the chimney and roof material meet. Although slate can last more than 100 years, your flashing will fail much sooner than that. Failed flashing is the number one cause of slate roof damage and should be repaired as soon as possible.
• Fastening Failure: Much like flashing failure, the fasteners that hold your slate on will fail long before the slate itself. As fasteners slip, slate can fall and break or become separated, leaving room for damages. Replacing your fasteners at the first sign of malfunction can prevent expensive material repair.
• Inexperienced Repair Efforts: While slate roofing is both exquisite and durable, the wrong roofing team can mean its demise. Slate roofing must be installed and serviced by a skilled roof repair company to ensure proper repair and tile installation that doesn’t slip or leak. Faulty service is a top reason for slate roof malfunction. A team that is not properly trained in how to do slate roof repair can actually cause more damage than they eliminate.

Slate Roof Leaks

A leaking roof is a definite sign that you have a problem. Slate roof leaks can quickly turn expensive, leading to the need for multiple tile replacement and other structural repairs. But many homeowners aren’t sure of exactly what to do if the roof is leaking or when to call a professional. In order to make your roof repair as painless as possible, any type of roof leak should be serviced immediately. An experienced roofer can inspect your roofing system and identify all damages and weaknesses that should be repaired.

How do I Know if My Roof is Leaking?

Of course, when your home has a severe roof leak, you will notice water running down the walls from the ceiling. But, barring a major leak, how can you tell when you have a roof leak? They can usually be identified by warped or separated roof materials. Many times, you will also find moisture in the attic and insulation from previous water drainage. Water stains on ceilings, walls, or even baseboards can be caused by roof leaks. Unrepaired roof leaks not only cause additional roof damages, but they can also lead to structural home damage and even foundation problems that can cause sewer line breaks or other costly damages.

Slate Roof Replacement

At some point, your slate roof will need to be replaced. Although slate is tough, there are instances when repair is simply not an option and replacement must be planned. Instances when repair won’t suffice include:

• Flaking or Powdering: As slate ages, it will begin to flake. The underside will also begin to powder. These are both signs that replacement will soon be needed.
• Heavy Moisture Damage: Extensive moisture damage in the attic implies that you may have multiple leaks or that your material is seriously degraded and will need to be replaced.
• Extensive Material Damage: If more than 20-30 percent of your roof’s surface is damaged, replacement is likely the only way to restore optimal strength. Once too much material must be replaced, the integrity and strength of the structure are in question and so all the material must be reset.

If you suspect damage to your slate roofing system, or if it’s beginning to look aged and worn, call your local roof repair contractors at (651) 796-2341 first. We provide experienced slate roofing service and can often repair your roof without replacing it. Our experts are experienced and trained and know how to do slate roof repair efficiently and effectively to prevent new damages from forming. In the event that you need roof replacement, our experts will discuss your options with you, providing realistic results for every budget.

As a homeowner, you are most likely always looking for ways to save on household costs. Typically, a household can save up to 20 percent on energy costs by altering a few simple things around the house. From double-paned windows to metal shingle roofing, these simple tricks can save you hundreds.

Maximizing Your Whole Home’s Energy-Efficiency

Metal shingle roofing offers unbeatable UV protection for your home which lowers energy costs throughout. These shingles offer extreme durability and resistance, so you don’t have to worry about incomplete or diminishing protection on your home. Metal roof shingles fit together perfectly to deliver a leak-proof, sealed roof structure that locks in conditioned air and keeps warm air out.

Along with Metal roof shingles, installing a tankless water heater and whole house dehumidifier can also help save on energy costs. Tankless water heaters provide superior heating without the need to reheat stored water. Dehumidifiers can also save energy by removing moisture from your air that can cause uneven temperatures and cool or warm pockets of air. Other components of your home that can be adjusted to save energy are:

• Window and Door Seals: Sealing your windows and doors can keep conditioned air from escaping.
• High-Efficiency Light Bulbs: These light bulbs can produce the same amount of light as a standard bulb, with only a third of the energy.
• Fan Utilization: Ceiling fans help circulate air causing your HVAC system to run less and for shorter periods.

Your Local Metal Roofing Specialists

Saving energy in your home doesn’t have to be a pipe dream. The Quality Exteriors, Inc. team can help you begin saving money today with a metal shingle or cool roof installation in the St Paul, MN area. We provide the skill and knowledge needed for hassle-free roof work, every time. Call us today at (651) 796-2341.

Energy efficiency and energy savings go hand in hand. With a more efficient home, you can watch as your bills lower without affecting the comfort of your home. Maybe you have tried all of the energy efficiency tips and are not seeing the results you are looking for. This may be due to outdated systems in your home. Over time, roofs, plumbing, and more can wear, becoming less and less efficient. In these cases, home improvement may be the best answer to get your home back to help your home. While you may think that these improvements may be appliance only, there are some other things you can do to improve your efficiency:

• Consider a Metal Roofing system: Residential metal roofing offers reflecting roofing for your needs, bouncing the suns rays away from the property and keeping your home cool. This means your AC will not have to work as hard to cool your home.
• Upgrade Plumbing Fixtures: Your plumbing system can be updated with new fixtures and systems to reduce water usages. For instance, tankless water heaters heat water on demand, meaning they only use energy when you need them too, leading to less energy consumption.
• Low-E Windows: New windows prevent the sun from affecting your home’s internal temperature and damaging your furniture and flooring. Consider replacing your windows.
• Flooring: Even flooring can affect your home efficiency! Different flooring can do different things for your home, such as carpet which retains warmth and bamboo which is a sustainable wood flooring.

What are the Benefits of Energy Efficiency?

Many people look at energy efficiency as a way to just save on their utilities, however, it actually goes much further than that! Energy efficiency can benefit you, your community, and the environment all in one! By lowering your energy use, you create more available energy for those in your community who need it, reducing their costs as well as the amount of energy the energy company needs to produce. With reduced production, fewer resources and greenhouse gases are expended. By taking steps for your home, you are helping so much more. Want to get started on your energy efficiency with a new metal roof? Quality Exteriors, Inc. is always available to get started on your needs. Give us a call today at (651) 796-2341!

Do you every wonder why roofing professionals continue to recommend annual commercial roof inspections? It might surprise you to learn that one of the primary reasons why companies need consistent checkups is the rooftop HVAC unit. While these HVAC systems enable many businesses to save office space, it can also lead to some significant problems. Examine the advantages and drawbacks of these HVAC systems, and learn how to care for your commercial roof.

Pros & Cons of Rooftop HVAC

It’s simple to see why so many businesses place their HVAC unit on the rooftop of their office. First, it saves space in the interior of the building. It may also provide extra roof for another parking space on the side of the building. The second benefit that many business owners don’t consider, is the noise reduction. After all, HVAC units aren’t exactly known for being quiet. Finally, it’s much easier to access your unit for maintenance and repairs when it’s located on your rooftop.

However, there are some serious downsides to placing your HVAC unit on top of your roof. It places additional weight on an isolated portion of your roof. There’s also the issue of leaking fluid or condensation dripping from your HVAC unit. Without proper protection, these fluids can slowly corrode the materials of your roofing system and (potentially) leak into your building interior.

Pros and cons aside, sometimes the only available place to store your unit is the roof. You just need to know how to care for and maintain your roof to protect against unwanted corrosion. A restorative roof coating will help guard against the extra moisture and heat fluctuations. You can also take advantage of a coating to cool your roof and save on energy consumption. Of course, you can stay on top of maintenance and repairs with consistent commercial roof inspections and checkups for your HVAC unit. It’s cheaper than waiting for problems to pop up unexpectedly.

Contact Us for Commercial Roof Services

If you’d like more information about maintaining your roofing system, or if you’d like to schedule one of our commercial roof inspections, you’re welcome to give our team a call at (651) 796-2341. With a little extra care, your rooftop and HVAC unit will be safe for decades to come!

Yeah, cleaning the roof doesn’t cross home and business owners’ minds often, but it is essential to preserving the life of the roof, and even extending the years you get out of it. Roof cleaning can be done either by yourself or by professionals.

Here’s What To Know About Roof Cleaning:

There Are Two Ways To Clean Your Roof: Manually Or With Chemicals

Manually involves hand-scrubbing or using tools like pressure washers with high-powered water jets to blast grime away. Pressure washing is more effective but requires professional handling and can sometimes be so powerful that it can damage fragile roofs, blowing off loosened shingles or tiles. Chemicals like chlorine and zinc can effectively kill off moss and algae growth on roofs but are dangerous if the liquid runs off the roof and touches any other plant or pond life, killing them.

Helps With Energy Efficiency

Roofs not only protect the home and boost curb appeal, they help regulate temperature inside the house. If the roof is covered in leaves, moss, and dirt, sun cannot be absorbed by the roofing material to warm the home.

Prevents Wood Rot

Moss eats away at roof shingles, especially if they are made of wood, creating wood rot.. Eventually reaching the decking, the interior of your home will be exposed, allowing rainwater to enter and causing other damaging issues like leaks and mold.

Cheaper Than A Roof Replacement

Cleaning your roof and giving it a good wash costs only 5 percent of what an entire roof replacement would cost, which is what would happen if wood rot or too many missing shingles kept happening to your roof. It will also boost your home’s curb appeal, as well.

For roof cleaning in St Paul, MN, call Quality Exteriors, Inc. at (651) 796-2341 today.

Regardless of its quality or the frequency of maintenance, every roof will eventually need replacement. In the case of the most popular roofing material in the country, a few signs can indicate when its time for a new shingle roof. Make sure not to ignore these, as continued use of a compromised roof can lead it to fail. A failed roof can quickly create a crisis, as it will do next to nothing to defend your home from storms or other hazards.

Damaged or Missing Shingles

Almost any asphalt shingle roof will need the occasional replacement of the odd shingle or two. As roofs get routinely buffeted by high winds, individual areas can become vulnerable to detachment and leaks. If you begin to lose a number of shingles, however, the time has come for roofing replacement. The major loss of shingles indicates a roof far past its prime, or one that experienced faulty installation, situations you can only solve with a fresh install. The same wisdom applies to a roof that sustains comprehensive, serious damage from something like a hailstorm.

Old Age

Old age represents the most common reason to replace a roof. An old roof may not necessarily appear like it needs replacement. However, hidden weaknesses and problems that accumulate over a long life can leave a roof highly vulnerable to failure The average asphalt shingle roof will persist for 15 to 20 years if taken care of with regular repairs and maintenance. If you have had you roof for a comparable period of time, make sure to call a trusted roofer for an inspection.

At Quality Exteriors, Inc., we can serve all needs for a new shingle roof in St Paul, MN and the surrounding areas. To learn more or schedule service, give us a call today at (651) 796-2341.