Install Skylights the Right Way

Skylights introduce beautiful, natural lighting into your business or home. Of course, like any window, you have to install your skylight properly to avoid future problems. Improperly installed skylights often leak water or allow the outside temperatures in. Here is how you need to install a skylight to avoid common issues.

Leaking Skylights

A professional contractor won’t leave you with a leaky skylight. A properly installed skylight is going to have tightly sealed joints. A contractor may even mount the frame above the roof’s surface so that leaks are less likely.

Controlled Temperature

If you install the skylight yourself, you’re more at risk for less temperature control. In the summer, you want to keep the cool air in, while in the winter, you want to retain heat but also allow the sun to beat down on the glass. The way that contractors make sure your skylight helps keep your temperature under control is by installing it at the right slope. Often, they will use a skylight that has a tilted base.

You want a skylight that has a slope equal to your latitude plus five to 15 degrees. Of course, a professional may also install blinds or shades so that you can further control the amount of light and heat that you allow into your building. Now, if you think that you would benefit from a skylight that opens like a window, you can have that too.

Use a Professional

When it comes to installing a skylight, you need to have a professional on hand. When you install a skylight improperly or poorly, it can lead to worse problems. Leaking skylights lead to water damage, whereas temperature control can help you save on your energy bill. While many people swear by DIY projects, there are certain aspects of construction like windows and skylights that you should always look to a professional for help with.

Do you have a roofing need at one of your properties? Contact Andrews Roofing today by calling (757) 296-2897 or sending an email to ben@andrewsroofing.net to get a free estimate for your next project. To learn more about our roofing services, please click here.

Reasons to Fix Your Roof This Fall

Although the summertime seems like it would be the best season to undertake construction-related projects, fall is an excellent time as well. Fall is actually the ideal season to fix any issues with the roof of your home.

Prepare for Winter

One of the biggest reasons to have your roofing projects completed by fall is to make sure your home is ready for the winter that is approaching. Damage to the roof caused by issues such as missing or broken shingles will only worsen during the winter months with the harsher weather conditions, so it is a good idea to complete these repairs before the temperature drops.

In addition to protecting your home physically from harsh conditions, fixing your roof can also help keep your utility bill as low as possible. A solid, high-quality roof will help make sure that the heat is not escaping, keeping your home nice and warm without having to crank up the thermostat unnecessarily. This will not only save energy, it will also help save you money in the long run.

Not Too Hot, Not Too Cold

Fall provides cooler temperatures than the summer without the harsh, bitter cold of winter, so conditions are ideal for the roof’s materials. For example, asphalt shingle roofs generally should be installed when the weather is between 45 and 50 degrees. This temperature range can generally be found in the fall.

Make sure your home is ready for those winter months with high-quality, solid roof. Keep your house protected from harsh weather elements while improving your energy-efficiency by completing all the repairs necessary by the end of the fall season.

Contact Andrews Roofing today by sending an email to ben@andrewsroofing.net or completing our contact form to see what we can do for you. We are dedicated to giving you the best service possible, so when you shop with us, you can be confident knowing that your satisfaction is a top priority.

Meet Keanu!

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Repairing Roof Leaks Doesn’t Have to Be a Nightmare

Fixing a leak on the roof can be like finding a needle in the haystack. Many times, the leak ends up in a different place than where it starts. Even if it’s raining, it can still be difficult to find the origin of the leak. You’ll need to look for water marks, discoloration and stains in the attic.

How to Find the Leak

Fortunately, it doesn’t have to rain to find where the water is coming in. Here are three ways to find where your leak starts:

• Use light. Look for the leak during the day. Use a bright flashlight to follow the stains and water marks. If you can get up in the attic when it’s raining, you may be able to follow the water.
• Work backwards. It’s rare that the leak is directly where it’s coming in. Water travels down a path until finding a vulnerable spot to drip down.
• Add water. When the weather is clear, send a friend up to the roof with a garden hose. Have your friend systematically work across the roof, one area at a time.

Call in an Expert

Fixing a roof is not always a DIY project. You might void the warranty of your roof if you try and fix it yourself. An older roof may be disintegrating even more. When you don’t know what you’re doing, you could create an even bigger problem. Steep roofs are extremely hazardous too. Most homeowners don’t have the right tools or even know how to repair a roof properly. Unless you’ve done roofing before, it’s better to call a professional to ensure that the job is done right.

Experienced Residential Roofers in Virginia

Andrews Roofing has 20 years of experience in residential roofing. If your roof is leaking, protect your largest investment by sending an email to ben@andrewsroofing.net or completing our contact form to get a free estimate for your next project.

Most Common Roofing Questions

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Top 3 Reasons to Have a Well-Ventilated Attic

Most people don’t pay attention to the ventilation in their attic. After all, you don’t live up there, so why does it matter how the air circulates? It only takes you a few seconds to drop things up there that you don’t plan to use for a long time. While it may be true that most people don’t spend much time in their attic except for storing or retrieving items, having a well-ventilated attic is actually quite important. Here are three reasons you should make sure that air is properly circulating in your attic.

Heat and Moisture

Everyone knows that their attic gets extremely hot during the summer. However, most people don’t know that some of the structural components that make up the attic are vulnerable to too much heat and moisture. Parts such as the roof deck, trusses and rafters can become warped when exposed to extreme heat for an extended period of time, which can lead to a weakened structure and eventually a collapsed roof if not addressed in time.

Mold and Mildew

Where there is heat and moisture, you can expect mold and mildew. This is true for anywhere in your home, but the attic is especially at risk for heavy growth because you don’t spend too much time up there. It’s possible that by the time you notice it, the mold and mildew infestation has gotten out of control and caused serious damage.

Damage to Insulation

It’s also possible for heat and moisture to get absorbed by the insulation in the attic and cause them to become damaged. If this happens, then your home’s energy efficiency can be thrown off which can lead to a significant increase in your monthly utility bill.

It’s clear that proper attic ventilation is more important than most people think. If you’re concerned about the air circulation in your attic or want to speak with a professional about a consultation, contact the experts at Andrews Roofing today by sending an email to ben@andrewsroofing.net or completing our contact form to get a free estimate for your next project.

Women in Construction Week 2018

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