We spend a lot of time discussing the importance of roof maintenance because it can help detect issues before they become major problems that can drain your bank account.  If you're guilty of ignoring your roof until you spot a leak, it's important to place roof leak repair at the very top of your priority list.  Roof leaks are caused by a number of reasons: wind and storm damage, improper installation, poor maintenance, or age.  Even a small roof leak can cause major damage to your home, causing not only structural problems, but safety and health risks as well.

Here are some of the unexpected ways a roof leak can affect your home:

1. Structural Integrity:  While this one may be an obvious problem, it is a significant one.  Constant water intrusion will damage the rafters, ceiling joists, wall frames, fascia boards, and even exterior trim.  The wood will weaken and deteriorate, causing expensive repairs.
2. Damage to the Attic & Ceiling:  The attic (and all the items you store in your attic) is the first place affected by a roof leak.  Depending on the size of the attic and the size of the leak, your ceilings may be damaged as well.  The paint on the ceiling will darken, the plaster may bubble or crack, light fixtures and ceiling fans may be affected, and the leaking water may also affect nearby walls.
3. Mold & Mildew Problems:   A long term problem caused by a roof leak is the growth of mold and mildew in your home.  It can spread throughout the structure of the home and even into the HVAC system, which will push it through the vents and cause it to spread even further.  The most common type of mold growth caused by water intrusion is black mold.  While not always toxic, it is difficult and expensive to remove.
4. Health Problems:  Mold and mildew can cause health problems, including asthma, rhinitis, inflammation, nasal congestion, allergic reactions, and other respiratory problems.
   
5. ​Increased Utility Bills:  The intrusion of water into your attic is also detrimental to the insulation.  It will become saturated, taking much longer to dry out.  This can deplete the effectiveness of the insulation, allowing your home to lose hot and cold air depending on the time of year. 
   
6. Fire Hazards:  If the electrical wiring in your attic or ceiling comes into contact with the water from a roof leak, the wires can be shorted and cause an electrical fire.  If you do have a roof leak, be sure to turn off the electricity to that area and contact an electrician for an inspection. 
7. Fall Hazards:  A major roof leak may cause water to puddle on the floor.  While this might not seem like a big risk, it can cause people to slip and fall, especially in families with children who like to run through the house. 

It is best to have your roof inspected regularly and to perform regular maintenance in order to avoid a roof leak and all the problems that come along with it.  While a roof leak is a major inconvenience that can cause a variety of problems in your home if left unattended, most leaks can be easily repaired by an experienced roofing contractor.  ​

Your gutters are an integral component of your roofing system.  Their main role is to redirect water off of the roof and away from the rest of the building, protecting not only the roof but the walls, foundation, and even your landscaping.  When you don't maintain your gutter system and allow them to clog up with debris, you can end up with a major headache and an empty checkbook.  Here are just a few of the major problems that can occur when you ignore your gutters:

• ​Roof leaks:  When the water is not able to flow freely through the gutter system and out through the downspout, it can back up onto the roof, seeping under the shingles and causing the plywood foundation to rot.
• Water stains:  If the water is unable to drain through the downspouts because of leaves and other buildup, it will eventually leak over the edges of the gutters.  The water will run down the sides of the building, causing streaks and stains.
• Rotten wood:  When water is left to accumulate anywhere on the building structure, it will cause the wood to rot.  Not only is this an aesthetic problem, but it will cause structural damage that can be very costly.
• Sagging gutters:  The combination of leaves, sticks, and other debris with the water will add a lot of extra weight to the gutters.  This extra pressure can often cause the gutters to pull away from the roof and sometimes make them completely come off.
• Pests:  Areas with moisture and debris are a breeding ground for various types of pests and rodents, including ants, termites, and mosquitoes.  The pests will eventually make their way inside the building structure, especially if the structure is damaged from the clogged gutters.
• Mold and mildew:  When water accumulates for periods of time, mold and mildew will grow, spreading into other parts of your home or business.  It is difficult to remove and can cause health problems.

While cleaning your gutters is not an enjoyable task, it is definitely a necessity if you want to prevent damage to your home or business.  There is also an option to install leaf and debris guards over your gutters that will greatly reduce the amount of gutter maintenance you need to do.  The guards are designed to allow water to flow through but to block out the majority of leaves, sticks, and other debris.  If you decide to go with this option, be sure to consult with a qualified roofing contractor to ensure the gutter guards are not only good quality but installed properly.  Many people think they should hire a company that solely performs work on gutters, but in reality, it is best to work with a company that knows the ins and outs of the complete roofing system.  

At Bill White Roofing and Specialty, we offer gutter services including repairs, new installations, and gutter guards.  Give us a call at (205) 942-8374 or fill out our contact form here.

Purchasing a new roof is a large investment, so it is extremely important to hire the right roofing contractor for the job.  Just because a company promises they will do the job quickly and cheaper than others does not mean that they are the best option.  In order to find a reliable and knowledgeable roofer, you must ask some important questions and do some investigating to ensure they will do a good job on what we think is the most important aspect of your home or business.  Here are some questions you should ask before you sign a contract and pull out your wallet:

1. Are they an established contractor?  If a roofer has been in the business for a number of years, this is a good sign that they are trusted by their clients.
2. Can they provide references?  Be sure to ask for contact info from their last three clients or you may be given a list of their most satisfied clients.  Knowing how their most recent customers feel about their service will give you a good idea of what you can expect.  It is also a good idea to contact clients who had their roofs replaced several years ago so you can learn about the quality of their work.
3. Do they have insurance?  A reliable roofing contractor will have liability insurance to protect customers from any unexpected situations during the process.  Be sure to ask for a certificate of insurance and check to make sure their policy is still valid before they begin work.
4. What type of warranty do they offer?  If they do offer an additional warranty, find out how long it applies and what it covers.  Most reliable roofing companies offer guarantees that will cover problems caused by improper installations.
5. What does their process look like?  Ask questions about how long the project will take to complete, their cleanup policy, and what you should expect with your new roof.  A good contractor will be completely transparent with you about the entire project.  If a roofing company says they will complete the project in  a very short amount of time, chances are they are skimping on the quality of their work.  If they don't clean up after themselves, your property is probably going to be covered in old roofing shingles and nails.

At Bill White Roofing and Specialty we are committed to quality and complete customer satisfaction.  We always say “Your roof is our roof” and our work reflects that.  We know the importance of a strong and sturdy roof so we go the extra mile to ensure it is in the best shape possible.  If you have any problems with your roof, have questions about your roof, or just want a roof inspection to give you peace of mind, give us a call.  We would love to hear from you!

It’s almost spring cleaning time again!  Your house needs to be cleaned from top to bottom, your garage de-cluttered, your landscaping refreshed, and your roof needs some attention too.  After a winter full of storms, ice, and drastic weather changes, your roof could have possible leaks, missing shingles, mold, and other serious problems.  Follow our spring cleaning checklist to assess the state of your roof:

1. Clean Out the Gutters:  Chances are, your gutters are full of leaves and other debris as you’re reading this.  Either hire a professional or carefully climb a ladder to clear your gutter system out and ensure that water can run freely through your downspouts.  While you’re at it, check for signs of damage on your gutters such as rust, corrosion, and separation from your roof.  If your gutter system is not in tip-top shape for the rainy spring season, you will be faced with much bigger problems down the road.
2. Check for Loose Shingles and Flashing:  You can inspect your roof from the ground instead of climbing on it to avoid the risk of slipping or falling.  Look for gaps in the shingles, curling shingles, or any shingles that look like they will fly off the next time the wind blows.  Take a look at the flashing, or the material that covers all of the joints in your roof, for signs that it is buckling or coming off. 
3. Trim Branches:  If you have trees in your yard that have branches hanging over your roof, this is an accident waiting to happen.  If you have the proper equipment, trim any overhanging branches to avoid damage to your roof.  This will also help with the amount of leaves that pile up in your gutters.
4. Inspect Your Attic:  Do a thorough inspection in your attic for signs of water damage or mold.  Check all of the beams and joists for signs of cracking or bending and check the roof deck for deterioration as well.  Do your inspection during the day and look for signs of light seeping into the attic from outside.

Follow our simple checklist to ensure your roof is in top condition for the coming spring.  If you identify any issues or problems it is best to contact an experienced and dependable roofing contractor for repairs.  Give us a call at (205) 942-8374 for fast and efficient roof repairs in Birmingham so you can focus on all of the other areas of your home that need spring cleaning.

If you haven't had to shop for a new roof in the past decade, you're probably unaware of the fact that there are tons of options when it comes to roofing materials.  A roof typically lasts anywhere from 20-50 years, so chances are, you will have to replace your roof at some point in your life.  Because your new roof will last for years, it is important to choose your roofing shingles wisely so they'll not only last as long as you expect, but also so you don't cringe every time you pull up to your house.  With that being said, here are several factors you should keep in mind when choosing the color of your roofing shingles:

Climate:  The color of the shingles will help keep your energy bills in line because it can affect the temperature in your attic by 20-40 degrees.  Lighter colored shingles reflect sunlight and will help keep your home cool, while darker colored shingles absorb heat and will help keep your home stay warm if you live in a colder climate.

Color of Your Home:  You'll want to coordinate the color of your roof with the other elements of your home, whether it is brick, stucco, or covered in siding.  Dark gray or black shingles look great with a gray, blue, or white house.  If your home is brown, cream, or tan, you may want to go with brown shingles or a mix of cream and brown.  If your home is a different color, such as green, red, or yellow, you will have more flexibility when it comes to choosing a color because they all will compliment your home.

Make a Statement:  What type of statement do you want to make with your home?  Neutral colors such as tan, cream, brown, black, and gray are the safest option and will stay in style the longest.  If you're going for a trendier statement, you can use a color combination such as various brown tones or a mix of blues, blacks, and grays.  

Illusion:  Darker colored shingles will make your home look smaller while lighter colors will make it look larger

Your Neighbors: If you are a member of a neighborhood association, you will need to check with them to see what colors are approved for your roofing shingles.  If there are no rules concerning the color of your roof, you should still take into consideration how your roof will blend with the surrounding homes.  You don't want to choose the exact same color roof as your next door neighbors, but you also don't want the colors to clash.

Consult with a qualified and experienced roofing contractor to help you choose the best roofing shingle for your home.  There are so many options on the market so they should be able to help you narrow down your choices.  Shingle type and color are important decisions that will greatly affect your home's curb appeal as well as resale value.