How Do You Know When It’s Time For A New Roof?

When is the last time you did a visual inspection of your roof? If it has been awhile, now is the time to do it. With autumn on our doorstep, the cooler temperatures and wild weather will be here before you know it. Since most roof problems pop up because of leaks from snow, rain, and ice, this time of year is really perfect to make sure your roof isn’t going to give you any unexpected, and expensive problems.

Go outside and take a good look at your roof. What do you see? Are the shingles starting to break off? Is the roof sagging or discolored? Are there dark spots on the outside or ceiling cracks and discoloration on the inside? These can all be signs of a deteriorating roof. But how long is a roof actually supposed to last, and is a new roof worth the investment? Here are some things to think about when it comes to roof replacement.

1. How old is your roof? Roofs generally last about 20 years, and the reason I say generally is because the life of the roof depends on how it was installed and if it has proper insulation and ventilation. If a roof is done correctly, it can often last longer than 20 years. If you don’t know, it’s worth finding out, especially if you recently purchased your house or are thinking about purchasing one.

2. Are your shingles curling, splitting or falling off? This could be due to age and general wear and tear. If this is happening, your roof will be much more susceptible to leaks, which can cause major problems both inside and out, especially as the snow begins to pile up.

3. Do you see moss or mold growing on your roof? This is a problem that could be fixed with a simple roof cleaning, or it could be a sign that you have rotting wood and damaging moisture trapped under the shingles. A simple inspection will tell you if it’s a quick cosmetic fix or something more complex that needs to be repaired.

Many remodelers will do a roof inspection for free, so if you’re unsure about how your roof is holding up, consult with an expert. I always tell the homeowners how long I think their roof will last based on the current condition and the external environment. The number one reason roofs don’t last is because contractors will often shingle over the old roof which can lead to poor ventilation and premature roof aging and rot. I see it all the time. If you’re dealing with a good roofer, they will explain all the options available to you, so don’t be afraid to ask questions to ensure you’re getting the answers and solutions that make sense for your home.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Fix Up Dangerous Concrete Steps and Paths The Easy Way

If you’ve ever had to replace concrete, you know what a pain it can be. From time to time,  steps and sidewalks crack and sink, leaving the homeowner with an unsightly and potentially dangerous home hazard. Years ago, we had no choice but to jackhammer the old concrete and then replace it with a new slab. But today, there are methods of revitalizing concrete that can save you time, money and a whole lot of headache.

Concrete raising is a method of replacement that works by drilling small holes into the existing slab and refilling it with a cementious material of grout-like consistency. The cement grout, or “slurry” as it’s called, gets pressure pumped in, filling air pockets or any gaps that have eroded or been damaged. By raising concrete with concrete, the result is as strong as the day the original concrete was first poured, and the best part is that you don’t have to replace the entire structure. 

A popular alternative to concrete raising is called mudjacking, which uses a similar technique but instead pumps a mixture of topsoil, mud, and water into existing holes and gaps. This method raises the concrete, but the mixture is not actually made of concrete which means that it will erode again after time. Think of it like patching your denim jeans with a scrap of cloth – it will do the job for a while, but soon your knee will be poking out again. 

The same goes for polyurethane raising. This new trend works by injecting chemical foam into gaps to raise the concrete. The problem with this method is that the foam expands after it gets injected, which makes it difficult to measure in terms of accuracy. Also, because this filler is so new, there isn’t any information on how it evolves over time, and what effect that chemical mix has on the environment as it ages in the ground. It’s also worth noting that the certification process for polyurethane jacking is a two-day course, which doesn’t exactly give you the peace of mind that the job is getting done properly with precision. 

In my experience, when it comes to concreting, replacing aging structures with the same original material is the best way to ensure that new and old adhere to one another and will last for decades.

So if you have a sound structure in need of a facelift, consider concrete raising before you demolish. Most residential jobs can be completed in a few hours, and the cost is between one-half and one-third of what you would pay to have the old concrete removed and replaced. A lot of homes in town were built in the 1950’s and with decades of environmental changes and ground shifts, gaps in steps and sidewalks can cause a nasty trip and a fall, especially for older homeowners. If you need a recommendation for concrete raisers in the area, feel free to get in touch.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Get Your Gutters Prepped Before Autumn Leaves Fall

It may only be the second week of August, but soon we will be seeing the early signs of autumn. Do you know what that means? Every homeowner’s favorite job, leaf maintenance, is right around the corner.

Over the next two months, leaves, branches, and other debris will begin falling from the trees, onto your roof and down into your gutters, building up over time. As winter approaches, this buildup can lead to the formation of ice dams, a heavy mass of ice that settles on the edge of your roof where the gutters are installed.

The main job of a gutter is to create a pathway for water to move away from your home and through a downspout to deposit in a safe place away from your foundation. This system is vital to a home; it makes sure water can flow freely and not cause leaks in your roof, attic, and walls. But if your gutters are blocked up, the water has nowhere to go and has no choice but to flow over, creeping up into your roof shingles and down through your siding. This kind of damage is costly to repair and entirely preventable. So get your gloves on and let’s get to it.

To give your gutters a good clean you’ll need a ladder, a lawn bag or bucket, a small hand rake and a hose. Don’t be tempted to spray debris down the downspout with water; it’s likely that branches and leaves will get stuck inside, which will then clog it up and leave you with a whole new mess to deal with.  Start at the downspout opening and work your way backward, collecting gunk away from the downspout and disposing it into your bucket. Work in small sections and don’t let your bag get too heavy – it could throw you off balance and land you in the emergency room. While you’re making your way around the house, check for any gutter damage, such as sections coming loose. You want to make sure you get those fixed while the weather is good. Once you’ve finished the cleaning, you can give each section a good spray with the hose to check and make sure the water is running through and you don’t have any hidden build-up in those downspouts.

If gutter cleaning is a job you’d rather not take on, hire a contractor to complete the maintenance and then speak to them about putting gutter guards on your home. These wire or mesh overlays are installed on top of the gutter and prevent debris from entering the channel in the first place. They offer a great solution to a messy job and will provide you with peace of mind for years to come. You’ll want to get them installed now, before the first signs of autumn, to make sure your home is prepared for the onset of the fall leaves.

To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.