For home and building owners concerned about the quality of their roof, the fall period we’re just entering is a vital one. As the transition between the summer and winter, fall is an ideal time to inspect the roof and make any minor repairs where needs have cropped up over the prior hot months, plus to prepare it for expected snowfall and cold weather coming a few months down the line.

At Whitaker Roofing, we’re proud to offer numerous roof inspections and checkups along with roof repair and roof replacement. We’ve assisted hundreds of clients in preparing their roof for the fall or upcoming winter season, and we’ll do the same for you. Either on your own or with the assistance of our pros as-necessary, this two-part blog series will go over several basic themes for fall roof upkeep.

Check for Debris

Fall is a season where leaves and other debris are more common than other parts of the year, so it’s crucial to make sure your roof stays clear of any blockages. Leaves in particular might be small, but they’re certainly dense and heavy enough to cause damage and even clog up gutters should you let them build up over time.

Perform a basic visual inspection of your roof for any leaves, branches, or other debris. If you do see something more than just a few stray leaves up there, reach for your extension ladder and get to work removing the obstructions. We also encourage this basic inspection to be paired with one of our quality roof inspections.

Clean Your Gutters

The gutter system is absolutely part of your roof, so it’s important to make sure it gets the same treatment and checkup. Just like your roof, we recommend doing a visual inspection as well as giving the gutters a little clean with your preferred leaf blower or other gutter cleaner. If your roof is high up or you’re concerned about safety for any reason here, our roof experts will be happy to help.

Add a Gutter Guard

For roofs that have significant leaf or other debris buildup each fall, it might be time to invest in a gutter guard. Not only do guards keep more debris out of your gutters (and subsequently from falling down onto your roof), they also protect gutter and roofing systems from any damage caused by blockages or excess buildup. In addition, gutter guards actually tend to add significantly to property curb appeal, as prospective buyers are typically impressed that you’ve taken such interest in protecting the roof and its surrounding structures.

For more on how to prepare your roof for fall and winter, or to learn about any of our roof repair or other roofing services, speak to the staff at Whitaker Roofing today.

There are some home improvement projects that you seem to never get around to. Roof replacement is one of those projects that we tend to put off. If your roof is in bad need of replacement, there are a ton of reasons why now is the perfect time to tackle that project. Here are some of the best reasons to call Whitaker Roofing for your roofing replacement today.

Spend Your Tax Return

One of the reasons that your roofing project gets put on the bottom of the list every year, is that you don’t always have all of the funds for such a project. With tax time just around the corner, chances are, you will soon have the funds available. You know, if you don’t spend it on your roof now, it will just be gone soon and your roof will continue to be a problem. Getting it fixed now will allow you to check that one thing off of your list that has been needing to be done for far too long.

Be Ready To Entertain

Spring and summer are the time when we all get together with our friends and neighbors and enjoy spending time together. You probably love hosting parties and get-togethers all through the warm months. Wouldn’t it be awesome to have your roof finished before Memorial Day, the 4th of July, and your favorite summer celebrations? You could entertain this year from a home with amazing new curb appeal. In fact, yours could be the best looking house on the block.

Preparing To Sell

We are also coming up on one of the busiest times of year in the real estate market. Homes will be selling right and left and the competition could be stiff. Investing in a new roof now is absolutely the right move if you are considering selling your home in the future. Curb appeal is one of the number one reasons potential buyers even look at homes and a new roof can transform your home. Not only will a new roof attract buyers and make your home look stunning, it is also one of the highest home improvement projects for big return on investment. It could literally mean the difference between selling your house or not.

Don’t put off getting a new roof any longer. Now is the perfect time to call a Salt Lake City residential roofing company in your area. Whitaker Roofing guarantees 100% satisfaction on all of our roofing projects. We are a second generation roofing company that cares about each and every customer. We offer your quote in writing so give us a call today, or use our online contact form. We can’t wait to hear from you.

While you were in your home cozy and warm through the winter, your home did its job of protecting you from the harsh winter elements. Through storms and ice, snow and sleet, your home stood proudly as the protector of your family. No matter what winter threw at it, your home withstood to keep you all safe and sound.

This is not to say that your home came out of the winter unscathed and your roof often takes the brunt of the damage. Whitaker Roofing has seen many roofs needing to be repaired in the springtime. As homeowners venture out of their homes, they begin to notice that some things need attention.

Ice Buildup

Throughout the winter, ice will buildup on your gutters. Often, it is not a serious problem and melts away when warmer weather returns. Sometimes, though, the water will collect in one area and freeze creating an ice blockage that prevents proper drainage of the water that runs off of your roof. This can cause the water to backup and collect in one area. Anytime water stands in one area of your roof, it can cause damage. The shingles themselves can become damaged or even the roof underneath. Having your roof inspected by a Salt Lake City residential roofing company at the end of a hard winter can ensure that there has been no permanent damage that needs to be addressed before it gets worse.

Wind Damage

There are times when there is nothing so fierce as the winter wind. It can whip through Salt Lake City and tear at the shingles and flashing on your roof. Not only can shingles be blown off but they can also become damaged. Falling debris such as twigs and branches from nearby trees can dislodge your shingles. Shingles don’t just keep your roof looking beautiful. They have the important job of protecting the roof below. They keep out moisture that will cause tremendous problems for your roof. Shingles with ridges, missing shingles, or loose shingles should all be repaired quickly. If repairs are postponed, it can mean an entire roof replacement.

Mold And Mildew

Mold and mildew are the silent roofing threats. The damage they can cause is unthinkable. Winter is the perfect time for mold and mildew to begin growing on your roof or to even sneak through damaged areas of your roof and enter your home. As snow and ice slowly melt, all of that moisture can hang out on your roof for far too long. If even the smallest crack is available, the moisture will find its way in and the mold will begin to grow. It can cause extensive damage to your home and can even make your family sick.

Don’t let winter roofing problems wreak havoc on your home. Calling a Salt Lake City residential roofing company like Whitaker Roofing to inspect your roof now can ensure that any problems are taken care of so you can enjoy the rest of your year. At Whitaker Roofing, our simple, five-step process makes roofing repairs and replacement easy and our top-quality workmanship ensures that every job is done right. Contact us today to get started.

Your roof can make a huge difference in your home’s energy efficiency. But not just a little more energy efficient, though. No, your roof has a drastic effect on your home’s temperature and how hard your air conditioner and heating have to work. Installing an energy efficient roof from Whitaker Roofing can save you thousands of dollars in the long run.

The benefits of having a more energy efficient roof are that the temperature inside your home will be warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. The areas that are not heated or cooled, like the garage, will be more comfortable all the time. An energy efficient roof may actually last longer.

Energy Efficient Materials

Some roofing materials are more energy efficient than others because they naturally reflect the sun’s heat and stay a constant temperature. Metal and tile roofs are both more energy efficient than traditional asphalt shingles. Metal roofs have the added bonus of energy efficiency. There is a layer of air between the roof and the metal that provides extra insulation which helps regulate the temperature even more. Metal is also an excellent insulator. If you want to add even more energy efficiency to your roof, choose a light colored metal. Metal roofing will be more expensive than shingles but you will save that money in energy costs and maintenance or repairs over the lifetime of your roof.

Light Colored Roof

The same principle that keeps you from wearing your black shirt on a hot July day applies to your roof. Choosing a light-colored roofing material will lower the roof temperature by reflecting the sun’s rays rather than absorbing them. This will cool the attic space under your roof. This is important because all of that heat will transfer to your home. Keeping your attic cooler is another key element of an energy efficient roof.

Attic Ventilation Upgrades

There are two things that you can do to keep your attic cooler, and therefore your entire home. Properly venting your attic will instantly save you money on your energy bills by allowing the air to move around and will extend the life of your roof even more.

The second way is to insulate your attic well. Heat and cold will transfer from your attic to your entire home if your attic lacks good insulation. Older homes typically have lower quality insulation and are overall insulated poorly compared to newer ones. An attic insulation upgrade can definitely save you money.

If you’re ready to find a Salt Lake City residential roofing company that can install an energy efficient roof on your home, Whitaker Roofing can help. We install a variety of energy efficient roofs and we can help you decide which one is right for your home. Call us or send us an email today.