All posts by Ed Lagodzinski

24Apr/18
Closeup of a roof vent on a house.

4 Benefits of Proper Roof Ventilation

Roofing

As a responsible homeowner, you know the importance of keeping your roof and attic well-insulated. Insulation is, after all, your primary line of defense against thermal transfer from the outside, preventing heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer, right? This is true to some extent, but even the best insulation won’t work as effectively as it should without proper roof venting. While most homeowners know about the benefits of good insulation, the role that roof venting plays in keeping your roofing system in optimal condition is less understood. This means DIYers often make the mistake of covering over the vents under the eaves when they’re installing insulation. It might seem logical that if you’re going to spend time and expense to keep heat in, you don’t want cold air blowing into your attic through these vents, but believe me when I say that this is a mistake. Proper roof venting helps protect your roof and home in two key ways; It brings fresh, cool air into the attic through the intake vents located under the eaves It releases hot, moisture-filled air from the exhaust vents at the ridge of the roof. This keeps the attic airRead More…

02Apr/18
Roof on the sun

How Does Summer Heat Affect Your Roof?

Roofing

After a long cold winter, summer is just around the corner. And while winter is definitely the hardest season on your roof, summer brings its own threats with it. The most obvious one is summer storms, of course, and although these are usually short, they can be very violent. But if you’ve gone through our spring checklist for your roof and had any potential problems dealt with, you should be in pretty good shape to weather these without damage. Barring a direct hit from a falling tree, of course. There are other less obvious but not less dangerous threats related to summer, and these are: UV Rays. Your roof is constantly exposed to UV rays, even on cloudy days and this exposure increases considerably during the long summer days with all those extra hours of sunlight. These rays dry out the oils in the materials your roof is made of, causing wood to become bleached, weaken and crack, especially if it is untreated, and asphalt shingles to buckle and possibly split. Heat. Your roof bears the brunt of the sun’s force and is exposed to a lot of heat during the summer. An unshaded roof can reach temperatures of upRead More…

26Mar/18
Architectural background. Texture of a metal roof tiles of black, blue and red colors.

What Type of Roofing Materials Last the Longest?

Roofing

A roof is no small investment, so whether you are building a new one or replacing an old one, you want it to last as long as possible. Of course, there are many factors that contribute to how long your roof will last. Some of these are outside your control, such as the weather and environment where you live. A roof that is regularly exposed to extremes of temperature or severe weather conditions will not last as long as one in a more temperate area. Industrial pollution will also have an adverse effect on roofing materials. But there are things that you can control when it comes to roof longevity, and these include: Design, the more elements there are to a roof, the greater the possibility of damage. Construction, a well- constructed roof will keep your family warm and dry for years, so make sure you choose a reputable contractor. Maintenance, regular check-ups, and maintenance of your roof will add decades to its lifespan. And last but not least, our topic for today, materials. The big question is, of course, what is the longest lasting roofing material? The NAHB (National Association of Home Builders) rates slate as by far theRead More…

01Mar/18
Roofer installs bitumen roof shingles.

5 Essential Roofing Safety Tips

Repair, Roofing

As a homeowner, you will inevitably be faced with the prospect of getting work done on your roof. If you’re a DIYer, you might decide to attempt the job yourself, especially if it’s relatively minor. If you decide to go 100% DIY on your roof maintenance, remember this: Whatever the size and complexity of the job, the risks you run are always the same. We’ve prepared 5 Roofing Safety Tips and strongly recommend you follow them every time you go on your roof.   1. Preparation   Never work in extreme temperatures as these can affect the shingles and sealant, or when the roof is wet and slippery. Once you have suitable weather conditions before you even get out your ladder you should do the following: Choose a site for your ladder that offers easy access to the roof Clear your work area and block it off from pets and children Lay out your materials and tools in the work area, so they are easy to get to Make sure you’re wearing soft-soled shoes as these provide the best traction Make a note of the location of potential hazards such as power lines or areas of the roof with aRead More…

20Feb/18
new luxury home with elegant touches including covered entrance, columns

Spring Checklist for Your Roof

Repair, Roofing,

Now that winter is finally drawing to a close, and the mercury is slowly climbing back up the thermometer to comfortable levels, it’s time for homeowners to turn their minds to essential maintenance and repairs around the house. There is nothing more essential to the integrity of your home than your roof, so this should be your priority. Winter is the season that can cause the most damage to the structural integrity of your home, and these negative effects are concentrated on the roof. There are three major threats brought about by winter weather, and they include; Snow Heavy snow can add up to 20 pounds of weight per cubic foot, and this can increase to 50 pounds per cubic foot if it thaws then refreezes. That kind of extra weight can damage not just your shingles but the actual structural support for your roof, leading to very serious problems. Freeze and thaw cycles Particularly during early and late spring, snow and ice that collects and forms during the night can partially melt out during the day and then refreeze the following night. This can have disastrous consequences for your roof, as well as your guttering, as water seeps intoRead More…

16Jan/18
The roof of the house lined with gray bitumen shingles

Our Top Roof Shingle Colors

Roofing

The roof of your house can account for up to 40% of your home’s visible exterior. This makes it one of the most important elements of your house as it doesn’t just provide protection, it also greatly affects the overall appearance and appeal of your property. So choosing the right roof shingle colors is not something to be taken lightly. When you are choosing shingles, there are several things to take into consideration: The first is the other details of your home. The roof should compliment and bring out other features such as brickwork or woodwork. The second is your surroundings. If the color of your shingles harmonizes with those in the natural environment around you, your home will look like it belongs in the landscape. Last, but certainly not least, consider your neighbors, or at least the color of their roofs. If yours clashes with those in your neighborhood, it can have a negative impact on curb appeal, making your house more difficult to sell if you decide to put it on the market and possibly even reducing its value. While sample boards are good are a good starting point for choosing shingles, there’s nothing like seeing a realRead More…

29Dec/17
Image of roof. lifespan of a roof concept.

How Long Will a Roof Last?

Roofing, ,

How long will my roof last? This is a question that has plagued homeowners since prehistoric times when early man first threw a couple of leafy branches against a tree to make a shelter. And while modern roofs will undoubtedly last much longer than those primitive constructions, the answer is pretty much the same; It depends. There are many factors which will determine a roof’s lifespan, some of these, like the weather, are out of your control but others are firmly in your hands. If you follow the advice below, your roof should keep you safe and secure for roughly 20-50 years. Materials Installing a new roof is a significant investment if it’s done right, to begin with, you’ll save money in the long run. The first thing to do is ensure you choose the right materials. Make sure you choose good quality timber and shingles that suit your property and environment, and you’ll save yourself a lot of future headaches and sleepless nights. Installation The quality of the materials you choose won’t make any difference if they aren’t installed properly. There’s more to choosing a roofing contractor than simply finding the one who can give the cheapest quote. YourRead More…

09Nov/17
Clean work, checking the energy efficiency of their house by measuring the thickness of fiberglass insulation in the attic

How to Check Your Attic Insulation

Roofing, ,

As fall is here and winter is soon approaching, now is a good time to check your insulation. Let’s be honest, this is a pretty smart move! Ensuring that your insulation is in proper shape can save your hard earned money in the long run. At Ridgecon we encourage you to keep watch and make sure things are in working order before the colder weather kicks in. Before we get into the details of checking your insulation, let us digress a little. What is insulation? Insulation acts as a heat loss and heat gain barrier in roofs, ceilings, walls, and floors. Insulation can serve as a cost-effective way to make your home more energy-efficient and keep it cooler in the summer and warmer during the winter. Insulation can also reduce condensation and mold build–up in homes. Having proper insulation in your home is essential for many reasons. If you believe you might have a problem with the insulation of your home, make sure to schedule a professional insulation inspection. Remember, Ridgecon consists of a professional team of insulation contractors (one of the best in Michigan), who can check your attic insulation. What is included in an insulation check? First thing’sRead More…

02Nov/17
House under construction.Roof with metal tile,screwdriver and roofing iron

Roofing Terminology to Familiarize Yourself With

Roofing, , ,

Pittsburgh lock seam, Half gable roof, Hip, Rake, Gable Vent… What do these words mean, right? If you’ve ever needed roof repair or roof installation in Macomb Michigan, you may have heard these expressions. These expressions are frequently used roofing terminology. Now, you may be wondering, why do I need to know this? When it comes to roofs or roofing, most people aren’t familiar with the jargon and the terminology that’s used by professionals. Some may think that roofing terminology should be left to the pros, but every homeowner has a roof over their head. By knowing the basics, you might be able to fix minor corrections on your roof and possibly be able to help your contractors identify and resolve any problems that might occur. With this in mind, you may want to continue reading and broaden your knowledge of roofing terminology. We know that it can get complicated because many contractors use different terms to describe the same service or roof area. Fortunately, there are a few terms which mean the same for all contractors, so you won’t feel like we’re speaking in a different language next time you call us! Roof Structure Deck – This is theRead More…

03Oct/17

The 5 Most Common Roof Problems You Should be on a Lookout For

Repair, Roofing

The roof, like every other part of your home, needs to be maintained. Sometimes, it’s the weather that causes trouble other times it’s just time. As the roof gets older, the materials age and repairs get inevitable. Roof repairs can be a handful, and the repair costs can be pretty high if the problems aren’t treated when they first appear, our team at Ridgecon Construction present the 5 most common roof problems you might encounter in Macomb County. Poor installation problems One of the most common problems homeowners have to face has to do with faulty or poor installation. This can dramatically reduce the roof’s life expectancy while increasing the likelihood of further problems. When the roof isn’t installed correctly, rain, wind, snow, ice, and debris can lead to moisture getting under the layers of the roof which might lead to leaks, rot, and mold. Improperly installed flashing is also a common problem. Flashing seals the penetrated areas of the roof (the areas where the heating and cooling system, vent pipes and chimneys are). When this is poorly attached, it can cause open seams, laps which might lead to tiles blowing-off. Unwanted Guests No matter how cute some small crittersRead More…