Orange County

If your home is like many in Orange County, California, it has a tile roof. These roofs have many great advantages, including added insulation and the ability to stand the test of time. They can last for fifty years or more without being replaced. But, eventually, nearly any roof will wear down and need replaced. When you’re considering replacing your clay or concrete tile roof, you’ll need to take several factors into consideration, including the following:

Repair or Replace?

The first question to ask your Orange County roofing contractor is whether your roof can be repaired cost-effectively, or if it should be replaced. Like shingle roofs, clay tile roofs can be replaced fairly easily by the right professional. Individual tiles that are cracked or worn can be replaced on their own.

With the way that many commercial buildings are put together, roof leaks can be difficult to see. Proper maintenance and inspection can help you avoid roofing leaks or catch them early. But sometimes, they just happen.

Leaks tend to look a little different on commercial roofs than on residential roofs. And they’re even harder to spot if no one regularly visits the attic of your commercial building. So it’s important to understand and know how to look for signs of a leaky commercial roof. Here are the 5 most common signs and symptoms to be on the lookout for:

1.Bubbling: This sign is most relevant for flat roofs finished with a solid material. In this case, bubbles can be a sign of moisture trapped inside the roofing material. When these bubbles form, your roof will be more susceptible to wind-related damage. You usually can’t see bubbling from the ground, so it’s important to check for this particular sign regularly from the roof itself.

Whether you’re replacing or renovating your roof, you might be ready for some upgrades. Roofing upgrades, when installed by a licensed Orange County roofing contractor, can not only add to the value of your home, but also make it more comfortable and energy-efficient. And we don’t just mean spending thousands moving from asphalt shingles to clay tiles. You can actually take smaller steps to upgrade your roof, including these five options:

1.Improve the ventilation

One of the best ways to improve the overall efficiency of your home, especially in warm climates like ours, is to improve the ventilation in your roof. Proper roof ventilation allows heat to escape out of the roof, rather than collecting in your attic and slowly warming the floors below it.

All too often, roofs aren’t properly ventilated when a home is built. This causes the attic to act as a furnace when the weather is warm, adding to your cooling costs. To keep your attic cooler, as your Orange County roofer to add soffit vents. These vents go in the soffits under the eaves, and draw cooler air into the attic. Then a vent in the top of the roof allows hot air at the peak to escape. This ensures airflow through the attic, keeping it at a cooler temperature when the weather gets hot.

2.Add insulation

Another option for adding to the efficiency of your home is to add insulation to your roof or attic. The easiest option here is blown-in insulation - a thick layer of the stuff on the attic floor. Talk to your roofer about other possible ways to add insulation that will keep the attic’s heat from warming up the rest of the house.

One possible caveat here: make sure the insulation doesn’t negate your ventilation efforts. You may need to use shields or ducts to hold back the insulation around vents, so that it doesn’t block up the vents and render them useless.

3.Opt for lower-maintenance gutters

If you’re replacing your roof, why not go ahead and look at the gutters, as well? If your existing gutters aren’t properly aligned or just need a color change and upgrade, opt for a lower-maintenance option. The latest gutters include built-in hoots, which make them practically maintenance-free. With hoods to keep debris out of the gutters, you won’t have to worry about cleaning out your gutters a few times a year.

4.Reflect the sun

In sunny SoCal, one of the best choices you can make is a roof that reflects the sun. Reflective options include galvanized metal and light-colored roofing shingles. These materials bounce the sun’s light back away from your home, helping to keep it cool.

There are a myriad of high-efficiency sun-reflecting options on the market today. Talk to your Orange County roofing professional about the options available for your particular roof. This can be one more step to keep your home cool in the hot summers, which can, in turn, add value to your home as a whole.

5.Add some texture

What if you’re looking for a visual upgrade that will boost your home’s curb appeal? The easiest way to achieve this goal with your roof is to move from a flat surface - like a traditional shingle roof - to a surface with some interesting texture. Again, there are plenty of options that will achieve this goal.

Metal roofs may remind you of backwater shanties without much curb appeal. But that’s really no longer the case. New manufacturing techniques have made metal roofs incredibly interesting and attractive. This roofing material now has a lot to offer consumers. While metal roofs aren’t the best choice for everyone, you should certainly consider a metal roof when it’s time to replace yours. Here are just ten reasons why:

1.Weight

Metal is one of the most lightweight roofing options available, which makes it a good alternative to a clay or concrete tile upgrade. If your home was originally built for an asphalt shingle roof, it may require additional support to be added if you’d like to upgrade to a tile roof, which adds much additional weight. Since metal is often lighter even than asphalt shingles, you won’t have to worry about this issue.

Siding makes a huge contribution to a home’s overall appearance. But as this Orange County roofer knows, it also has a more basic function – protecting properties from the unwanted entry of water. Siding, of course, is like any other part of your house – it’s subject to normal wear and tear. Along with lowering your home’s aesthetic appeal, such deterioration invites leakage, especially near windows, doors, and corner moldings. Fortunately, homeowners can steer clear of trouble by conducting their own siding inspection. Here’s what to look for:

Caulk – Time can be brutal to caulk. Check yours for cracks or signs of loosening -- both open invitations to water leakage. If you notice either of these warning signs, re-apply caulk as soon as possible. For best results, choose a warm, dry day. Caulk adheres best when temperatures exceed 65 degrees.

Cracks and Chips – Both are very common with siding that’s past its prime. For wood, telltale signs are chipped or peeling paint, as well as cracks in boards and trim. This applies whether the material is pine, spruce, cedar, redwood, or fir. Equally vulnerable is stucco, which can develop its own cracks and chips over time.

Brick Siding – The big giveaway here is crumbling mortar joints. If you see evidence of this deterioration, repairs will be necessary.

Good News for Homeowners

A thorough cleaning can help preserve siding, thereby saving homeowners from premature repair and replacement costs. Basic equipment for the job is a bucket of warm, soapy water, and a scrub brush. Once the scrubbing begins, commercial roofers generally recommend going from bottom to top. This prevents streaking. Depending on your siding’s square footage, the cleansing job can take one or two afternoons. So don’t plan on going anywhere for awhile.

If you have questions about home siding, be sure to reach out to Luke Roofing. A long-established commercial roofing contractor, we provide prompt, reliable expertise for every need and situation. Offering roofing services from Dana Point to Tustin, Luke Roofing is your trusted Orange County roofer.

So you’re noticing a drip from somewhere around your roof whenever it happens to rain? Luckily, many roofing leaks are easy to fix. Sometimes, it only takes a professional Orange County roofer a few minutes to a couple of hours to fix a leak. On the flip side, it can sometimes take hours to figure out exactly where that leak is coming from.

The first step to figuring out where the leak is coming from is to identify the leak in the first place. All too often, leaks can start out silent, and you won’t even know they’re there until they’ve caused lots of issues. For instance, your roof could be leaking into the attic, but it takes time for the leak to trickle down to the ceiling where you can actually see it.

Perhaps it starts with a steady drip plopping onto your forehead as you settle into your sofa. Or maybe you notice a small, widening puddle soaking your carpet when it rains. (You remember rain, don’t you?).  Whatever the signs, roof leaks spell big trouble. As this Orange County roofer knows, however, you can minimize the trouble if you have advance warning. With that in mind, here are three possible causes of roof leaks to be on the lookout for.   

Missing Shingles

Not too difficult to spot this telltale sign. Just glance at your roof, scan, and look for different-colored patches amidst the shingles. If patches are present, it’s a sure bet shingles used to occupy those spaces. The typical cause of missing shingles is harsh weather, particularly rain and wind.

Open Valleys

On sloping roofs, the place where two planes meet is called a valley.  This meeting point, of course, must be properly sealed. If gaps are present, rainwater can drop right through. Look for any signs of moisture along the roof seams. These indicate improper sealing.

Most often, the open valley problem starts when the original sealing is improperly done.  And it only gets worse from there. Obviously, you want a commercial roofer who gets the job done right from the beginning.

Skylight Gaps

Sometimes skylights can let in moisture along with the sunshine. This can happen as a result of shoddy installation or withering skylight insulation.  If you notice damp spots around the skylight edges, you’re probably looking at leakage. At that point, it’s best to call in a commercial roofer to investigate. Unless you love the steady plunk of water filling a bucket.

If you have questions about roof leaks, be sure to reach out to Luke Roofing. A long-established commercial roofing contractor, we provide prompt, reliable expertise for every need and situation. Offering roofing services from Buena Park to Foothill Ranch, Luke Roofing is your trusted Orange County roofer.

When it comes to roofing, many homeowners are content to let their roof be until there’s an obvious problem. For instance, they won’t touch the roof or call in a professional until there’s an obvious leak. The problem with this is that your roof is the most important part of your whole home system, as it’s the system that protects everything else about your home.

This is why many Orange County roofing contractors suggest scheduling an annual roofing inspection. Annual inspections are actually quite affordable, and there are several reasons to add them to your home maintenance schedule. Here are just five of the most compelling:

1.Catch problems before they become big problems

The primary reason to consider having an annual roofing inspection on your schedule is to

Why should kids be the only ones with the Halloween look? Homes have a lot to say about the holiday, too. Which means holiday decorations for the home are in order. Lots of good places to plant those pumpkins, witches, and spiders. But if you’re planning rooftop decorations, this Orange County roofer recommends you give those shingles and planks a good checkup. You want everything safe and secure before going to work.

If you feel up to it, grab a ladder and conduct your own roof surveillance. Things to look out for are signs of weakness and excessive wear. Once you’re aloft hanging pumpkin lights, you don’t need surprises. Of course, if you want complete assurance, you might want to call in a commercial roofer. They have the tools and expertise necessary to uncover any and all flaws.

Once you’ve confirmed roof stability, it’s time to get the show on the road. You’ll save precious time by getting the entire load on the roof – tools and decorations – before beginning.  Everything in easy reach. If you’ll be hanging light strings, consider using LED bulbs. These consume a fraction of the energy used by conventional incandescent bulbs. And that can mean major savings, depending on how long those glowing pumpkins stay lit.   

Speaking of lights, consider using a spotlight to illuminate any Halloween scene haunting your rooftop.  People will see it for miles. Who knows what that could do for your standing in the community. Anyway, the main thing is to get creative and have fun. Happy Halloween from Luke Roofing!

If you have questions about preparing your roof for Halloween decorations, be sure to reach out to Luke Roofing. A long-established commercial roofing contractor, we provide prompt, reliable expertise for every need and situation. Offering roofing services from San Clemente to Los Alamitos, Luke Roofing is your trusted Orange County roofer.

Selecting the right color for roof shingles is similar to choosing hues for other parts of your home.  You should consider many factors before making a decision. In our experience as an Orange County Roofer, we see three factors as particularly important when it comes to selecting shingle shade. We strongly recommend you keep them in mind before settling on a roof color.

The Safe Choice. You almost never can go wrong by selecting a muted shade for shingles. (emphasis on ‘almost never’.) The reason? As with clothing, your basic grays and blacks go with just about anything. Dark colors seldom clash with siding and landscape. Remember, however, to consider neighboring properties. If light-shaded shingles are the rule, going dark could make your home stand out like a sore thumb.

Some Things Never Change.  Sure, siding is one of the standout features of your happy home. Nevertheless, you should consider the other influencers of roof color, such as your home’s more permanent features. Case in point is brickwork, which likely won’t be changing any time soon. A shingle shade that matches brick décor could be your most sensible, aesthetically-pleasing choice.

Natural Selection. OK, you’ve considered all the color options. Deliberated the possibilities with your family members until you’re bleary-eyed. And you still can’t settle on a shingle shade. If you’re stuck in the mud like this, this commercial roofer strongly advises you look to nature for inspiration. Check out your surroundings and take note of the trees and other landscaping. What color is all that flora? Matching roof shingles to your natural surroundings might be your answer. 

If you have questions about roof color or are considering roof repairs or upgrades, be sure to reach out to Luke Roofing. A long-established commercial roofer, we provide prompt, reliable expertise for every need and situation. Offering roofing services from Midway City to Dana Point, Luke Roofing is your trusted Orange County roofing contractor.