You can expect colder temperatures and more inclement weather as winter rolls in. Your roof protects you through the winter months, but you may be in trouble if you don’t protect your roof. At Badger Contracting, we understand the importance of roof maintenance and prep.
Repair Your Flashing
One of the first winter maintenance steps is to check your roof’s flashing. Even if you had the correct installation years before, it could become warped over time. If you see any warping or damage, you need to have it fixed as quickly as possible to prevent moisture from entering your roof.
Remove Snow and Debris Promptly
Do not let snow build up on your roof. While the snow may look beautiful, it can also cause issues when left for too long. The weight on your roof may lead to significant damage. When you see snow or ice on the roof, try to remove it as quickly as possible while paying attention to safety. Sometimes it is safer to have the debris removed by a professional.
Additionally, ice can also accumulate in your gutters. You should check your gutters for ice dams regularly. Gutters can struggle to hold the weight of ice and can tear away from your roof, leading to more extensive repairs and costs.
Follow Up After Heavy Winds
When a storm rolls through your area, you will want an inspection performed as soon as the storm passes. After the wind dies, you may see broken, damaged, or missing shingles. When you have vulnerable areas on your roof, you are more likely to have leaks and moisture issues. This can encourage the growth of mold, bacteria, and mildew which can lead to health risks.
If you want to ensure your roof is in the best possible shape for winter, schedule a roof inspection with a trusted professional, like Badger Contracting. We can ensure the work is completed correctly, so you don’t have to worry about the condition of your roof. Contact us today by calling 410-417-6972 or email us for more information!
With winter being around the corner, it’s time to take a look at your to-do list. Preparing your home for the winter may not be listed on the top at the moment, however, it is important to start doing home maintenance tasks. Look, we get it, most of us would rather spend our free time enjoying the various fall activities such as hiking, apple picking, or sipping pumpkin-spiced lattes. But, here’s the reality: you can’t procrastinate if you want your home to be prepared for the winter elements.
Cold weather, ice, and snow can do a lot of damage to your home. If you take the time to prepare your home before the winter chill takes hold, it will allow you to properly winterize your home and make it a lot more enjoyable when the temperature drops.
Roof and Gutter Inspection
Having a leaky roof is the last thing you want to deal with this winter. Before a huge snowstorm, inspect your roof for any damage such as missing or broken shingles, cracked caulk, or rust spots on flashing. If you’re not comfortable inspecting your roof on your own, hire a roofing company that can take a look and report back on what they see regarding roof damage. If you’re not comfortable inspecting your roof, hire a roofing company that can take a look and gives you any details they see regarding roof damage. In addition to a roof inspection, make sure to take a look at your gutters. Clogged rain gutters or downspouts can damage your home’s foundation and cause ice dams. To avoid expensive repairs, remove any leaves, twigs, or build-up to allow water flow. Also, ensure your gutters aren’t sagging and trapping water, tighten any loose screws, and replace any worn or damaged materials.
Tree Branch Trimming
Before a winter storm hits your area, make sure you trim any tree branches or limbs over your roof. This can cause excess water to seep into cracks in your home’s roof or siding creating more expensive damage to the structure of your home. Including tree trimming on your home maintenance to-do list will prevent any further damage from occurring to both your roof and house.
Fire Place Inspection
A visual inspection of both inside and outside of your home can ensure that your fireplace is in good working condition for the burning season. During an outdoor inspection, there are many things to look out for. From bird nests or debris buildup to crumbling or missing pieces on the chimney, it’s imperative to make sure that your fireplace, whether wood-burning or gas is safe to use during the burning seasons. When inspecting your gas fireplace, make sure to look for any structural issues including cracks or latch issues, or even the positioning of gas logs You’ll also want to test the gas valve and igniter to make sure they’re working. You can do this by attempting to ignite a fire, which can also help point out any clogged burner holes that need to be cleared. Additionally, when conducting an indoor inspection you want to confirm that:
The flue damper opens, closes, and seals properly
There are no combustible materials, such as animal nests, or other foreign objects in the flue
The fireplace surround, hearth, and firebox have no cracked bricks or missing mortar
If any damage is spotted, reach out to a professional to install a new fireplace or inspect the old one. These can cost on average between $80- $500, depending on what level of inspection you’re ordering.
Window Insulation
Poorly insulated windows can drive up the cost of your energy bill. To prevent this from happening, you can hire a professional to insulate your windows. By reducing drafts from your windows, you can lower your home’s energy costs by up to 20% per year according to the U.S Energy Department, while also making your living space cozy.
Ensuring that all of your home maintenance tasks are prepared for winter will help you breathe easy throughout the winter months. For your next inspection, contact Badger Contracting by calling 410-774-5122 or email us to make sure your home is ready for winter.
Looking for a contractor to fix your home is always a major headache. At Badger Contracting, we believe in the purpose of true professionalism. Our skilled experts work to provide services that cover a full range of roofing, siding, and window projects. We guarantee that you will be 100% satisfied with our workmanship, but also our ability to make it a no-stress experience. That’s why working with us will relieve any doubts on your next roofing, siding, and windows installation or repair projects.
Cost-Effective and Energy Efficient Windows
Badger Contracting offers a variety of window styles and color preferences to meet your design needs. Updating or replacing your windows with energy-efficient windows can help add value to your home, while also providing you with natural light and a comfortable environment. Badger Contracting specializes in:
Casement windows
Vinyl single-hung tilt-in windows
Vinyl double-hung tilt-in windows
Bay windows
Bow windows
Low-E film protectant
Roofing Repair and Replacement
Working with your budget is what we strive to do best. Individualized inspections and unique solutions are the only ways to approach your roofing repairs. After your free inspection, our experts will work with you to identify the best and most cost-effective plan to meet your needs. We will work with you to find a financial plan tailored to you to help offset the cost of your project. Once we have a service plan in place, you can rest assured that we will only partner with companies we trust.
More Than Just Siding
We provide a wide range of our siding services—vinyl and fiber cement siding, including the popular Hardie plank for your needs. We pride ourselves in working with skilled professionals to ensure that you receive superior craftsmanship in more than just siding. Some of these include:
Insulation
Soffits
Gutters and down
Trim
Leaf away
Customer Service That Matters
The customer service at Badger Contracting is unparalleled. The payoff for a customer-centered business is that most of our business comes from referrals and existing clients.
Contact Badger Contracting for your residential roofing and siding needs in the Baltimore and Washington D.C. area.
Roof Ventilation is Crucial to Your Home’s Well-Being
When it comes to home improvement projects, roofing projects are among the most common. When maintaining your roof, be sure to show the vents some attention. Your roof’s vents directly affect the air quality in your home and the structure’s components. To keep your roof functional, you need to ensure that your vents are in working order at all times.
Functioning Vents Control Moisture
When the air in your attic becomes stagnant, all moisture present will condense and settle into the framing and insulation. These moist areas create the perfect breeding ground for mold, rot, and mildew. Rot can cause the roof to sag and the insulation to clump. Fortunately, functioning roof vents can keep the moisture from collecting and condensing, thus preventing the problem altogether.
Functioning Vents Protect Roof Shingles
Poorly functioning vents can affect both the interior and exterior of your home. When the air in your attic heats up, it transfers to the roofing material. Overheated shingles can decrease in durability and may have to be replaced before the end of their lifecycle.
Functioning Vents Control Temperature
You may think that the temperature of the attic has very little relevance to the rest of your home. Unfortunately, as hot air accumulates in the attic, it can start moving through the entire house, raising the temperature in every room. Not only will it be uncomfortable, but it will also force your HVAC system to work harder, costing you more in utilities.
When you decide to inspect, remodel, or perform maintenance on your roof, never forget about your roof vents. Without proper ventilation, you could encourage mold growth and high energy bills. For residential roofing solutions, contact Badger Contracting today!
If your roof develops a leak, no matter how minor it may appear, it is crucial to have it repaired immediately. Even the smallest leaks can lead to bigger problems over time. Sometimes, what appears to be a small leak on the surface, may be causing severe problems that are not yet visible. When you put off repairing a leak of any kind, you are setting your home up for the following problems.
Mold and Mildew
When moisture does not dry out of a home properly and continues to form, mold and mildew become especially likely. If your or family members have allergies or respiratory illnesses, this could lead to severe symptoms.
Electrocution
Electricity can be lethal and water is its most dangerous conductor. If the water comes into contact with bad wiring, anyone who later comes into contact with that combination may suffer electrocution. This may range from a minor shock to a potentially fatal incident.
Structural Damage
If leaks remain unrepaired for too long, you risk structural damage. In fact, by the time you recognize you have a leak, structural damage may have already started. Water from a leak can cause the foundational pieces of your home to rot and rust, which can lead to a structurally unsound home.
Slip-and-Fall
Depending on the type of floors you have, water may present a slip risk in the home. Tile and hardwood floors may be especially likely to cause someone to slide when wet. If you have children or seniors in the home, the risk of serious injury from a fall may be higher than normal.
Insulation Damage
The attic insulation may not recover from the moisture if left for too long. In fact, the water may cause the insulation to clump. This will lead to reduced performance, which can cause your heating and cooling bills to skyrocket. Wet insulation may also become a breeding ground for mold and mildew.
Big Bills
The longer your roof goes unrepaired, the worse the problem becomes and the more damage it causes. The worse the issue, the more expensive the repair. Your insurance company may also refuse to foot the bill if it is discovered that you allowed the problem to persist.
Your home is one of the most important investments you will ever make. Secure that investment by ensuring you keep a leak-free roof over your head. Contact Badger Contracting for a quote today.
With winter right around the corner, you’re probably already taking steps to prepare your home for the cold temperatures and heavy snows. Have you made time to take a look at your roof? You don’t want to wait until the first storm hits to realize you have a problem. It’s better to prepare your roof for winter ahead of time so you can relax inside the warmth of your home while the winter passes.
Clean Your Gutters
After windstorms and leaves falling, your gutters are going to be full of debris. Perhaps you’ve already noticed a problem when it rained and your gutters didn’t drain properly. Your gutters should be clean so when the ice on the roof begins to melt, it will have somewhere to go. You may also want to install a gutter protector to avoid future clogs and prevent more debris from collecting inside it.
Prevent Pest Infestations
When those cold temperatures hit, there are going to be a lot of pests looking for a warm place to hunker down for the winter. You don’t want your roof to become the access point at which they enter your home. Check the roof for damage such as holes and cracks that might allow the wildlife to get in. If your roof received damage from a storm, or just from regular wear and tear, keep the pests out by hiring professionals to preform necessary repairs.
Seal the Gaps
Typically, around your flashing, you’re going to find cracks and gaps. If these areas are not sealed properly, your home will be susceptible to leaks. If more serious damage is found while sealing the flashing, you’ll probably want to replace the flashing all together.
Getting your home ready for winter can be a long process, but it’s worth protecting such a huge investment. Contact Badger Contracting today by calling 410-417-6972 or sending us an email to schedule service for your roof.
Your siding and roof are the key exterior features that
protect your home from the elements. Knowing what signs indicate a need for
siding replacement can be crucial. Don’t wait until it becomes compromised and
allows moisture or other issues to damage the interior of your home. Contact a
professional contractor if you experience any of the following signs.
Extensive Holes and
Chipping
Small holes in siding can be patched or repaired, but
significant damage to the structure of your siding means it’s time for a
replacement. This can happen to most siding materials, including vinyl,
aluminum, and wood. Replacing the siding altogether is typically more
cost-effective than patching several holes.
Frequent Cracking and
Peeling Paint
How often are you painting your siding? Other than wood
siding, which should be painted every 10 years, paint jobs should not be needed
frequently. If your paint begins to peel and crack after a few years, it may be
a sign that there is an issue with your siding and it needs to be replaced. Talk
to your contractor about the type of paint used, this will help determine whether
the paint or the siding is the source of the issue.
Rot, Mold, or Mildew
While dry rot may only eat away at wood siding, problems
like mold and mildew can affect any and all types of siding. These issues could
also be pointing to moisture issues behind your siding. Some surface mildew can
be cleaned, but rot, mold, or extensive mildew issues require your siding to be
removed and replaced.
Enjoy Quality Siding
Services for Your Home
Don’t let compromised siding allow moisture and insects to eat away at your sheathing, framing, and other interior materials. Contact Badger Contracting today to learn how you can restore your home and enjoy long-term savings. Invest in siding replacement to enjoy years of minimal to no maintenance and a home exterior that keeps you protected. Call 410-417-6972 or email us today for more information.
While an extensive project, replacing your roof is also one
of the most important when it comes to home improvement. While some people try
to undertake the job on their own, it is a lot wiser to use a roofing
contractor. After all, roofing installation consists of a lot of intricacies
and key details that you need to keep track of.
You Have to
Understand Roofing Material
Roofing contractors have the experience and knowledge to
determine what material will suit your home the best. In order to choose the
right material, the contractor factors in the local weather, the replacement
roof budget, and the aesthetics for your home.
When you try to figure out the materials yourself, you may miss important details. While there are a number of different roofing materials, the most popular is asphalt shingles.
You Need to Know the
Installation Process
Most people think that in order to install a replacement
roof, you have to remove the old roof entirely. The truth is that you may be
able to build your new roof on top of the old one. You do have to be careful
that you don’t use materials that are too heavy for your roof. The contractor
can help you determine whether you can build on top of the old roof or if you
need to rebuild it entirely.
Choose Us!
When it comes to roof installation, you don’t want to do it on your own. When you try to roof your home, there are a number of details that you might forget about. These mistakes can cost you later on down the line. To have your roof installed correctly, you need the right roofing contractor for the job. Contact Badger Contracting by calling 410-417-6972 or sending us an email today to find out more about what a roofing contractor can do for you.
