Monday, January 25, 2016

What are some key danger signals of a faulty roof?


The dangers of a faulty roof can be many and varied. Just because your roof isn’t leaking doesn’t mean that you don’t have a roofing problem.

Here are some key signs to look out for, and if you experience any one of them, give Quinn’s Construction a call:  978-957-1200
  • Leakage in the Attic
    Water in your attic after a hard-driving rain is one sign. It can be from inadequate or missing roof deck protection or deteriorated metal flashing.
  •  Ice Buildup
    Water in your attic after ice buildup could be caused by inadequate shingle underlayment or a missing leak barrier, inadequate ventilation or insulation. Quinn’s Construction has dealt with different ice dam problems for many years and we are experts in dealing with these types of repairs.
  • Blistering or Peeling of Outside Paint
    You may assume sun or humidity is causing the blistering or peeling of paint, but poor attic ventilation may trap excessive moisture and humidity in attic walls causing the problem.
  • Stains on Interior Ceilings & Walls
    These may be caused by a shingle problem or lack of roof deck protection, while mold and mildew may be a sign of inadequate attic ventilation.
  • Shingles, Sheathing or Siding Deterioration
    Can be a sign of poor attic ventilation
  • Cracking or Curling of Shingles
    Cracking or curling can be a sign that shingles have lived a useful and a pretty good sign that your roof needs to be replaced. However, one missing shingle may just need replacement.
  • Dirty Looking Areas and Growth
    Dark, dirty looking areas can be caused by environmental pollutants, vegetation, fungus or algae growth. Loss of granules due to age of shingles means that most likely your roof needs to be replaced. Quinn’s Construction can take care of this problem and we will make sure it doesn’t happen again.
  • High Energy Costs
    Excessive utility bills can sometimes be caused by a poorly designed roofing system or one that wasn’t installed properly. They can also be a result of poor attic ventilation.
                             
Faulty roofs cause a multitude of problems. Those mentioned above are just a few. Good advice is to seek professional guidance. With forty years in the business, I am an expert in tracking down roof problems and, as always, provide a free estimate.

Monday, January 18, 2016

Roof Stains - What can I do to clean and prevent them?

I had an e-mail recently from a homeowner who said:  "Hey Tom--My roof looks bad.  There are stains all over the shingles.  I think it is fungus or moss.  Is there any way to clean this up and make it look like new?  Yes, there’s a product called Shingle Shield – Roof & Deck Cleaner.  It’s good for cedar and asphalt roofs, decks, fencing, and gazebos. It’s the safest way to clean and restore natural color to pine, cedar, redwood and cypress.  I’ve used it on many homeowners’ roofs.  In just minutes after applying Shingle Shield Roof & Deck Cleaner, you’ll see years of dirt build-up and stains from pollen, algae and mildew disappear.  One gallon cleans 2,000 square feet.  It does not contain chlorine or bleach.

You might want to know, how can I prevent this staining from happening in the first place?  There is a product called Shingle Shield, which is a zinc oxide strip
which interrupts the flow of rain and naturally time releases fungistatic compounds of zinc oxide which travel evenly down the roof slope.  These compounds are absorbed by the roof surface and inhibit the growth of moss, fungus, and algae.  This natural process is of low toxicity.  Zinc oxide compounds wash and protect the roof, with no visible sign of this action.  Quinn’s Construction can install Shingle Shield zinc strips on new or existing roofs.  Roofs must be cleaned first with Shingle Shield Roof & Deck Cleaner to remove any existing algae, fungus, and/or moss prior to installation of Shingle Shield zinc strips.  They will last the life of the roof, and may be reused, and will not rust.

Read about the excellent products I've mentioned above at
http://www.shingleshield.com, and give Quinn’s Construction a call today at 978-957-1200 to get your roof to look like new again and keep it that way!

Thursday, January 7, 2016

Green Building

Quinn's Construction is focused on environmentally sensitive building practices and on using eco-friendly building materials wherever practical - both in remodeling and in new building construction. Building “green” with an awareness of the environmental impact is a philosophy that makes sense for our customers and for our world. I view every project as an opportunity to evaluate and potentially reduce environmental impact.

For our siding projects, we recommend James Hardie® products for our customers.  Quinn's has built a relationship with James Hardie® over the years and we put our trust in the quality and sustainability of their products for these advantages for our customers:
  • Year after year, James Hardie® has been rated the best return on investment in the large home improvement projects category.
  • Get the classic look of wood without the maintenance.
  • Product is green and sustainable.  It is made of sand, wood fiber, Portland cement, & various additives.
  • Specialty formulation for northern climates.
  • Your house can be finished in the color of your choice; or you can select a color combination from the factory finished ColorPlus line.
  • Includes 30-year non-prorated, transferable warranty on Plank, Panels, Soffit, and Shingles, 15 year trim warranty and 15 year ColorPlus paint warranty.
James Hardie® products require specialized knowledge and tools to properly install and ensure warranty requirements are met. Quinn's siding specialists are factory trained and have years of experience installing the full James Hardie® family of products.  For this reason, we are a James Hardie®  Contractor Alliance Member.

Last year, James Hardie was selected as offering the greenest products in the siding category, (Annual 2015 Readers’ Choice survey) with the most respondents recommending the company’s sustainable exterior options over other siding manufacturers.  That is why they received the Green Builder Media Honor for the most sustainable siding products, that have garnered the loyalty of building professionals.

“A primary factor to James Hardie’s sustainability is its durability,” said John Dybsky, senior marketing manager at James Hardie. “Our products handle high heat, UV radiation and moisture exceptionally well, which significantly reduces the need for replacement over time.”
James Hardie siding is composed of natural and sustainable raw materials such as cement, sand, cellulose fiber and water. While green practices can sometimes limit design options, the company has a range of textures and colors that can satisfy several design variations.

As you can tell, I am truly a fan of James Hardie products and am committed to continuing the relationship that Quinn's Construction has built over the years with them.

If you are planning to replace the siding on your home this year, please consider James Hardie products for the environment and for you as a homeowner.  You'll be glad you did. 


Why Invest in a Quality Roof?


Roofs Installed and Repaired by
Quinn's Construction
The roof of a house today is not only a protective part of the building, it is an important component that has its value in a variety of things. In the old days, the roof of the house used to act just as a shield from the exterior forces such as wind, rain, snow, extreme climatic conditions, etc., but now it has become a lot more than that. A roof adds a lot of value and investing in a quality roof can be the wise decision when building a house. A roof can be the most important part of a house for these reasons:

Protection – The roof of the house is the front line for defense to any kind of exterior hazard. It acts as a shield against rain, snow, wind, storm, heat, cold, etc. And as it is exposed to all of these conditions so it becomes very important for it to be of such quality that it is able to withstand all of these enemies. If it is not strong enough then it will start decaying and then it can cause damage to the contents inside the house as well.
Look – The design of the house can also enhance the look of the house. There are various types of roof designs that one can choose from. The two most common types are the flat roofs and the sloping roofs. The sloping roofs provide better protection from rains and snow as it does not allow them to stay on it for long. So if your house is at a place then you need to be choosing the sloping roof.
Valuation – The quality of a roof can also have an impact in the value of the house. A person that would be interested in buying the property would like to inspect what is the quality of the roof and if he might be needed to invest in repairing or not. If he is required to repair the roof then it would decrease the value of your house and you would end up getting lesser amount for your property.
Peace of mind – Investing in a quality roof can provide you with a piece of mind because you would know that the roof is a quality one. And you can rest assured that you and your loved ones are protected from all kinds of external agents.
Energy Consumption – Another factor that the roofs can determine is the energy consumption. You need to select the roof that depends upon the type of place that you are living. If there is too much cold outside then the roof selected should be able to maintain the heat inside and if there is too much of heat then it should be able to keep a low temperature inside. You can ask about the type of roof suited for you from the roofing contractor. He would be able to guide you to the ideal roof for your house.
So investing in a quality roof can really turn out to be a wise decision in the long run and we can help you get that perfect roof for your house. We can guide you in selecting the best roof that suits your needs and that too at an affordable price.