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What Home Improvements Bring the Most Value?

Since most people consider the kitchen to be the heart of the home, updates in this room have huge potential to increase house value. While investing in the kitchen has the potential to pay off huge dividends, stay within the upgrading realm matching the home and neighborhood. Fresh paint and modern colors go a long way toward increasing your home value while maximizing your pocket change. Investing in eco-friendly solutions, such as eco-paint, will perform the dual purpose of avoiding dangerous chemicals and providing more resale value.

When pondering the possibility of your home upgrade, why not consider whole house air filtration? Fresh, clean air is just as important as fresh, clean water.

What Upgrades Help Sell a House?

Investing in energy-efficient model appliances also increases the home value dramatically. Energy star-rated appliances are better for the environment, helping homeowners save money while spending less energy. Potential buyers are always looking for a home that provides more cost-efficiency over time, as a home is usually the largest investment a buyer will make. One of the other significant upgrades a homeowner can make is to create a new bathroom. If the home only has one bathroom, estimates relate that a homeowner can recoup 80-130% of the money spent on a new bathroom renovation.

How to do Home Upgrades

There are many different cheap and easy ways to increase the value of your home. Giving kitchen cabinets two coats of fresh paint enlivens them. This task can be accomplished in the space of a weekend. Upgrading cabinet handles is another useful and easy way to make the current kitchen or bathroom cabinets slightly more efficient and updated. Sometimes a simple touch is the best. Adding an outdoor dining table to a porch or yard makes it seem like there’s additional space, and provides an interesting new perspective on an outdoor party space.

Home Upgrades to Avoid

Certain upgrades for the home, such as crown molding installation, may appear easy on the eyes, but it won’t be easy on your wallet. Homeowners rarely recoup their investment on crown molding, though it can be an exceptional sight for family gatherings. Another stumbling block for some homeowners occurs when home upgrades have increased the value of the home to such an extent that the home value no longer matches the value of the neighborhood and surrounding area. Never price yourself out of the price of the neighborhood.

Home Upgrades to Make

Before considering cosmetic or functional improvements to the home, make all needed upgrades, repairs, and replacements to the existing home’s major systems. Upgrading heating, plumbing, electrical and sewer systems should come first and foremost. It is with certainty that older homes will have older plumbing systems, possible foundation problems, and need a possible upgrade to the HVAC system. Updating these systems creates more energy efficiency, which makes the home operate better, with lower energy bills, and more resilience in future circumstances.

Skylights present an innovative way to generate light and air in what was once a dark and drafty room. Consider skylights for your home!

Home Upgrades and Maintenance

One of the important facets to consider is the difference between basic maintenance and an upgrade. Basic maintenance items include re-mulching and framing planting beds, weeding, cleaning windows, and pressure-washing the driveway. Upgrades include new light fixtures, faucets, appliances counter tops and carpet. A home upgrade that will increase energy efficiency that most homeowners overlook is adding attic insulation. If the attic is not properly insulated, it is more than possible that the heating and cooling bills will lower significantly after such a task is accomplished.

Home Upgrading Ideas

Ideas for home upgrades are numerous and ultimately beneficial for sculpting out ideas. Consult the following list of suggestions for your home upgrade.

• Replacing windows.
• Adding stone siding.
• Landscaping.
• Installing central air-conditioning.
• Fixing up the basement.
• Putting in a swimming pool.

RoofCrafters is your local skilled roofing company, providing home upgrades in Georgia, South Carolina & Florida, GA for interested homeowners. Give us a call at 912-920-4147 to make your home vision come true!

Is My Roof Leaking?

Often, during heavy rains, homeowners will find a part of their roof leaking. It can feel like there is nothing to do in those moments, but there is actually quite a bit homeowners can do to prevent further damage from happening. But first, it’s important to understand the issue of how can you tell if your roof is leaking:

• Water stain: Water stains can sometimes be difficult to identify, but generally, you want to look for brown or dark spots, bubbled ceiling/walls, moisture, and such.
• Dripping: Sometimes leaks can be apparent through a drip occurring. It may not happen often, but if you hear a leak and start to see moisture or water stains, a leak may be present.
• Growths: If you are noticing mossy areas on the exterior walls, it may not be an issue with your roof, but your gutters and downspout. The gutters and downspouts help drain water away from the roof, and if they are damaged or clogged, can cause bigger problems.
• Missing/Damaged shingles: Shingles damaged by wind or hail, and not fixed or replaced, can be the cause of a leaking roof.

How to Temporarily Fix a Leaking Roof

As said before, many homeowners find leaks during a rain storm and feel there is nothing that can be done and that is not the case. In fact, there are several steps homeowners can take to patch a leak until the storm passes and a professional roofer can come out to repair the issue. As a note, always do any repairs after it has stopped raining to avoid injuring yourself and others.

The most important thing is to dry the area as much as possible and to be safe. With a bucket and a sponge, go through the wet or moist area, and soak up as much water as possible.

Next, to start alleviating a rooftop leaking issue, you’ll to install a piece of plywood under the leak. This will help give structure to the area, in case there is warping, bubbling or dipping due to water damage.

After you’ve secured plywood under the leaking area, you will want to use a tarp over the damaged area. All you need to do is measure the damaged area and cut your tarp to adequately cover the damage. Secure the tarp with 2×4 that is either nailed or stapled down, but make sure the nails/staples are not so long they puncture the roof further. You can also install a sheet of plywood on the interior of your home to help prevent further damage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a leaking roof an emergency?

It is not an emergency if the ceiling does not appear to be bowing or dipping. That being said, leaks can become an emergency during heavy rains. It’s important to take preventative measures when a leak is noticed and call a roofer as soon as possible to repair the leaking roof.

Is a roof leak covered by insurance?

Leaking roofs caused by covered perils, such as wind and hail damage or a tree limb damaging the roof, are covered by insurance. General wear and tear are not.

Is a leaking ceiling dangerous?

It depends on the severity of the leak. There is a general correlation between a leaking roof and mold, which can be dangerous to the health of your family. Unchecked leaks can also lead to water damage to your ceiling and roof, which are costly to repair.

Whatever the cause is, a leaking roof should never be ignored or overlooked. Contact RoofCrafters at, 912-920-4147, for help with a leaking roof in the Georgia, South Carolina & Florida, GA area.

Just like not having a well kept roof will require you to need roof repair to avoid leaving your home vulnerable to the elements, the same is needed with your home’s health. What is a healthy home? This is a home that designed or maintained to improve the occupant’s health. Through energy efficient housing add-ons like skylights, water filters, or air filters, the power of nature is used to help home dwellers be healthier. Get a healthy home in Georgia, South Carolina & Florida, GA by calling RoofCrafters at 912-920-4147 today.

How Can I Make My Home Healthy?

There are many easy ways to make your home healthy. Things like making sure your home is dry and ventilated are able to cut out tons of bacteria and mold growth that could affect your air quality. While a little more difficult to keep on top of, you can also go completely organic in your home. That means eliminating anything that has GMOs or VOCs, from food to chemical cleaners. It is more expensive, but it pays off by keeping you healthy and living longer. You can get a healthy home and family by installing affordable air and water filters to your home. Healthy home water that tastes good and has all the harmful pollutants removed from it are popular choices in a water treatment system known as filters. Common water filters include carbon filters and a reverse osmosis water filter that remove contaminants like flouride, chlorine, magnesium, and calcium.

How Can We Improve Our Home Environment?

If you are wanting to improve your home’s air and water quality for better health, the best way to do that is by getting air and water filters that can attach directly to your home’s main water and air lines. This way the filters can remove common contaminants that are found in the air and water. Whole home air filters will remove allergens, dust and dust mites, smoke, moisture, asbestos from the air. Water filters remove pollutants like metals, chemicals, dirt, and sometimes even bacteria from water depending on what type of filter you get.

How Do You Remove Toxins From Your Home?

So how do you remove toxins from your home? The way air and water filters work is that they have a veil over the filter that traps all the microscopic pollutants, only allowing the filtered water or air to pass through. If you don’t have and air or water filter, there are other ways you can remove toxins from your residence to achieve a healthy home. Eliminating the use of pesticides which have a huge amount of VOCs (the chemicals that result in greenhouse gas emissions and ozone pollution) are an easy way not only to save money, but the environment and your health as well. Another way to get a healthy home for cheap is by simply opening up some windows! If inside air becomes too stuffy, it allows for more moisture to accumulate. If that happens, that is how mold and mildew grow. These fungi are extremely detrimental to the health of humans and animals, but can be killed by drying them out.

Benefits of Air and Water Filters

The characteristics of a clean and healthy home environment are easy to spot once you discover what to look for. By upgrading to healthy home products like a water purification system or a whole home humidifier, you are able to get a healthy home. Other air and water filtration systems that you can get for a healthy home include carbon water filters, reverse osmosis water filters, ozone water purifier, whole home air purifier or filter, and many more! Each of these water and air filters offer many benefits to creating a healthy home in Georgia, South Carolina & Florida, GA. To learn more, call RoofCrafters at 912-920-4147 today.

• • Air filters relieve allergy symptoms as they remove allergens and dust from the air.
  • Humidifiers help to stop dry nasal passages and nosebleeds. They also help to keep skin from drying out by retaining the moisture in the skin, leaving skin smoother and softer.
  • Reverse osmosis water filters remove metals and chemicals like flouride, chlorine, mercury, lead, iron, and asbestos.
  • Carbon water filters will remove calcium, magnesium, dirt, and dissolved salts.
  • Ozone water purifiers can remove pesticides, VOCs, bacteria, and viruses.
  • Filtered water will taste and smell better. The filtered water will also help your pipes last longer as there will be no sediment residue that will be left in the pipes to build up over time that results in clogs.
  • Adding insulation to your roof and attic helps your home to to better regulate temperatures. This means that no valuable air is escaping or being wasted, and instead is being actively consumed by the occupants.

Proper draining protects your home from all kinds of damage. First, it prevents water from spilling into the attic and ruining supports, insulation, and ceiling space. Next, draining stops moisture from cracking the base of your home’s walls. Finally, healthy draining prohibits rain from seeping into the soil around your foundation and cracking the slab. Unless you enjoy hefty bills for slab leak repair, it’s essential that your home is prepared to direct water away from the property.

What’s the most important part of that draining process? Your gutter system. Scheduling timely maintenance for your roof and knowing which gutter material is best for your home will help you enjoy lasting protection. Here’s a quick guide to assist you!

Gutter Installation

The most important part of ensuring long-lasting gutters is expert installation. That means taking accurate measurements of your roofing and fascia board, choosing a quality gutter material, assembling the gutter and attaching it. The gutters need to be inclined and sealed to ensure effective draining. There a many other steps, including cutting, sectional riveting and caulking. Any missteps during installation could lead to leaks and early repair costs.

That’s why having a professional do the work for you is generally the best solution. With a pro, you’ll notice several key benefits, such as:

• Faster installation
• More accurate measurements and cutting
• The option to install seamless gutters
• Ability to make quick adjustments

Gutter Material Options

Choosing the right gutter material for your home will guarantee your system provide better functionality and long-lasting results. The most popular materials you’ll see on the home market are aluminum, vinyl, copper, and galvanized steel.

Gutter Maintenance

Managing the health of your gutters is usually a simple process. You can slow degradation by cleaning out your gutters each time leaves or dirt start to clog the drain path. This takes a mere 20 to 30 minutes. Besides keeping them clean, keep an eye open for signs of splashing or leaking. If you notice these signs of degradation, it’s likely time to call your local roofer for professional gutter repair. You’d be amazed how much simple repairs can accomplish towards protecting your home and extending the life of your gutter system.

How Long Should Gutters Last?

That depends entirely upon the materials you have for your gutter system and how well they are maintained. As we mentioned earlier, high-end copper gutters can last over 50 years. On the opposite hand, poorly managed vinyl gutters in cold environments could last for only a few years. The more seams your system has, the more maintenance it will require to prevent early gutter replacement, another reason why seamless gutters are so popular nowadays.

What are Seamless Gutters?

The term is pretty self explanatory: gutters are fabricated into long, single pieces. This allows your roofing expert to eliminate seams, which are the center of corrosion and cracking problems for many a gutter system. If you’re wondering how seamless gutters are made, the process requires a specialized machine (typically brought to the installation site) that extends the gutter material into the desired length. After the gutters are produced and installed, all that’s left is to attach and seal the end-caps.

One of the most important benefits of choosing a seamless gutter system is enhanced performance. Each set of seamless gutters is made on-site after careful measurements have been taken. That means you’ll get an exact fit for your home! Tailored gutters have fewer opportunities to spill. Without the seams snagging additional dirt and leaves, you’ll also notice longer times between gutter cleanings. Of course, you can always have your roofer install gutter guards to block debris from getting into the drains.

Key Benefits of Seamless Gutters

• Reduced potential for leaks and corrosion
• Less time spent making adjustments and binding pieces together
• Minimal required effort to maintain them
• Custom fabrication to ensure a perfect fit

Schedule Your Seamless Gutter Replacement Today!

Want to learn more about seamless gutters and protecting your home from water damage? Talk with one of our roofing experts at RoofCrafters! We’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have and provide further information about gutter replacement service. Give our team a call today at 912-920-4147 to get started.

One of the best roofing materials on the market for a residential property is metal roofing. For the longest time, metal roofing was only seen as a commercial roofing product, but throughout the years, it has become a popular residential roofing material that homeowners flock towards. This is due to the fact that it is long-lasting, durable, aesthetically pleasing, eco-friendly, and energy-efficient. There are many different types of residential metal roofing and it’s important to know the details of all of them before you make a decision. Below are the types of residential metal roofing systems on the market.

Types of Residential Metal Roofing

• Aluminum Roofing: This is one of the better metal roofing systems if you live in a coastal town; this is because aluminum is very resistant to salt corrosion. While it is resistant to this type of corrosion, it is a good idea to have this type of metal painted.
• Copper Roofing: Copper roofing is a great metal roof for homes because it can last up to 100 years and it is recyclable. Because it is a very soft metal, it can become prone to damage if there is hail.
• Steel Roofing: One of the titans of metal roofing will always be steel roofing. It is not only used for roofing, but for other industrial-like buildings. There are three types of steel roofing that homeowners can choose from, galvanized, galvalume, and weathering steel.
• Zinc Roofing: While the first three metal roofs are pretty common, we don’t necessarily think of zinc when it comes to residential roofing. However, it is very durable and can be formed into many different shapes. It does have a chalking effect, it can be cleaned to reduce it.

Residential metal roofing installation requires the skill of an experienced roofer, just as bathroom remodeling or leak repair requires a professional plumber; if you are looking for metal roofing in Georgia, South Carolina & Florida, call RoofCrafters at 912-920-4147.

 

Home projects can be a very large undertaking, even if you know what you are doing. There are so many different variables to look at and each step can pose new problems. Before you start a home project, you may want to make sure you get all of your residential plumbing repairs done ahead of time so you don’t run into any problems. Once this is done, you can focus on the project at hand. Another thing to think about is what kind of roof you will be putting on once your addition is built. Below, are a few different options that you can choose from.

Roofing Options For Your New Home

Metal – Metal roofing is always a great choice, especially if you want a different look on part of your home. Metal will keep you safe and it can potentially last on your roof for 60 years.

Shingles – Shingles come in all different material, but if you want a basic single that gets the job done, you will get a good 12-15 years out of them. This is also the most cost efficient option to choose from as well.

Flat Roofing – If you have a flat roof, you have a lot of choices. This can range from the low end to something that will protect your roof for a long time like EPDM.

Matching – Maybe you want to match your new addition with the same roofing as what is on the rest of your house to not disturb the flow.

No matter what you decide, we are here to help you in any way we can. If you need a new roof in Georgia, South Carolina & Florida, GA, call RoofCrafters at 912-920-4147.

With metal roofing, you don’t have to worry yourself with monthly cleaning or missing shingles. In fact, keeping your beautiful metal roof in great condition is a really simple job! All that’s required is one hour of your time, twice a year. Follow these three simple steps, and you’ll be done with your bi-annual metal roof maintenance before you know!

Maintenance Step #1: The Walkabout (5-10 minutes)

This little prep period is your time to gather all your materials and briefly inspect your rooftop. For your maintenance you’ll need a ladder, a trash bag, gloves, a soft cloth or sponge and some Formula 409 cleaner. Once you’ve finished collecting your materials, take a short walk around your house (or office) and take note of any foreign debris, smudges, scratches, paint chips, etc.

Maintenance Step #2: Basic Cleanup (25-35 minutes)

Now you’re ready to get started! Ascend the ladder onto the roof and begin with cleaning away all that debris you saw earlier, including twigs, leaves, and any other loose particulates. Make sure you take this opportunity to empty out your gutters, which will protect your roof from corrosion. Afterwards, you can rinse off the roof with a hose. Next, grab that cleaning solution and cloth and wipe away any smudges you can find. This will protect your paint from fading and (again) corrosion. For tougher smudges, you might need to use a solution of water, dish soap, and household bleach.

Maintenance Step #3: Final Touch Ups (0-15 minutes)

If you noticed any scratches or metal chips lodged in your paint, you’ll want to perform some quick touch ups to keep your roof from rusting. Make sure to use a brush (not a sprayer) and a tub of manufacturer approved paint. Once the paint has dried, you’re finished!

One hour is all it takes to keep your metal roofing system looking gorgeous for 6 more months! For any questions about metal roofing or D.I.Y. roof maintenance, feel free to chat with one of our experts at912-920-4147.

When having a new roof installed, there are many options available to you and your home. Aesthetically pleasing and eco-friendly, many homeowners have begun to choose a clay tile roof for their home for these and many other benefits it offers. Just like with any other roof, you want it to last a long time and provide your home with quality defense against damage. However, clay tiles can wear and become damaged due to time, storms and debris. What can you do to prolong the life of your tile roof? There are some simple maintenance tasks you can complete or have your roofer complete to ensure your roof stays at its best and ready for the next storm.

Tile Roof Maintenance Tips

• Assess The State of Your Roof Regularly – Taking a few moments to look at your roof can keep you in the know on any potential problems. Keep an eye out for damaged material and having a roofer inspect it can allow you to handle any issues quickly before they grow.
• Keep Your Roof Clean – Debris and water can take a toll on clay tile roof materials, wearing them down and allowing algae to grow. Take the time to wipe down your roof with a simple detergent solution and remove any debris that may have blown atop it.
• Get Repair As Needed – If you do find damage on your roof, getting repairs quickly can prevent water, pests and other environmental factors from attacking your roofing structure. Contact our roofers when you notice this kind of damage for repair to have your roof restored fast.

Following these easy tips, you can make sure your tile roof continue to not only look great but protect your home. When you need repair for your home roof, RoofCrafters is the one to call! We are always available to provide you with quality roofing service in Georgia, South Carolina & Florida, GA. Give us a call today at 912-920-4147 to get started on your residential tile roof repair!

Asphalt shingles represent the most widely used residential roofing material in the country. Extremely versatile, shingles are manufactured in a vast array of styles and colors, and provide reliable, cost-efficient service. Eventually, however, you’ll need to consider a roofing replacement. If you notice any of the following signs, the time may have arrived for a new shingle roof.

Missing, Curled, or Damaged Shingles

Some amount of shingle repair and replacement is to be expected with any asphalt shingle roof. However, if your roof has widespread issues with missing, curled, or damaged shingles, you may need a replacement. These issues can occur after a particularly strong storm, or as a result of an aged roofing system. Damaged shingles should be addressed quickly, as they create the potential for severe leaks.

Loss of Granules

Roofing granules provide an invaluable service for your roof. These inconspicuous, tiny pieces of gravel not only contribute to your roof’s appearance, but also protect it from impacts. Faulty or old shingles will begin to lose their granules in abundance. If you ever notice a great deal of roofing granules in your gutters, the day has arrived for a new shingle roof.

Old Age

The most common reason for a roofing replacement comes with old age. The average asphalt shingle roof will last for around 20 years. If you have had yours for that amount of time or longer, schedule an inspection with a qualified roofer. The longer you keep an outdated roof, the more frequent and severe your repair issues will become.

If you need a new shingle roof in Georgia, South Carolina & Florida, GA, trust the expert team at RoofCrafters. We provide exceptional service for roofing replacement, and are just a phone call away at 912-920-4147.

We love aluminum. We love it! It’s lightweight, durable and easy for roofers to use. But why should homeowners love aluminum? Why choose aluminum for your house compared to other roofing materials? Here’s a short list of reasons why you should consider installing an aluminum roof in Georgia, South Carolina & Florida.

It’s easy for your house to support.

Shingle roofing is great, but it can also be very heavy on your home’s framework. The lightweight nature of aluminum enables it to cover your home without applying extra stress on the supporting frame. This greatly reduces the chances of structural failure and repairs.

It reflects sunlight, improving energy efficiency.

Your roof absorbs more direct sunlight than any other part of your home. That means things are gonna get hot! Aluminum however, has strong reflective properties which bounce sunlight instead of absorbing it. As a result, your HVAC system will have an easier time maintaining the cool temperature in your house. Raise your hand if you like lower energy bills!

Aluminum laughs at corrosion.

In general, metal roofing requires very little maintenance because it’s so tough! Out of all other metals used for roofing, aluminum provides some of the strongest weather and corrosion resistance. In neighborhoods subject to high wind speeds and rainfall, resilience against cracking is a must. Even with severe humidity and rainfall, aluminum will not rust. 

If you are considering an aluminum roof in Georgia, South Carolina & Florida, call one of our specialists at 912-920-4147 for a quote today.