What You Need to Know When Choosing Siding Replacement or Siding Repair for Your Home in Raleigh, NC

Siding, sometimes wall cladding, is a protective material
that is attached to the outside walls of a house. In addition to protecting
your home from the elements, it also helps keep your home looking good. But
over time, the siding can be damaged due to weather and age which will mean
that it needs to be repaired or replaced.

In many cases, it will be possible to repair the siding to
get it looking as good as new. But, depending on the type of siding that you
have and how damaged it is, siding replacement might be a better option. There
are a number of different types of siding available including vinyl, wood,
asbestos, and aluminum, and the choice of siding
services (either repair or replacement) will vary depending on what siding
has been used.

Cedar Shingles and Wood Siding

The two primary types of damage that happen with cedar shingles
and wood siding are gouges in the wood and rot. Gouges are marks in the wood
that can be caused by a variety of factors such as a hail storm, a pressure
washer, and other impacts. If your siding has gouges, these can usually be
repaired by sanding the siding down, filling deeper gouges with exterior
spackle and then priming and painting.

If your siding has been damaged by long-term moisture
collection over the years, then the rows that are rotting will need to be
replaced. This is more common where the siding comes into contact with the
concrete of the foundation or basement, or if there are areas where water
collection due to improper drainage. Note that not all the siding will need to
be replaced if the rot is not widespread, for localized rotting it is often
possible to just replace the affected boards. If you want to replace the rows
with a different type of siding material, it is often better to replace all of
the siding so that the house looks uniform and neat.

Vinyl Siding

Vinyl siding is an affordable, neat and aesthetically
pleasing alternative to wood siding. It’s low maintenance and doesn’t need to
be painted. The only real downside of vinyl siding is that it cracks reasonably
easily under pressure and can’t be repaired. In the case of vinyl siding,
repair isn’t an option, and the affected rows will need to be replaced.

If the damage is localized and the rest of the vinyl siding
still looks good, siding replacement is quick and easy. Only the boards that
are damaged need to be replaced, and this is done by unhooking them from the
points where they snap in and replacing them with new boards.

Asbestos “Slate” Siding

Siding that appears to be made from slate is most likely
asbestos siding and is a hardwearing, durable solution. If you have asbestos
siding that is damaged or crumbling, it will need to be replaced by a
professional roofing contractor.

Aluminum Siding

Similar to vinyl siding, if there are cracks or broken rows,
these will need to be replaced which can be done quite easily. Aluminum siding
can be repaired if there are small holes, as the holes can be filled with
exterior caulk that is color-matched to the siding.

In most cases the siding repair cost will be lower than
replacing the siding, making it a better option. And even in cases where
replacement is necessary, usually, only the affected boards will need to be
replaced, not the entire home’s siding. If you have damaged sidings, get in
touch with Luna Restoration,
they are professional roofing contractors in Raleigh,
NC offering a full range of siding services.

The following post was originally published to What You Need to Know When Choosing Siding Replacement or Siding Repair for Your Home in Raleigh, NC and is courtesy of Luna Restoration. Read more on:} http://lunarestoration.com

Common Roofing Issues for Older Homes in Raleigh, NC

There are many charming older homes in the Raleigh area,
with some of them having been built nearly a hundred years ago. For owners of
older homes, or prospective buyers looking to buy an older home, there are many
advantages. The walls are usually thicker and built to withstand the vagaries
of time, and they definitely have more character. But there are also a couple
of things to keep in mind as older homes typically need more maintenance and upkeep,
and may need upgrades to ensure that they are in compliance with relevant
building codes.

One of the important considerations is the integrity of an
older home’s roof. If you own the home already, you may be experiencing some
issues and should considering hiring a roofing
company in Raleigh, NC to repair or replace the roof. If you’re in the
market to buy an older home, consider getting a roofing contractor to do an
individual inspection of the roof. It’s an easy element to overlook but there
are repairs to be made, which can be extensive, making them an unexpected cost
that can’t be avoided.

If you are considering buying an older home, or wondering if
the home you own has a roofing issue, there are three self-checks that you can
do. You can run through a list of quick visual checks, then inspect for leaks
and water damage and finally, call a roofing contractor in Raleigh, NC for a
second opinion.

1. Quick Visual Checks

Have a look for shingles that are showing signs of wear and
tear. Check that exhaust fans are functioning well as this is a good sign that
moisture isn’t accumulating in the roof. Then, inspect the attic for water
damage and insulation. If you can’t immediately see any issues, then do a more
thorough check for water damage.

2. Check for Leaks

A leaking roof has serious consequences for a home, which
makes the soundness of a home’s roof vital. To check for water damage, inspect
the interior and exterior walls of the home, the attic and the roof itself.

Interior Walls

Examine the interior walls of the home looking for water
spots on the ceiling. This is not conclusive proof that the roof is the issue
though, as there may be a plumbing or water leak causing the issue.

Exterior Walls

Check the exterior walls of the home; water spots here can
be a sign that the roof has flashing issues. Also, have a look for patches of
mold that may be indicative of a leaking roof.

The Attic

Check the insulation in the attic for any signs of moisture,
as well as checking if you can see daylight under the roof boards.

The Roof

Lastly, it’s important to check the roof. A quick look at
the roof (this may require you to climb a ladder to get a closer look) will
reveal most issues. These issues could range from cracked shingles to missing
tiles or unsecured flashing.

3. Get an Opinion from a Roofing Contractor in Raleigh

Roofing contractors are professionals that specialize in building new roofs and repairing older ones. They are trained to quickly identify problem areas and, based on their experience, suggest solutions and alternatives.

As a Roofing Company in Raleigh, NC we offers free roofing estimates for residential and commercial properties throughout Wake Country and Durham County; specifically, in Apex, Cary, Fuquay-Varina, Garner, Durham, and Raleigh.

They’re locally owned and operated, and are available seven
days a week with 24/7 phone service to respond to emergency call-outs. They are
fully certified by GAF (the largest manufacturer of commercial and residential
roofing materials in the US). They also ensure that the roofing contractors
that work for the company are licensed and continually attend professional
training so that they stay at the top of their game.

All contractors are licensed and dedicated to ongoing professional training in the field of residential and commercial roofing. Luna Restoration is fully insured so that you have peace of mind while they’re hard at work on your roof.

The following post was first published to Common Roofing Issues for Older Homes in Raleigh, NC and is republished from Luna Restoration. See more on:} Luna Restoration Blog North Carolina

How to Tell if a Home’s Gutters Need Replacing

For homeowners with properties that are slightly older, there are home-related issues that will pop up from time to time, requiring maintenance. A good example of this is gutter replacement in Raleigh, NC where many years of wear and tear, and continual exposure to the elements mean that gutters may no longer be functioning optimally.
Luckily, before gutters need to be completely replaced, there are three clear warning signs that let homeowners know that there is work to be done. A home may need gutter repair or replacement if there are signs of water damage around the gutters, if gutters are sagging or pulling away from the framework, or if they have cracks, splits and peeling paint.

Signs of water damage on or around the gutters

This is a common issue due to moisture accumulation. Homeowners should check the gutters at least once a year on a clear, sunny day. Look for water damage or mildew below the gutter as this is a sign that water is escaping from the gutter. This check is important as water damage can break down soffit and fascia boards.
Because the purpose of gutters is to keep flowing water away from the foundations of a home, it is also important to check a home’s foundation for water regularly. If there are pools of water or signs of mildew forming near the foundation, it may be a sign the gutters are not working as they should. This may be due to a blocked gutter that is quick and easy to fix, but it may also be a sign of something more serious such as a defect in the gutter system. Any sign of water accumulation around the foundations needs to be acted on immediately as water can easily cause damage to foundations, and the result is expensive, time-consuming repairs.

Gutters that are sagging or pulling away from the house

This is a clear sign that gutter repairs or gutter replacement is needed. This is because, without taking out a ladder to inspect the gutters, it is immediately apparent that there is something wrong. It should never be the case that gutters are sagging or pulling away from the home. A Raleigh gutter services expert is needed in these situations as they will be able to assess the extent of the damage and if the gutter will need to be replaced or repaired.
There are different reasons for sagging gutters, one of which is that they are full of water and are pulling away from the house due to their weight. This may be a sign that the gutter system is not correctly installed or is not draining properly because there is debris causing a blockage.

Cracks, splits and peeling paint require immediate attention

It can be easy to overlook a small crack or dismiss it as unimportant. But small cracks can quickly develop into larger ones. Any cracks or splits that are not attended to immediately will not only damage gutters further, but can lead to damage of fascia boards, the foundation below, and shingles around the gutter.
Peeling paint or flecks of orange rust on an older home are also signs that water is not flowing correctly through the gutter system, as there is water present continually. This should also be cause for concern as it may require gutter replacement, especially if it is an older home.

As specialists in gutter services, Luna Restoration offers commercial gutters, residential gutters, and seamless gutters depending on what their clients need. They are leading providers of gutter services including gutter repair and gutter replacement in Raleigh, NC.

The next information was first published to How to Tell if a Home’s Gutters Need Replacing and is republished from Luna Restoration. Read more on:} Luna Restoration LLC

5 Tips for Choosing the Best Roofing Contractor in Raleigh, NC

Finding a roofing contractor to take on repairs, installation or replacement of a home’s roof can be an overwhelming, sometimes confusing task. There are five things to look at when choosing the best roofing contractor in Raleigh, NC to meet one’s specific needs. If any of these five points are not met, it is a warning sign, and it might be a better option to explore other roofing service companies. The roofing contractor should be insured, work locally, offer good value for money, communicate well and be willing to put their commitment on paper.

Check that they are fully insured

The roofing contractor that does work on a
home must have liability insurance and worker’s compensation. This is a legal
requirement in place to protect the homeowner and the roofing contractor. Here,
it is important to take things a step further, once the certificates have been
checked, phone their insurance company to confirm that the cover is valid.

As there are costs to being licensed and
insured, it may mean that companies with lower bids on roofing repairs or
replacements, may be cutting corners and not insuring correctly.

Work with a local contractor

This has several important benefits
including local knowledge and, if they are good at what they do, a strong
reputation in the community. Local knowledge means that they will offer a
solution that will best withstand Raleigh-specific weather- from hot sun and
rain in summer, to cold and wind in the winter.

Additionally, a business that has a strong
reputation that has been in operation for a long time, gives peace of mind that
the Raleigh roofing company’s work is reliable, trustworthy and is of a high
standard. Choosing a company that is not locally based or is new, with no
reviews, opens up the possibility that they may be a fly-by-night operation,
that is not available for follow-ups within the standard five-year warranty
period.

Choose a roofing contractor based on value for money, not
price alone

It may be tempting to try to cut costs and
go with a low-cost contractor. While it may seem cheaper up-front, it’s likely
that there will be additional costs to fix problems that arise later. Reputable
companies have fixed overheads and insurance costs that have to be covered.
They also offer a workmanship guarantee that will cover any issues that come up
if the roof does not perform as expected.

Good communication is a good sign

At the beginning of the process,
contractors are likely to be very responsive to phone calls and emails as they
are hoping to secure business. So, if there are any issues with communication
before getting started, this should serve as a red flag. Think about whether calls
were returned and documents sent through in a timely manner, if not, then consider
a different local roofing contractor.

Get everything in writing

Ensure that the scope of the work, the
timescale, and the costs are clearly detailed. It is important to know how long
the job is going to take, what size crew they will have working on the roof,
and the date that the roof will be completed by. Whether it is a roofing repair
job or a complete roof replacement, it is important to stay in control. This is
also a good time to negotiate the terms of the payment, as the funds should not
be released until the job has been signed off.

The team at Luna Restoration offers
specialized residential and commercial roofing installations, repairs and
replacement. With many years of experience and an excellent reputation for high-quality
work and customer service, they are leading roofing contractors in Raleigh, NC.

The following article was first published to 5 Tips for Choosing the Best Roofing Contractor in Raleigh, NC and is courtesy of Luna Restoration. Read more on:} http://lunarestoration.com