A leaking roof is the most obvious sign that it’s time to replace your roof, but it’s hardly the only one. Many of these signs will eventually lead to a leaking roof, but identifying these problems early enough can prevent water damage and save you money for your roof replacement project. Sometimes this early intervention can also be the difference between repairing your roof and replacing your roof. You should consider part of this decision, however, the age of the roof, oth

NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) tracks U.S. weather and climate events that have great economic and societal impacts (www.ncdc.noaa.gov/billions). Since 1980, the U.S. has sustained 219 weather and climate disasters where the overall damage costs reached or exceeded $1 billion (including adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index, as of December 2017). The cumulative costs for these 219 events exceed $1.5 trillion. During 2017, the U.S. experie

Household pests want the same things you do—food, water, shelter—and will seize any opportunity to satisfy their needs. You can’t stop every pest from ever flying, crawling, or burrowing into your home, but you can make sure the occasional intrusion doesn’t become an all-out invasion. Once a major infestation occurs, you’ll likely need professional help. But if you focus on prevention, you can tackle many aspects of pest control yourself, save money, and avoid adding pestic

If you have a home, you have a roof. Even if you live in a cave, there is something overhead that keeps the rain and snow from landing directly on you. Nothing revolutionary here, but if you do not understand the construction of your own roof, then you may not how to spot when its integrity has been breached, when it is leaking heat, and when it needs to be replaced. Roofing Sheathing & Trusses Roofing trusses, which are the big, triangles that make the peak of your roof, act

When estimating the cost of a new roof, know that you'll have a wide variety to choose from. Roofing contractors will estimate the cost of a new roof based on many factors, including: Size Slope Complexity Existing roofing, if any Material type Underlayment and accessories Ventilation Flashing Labor It's also important to take into account how you select your contractor. You need to make sure they have a license and insurance before you hire them, or else you could have some

There it is: the dreaded ceiling stain. Go ahead, be annoyed. Do a little cursing. It’s warranted, but when you’re ready to work the problem, treat the problem rationally. Knowing what type of contractor you need can save you precious time and money. You need to understand what’s going on. If you’re able to identify the cause, you may find that you’re able to deal with the problem yourself. If you do need to hire a pro, at least you’ll be reasonably certain of which type of c

From wood shake to asphalt shingles, roofing material is an important consideration that contributes to the overall look and style of your home. Updating your existing roof allows you to add value to your home and communicate your home's look and feel. While roof framing, preparation and proper installation are always important, the material you choose for your roof can bring the exterior of your home to the next level. "It's really an opportunity to upgrade your home in term

If you added a heat-efficient metal or asphalt roof to your house last year, you may be able to claim a $500 energy tax credit by filing IRS Form 5695 with your return. Save receipts and labels. Tax credit limits: 10% of expenditures, up to a lifetime $500, for all energy improvements combined. Installation isn’t covered. See Energy Star for guidelines on what exactly is covered. It’s your safest bet for information on how to get the credit. Be warned that not all roofs, not

Is your home ready to withstand powerful gusts of wind and pounding hail? While damage from strong storms is often inevitable, there are steps you can take to minimize harm to your property and protect your personal safety. You shouldn't wait until severe weather is predicted in your area to take action – plan ahead for hailstorms, wind storms and tornadoes by following these steps. Facts about storms About 3,000 hailstorms occur annually in the United States, and hail that d

A new roof is an expensive proposition — $18,800 on average for composition shingles, according to Remodeling magazine’s Cost Vs. Value Report, and as much as $36,000 for high-end materials. Once you’ve made that kind of investment, you’ll want to protect it. And even if your roof is years old, maintaining it in good shape will prolong its life and keep you from having to replace it prematurely. Here’s what you need to do to get the most from your roof. Clean the Gutters Ruin