Category "Restorations"

When Is It Time To Replace Roof?

April 9, 2012

A new roof is a huge project if you are not ready for it, and the roof replacement cost is too much to spend lightly. If you are planning to do your next roofing job yourself to save money, you might be putting it off because you dread doing the work. Do not let your worries stand in your way if it is really time to replace your roof. Here are some indications that it might be time to reroof.

Worn Shingles

Your shingles can show many different signs of wear. They sometimes curl up; it is easy to look up at the roof and see the curled shingles when this happens. Sometimes, they tear due to age and weathering. Shingles can even come loose and fall off. You might actually notice this when a shingle falls down from your roof and lands in your yard. When your shingles are generally getting in this type of condition, it is time to accept the fact that you need to spend the total roof replacement cost.

Mold

If your roof looks discolored, get closer to it and see if the discoloration is actually mold. If your roof is moldy, you need to do a roof job immediately. The mold will deteriorate your shingles, but more importantly, it will also create a harmful environment for people who live in the house and breathe the moldy air every time they step in or out of the house. It is best to go ahead and pay the roof replacement cost rather than risk the health of your family.

Hail Damage

If there is ever a severe hail storm in your area, check your roof for hail damage or have it checked by a professional. Often, a monster hail storm will damage every single shingle on the roof. When heavy hail strikes your home, you will probably need to do the full roof replacement cost. If you are not sure, do not hesitate to ask an expert to evaluate the situation for you.

Leaks

If there is one time you need to accept the fact of complete roof replacement cost, it is when you have massive leaks from your roof. Your entire home can quickly become a haven of mold and mildew. The interior of your home can be damaged from paint and wallpaper to appliances and cabinetry. The damage will not end until you get the roof taken care of properly. Unfortunately, the longer you wait the more interior work you will have to do.

Upgrade

Perhaps you do not have any particular problems with your roof. The shingles may function perfectly well. They may not even look too hideous. However, if you want to sell your house, you might want to upgrade to a better class or style of shingles. Your home might look more impressive to prospective home buyers with a new, attractive roof, and you might get a price for it that will justify any money you have put out.

There is no reason to put off doing a roof job if you really need one. Your roof replacement cost need not be excessive, and you can leave the heavy lifting to people with experience.

Keith Gerety
Roofing Contractor

Know When To Hire a Professional Roofing Contractor

February 16, 2012

Maybe you have just recently moved into a new home, or you are getting ready to move within a few months. Then, before your big move, one thought popped into your head-since the new house is kind of old, when would I have to spend all of that money to repair or get a new roof? How will I even know if I need to invest in a new roof? Such answers can be found here!

If you are moving into an older home, you may want to play it safe and have a roofing contractor come out for a free quote. The roofing company should be able to tell you whether or not you need a new roof right now, or if you can wait a few years to replace it.

On the other hand, if you are moving into a newer home, you might be wondering how long the roof will last before you must invest in a new one. This is a great question to ask yourself and your roofing contractor so you can plan for this major, but critical home investment. Once again, you can call professional roofing contractors to inspect your roof and gutters to give you their opinion.

In the meantime, you can learn a little bit more about how long the average roof lasts. To start with, you can learn about the few factors that have significant, strong effects on the lifetime of your roof. These include:

  • The color of your roof (light color versus dark color)-Some colors of roofing materials attract more sun than others, which, in turn, can cause your roof to age quicker.
  • Ventilation options-If proper ventilation was not planned for when installing your roof, this can lead to a shorter lifespan for your roof.
  • How your current roof was installed-This depends on the expertise and craftsmanship of the previous roofing contractors who originally installed the roof.
  • The pitch or the angle of your roof-Every roof is different, so a thorough inspection is needed to assess this.
  • The types of roofing materials that were used-This will highly depend on the area in which you live. For instance, homes located in the desert are typically made with different roofing materials than a home located where it snows a lot.

Far and beyond the previous factors, you should know that the climate you live in also has a significant impact on your roof’s lifespan. For instance, the following weather conditions could reduce the amount of years your average roof can last, including:

  • Sun
  • Wind
  • Heavy rains
  • Snow, hail, and ice
  • Traffic (pertinent to commercial buildings)
  • Movements in the building’s structure
  • Temperature fluctuations

Those are just some factors that you can evaluate on your own before your roofing contractor arrives at your house for the thorough inspection. It is a good idea to research and understand these factors so that you can have an intelligent and thoughtful conversation with the roofing specialists about your current roof’s condition.

So taking all of these factors into play, how long could the average roof last? Well, the lifespan of an average roof is between 10-20 years. It is critical to keep in mind that you cannot expect a roof to last its entire lifetime without regular maintenance and repairs. As an example, you wouldn’t expect your car to last for 15 years without ever doing the routine maintenance and oil changes, would you? The same care and maintenance applies to your roof, too!

Keith Gerety
Roof Installation

Roofing Repairs

September 7, 2011

The roof is one of the more prone areas of your house and it is vital that you not only have quality roofing installed but that regular checks and repairs are carried out to ensure it’s long life. Consider the fact that all roofing is subject to wind, rain, snow, sun and any other element that can be thrown at it and you should realize that your new roofing and subsequent roofing repairs would need to be top notch to avoid any nasty accidents or surprises. Having new roofing installed can be a pricey affair but only regular check ups and minor repairs when needed can prevent the worst from happening. If you haven’t had your roof checked for ten years then it is highly advisable that you get it seen to as soon as possible. It may not be leaking yet but if you leave it much longer it could be.

Age.

The biggest roofing killer is the age of the materials. When shingles begin to look worn this usually means they are. Even shingles that have a 40-year warranty should be checked every few years. Roofing contractors will perform a relatively inexpensive check up of the whole of your roofing and if you pick a reputable company they will tell you exactly what needs repairing now and what is likely to need repairing in the future.

Protection.

Roofing is the thing that protects the rest of your home from the elements and the damage they can cause. As such your roofing is facing this damage itself and it should be given all the ammunition possible to complete its job. Shingles are available in a wide variety of sizes and costs, but the cheaper shingles are virtually useless and you should spend as much as you can possibly afford on buying top quality roofing shingles that will stand up to more than a light shower and a gentle breeze.

Repair or replace.

Sometimes shingles can be blown off and merely need replacing but if this is happening more and more often you need to consider that they may need replacing. Repairing your roofing may cost less but if you have to repeatedly repair it then it is a much more cost-effective solution to have new roofing. A contractor will be able to help you assess the best option for your roof.

Cost of re-roofing.

Having new roofing costs money, but by continually paying for repair work to be done you should consider that there may be an underlying problem with the wooden sheathing underneath. The only way to tell whether this is the case or not is to have the old roofing shingles completely ripped off and have the underneath inspected and repaired properly. Once this is done you can pay for top quality roofing that may set you back a little more than the repair work would have done but will undoubtedly last you much longer. That said, if a shingle blows off during high gales there is no need to rush out and have your entire roofing replaced without seeking advice first.

Keith Gerety
Roof Contractor

Front Porch Restoration

July 18, 2011

Gerety Building and Restoration has recently completed a porch restoration from a home that we have been restoring in Westchester, NY. The front porch was completely reconstructed using Aeratis Traditions PVC porch flooring. The flooring was selected because of its traditional historical design and durability. The Aeratis flooring is resistant to termites and mold and it is paint ready. Synthetic Trademark Reserve wood was also used for the railing.

For more project photos we invite you to view our deck design, construction and remodeling portfolio.

Keith Gerety
Composite Exterior Decks

Historic Home Restoration

June 30, 2011
  • Stripped paint from antique sash window, to make it operable.
  • Replaced Rotted Wood all around the house with new composite decay-free material.
  • Removed old cracked weathered putty and replaced it with new weather resistant glaze.
  • Replaced old cracked glass with Restoration Glass which is made to look like old glass.

We are also in the process of restoring the front porch as well.

Keith Gerety
Historic Restoration

Summer Is The Best Time For Home Improvement

June 29, 2011

The heat is on! When everyone’s out vacationing, one of the best ways that smart homeowners do to make use of their time and money is investing them in a home improvement project. So that when the vacationers have had their time of fun under the sun and come home drained physically and financially, there you’ll be sitting pretty and lavishing at all the benefits. From renewed aesthetics, improved functionality and efficiency, better quality of everyday living, to boosted value for your New York home… all these and more can be enjoyed. So if you are thinking about summer home improvement, here are great tips ideal whether you are in Westchester County NY, or Fairfield County CT.

Home Maintenance
There’s no better time to evaluate the condition of your home and property than summer. This makes maintenance tasks another set of important home improvement projects to undertake this season. Here are common places to look into:

  • Roof and gutters
  • Foundation of your home
  • Doors and windows
  • Caulking
  • Gates and fences
  • Weather stripping
  • Exterior painting
  • Siding
  • Water leaks
  • Wooden decks
  • Concrete patios, driveway and walkways

Remodel to Increase Living Space
Whether you plan to extend your living space sidewards, backwards, or upwards; there’s no better time to do such home improvement than on summer time. As most home addition projects require temporarily opening up a portion of the house, these are ideally done when the weather is least wet to avoid delays as well as water and moisture issues. One project worth considering is extending a part of the house to give way to a sunroom. With this, the family can enjoy all the beauty that the every season brings without having to endure the discomforts of the outdoors.

Keith Gerety
Renovations

Restoring Your Roof With Gerety Restoration

June 13, 2011

Expertise: Gerety Restoration is in possession of knowledge and expertise that are required for roof installation. We have the knowledge to identify your roofing requirements based on your budget, environment, and can suggest the best roofing solution accordingly. Further, we are in possession of the latest technology and equipment required to build roofs.

Maintenance: Gerety Restoration also offers maintenance services which would help you increase the lifetime of your roof. Regular maintenance is necessary to ensure safety of the residents and belongings. Identifying damages in roof requires professional expertise and experience. We also offer services to reinstall roof and change slats as and when required.

Debris removal: You would need professionals help remove the debris of the changed roof. Choosing Gerety Restoration will ensure debris removal and disposing services.

Licenses and bonds: Gerety Restoration is completely licensed and bonded to carry out roof installation assignments.

We invite you to view our roofing portfolio here.

Keith Gerety
Roof Contractor