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Insulation plays a vital role in keeping your home at a desirable temperature. Not only that, but it also saves homeowners money by reducing the strain on heaters and air conditioners to keep the house warm or cool. Attic insulation shows the most benefits. There are two popular types of insulation for attics: fiberglass and cellulose. If you’re struggling to decide between fiberglass vs. cellulose insulation, we are here to help with a bit of information on both.

Fiberglass Insulation

Commonly pink in color, this material can be eco-friendly, as it is made with new or recycled glass! This affordable type of insulation provides several benefits. It’s effective at resisting flames and, of course, insulating homes. It also has some drawbacks. For example, fiberglass insulation doesn’t do well in the extreme cold compared to its cellulose counterpart.

Cellulose Insulation

Cellulose is a 100% eco-friendly insulation choice — it’s simply recycled newspaper with chemical treatments to make it flame-resistant! This type of insulation tends to reduce airflow, unlike fiberglass. In other words, cellulose reduces heat loss more effectively than fiberglass because it prevents treated air from leaking out of the house. It’s also a little easier to install than its fluffy-looking counterpart. Cellulose tends to also perform better in low temperatures.

The Bottom Line

And the winner is… both! Fiberglass and cellulose are fantastic insulators with wonderful qualities, including affordability. Our Cincinnati, OH roofers are happy to help you determine which is best in the battle between fiberglass vs. cellulose insulation. In fact, we understand what to do when getting new leads in this area. Call us at 513.563.9988 for your attic insulation replacement or installation today!

With Thanksgiving and winter holidays just around the corner, you want your home’s roof to be in sound condition before cold temperatures set in. Here are a few Cincinnati, OH fall roofing maintenance steps to accomplish before the busy season sets in.

Clean It Off

If algae has stained your roof, fear not. Our roofing contractors are here to help. Not only can a dirty roof be an eyesore, it can also hide damage. Clean your roof with a roofer-approved product that won’t damage the material. Your guests won’t have to see any roof discoloration when they come to town for the holidays, and you can rest easy knowing algae isn’t damaging your roof during the winter!

Tend To Your Gutters

Falling leaves from the trees around your home can fall into your gutters or be carried there by the wind. If you don’t clean out your gutters before the winter months set in, your roof could suffer leaks and damage. Gutters help drain water off your roof (and melting snow). They also assist in keeping water away from your home’s foundation. Make sure to clean your gutters and repair any damage now before it becomes much colder!

Get An Inspection

Especially if you have guests coming for the holidays, you’ll want to make sure your roof is in good condition. Holes in your roof can let in cold air, water and pests. We’ll make sure you have a secure roof over your head for the entire winter. To keep all the elements out, call us today at 513-563-9988 for a Cincinnati, OH fall roofing inspection! 

Don’t let water damage ruin your roof! There are plenty of simple maintenance routines you can follow to keep your roof in tip top shape. Follow these shingle roof maintenance tips to get the most out of your roof.

Self-inspections

From the ground, take a look at your gutters, soffit, fascia and roof for obvious problems. It’s wise to do this a couple times a year, especially when the seasons change. If you notice any holes, cracks, mold, rot, or debris, take a closer look. You made need to pull out your ladder and check things out up close. Don’t forget to check your gutters for clogs, rust, or shingle granules. If you notice an excessive amount of shingle granules, your roof may be nearing the end of its lifespan.

Clean Off Debris

If you have large trees around your home, you may end up with leaves, pine needles, acorns, and twigs on your roof. Use a broom or leaf blower to carefully remove any debris as it can hold moisture against your roof. Inspect your roof carefully beneath piles of debris for leaks, mold, or soggy-feeling shingles. These could indicate a problem. Be careful not to damage your roof in the process, and don’t fall off your ladder!

Professional Inspections

While you should be able to see signs of major damage to your roof, it’s always wise to get a professional’s opinion. A certified roofer will be able to spot signs of hail damage that is often confused with general wear and tear. If you have any areas of concern, mention it to your roof inspector and he can thoroughly assess your roof’s condition.

Regularly cleaning and inspecting your roof will help it last as long as possible. Most residential asphalt shingle roofs last about 20 years. If you buy a used home, be sure to ask how old the roof is so you can keep an eye on it. You should also carefully check your roof after a bad storm to prevent leaks and damage.

For roof inspection, repair, and replacement in Maineville, OH, call Cincinnati Roofing at 513-563-9988 today! We specialize in shingle roof maintenance and repair.

We can sometimes for get that hail storms can do damage to more than just our vehicles, but your home and roof is put at risk as well. The roof, along with the sidings, can take a beating if the storm is bad and the damage can be catastrophic. But there are actually a few things that can determine the impact of hail stones on your home.

Barriers – The position of fixtures, such as neighboring buildings, fences, trees, etc. can significantly decrease the severity often damage caused in a hail storm.

Building Materials – The material that the building is made of take all of the impact during a hail storm. Some materials do better than other, when it comes to being able to withstand it. For instance, vinyl siding siding and wooden shingles can potentially crack, whereas the same size hail stones can make a considerable size dent or ding in aluminum siding, gutters, or asphalt shingles.

Size – Some hail stones can be as large as a softball or as small as a pea and can vary in density, too. Of course this can effect the overall damage that’s caused upon impact. Larger and heavier hail stones have the ability to puncture a roof.

Wind – The direction and wind of the wind during a hailstorms can change at any given time. Wind conditions can change the severity and location of where hail stones hit.

Hailstorms are no fun and although your vehicle maybe snugged safely inside your garage or under your awning, you home is still left to face the elements. So if you suspect that your roof has damage from storms or just from natural aging, contact the experts at Cincinnati Gutters and Roofing at 513-563-9988.

Summer is here, and the sun can be absolutely punishing sometimes. That’s why we never go outside without sunblock. Did you know that the sun can damage your shingle roof the same way it damages your skin?

UV rays break down the shingles over time, destroying the oils that keep them flexible. Once this oil is gone, the shingles become parched, brittle, and begin to crack easily. They might also fade, or begin to warp around the edges. Shingles with curled-up sides are a sure sign of damage.

While fading is unsightly, especially if it’s only happening in a few spots, the cracking shingles are a bigger problem. Any time your shingles become displaced or cracked, there is the chance that water will seep in and damage the deeper layers of your roofing system — and water repair bills can rack up fast.

There are two things you can do to combat sun damage to your roof this summer: 

• Schedule an Inspection – Get a trained professional to come out and take a look at your roof for warning signs, like warped shingles or separation of the roof from the metal flashing. We’ll be happy to take a look for you.
• Try “Cool Roofing” – Get your roof painted with a white acrylic coating, or get white shingles to replace your old ones. White (or very light colors) reflects more of the sun’s heat away from your roof so that the shingles absorb less of it. This can keep them durable for much longer than darker shingle roofs, which absorb the most heat.

Be good to your roof this summer by setting up an inspection today!

If you’re looking to go green on a budget, you might want to start small. Solar panels can be a large investment, so why not choose an affordable roofing material that will get you started down the path of eco-friendliness?

The “Cool Roofing” Concept

It’s common knowledge that light colors reflect light (and heat), while dark colors absorb it. That’s why there is a new trend toward white or very light-colored shingles. The light color of the roof deflects the sun’s rays, keeping the home cooler without the need for so much energy. Energy Star-approved white asphalt shingles are available at most large home improvement stores.

A Sustainable Solution

Wooden shingles, especially cedar wood shingles, are a popular choice because no trees are killed during their production. The wood is harvested in a sustainable way, keeping the trees alive for future generations. Wood shingles are also easily biodegradable, and are not a petroleum-based product like asphalt shingles.

The Most Bang for Your Buck

For a solution that is affordable, energy efficient, and eco-friendly, consider a white metal roof for your home. You can purchase a metal roof made from recycled materials. If you ever decide to get a new roof, you can recycle your metal one. Metal roofs require little maintenance, and the white color would reflect heat away from the home.

If you need roofing services in Cincinnati or surrounding areas, please give us a call today!

When you’re sitting at home, doing homey things, the last thing you expect is for something to fall from the sky and land on your roof! But that actually happened to the three individuals below. Here are three times things that had no business on a roof came crashing through.

An SUV

Two Houston families had a rude awakening when an SUV crashed into one roof, flipped, and landed halfway through the other roof. The driver, who is unnamed and pending charges, was texting while driving drunk and speeding. Apparently, he hit an embankment, launching his vehicle into the air! In a miraculous turn of events, nobody was injured — not even the driver.

A Big Ball of Ice

Dwaine Morrison of Washington was shocked when his teenage son and daughter texted him pictures of the thing that struck their home while he was out: A piece of ice the size of a volleyball! The ice punched through the roof, insulation, and drywall, but didn’t hit anyone inside the home. Right now, the FAA is looking for flights that could have been the source of the ice ball, and Morrison is saving the ice while he waits for word from his insurance company.

A Meteor Fragment

Talk about beating the odds! Larry Beck of Connecticut heard a loud noise one night as he sat in his living room, and saw some dust and sheetrock fall from the ceiling. Assuming a rafter had broken, he went on to bed and decided to check the rafters the next day. But instead of a broken rafter, he found a piece of rock roughly the size of a softball. Beck’s friend urged him to have scientists take a look at the rock, and it’s a good thing he did — because Yale scientists identified it as a 4.5 billion year old meteorite!

If storms or fallen trees have damaged your roof, call us right away! We’ll be able to tell you if you need repairs or a replacement.

It is no secret that wind, hail, and old age can damage your roof, but have you prepared your roof to withstand snow damage? Snow can affect your roof in a number of ways, so actively preparing your roof to withstand the rigors of winter weather is important to keep it standing strong all season long. Here we walk through the basics of how snow can damage your roof to help you counter the negative effects of an otherwise enjoyable winter weather treat!

Snow collecting on a roof adds an extra amount of weight that your roof is forced to bear. Roofs are designed to support a certain weight limit, and when this is exceeded, roofs are more susceptible to damage and collapse. While this is even more of a concern on old or poorly maintained roofs, it can occur on any structure given the proper circumstances.

Snow melting off a roof can also induce another type of damage: roof leaks. As runoff water trickles down the roof, it can encounter debris or become trapped by ice, preventing the water from draining properly. This causes the water to pool up on the roof, often invading weak spots around gutters, vents, or flashings, which highly increases the chances for a roof leak.

Regular roof inspections by a roofing professional are the best way to counter any winter weather damage to your roof before it happens. Call us today at 513-563-9988 to schedule your roof inspection or routine maintenance!

Technology is great. It’s the sole reason for most of the comforts that we all enjoy today. Regarding roofing, it’s allowed us to build bigger, structurally sound, and stylistically appealing roofs with greater and greater ease. It’s also given us new ways to maintain them easier. Here, we’ll go over gutter robots, and how they can make keeping your gutters clean easier.

 

 

 

 

Why do the work yourself?

Who wouldn’t want a robot that could do a person’s work for them? That’s exactly what you get with a gutter cleaning robot. You still have to climb up a ladder, but after that it’s just working a remote. Work smarter, not harder, by using the latest innovations in gutter cleaning technology.

 

Or, you can hire us to clean your gutters and install gutter guards, the latter keeping debris from entering your gutters in the first place. To find out more about these, or any of our other services, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at (513) 563-9988.

Inspecting your roof is part of the routine maintenance that every homeowner should undertake to preserve their roof and maximize its potential lifespan. One of the most effective ways to inspect your roof is to get on top of your roof and take a look around. To get on your roof, you will need to climb a ladder.

However, there are over 160,000 accidents every year that land Americans in an emergency room after a fall from a ladder. Even more startling, roughly 300 people die annually from falling from a ladder, and the majority of these fatal falls occur less than ten feet off the ground. These statistics demonstrate the importance of safe ladder practices to avoid the danger of a fall.

The roofers from Cincinnati Roofing have gathered a few helpful tips for how to safely climb your ladder that can help you stay safe while inspecting your roof.

The Three-Point of Contact Climbing Technique

The American Ladder Institute recommends that anyone using a ladder use the three-point of contact climb. Simply, the three-point of contact climb requires the person using a ladder to always face the ladder while touching the ladder in three places simultaneously.

This can be achieved by keeping two feet and one hand or one foot and two hands on the ladder. Moreover, while climbing a ladder, the climber should avoid sudden movement in favor of slower more deliberate movements. Also, climbers should keep their center of gravity (belt buckle) between the side rails of the ladder for improved balance.

Finally, do not hold any tools or other equipment in one of your hands while moving up and down the ladder. Compromising even one of your hands can drastically increase your chances of losing your balance and falling.