Should I Install Rain Gutters With A Roof?


Having a new roof installed can be an exciting and stressful time. While the anticipation of having a new roof is great, the money and time spent on the roof can be stressful. When undertaking a project this big, you may not want anything else on your plate. Gutters play a very important role in lengthening the life of your roof and your home. So should you consider having new gutters installed as well?

If your gutters have been leaking or if they have been damaged, you should definitely have them replaced. If you leave damaged gutters up, the poor water drainage can damage the foundation of your home. Having the gutters replaced along with the roof will give you peace of mind knowing they are both functioning well and will not need to be replaced for a long time.

If your gutters are functioning well, there is no damage, and you like the way they look, then you do not need to have them replaced with the roof. If your roofer insists on replacing the gutters, make them show you what is wrong with them. Otherwise, leaving them as they are is completely acceptable.

Should I Pay A Deposit For My Roof?

If you are wanting to have a new roof installed, you may not be sure what payment plan you need or how to go about setting it up. Does a roof have to be paid for up front? Do you need to pay a deposit? Should you schedule weekly or monthly payments? Here are a few things to think about to provide you with clarity.

The best way to set up a payment plan is to meet with potential roofers. Meeting with roofers, asking them questions, and researching their companies will give you an idea of the quality of work they provide, how trustworthy they are, and will give you an opportunity to work out a payment plan that works for both parties.

Once trust has been established, most good roofers will be willing to work with you. While they will be flexible, a deposit is usually necessary to get started. This is mainly because the roofing company has to pay for the materials to get the project started. After the deposit has been paid, a more structured payment plan can be phased in.

Never, ever let a roofer talk you into paying for your roof up front. This could be a key indicator that they do sloppy work and want to secure payment before you discover their shoddy work.

Should You Pressure Wash Your House?

Pressure washing your house is important for a couple reasons. For one, your house needs to be thoroughly cleaned before painting the exterior, and pressure washers help in this effort. Additionally, your home can get caked in dirt and pollen over time and pressure washing can make your home look better. However, should you pressure wash your house on your own?

Many homeowners own pressure washers and use them regularly for projects. However, you should not use them on your home. When too high of pressure is used, water can seep through your walls, leading to mold growth and potentially even dry rot. Additionally, it can erode brick mortar and damage siding. Lastly, water shot at too high of a pressure can strip the paint right off your house.

Pressure washing can thoroughly clean your home at the right pressure. It can get rid of animal excrement, dirt and pollen stains, and other messes, giving your home more curb appeal. Additionally, it can get rid of both mold and mildew.

Pressure washing certainly has its benefits, but when done wrong it can be damaging. This is why you should always leave pressure washing your home up to the professionals, even if you own a pressure washer.

How Often Should You Replace Your Roof?

Your roof is a vital part of maintaining a safe, clean, and dry environment in which you and your family live. However, most people are unaware of just how often they should replace their roof and/or the type of maintenance it requires.

Typically, like most products, a more expensive roof will last longer and require less maintenance than a cheaper roof. It is safe to say that on average, your roof will last in the neighborhood of 20 to 50 years.

Tar and gravel roofs are typically seen as the most budget-friendly option, have great durability, and look great. These are seen as the most common type of roofing, but can have a shorter lifespan than other roof varieties.

Metal roofing is a step up in price from the tar and gravel models, but is certainly a great investment and will pay off in the long run. In addition to being very aesthetically pleasing, these roofs can last up to 50 years, decades longer than tar and gravel roofs.

Other options such as tile roofing and green roofing are great alternatives to tar and gravel roofing and metal roofing. These styles have a longer lifespan, in the 30 to 50 years range, and can drastically reduce energy and maintenance costs. They are very durable and perform well under harsh weather conditions.

While all roofs will encounter hardships due to storm damage or other unforeseen events, these varieties will typically last for 20 to 50 years. It is important to keep track of the life of your roof and have it replaced when the time comes so you can be prepared and maintain a safe and comfortable environment for you and your family.

The Importance of Roof Ventilation

Roof ventilation often flies under the radar. Not only does it keep energy costs down, but it protects your roof from some types of damage and it helps protect the environment. Roof ventilation should get more consideration, especially when you notice high energy bills.

Roof ventilation is important both in the summer and winter months. During the summer, ventilation works to push out hot air in your attic so your air conditioning does not have to work as hard. This ultimately lowers energy costs. In the wintertime, roof ventilation helps prevent ice dams from forming on your roof by preventing hot air from collecting underneath the roof. Hot air can heat up portions of your roof as snow and ice collect on the surface. This causes the snow and ice to melt and refreeze towards the bottom of your roof, which prevents drainage and results in leaks.

Not only does ventilation protect your roof, but it also protects the environment. An efficient ventilation system will lower energy costs and extend the life of your roof, which lessens the impact of your home and roof on the environment.

If you have any further questions regarding our What Should I Do #2 page, you can contact us at 918-404-5996.

Outdoor Creations Roofing is located at 1924 W Albany Street in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.