There’s nothing quite as exciting as finding your dream home. But when you think you’ve found “the one,” you want to make sure there aren’t any unexpected problems that could throw a wrench in the process. That’s why the home inspection process is essential. You hire a qualified home inspector to check out the nooks and crannies of your home. On the same level, it pays to hire an independent … [Read more...]

Change is part of life. Families grow, kids leave the nest and we all get older every day. As our lives evolve, so do our housing needs. When we reach certain thresholds, we may wonder whether we should shop for a new house or upgrade our current home. Should we move or improve? Many factors come into play, and they’re almost always associated with life stages. As we approach retirement, our needs … [Read more...]

Summer is the most wonderful of seasons, but it can be a little weird where the weather is concerned. You’re enjoying your yard one minute, and then a crazy summer storm sweeps through. And then there’s hail. How on earth do we get chunks of ice on the roof in the middle of summer? A short blast can do way too much damage to our homes and cars. But what is hail? And how can we prevent and identify … [Read more...]

Your existing roof is starting to get worn, and it’s time for new shingles. It’s an exciting prospect and a significant investment. One of the biggest decisions is whether to install new shingles over your old ones (reroofing) or remove and replace them for a completely fresh start. There are some cost advantages and time savings to overlaying your existing roof. In some cases, we can make it … [Read more...]

We spend a lot of time thinking about our shingles. Are they clean? In good shape? Do they look great from the ground? But what’s underneath those shingles? Roof decking is the foundation that keeps your shingles supported. Sound, high-quality roof decking is essential to keeping your house dry and your roof in great shape. What Is Roof Decking? Decking (also called sheathing) is the layer of … [Read more...]

Late spring/early summer is the perfect time to clean your roof. You just can’t beat an annual or bi-annual spring cleaning to shake off the grime, especially after a damp winter and early spring. As the sun shines through and we welcome warmer dryer days, it’s the perfect time to get a trusted pro on your roof to get rid of unsightly black streaks and check for mold, moss, and lichen. What … [Read more...]

The elements can be tough on roof shingles, and you may need to replace a handful or more at some point.  But what if replacement shingles don’t match your existing roof? A good match can be hard to find, and random repairs can leave your roof looking like a patchwork quilt. But a new roof may be cost-prohibitive unless it’s covered by insurance. Here are a few FAQs and tips for getting the … [Read more...]

If your attic is under-insulated, you could be losing money through your roof. Fortunately, it’s an easy fix. Beefing up insulation in your attic is one of the best ways to make a big difference in energy costs. Upgrading your roof insulation keeps heat from flowing out, reduces heating and cooling costs and makes your home more comfortable. But there are more choices than ever, so what kind of … [Read more...]

We’ve seen a few reliable sources calling for a snowier than average winter here in the Mid-Atlantic. While it’s impossible to predict at this stage, it’s probably a good idea to be prepared. We often get questions from clients and neighbors about whether it’s necessary to remove snow after a big storm. The good news is that building codes require that houses support a significant amount of snow … [Read more...]