In Northern Virginia, we all love a good snowfall. Many of us have memories of historic snow events in recent years--including the Snowpocalypse triple whammy of 2009/2010 and Snowzilla in 2016. Big storms are exciting but also create challenges. Winter can be tough on your roof. The combination of snow buildup and the melt/refreeze cycle creates wear and tear and the potential for leaks--or … [Read more...]

What would you say if we told you vinyl siding is classy and cool? A few decades ago, vinyl got an unfortunate reputation as a cheap material, prone to cracking and sagging. But things have changed in recent years. Today’s vinyl siding is not your grandmother’s ugly synthetic stuff. Thanks to dramatic improvements in materials and new installation techniques, vinyl siding is now upscale and … [Read more...]

As the old saying goes, behind every challenge, there’s an opportunity. Dealing with an HOA can be frustrating. But keep in mind, HOA guidelines are there for a reason. The goal is to keep neighborhoods looking neat and well cared for, a concept most of us can get behind. We all want a community with plenty of curb appeal. HOAs help make that happen. Believe it or not, when it comes to your home’s … [Read more...]

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...]