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Should I remove snow from my roof? If you see a large amount of snow on your roof, you’d better take it seriously. Unfortunately for us all, that fairytale look only seems harmless, in reality it exposes your roof to  multiple hazards. The first instinct is usually to remove it all as soon as possible and this is a correct decision, but there are several factors you need to consider before doing that. As it has been mentioned, we say yes to snow removal! The main reason for that is that weight on the roof might cause a lot of damage such as:

• appearance of new cracks or old cracks expansion
• water pooling and flooding if your roof is flat
• serious structural damage
• the early failure of the gutter system and so on

As you can see, there are many things that can go wrong. That is why the snow should be removed. However, we can’t stress this enough the importance of following safety rules/ Trying to save their property, the majority of the homeowners tend to forget that it is a tricky task even for a professional. First thing you need to do is to make sure that the amount of snow on your roof is really worrying. If it is a low-pitch roof, 18 inches of snow can be considered as a threat. In general, almost all types of roof can easily withstand up to 20 pounds per m2 of snow. Discussing this topic, we can’t omit the question of safety. Before climbing on your roof, consider the following factors:

• The type of snow (wet or fluffy, old or new)
• The ratio of water to snow
• Existence of structural problems

We also warn against climbing your roof when there is a strong wind. One wrong step and the situation can end up badly. Don’t risk your health and schedule an appointment with a professional. Call us at 847-483-9960 and get your free estimation offer.

Leaking roof is a sight that no one wants to see. More often than not, this misfortune can cause additional expenses and just become a real headache for homeowners. The good thing is that you shouldn’t go through this on your own. To save you valuable time and efforts, we have created a short step-by-step guide of actions you can take to reduce the harm. First of all, let’s see what kinds of roof leaks exist:

• Water stains that cause discoloration of ceiling

The common reason for it is heavy rainstorms. The best-case scenario is that somewhere on your roof is a tiny crack that allows water to seep through.

• Water dripping

Quite often it is a result of water pooling, but to be sure of it you need to conduct a detailed inspection. Please, never do it yourself. No matter how many YouTube videos show that it is an easy task, it is definitely not. If you see how droplets fall on your floor, call an emergency roof repair service as soon as you can.

• Wall water damage

It can be both just light moistening of the surface and real torrents. Unfortunately, these cases also can’t be solved without professional help.

• External roof damage

This is the worst and probably the most costly case. These ones often happen after storms, thus it is extremely important to have your roof checked at least once in a year. What is next? If your roof is leaking, you can take these steps:

• Prevent water from flowing further You can simply place a bucket or any other available container under the leaky place. It will help to save your furniture and carpets from ruining. Some sources advise using roofing tape, but that could be a rather difficult task for a newbie. Please, don’t try to patch it yourself and leave it to be until a professional contractor comes. Otherwise, you can either injure yourself or damage the roof even more.
• Take photos of the damage

It is a well-known fact that insurance companies check every little detail to make sure that your case is really payable. Take photos of the damage, so that they would know a full picture of the situation.

• Don’t postpone regular roof checkups

Even when everything is back to normal, don’t forget about regular checkups. They are definitely cheaper than repairing.

• Keep an eye on the surrounding

Are there trees near your house? If so, please remember that cutting off dead branches keeps your roof safe. If you look for roof repair services near you, call Crown roofing at  (847) 483-9960 to get an absolutely free estimation!

  Are you ready to welcome the beautiful fall? Now, in the August, it seems that it is still too far away, but that is just an illusion. Soon September will be upon us, so it is time to get prepared! Today we want to talk about things you can do to make your roof ready for the fall! Clear off and debris and trim the trees All little rubbish that found its way on your roof will surely end up in gutters. That is why we recommend cleaning your roof nicely. Cleaning off organic debris helps to ensure longevity of your roof, since fallen leaves and tiny branches can retain water. Remember that a constant source of moisture on your roof can lead to mold and mildew growth. Since it is only the beginning of August, you still have enough time to climb your roof or find a professional who will do this for you. Gutters cleaning The next step is gutter cleaning! The reason why it is important to keep them clean is that dirty gutters can become a very cozy home for mold and pests. If tiny sticks, leaves, moss and other organic rubbish clogs gutters, it can result in a leaky roof. Schedule an appointment with a roof contractor Hot months are usually a rough period for roofs. Heat can cause cracks, swelling, and other rather serious problems that should be solved as soon as possible. Do you suspect that something might be wrong? Then it is time to schedule an appointment with a professional and reliable roof contractor. Summer turns out to be the best time for the inspection because you will have enough time to fix any damage. Have a question to ask? You can call us at 847-483-9960 and our contractors will be happy to help you. Please, remember that you can get a free estimate, so don’t hesitate to reach out to us!

What is a skim coat and its purpose? Have you noticed newly developed cracks in the drywall? If so, it is high time to do some repairs. One of the easiest ways to get rid of shallow cracks, bad taping and other minor imperfections is skim coating. What is a skim coat? It is a thin layer of diluted joint compound that is commonly used to make a wall look smooth and flawless. When should you apply a skim coat? The problem with a skim coat is that the majority of people don't know when it needs to be applied. In order to save your time, money, and efforts, we have made a list of common cases when a skim coat is a must.

• When installing new drywall.

Skim coating will help to achieve a flat and uniform surface.

• After drywall repair.

It is needed to prepare a wall for paint.

• When restoring a new-like appearance of the walls.

If you see that your walls need slight repair, skim coating is the best way to dress up your walls without replacing them.

• When repairing drywall damage caused by wallpaper removal.

As so often the case, homeowners damage drywall when removing old wallpapers. Newly created gouges and tearings can be fixed with a skim coat. One of the biggest advantages of a skim coating technique is that it is not difficult at all. If properly prepared, you can avoid creating a mess. We also can’t ignore the fact that it is a relatively cheap solution. Disadvantages of a skim coat:

• Drying process is very slow.
• If you decide to skim coat your drywall and you don’t have special skills, the damaged area is going to be noticeable even after skim coating.

Skim coating is one of the best techniques to smooth the surface of walls and ceiling. However, we recommend consulting a specialist before starting repair. To learn more about this technique and its advantages, call us at 847-483-9960!

Are you anxiously waiting for the summer? So are we! As Charles Bowden said, summertime is always the best of what might be. However, it is not only about fun & joy, summer can pose a serious threat to a roof. Today we are going to consider how storms, hurricanes and other bad weather can affect it. Let’s get this topic covered to save us all the trouble!

• Do you have a shingle roof? If so, it’s really important to know how it was installed. Unfortunately, an incorrect use of roofing nails can increase a risk of shingles falling off during a severe storm. What can we do to prevent this unpleasant outcome? Of course, schedule a roof inspection! If you see a missing shingle, don’t underestimate the situation. It is needed to be fixed before it gets worse, otherwise a more serious structural damage might happen.
• There is at least one threat that is relevant to all roof types and that is a tree! The good news is that you can prevent the damage. Just have a look at the surrounding trees. If you see old ones with dead branches, call an arborist. They will help you to calculate the risk of a tree falling and offer the best possible solution.
• You might wonder about what to do if a storm has already taken place, what one should do after. We recommend you to look for signs of storm damage. These are the following ones:

1. loose or cracked shingles;
2. newly appeared horizontal lines on shingles. If you notice them, it might mean that the shingle seal is damaged;
3. lots of granules at your downspout. If you see an abnormally high number of them, it probably means that some shingles are damaged;
4. something strange with the roof vents is also a worrying sign. It could be caused by blockage from storm debris or exposure from missing vent caps and covers.

Of course, this article could be longer, because severe storms can cause an impressive variety of problems, but we decided to cover the most common ones. As usual we at the Crown Roofing & Masonry recommend you to stay off the roof and leave the inspection to a professional. Believe us, this task could be more dangerous than it looks. However, our contractors encourage you to keep a watchful eye on downspout. Got a question about the state of your roof? Call us at (847) 483-9960!

Though many homeowners don’t think much of shingle colors, this topic is still important. First of all, the aesthetics of the whole building depends on a harmonious combination of hues. If you choose mismatched colors, your house will stand out, but - unfortunately - not in a good way. It should blend with the surrounding! Still not convinced that shingle color is important?   We are sure that you will change your mind as soon as we tell you more about how shingle color affects room temperature. Everything is very simple; as you know, any roof either absorbs or releases heat. Light colors prevent overheating by reflecting the sun rays. Dark colors do completely the opposite, they absorb heat, increasing inner room temperature. Keep it in mind while looking for a perfect shingle color. In order to help you to find the right color, we have prepared a little guideline. Let’s see what factors a homeowner needs to take into account when choosing a suitable shingle color! 1. Location Have you ever noticed that sunlight in the North differs from sunlight in the South? The first one has a bluish hue when the second one is warmer and reddish. It means that some colors might look either too dark or too washed out in the different areas. To understand how this or that color will look on your house, look at the samples in all possible light conditions.   2. Humidity This is a huge factor that can’t be ignored! If your house is in a humid environment, we recommend shingles of dark colors to attract more sunlight and prevent algae. 3. Don’t be afraid to express yourself! If you are unsure what color to choose, use our table of matching colors! The most flattering shingles combinations are: Red looks very good with grey, black, and dark brown; Beige goes with almost every color, but it will look extremely good with brown, black, blue, grey, and even green; Brown combines with green, grey, and blue. It is a match made in Heaven!   Of course, there are many other color combinations, we have just enumerated a few of them. We hope you find this article useful and, please, remember that Crown Roofing & Masonry is always here for you. Call us at (847) 483-9960 if you got any questions!

  A flat roof has a pretty long lifespan, but time passes really quickly, thus sooner or later it will need to be replaced. The contractors at our company made a list of key signs that your flat roof needs a serious check-up and - maybe - to be replaced. Though flat roofs have many advantages, they have one weakness, it is pooling! Before we dive into this deeper, let’s clarify what it is. If water remains on the roof longer than 48 hours, this is pooling and it will surely shorten your roof’s lifespan. The question is: what is the sign that your flat roof is in a bad condition? 1.Puddles on the roof Rain has ended several days ago, but you still see many puddles on the roof? Well, that’s a warning sign. Though the market is full of products that help to reduce roof ponding, we recommend calling an expert, especially if the roofing material has been in use more than 9 years. 2. Tears, open seams, and cracks Some roofing materials can tear over the time. If a damage is small, a simple repair might be enough, but if you see that a tear is huge, it would be wiser to replace the roof, before moisture starts damaging a structure. 3. Plants and other organic growth Mold, mildew or even grass looks better in a garden, but your flat roof should stay free of it! Unfortunately, plants’ roots destroy the structure of a covering material. Not sure whether your roof needs a repair or replacement? Call us at (847) 483-9960 to schedule an appointment! Our contractors will come to your place to check every inch of the roof!

            Worried about the state of your roof? It means only one thing: it is high time to have your roof professionally inspected! Our contractors at the Crown Roofing & Masonry have prepared a short guideline that will help to understand whether there is a problem. If you are ready, let’s consider the cases when a check-up is a must!

1.   Go up in an attic!

An attic should be the first place to visit after you have thought about the roof replacement! Look for beams of light, for these are potential leaks. Stains, mold, and mildew also signalize the problem.

2.   Check your records! When was the last check-up? If it was years ago, you’d better update your data.
3.   Take a better look at shingles! Do they lie flat? Are there any cracked or buckling patches? If your answer is yes, it is quite possible that your roof needs to be replaced. Please, don’t forget to inspect gutters. Look carefully for shingle granules.  If you find lots of granules, that means your roof needs to be replaced ASAP!
4.   It is time to go outside! Take a good look at your house and especially the roof. Does it look saggy? Well, that is the sign that replacement can’t be delayed any longer.
5.   Look for plants on the roof! Though mossy roofs look very picturesque and eco-friendly, it is really a bad sign. Moss means high moisture, which is your roof’s worst enemy.
6.   Call a professional! Even if there are several damaged shingles, it doesn’t automatically mean that the whole roof should be replaced. Call us at (847) 483-9960 to schedule an appointment! Our contractors will come to your place to check every inch of the roof!

Hope you find this little article useful and stay tuned for more!