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Plumlee Construction

Springfield, Missouri

Preparing Your Gutters for Winter

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No matter what season comes, gutter maintenance should be one of the top priorities of every homeowner. This is especially important before winter sets in and the temperatures drop below freezing point.

Any debris and water stuck in your gutters can freeze up and disrupt water flow. Melting snow won’t have a place to go and will instead seep into your roof and cause significant structural damage. With that said, here are some things that you can do to avoid problems with clogged gutters in winter:

Have Your Gutters Inspected by a Professional Roofer
It’s a good idea to have your roof inspected by a professional roofer weeks or even months before the first snow falls since regular individuals cannot easily detect damage. Experienced roofers have the skills and tools necessary to inspect the condition of your gutters.

Upon inspection, they can ensure that your roof is sealed and ready for winter. This, in turn, will help you stay warm during the colder months and aid in reducing your heating costs. Roofers also detect any issues affecting how your gutter system redirects water. Once you’re more familiar with its current condition, you’ll be able to plan the necessary repairs for it before the issues worsen later in the season.

Clear Out Everything That Is Blocking Your Gutters
Anything that is blocking your gutters can collect water. Once the temperature drops, these pools of water will freeze, forming ice dams – accumulations of frozen water at the edge of your roof. Ice dams prevent any melting snow from draining off. This will cause water to seep into your home and inflict structural damage. It also allows mold and mildew to grow in your house.

Trim Any Surrounding Trees
If your home is surrounded by trees, it’s best to trim off any branches that hang over your roof as a part of your gutter maintenance before winter. That’s because dead leaves, twigs, and other organic matter can block the flow of water in your gutter systems. Removing them also prevents any animals and pests from building nests on your gutters and roof.

Preparing your roof and gutters for winter is better than having to repair them later on. Should you need a roofing company that you can trust, contact us today at Plumlee Construction. Visit our website to view our gutter services.

What Are the Benefits of Roof Warranties?

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A roof warranty is a written agreement between the homeowner and the roofing contractor. It can cover materials and the installation or even both, and it has three types: standard manufacturer’s warranty, workmanship warranty, and extended manufacturer’s warranty.

It’s important for you to have a warranty to protect yourself and your roof, especially when you’re planning to have a new one installed. Here are some of the benefits that you’ll be getting:

Warranties Can Protect You From Risks
Roof installations and replacements are often one of the most expensive home projects you can do. Depending on the materials used and the size of your roof, you may have to pay thousands of dollars for a single project.

Since a roof warranty is your guarantee with your contractor, it can protect you from accidents and damage due to defective materials or poor workmanship. You’ll have to pay for everything out of your pocket without a warranty.

Warranties Can Protect Your Investment
Having a roof warranty ready can give you peace of mind knowing that your investment is protected. A warranty guarantees that the roofing company you worked with uses only the highest quality of materials and craftsmanship. Should you encounter any issues or damage, the contractor will do everything they can to have it fixed as soon as possible.

Things To Remember About Roof Warranties
As a homeowner, you should remember that most warranties are only valid for a certain time. Some can only last for a few years, while others can last for decades, depending on the type of warranty you choose.

Damage due to harsh weather, tornadoes, floods, fires, and others is also not covered by conventional roof warranties. You may have to purchase extra coverage if you plan to have your roof protected from them. Be sure to talk to your insurance provider to get more coverage.

If you’re ready to have your roof fixed or replaced, talk to only reputable roofing contractors. Contact Plumlee Construction for your roofing maintenance needs. Talk to our team to learn more about our lifetime warranty.

Common Debris Found in Gutters

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A common problem that homeowners have to deal with when it comes to their roofs is the buildup of debris in gutters. It’s one of the factors that affect the way they redirect water away from your roof. If a clogged gutter isn’t immediately noticed and dealt with, it can lead to expensive repairs later on.

You can find a lot of debris in gutters when you clean them up. Here are some good examples:

Dead Leaves and Branches
Finding a buildup of leaves and branches on your gutters is quite common, especially if you live in an area surrounded by trees. Fallen leaves and branches can accumulate in your gutters which can block rainwater passage. To add, some trees can have other debris like sap, nuts, and needles, like pine, cypress, and fir.

Since trees will always produce these, the only straightforward solution here is to regularly have your trees maintained. Have a professional trim off any branches that are hanging near or over your roof.

Animal Nests
Another reason why you should have your trees trimmed from time to time is to prevent unwanted animals on your roof. Small critters such as squirrels, chipmunks, and birds can use overhanging tree branches as a bridge to your roof. Once they find a good spot, they’ll immediately build their nests near or inside your gutters, causing clogs and damage.

Do not attempt to remove animals and their nests off your roof. Removing them on your own can be harmful to them. Call your local animal control to handle this situation.

Dirt and Mud
A lot of tiny dirt and mud particles can accumulate over time on your gutters. These are usually carried by the wind during a storm or rainfall. This type of problem is not easy to spot and remove unless you have your roof maintained from time to time. Should this ever happen, contact a roof maintenance company that offers gutter cleaning services.

Do not let these common gutter debris cause any damage to your roof. If you need professional gutter cleaning and maintenance, look no further than Plumlee Construction. Contact us to schedule an appointment today. For over 28 years, our Branson West outlet has been serving the Southwest Missouri area

Effects of Extreme Heat on Your Roof

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Now that summer is here, most of that sunlight and heat hits directly on your roof. And with that comes many hot roof problems you’ll have to face. Here are a few examples:

Heat and UV Exposure Can Shorten Your Roof’s Lifespan
Your roof is constantly bombarded by the sun’s UV rays, even if it’s cloudy outside. This exposure intensifies during the long summer days and can shorten your roof’s lifespan.

An unshaded roof can reach temperatures up to 150° F, even though it’s only 90° outside. This is especially true if you have a darker roofing material because it absorbs heat more. And if you have an attic that is not well-ventilated, the heat will build up inside your home and damage your roof faster.

In relation to that, intense heat quickly dries out the oils in your roofing material and makes it brittle. With enough time, it can make your roof shingle buckle and split.

High Heat Leads to Eventual Water Damage
Humidity is the amount of water vapor and moisture in the air. The more water evaporates in an area, the more it rises into the air and increases the humidity. This can have a negative effect on your roof because moisture can easily settle in between your roof shingles. This can cause water leaks and roof damage later on.

Roofing Materials Will Experience Thermal Shock
During summer, temperatures can fluctuate. It can reach high during the day and then drastically cool down when the sun sets. Rapid changes in temperature can cause your roof to expand and contract. This phenomenon is known as thermal shock. It creates tension and can crack your roofing materials, making your roof prone to more damage.

What Can You Do To Protect Your Roof
While there are a few things you can do to counter these hot roof problems, reaching out to a reliable roofer for solutions is the best you can do to keep your roofing cool. Don’t forget to conduct some roof maintenance from time to time to ensure that your roof is in good condition to protect you and your family. If you’re looking for a reliable roofing company, look no further than Plumlee Construction. Give us a call and schedule an appointment.

Growing Moss on Roof Shingles and Its Long-Term Effects

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Mosses are non-flowering plants that have stems and leaves but do not have roots. These plants spread by releasing spores and grow faster on damp and cool surfaces. Although they do not pose any health risks and dangers to humans, they can negatively affect your roof. Here are some of the known effects of moss on roof.

Moss Can Absorb Moisture
Mosses are known to grow in places that are often damp and that do not get a lot of sunlight. That’s because they can act like a sponge that absorbs large amounts of moisture. However, that can make your roof constantly wet. If this moisture gets under your roof tiles and shingles, this can lead to your roof’s wooden components rotting much faster, compromising your roof’s structural integrity.

Under the right situations, mold can grow alongside moss. This allows more moisture to set in and makes your roof rot faster. On top of that, this adds more unnecessary weight to your roof, leading to ceiling damage and leakage.

Moss Can Attract Pests to Your Roof
Since mosses reproduce via spore distribution, they can grow into a spot on your roof that can attract small insects. The moss on your roof can become a breeding ground for these insects. This, in turn, can attract larger pests such as birds and spiders that can ruin the aesthetics of your roof and lower its curb appeal.

Moss Can Block Your Gutters
Once moss grows on your roof, it can break off and fall into your gutters. Once it has accumulated enough along with other debris like leaves and tree branches, it can block the water flow. It will then spill over the side of the gutters, which can lead to more problems later.

What Can You Do Against Moss?
The best thing you can do once the moss is there is to have it professionally removed. Moss is very slippery, and because of that, there’s a higher risk of you slipping and falling off your roof. A professional roofer has the right tools and experience to do the job safely. They also have the proper chemicals to remove moss from your roof easily.

It’s worth noting that as a homeowner, you should take the necessary precautions to prevent moss from growing in the first place. You can do this by keeping your roof in good condition by having it inspected from time to time. You can also have your gutters cleaned and prune the trees surrounding your roof to lessen the shade.

If you want to extend your roof’s lifespan, contact Plumlee Construction and schedule an appointment. Our professional roofers will be ready to look at your roof and assess its current condition so that you and your family will be protected for a long time.


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