The Five Most Common Repairs a Client Sees
As a homeowner, you know the importance of maintenance to ensure your residence is free from damage. You also know the importance of doing needed repairs safely and accurately. It takes the right tools, skills and knowledge, and, most of all, the expertise of a professional to get top results. That’s exactly what the professionals at A Custom To Exterior Services will do for you.
While it seems there’s always something that needs attention around the house, these are the most common areas where you’re likely to need exterior repairs at your home: chimney flashing, shingles, gutters, masonry repair, chimney remodeling, rotten decking on the roof, and fascia and soffit repairs. We can help with them all so you don’t have to worry.
Chimney Flashing
If the flashing around your chimney leaks, you could be looking at some serious damage to your roofing, your attic and even interior rooms. Chimney flashing creates a waterproof seal to protect your roof and chimney from serious water damage and penetration. It’s essentially weather stripping for your chimney. If you think this is something to tackle yourself, think again. It takes a lot of skill, effort, expertise and care to do this job right and when it is done properly, you can be assured of no problems for the next 30 years.
Shingle Repair
Shingle roofs typically need to be replaced once every 20 to 25 years, barring any unforeseen issues. Broken or missing shingles can open the door to roof leaks and the damage this can cause. Even with only a portion of a shingle missing, a crucial seam may be exposed leading to interior leaks and damage. Thanks to our unpredictable Wisconsin weather and the wind, rain, hail and snow that it brings, we are particularly susceptible to this problem. Once you spot a missing shingle (or several), it’s important to replace it as soon as possible. A professional can tell you whether it’s ok to replace just a few, or if it’s best to replace an entire section of roof.
Gutter Cleaning
Cleaning gutters may seem like a project that can wait. But waiting ultimately can create
more work and costly repairs. Leaves, twigs and other debris can build up over time, clogging your gutters and downspouts. You also might notice that sections of your gutters are leaking, sagging, or even have detached from the house. If any of these things are happening at your home, you soon could experience water damage to your roof, foundation and interior areas. Water that doesn’t flow through the gutter system can collect under the roofing and damage shingles, underlayment and decking. Worse of all, the water can leak into your home, damaging ceilings, walls and floors, and allowing mold to grow.
There’s no question that poorly maintained gutters can cause extensive – and expensive – problems. But you can avoid damage to your home and the costly repair work to fix them by having a professional clean your gutters twice a year – once in the spring and once in the fall. Not only is this the most thorough way to get the job done; it’s also the safest.
Masonry Repair
Masonry is a type of construction that uses individual units, like bricks and stone, that are bound together with mortar. Utilized for centuries, it’s one of the most durable construction techniques in the world. But, despite its remarkable durability, masonry still wears down and requires repair. Prone to chipping and cracking, masonry repair involves fixing cracks and chips and is a fairly common practice. Sometimes, when damage is severe, the repair work requires replacement of entire sections of masonry. Other times, it can be accomplished through caulking. While brick, concrete, or stone blocks are prone to chipping or cracking, it’s more likely that the mortar is what needs to be replaced, as it tends to crumble and wear out long before the other materials give way. The job consists of grinding to remove the old mortar, thoroughly cleaning out the joints and applying new mortar. Our team has the tools and the know-how to do just that, giving you a stable, long-lasting, energy efficient and visually pleasing finished product.
Chimney Remodeling
This may not be the first thing you think of when it comes to home improvements, but remodeling your chimney can make a huge difference in the value of your home. And in your living conditions. Many chimneys (and fireplaces) are outdated. Although functional, they could be better looking, safer and a lot more efficient. We pride ourselves on chimney remodels that accomplish all of these and make a real difference in the ambiance of your home. Not to mention the resale value should that be something you will consider at a certain point in time.
Rotten Decking on the Roof
Roof decking is the foundation of your roofing system that connects the roof to your house. Also called sheathing, it’s the base on top of the structural trusses to cover the rafters and support the weight of the roofing shingles. You can’t see it, but it’s vitally important to the structure of your home. Most roof decking is made from plywood or a plywood composite called Oriented Strand Board (OSB). Because of this wood composition, roof decking is particularly susceptible to water damage and rotting when exposed to sustained or excess moisture. And that leads to leakage. These are the signs of rotted roof decking: roof leaks, ceiling wet spots, interior wall stains, peeling wallpaper, water stains on rafters, mold and mildew in the attic, or a sagging ceiling or roofline. If you notice any of these, don’t wait. Contact a professional right away.
Fascia and Soffit Repairs
A roof is made up of a variety of parts and components that work together to increase ventilation, provide protection and improve the overall appearance of your home. If you look along the lower edge of your roof, you’ll see a long board alongside it. This is the fascia board and it works together with the soffit board to form your roofline structure. If a fascia board experiences significant decay (most are made of wood), you may need to replace it. Fortunately, this is a fairly straightforward process and is considered part of normal roof maintenance. Soffits, too, can experience a host of problems due to improper installation, animal and insect intrusions, moisture damage and dry rot.
Don’t Hesitate to Call for Professional Help
While it may be tempting to attempt these types of repairs, remember that it’s always best and safest to consult a professional and get the job done right.