When to Install Solar Roofing Panels

If you’re already having roof work done, it’s a great time to install solar roofing panels. Since you’ll already have a roofing crew working on your roof, it will be convenient to do installation work at the same time. Also, it’s best to have any issues with your roof addressed before installing solar panels.

Solar roofing can increase your home’s efficiency and generate serious savings on your energy bills. However, It doesn’t help your home to add solar panels to a damaged roof. If your roof is in poor or damaged condition, has structural issues, leaks, or is getting old, your investment in solar roofing won’t go as far, and could actually create more problems for your home. When you deal with existing damage first, you’ll know your solar roof will be well supported and set up to be as efficient as possible.

Best Time of Year for Solar Roofing Panel Installation

Thinking about solar roofing panel installation, but are not sure about the timing? The best time of year for solar is actually the spring. Even though we typically associate solar and sunshine with summertime, there are a few reasons spring offers the best days for solar energy generation.

Pleasant Weather

Installing solar roofing panels requires exposing the roof deck, so it’s best to complete this process in dry weather with no snow or inclement weather. During the spring, the weather is progressively more dry and sunny, creating ideal conditions for roof work and a pleasant environment for the roofing crew.

Optimal Angle

The angle at which the sunlight hits your roof and solar panels, also known as angle of incidence, should ideally be 90 degrees for optimal panel efficiency. The angle of the spring sun hits panels just right about April/May, meaning your panels have the chance to capture a lot of energy during this time. Panels can be tilted to capture most of the sun’s direct rays throughout the year, which is calculated by your home’s distance from the equator and the tilt of the earth.

Cooler Temperatures

Although summer would seem like the season with the most solar generating capacity, the heat of the season can actually decrease panel efficiency. Solar panels work by converting light from the sun into electricity but are most effective on cooler days with plenty of light. For this reason, some of the best days for your solar panels will be in late April or May when there’s a lot of sunlight but not the heat of summer.

Less Shade

During certain times of the year, parts of your roof are more shaded than others. Many homes are built to capitalize on the sunlight in the spring, which is welcome while the seasons are transitioning, and be more shaded during the summer to keep it cooler. Depending on the way your home is situated and other shade-generating objects near you, your solar panels may spend more time in the shade during summer months, which can affect panel efficiency. 

Perfect Timing

When you install solar roofing panels in the spring, you’ll have more sunny days in your first year to start seeing a difference in your energy savings. When you invest in solar technology, you’ll start saving right away and can expect those returns to increase year after year.

If you’re considering solar roofing panel installation, it’s a good idea to make plans for springtime when you’re already addressing your roof. However, if you want to install solar roofing panels at another time, you can still enjoy energy savings at any time of the year.

Thinking that solar roofing panels might be right for you? Let the Werner Roofing team know! We’d be happy to come to inspect your home, let you know what your options are, and what you might expect to pay based on your goals.

Hire a Licensed Gutter Contractor

When hiring a seamless gutter contractor, make sure they are properly licensed to work in your state. Different states have different requirements for licensing contractors, which means not all contractors are licensed equally. You’ll want to make sure your gutter contractor is qualified to work in your state, on your type of project, and check their references to make sure. Choosing the right seamless gutter contractor can mean the difference between having to pay more to fix a mistake and getting the job done right the first time. 

Make Sure Your Gutter Contractor Has Insurance

A good seamless gutter contractor should carry two types of insurance: General Liability and Workman’s Compensation. General Liability insurance protects you if anything goes wrong on the job site, and Workman’s Compensation protects you from having to pay medical bills if anyone gets injured installing your new gutters. Seamless gutters are cut onsite to be custom fit to your home and then installed. The process involves precision machinery and working at heights where a fall or improper handling of materials could lead to serious injury. When it comes to insurance, you have to go by Murphy’s law — anything that can go wrong will go wrong — and be protected in case it does. 

Find a Reputable Seamless Gutter Contractor

It’s important to work with a gutter contractor with a great reputation. You should always check references when hiring a seamless gutter contractor — from others they’ve worked for, and even worked with. If they are known for high-quality work in the community, you can trust they’ll work hard to live up to their reputation. When comparing contractors, follow up with their previous clients to make sure their work has held up and the customers were satisfied with the way the job was completed.

Work With a Local Gutter Contractor

When you work with a local gutter contractor, you work with someone who understands the area and has worked on homes like yours in the past. They are familiar with the specific climate of the area and know what homeowners like you need from their gutters. They’ll have all the information they need to install gutters that will last a long time and stand up under any weather event.

Find a Gutter Contractor With Quality Workmanship

Contractors know that if something goes wrong, they are often the first to blame, so they make sure to choose products they trust to work well and help them look good. A good gutter contractor will stand behind the materials they’re using and the methods they use to install them. They will choose products they trust to do the job right and stake their word that the product will hold up. When the job is complete, you’ll have beautiful seamless gutters installed with workmanship you can trust.

Hire an Experienced Seamless Gutter Contractor

Your seamless gutter contractor should have extensive experience installing gutters. While a new contractor may know what they’re doing, there’s something that comes with years of experience on the job that helps things go smoothly with no surprises. An experienced gutter contractor will understand your concerns as the homeowner and will work with you to help you get a product you will love. They will go above and beyond to make sure the job is done to your satisfaction and help you get the most out of your new gutters. You’ll know you can rely on your experienced seamless gutter contractor to help you maintain your gutters and keep them working for you year after year.

If you’re looking for gutter contractors to install or repair your home’s gutters, get in touch with the Werner Roofing team. We’re a trusted local resource with years of experience installing and maintaining a variety of gutter types. We’d be happy to help you, too.

How Often Should Your Velux Skylights Be Cleaned?

Your skylights should be cleaned twice per year to remove any dust, dirt, or debris so they can continue to work efficiently. You should also inspect all skylights annually to make sure the seal is sound and all parts are functioning well. You can clean and inspect your skylights yourself, or, if you’d rather save the hassle and the climb up and down a ladder, have a professional take care of maintenance for you.

How to Clean Velux Skylights

Cleaning your Velux skylights is a simple process. Rain will naturally remove dirt from the exterior of your skylight, but it should still be inspected regularly to check for any buildup of debris. To clean the interior of your Velux skylights, follow these six steps. Make sure you have a friend help you if you’re using a ladder.

Step 1: Use a sturdy step stool or ladder that won’t slide on the ground to reach your skylight. Don’t ever stand on chairs or other furniture.

Step 2: Fill two buckets with warm water and add a mild cleaning solution to one of them. You can use a glass cleaning solution recommended by the manufacturer, or mix 1 cup rubbing alcohol and ¼ cup ammonia with 7 cups of water. Never combine this solution with other cleaning chemicals.

Step 3: Start by spraying the window with soap and water and let it soak to loosen debris and dust. Using a cloth, wipe the dirt from the window.

Step 4: Using a clean cloth and the warm water bucket without cleaning solution, wipe down the window again, rinsing away any leftover debris and cleaner.

Step 5: Follow up with a squeegee, moving in even and overlapping paths. Wipe the squeegee clean after each pass.

Step 6: Finally, dust and wipe interior frames with a clean microfiber cloth.

As a bonus tip, to limit the chance of streaks, avoid cleaning your Velux skylights when the sun is shining directly through the window. If your skylight has a screen, you can remove it and spray it with water to remove any dirt. Let it dry completely before reattaching.

While cleaning your skylight, if you come across difficult spots or deposits like tree sap or paint, you can use a razor blade to gently remove them. Be careful to only use the blade in one direction to avoid scratching the window. Never use abrasive cleaners to spot clean as they could damage the glazing on the window pane.

Now that you know how to clean Velux skylights, your home will be brighter than ever. If you’d rather not deal with the hassle of cleaning or inspecting your Velux skylights, you can always schedule a visit from your local professional roofing company. They have the experience to complete regular maintenance quickly, the know-how to check your skylights thoroughly, and the equipment to get the job done safely.

Is it time to clean your Velux Skylights? Forget worrying about climbing up on the roof or wrangling with those windows at a height — let Werner Roofing handle them for you. We can help you clean your skylights, and perform an inspection of your roof while we’re at it. Get in touch for your free, no-obligation estimate.

#1 Cracks, Splits, or Separated Gutters

The seams where two pieces of gutter connect are the weakest points of any gutter system. If you start to see your gutters pulling apart at those seams, your gutters are probably close to the end of their lifespan. Cracks and splits elsewhere in the gutter are also signs that your gutters are wearing out. Even if you see a small crack or split, it’s worth it to start thinking about gutter replacement soon. Cracks and splits will only grow over time, especially when colder weather comes and ice is able to seep into and expand in those cracks. 

Looking for a new gutter system to replace the old? Seamless gutters are a great investment. They don’t have the same weak spots as a seamed gutter system and can offer a much longer lifespan. 

#2 Peeling Paint or Rust

Most gutters are painted or coated for weatherproofing. While peeling paint might not seem like the worst problem to have, it’s an indicator that it’s time to replace your gutters. Your gutter’s paint protects them from rain and water, and when that starts to flake away they’ll begin to rust. 

If you’re already noticing spots of rust or rust flakes on the ground outside your home, you’ll want to replace your gutters sooner rather than later. Rust spots quickly turn into holes, and you don’t want rainwater seeping through rusty spots on your gutters — it can leave big, hard-to-remove spots on your home’s siding, not to mention that holes in your gutters can cause water damage.

#3 Gutters are Sagging or Pulling Away from the Roof

As you might expect, sagging gutters are a bad sign. Gutters that are sagging are too heavy for their original supports or fasteners. That can mean two things: 

1. Your gutters are too full of water. They’re not draining and likely need to be replaced. (Clogged gutters can also start to sag, and could benefit from a gutter cleaning. But, if they’ve started to sag significantly, you’re looking at a replacement.)
2. Your gutter fasteners have worn out. Over time, the fasteners that connect your gutters to your home can wear out. When that happens, your gutters will begin to sag and pull away from the roof. In all cases, it’s a clear sign it’s time to replace gutters. 

If your gutters are sagging or starting to pull away from the roof, it’s a sign they’ve become too old to properly perform their job — directing water safely away from your home. You can only re-fasten them to your home so many times. If they continue to sag or pull away from the roof, it’s usually a sign that your gutters are done, or that the fascia board on your roof has started to rot. Either way, a gutter replacement is in order. 

#4 Dirt Channels or Pooling Water

Take a look at the ground below your gutters. What does it look like? If you notice big empty channels where dirt has been washed away, or pooling water along the edge of your house, near the foundation, it’s probably time to replace your gutters. 

This is another sign your gutters aren’t able to properly direct water away from your house. These signs show that water is spilling over the gutter, rather than running through the gutter system and into downspouts. It’s important to replace gutters soon if you notice this problem. The more water that spills over gutters and near your foundation, the greater your risk of a flooded basement. 

#5 Basement Flooding

One key sign it’s time to replace gutters that many people don’t know about is basement flooding. Properly functioning gutters work to direct water away from the landscaping around your house and foundation. When your gutters aren’t working properly anymore, water can spill over the edges of the gutter, where it’s able to seep into your foundation, and then your basement. 

If you’ve been noticing a lot of water pooling in the basement when it rains, or if your basement has flooded recently after a storm, your gutters could be the problem. 

Your gutters are an integral component of your home and your roofing system. They help maintain your foundation and your landscaping by directing water safely away from your house. When your gutters reach the end of their life, they’re no longer able to do their job. If you don’t replace gutters quickly, you may begin to notice your basement flooding, water damage on your siding, and more. If you’ve noticed any of the following 5 signs, it might be time to look into gutter replacement. 

Time to replace your gutters? Talk to the experts at Werner Roofing. We install top-of-the-line seamless gutters that minimize the upkeep you need to do and keep your home looking great. Give us a call at 616-844-5382, or contact us online for a free gutter replacement estimate.

What are Seamless Gutters?

Seamless gutters are gutters made from a continuous piece of material. Unlike sectional gutters, which are assembled and attached in pieces, seamless gutters are installed as one solid piece. They are usually delivered on a roll at the site and then shaped according to a contractor’s instructions when installed.

Seamless gutters can make a big difference for your home. Let’s take a look at some of the unique benefits of seamless gutters over sectional gutters. 

5 Benefits of Seamless Gutters

If you’re looking for the best gutter option for your home, you have to go seamless. Some of the benefits of seamless gutters are that they don’t leak or clog, and are longer lasting, more effective, and better looking than other gutter types. 

No Leaks 

Sectional gutters have small spaces where water can start to leak. Over time, these leaks widen into holes, and holes will cause your gutters to rust or break. Seamless gutters lack the spaces where water can get through, preventing leaks from happening.

Low Maintenance

Seamless gutters have fewer points where debris can build up, so there’s a reduced frequency of clogs, meaning you likely won’t need to clean them as often. Sectional gutters, on the other hand, require continual maintenance. You will need to check them regularly for clogs and leaks, and each connection will need to be inspected for signs of holes or breaks — which do happen, and happen often.

Custom Installation 

Seamless gutters are designed to fit your unique home, with custom materials installed in custom lengths. This perfect fit means your gutters will be high performing and efficient for your specific home’s needs. A contractor will design the ideal seamless gutter system to build the best defense against potential water damage.

Long Lasting 

Joints, seams, and other weak points are areas where the gutters start to degrade the fastest, due to debris buildup, water erosion, or other environmental factors. With seamless gutters, these weak points are eliminated, so you end up with gutters that will last longer and continue to maintain their quality year after year.

Attractive Feature

Worn seams and rust are an eyesore, so many homeowners prefer the look of seamless gutters on their home. Not only do they maintain their quality for longer, but they appear more uniform and blend with your home’s design.

Types of Seamless Gutters 

Many gutter types are available in seamless options. From the more cost effective aluminum to the more luxurious and beautiful copper, these are some of the most common materials available for seamless gutters:

• Aluminum
• Galvanized Steel
• Stainless Steel
• Copper
• Zinc

To Seam or Not to Seam? 

When it comes down to choosing between sectional vs. seamless gutters, the benefits of seamless gutters far outweigh those of sectional gutters. Seamless gutters offer a longer lasting, more effective gutter option for your home. The added cost to have a custom seamless gutter system installed on your home is worth it for the added protection seamless gutters can offer. 

While you might be able to save a few dollars by installing sectional gutters yourself, you’ll likely end up needing to spend time cleaning and maintaining them, as well as replace them more often due to leaks or failure. In the end, your investment in seamless gutters will pay off for you and your home. 

Werner Roofing is proud to install seamless gutters. We know they offer our clients a better product that requires less maintenance and upkeep. If you’re interested in having seamless gutters installed, let us know or complete a request for a free, no-obligation quote online today!

Your roof is there to protect your home from moisture, wind, and rain. During the roof installation, delicate parts of your home are exposed to the elements, parts that are never meant to deal with moisture, from either a driving rain or even high humidity. When your roof is being installed, it’s important that it happens in as dry of conditions as possible, as any moisture present during installation could cause damage and compromise your roof.

Why Roofers Won’t Install a Roof in the Rain

What happens if there’s inclement weather on the day that your roof is supposed to be installed? Sometimes rain is unavoidable, and it doesn’t always work with our schedules. Despite the inconvenience rain can bring, roofers won’t install a roof in the rain. The presence of weather and water during a roof install threatens the integrity of your new roof and puts your home and your roofing crew at risk. 

Installing a Roof in the Rain Puts Your Home at Risk

During a roofing installation, your roofing deck is exposed to the elements. A wet roofing deck can grow mold and mildew which could cause the wood to change shape or rot, leading to failure of your new roof. Droplets from rain, condensation, dew, or even high humidity could all cause roofing materials to swell or wrinkle, leading to buckled, rippled or misshapen roofs. Shingles also may not adhere correctly or evenly if the materials underneath them are damp or slick. 

Defects in the installation that lead to roof failure fall on the shoulders of your roofing installer, who might be liable for damage as a result of improper installation. Roofers know this and won’t install a roof in the rain because they can’t guarantee good quality workmanship in wet conditions. 

Installing a Roof in the Rain Puts Roofers at Risk

Another important reason your roofer won’t install a roof in the rain is that it puts their crew at risk. Even when following correct safety procedures, a slick roof can lead to serious injuries. Someone could slip and fall, causing damage to themselves and your exposed roof. Or, if there’s lightning in the area, your roofing installation crew might be the tallest objects around. It’s not worth the risk of an accident to install a roof in the rain, whether it’s a cloudburst or just a drizzle.

If your roofer does not carry the proper insurance, liability for any injuries incurred on your property could fall to you. To avoid this, make sure your roofer follows all proper safety protocols, including wearing appropriate fall protection as defined by OSHA, and that they and their crew are covered by General Liability Insurance.

What Happens if it Starts to Rain?

If a few drops start to fall or a sudden shower pops up, your roofers should be prepared. They will have materials to cover any exposed parts of your roof as quickly as possible to protect it from damage. Oriented strand board (OSB) is made of layers that contain wax or resin, and the edges are treated to be resistant to moisture, so a few drops are not likely to cause any lasting damage. Still, if the wood gets wet, it will need to be allowed to dry completely before work can continue. This is because wood swells when it absorbs moisture, and any materials attached to the deck could trap that moisture in. 

Roofing contractors know not to install a roof in wet conditions. They won’t continue to install a roof in the rain, but will wait until the site is dry and safe for your roof and your roofing installation crew. 

Be Prepared and Be Flexible

To avoid any problems, try to schedule your roof install for a dry weather day, but have a backup plan in place with your roofer. When the day arrives, keep an open mind and your eye on the sky. If rain clouds start to form, it’s best to postpone the rest of the project until it can be completed safely. A little flexibility is worth getting a great quality roof you trust. You and your roofer will feel confident that the job will be done right and your new roof will last you a long time. 

Working with the Right Roofing Contractor

It’s important to hire the right roofing contractor that understands the dangers of rain and moisture when installing a roof. The right roofing contractor will be qualified and certified for the products they’re installing and know what conditions will give you the best quality, longest lasting roof. They will make decisions that will put your priorities first and have a plan for what to do if weather conditions suddenly change to avoid the dangers of installing a roof in the rain.

The right roofing contractor will also be insured, so if any problems occur during installation, the homeowner won’t be liable. Make sure your roofer is covered by General Liability Insurance and Workman’s Compensation Insurance so you won’t be liable to cover costs or treatment for injured workers.

Worried about installing your roof in the rain? It’s a legitimate concern, but with a great roofer that puts your priorities first, you’ll still get that brand new roof, you might just have to wait until it stops raining. For all your roofing needs, reach out to Werner Roofing!