The Importance of Gutter and Roof Maintenance

Oct 27, 2016

With fall in full swing and winter here before you know it, it’s essential to prepare your gutters and roof now, to prevent major repairs down the road. “For instance, ice and snow buildups can cause major gutter and roof damage. Just following a few easy steps can get you ahead of the game this winter,” said Scott Cline, owner of J&B Construction. J&B Construction Company, Inc. serving southeastern Wisconsin homeowners since 1958 as a provider of high-quality exterior home improvement products and services, explains the importance of gutter and roof maintenance.

When it comes to gutters, you want to first make sure that they are securely screwed into the fascia board. If your gutters happen to be more than 15 years old, they may just be nailed with a big spike (a technique called “spike and ferrule”) and after that many years, it may no longer be functional. Gutters assembled using this technique will be able to handle heavy rainfall in the spring, but once heavy snowfall hits and rests in the gutters, they will begin to pry off the house. Unless gutters are properly strapped and securely screwed on, they will not be able to handle the excess weight of ice and snow build up.

Second, ensure that your gutters and downspouts are clean. If you don’t have a functioning gutter cover system, gutter cleaning is necessary. “You want to remove any leaves and debris before the first snowfall. Without a gutter cover system, gutters and downspouts can easily become clogged with wet leaves and when wet leaves freeze, your gutter system won’t stand a chance,” said Cline.

Roofs, on the other hand, require a little more maintenance and inspection. First, you want to make sure your shingles are firmly fastened to your roof. On older roofs, the roofing nails or tar sealing the shingles together may not be functioning properly. In this case, water can get underneath the shingles and easily find its way into your home. “This problem intensifies in winter, because the water beneath your shingle will turn into ice. Consequently, the ice on your roof will expand and contract as it melts and refreezes, creating more space between your roof and the damaged shingle,” said Cline.

You may also want to consider installing heating cables on the bottom of your roof. These cables are capable of melting any excess snow or ice that has accumulated on the roof and allows it to run off as it normally would in warmer months. They will also help prevent water from entering and damaging your home because they keep the seams and edges of your roof clear of ice.

Third, use a roof rake after there is a snowfall that produces accumulation. This type of rake is available at area hardware stores and are helpful at pulling excess snow off your roof. “Just be mindful of not impacting the gutter system,” Cline said.

Finally, use common sense. After a big storm, it’s worth your time to take a few minutes to scan your home top to bottom to check for weak spots or areas of particularly heavy snow and/or ice accumulation. If you see an large mounds forming on your roof, take action now to avoid a major issue later.

J&B Construction offers exterior remodeling products and services with a focus on trust, craftsmanship, superior customer service, and care for the home. The company’s Germantown showroom, W140 N10589 Fond du Lac Ave., contains a variety of exterior home improvement product samples, including windows, siding, doors, roofing, and decking materials. As Master EliteÒ GAF roofing contractors, J&B Construction offers the added security of a 12-year warranty, plus manufacturer warranties that range from 25 years to lifetime, depending on the product.

J&B Construction is a member of Milwaukee NARI and the Better Business Bureau. For more information or to arrange a complimentary consultation, call J&B Construction at 262-437-0537 or visit www.jandbconstruction.com.

Enjoy Peace Of Mind

The only complaint I have is when I have J&B do my roof in another 30 years or so, is Dave their sales man (a great guy) would not guaranty I could get the same great crew I had this time. They did a fantastic job. Much better than the last roofing company did. A nice bunch of guys. Did a very nice job cleaning up. I'd give them 10 stars but 5 is the limit. If you need a roof done this is the company you want to do it. One more point I need to make. The guys that did the chimney flashing are artists. I went up on the roof when they were done and was very pleased with not only the roofing job but the sculptured sheet metal work. It's kind of a shame it's on the roof and not hanging on the family room wall :). You get the point. Hire em. You'll like em.

Dave H

We live in a historic designated neighborhood and recently had our 30 year wood shingle roof replaced with another wood roof and new gutters. From Day 1 of the project to the final day, the entire team was responsive, professional, and very competent. When some minor changes were proposed by us they quickly and effortlessly complied. After going through this experience with J&B, I would highly recommend them to anyone considering a roof and gutter replacement, whether it be a simple or complicated project.

John Lamb

J & B did an amazing job from start to finish. The initial meeting at my home took place exactly at the time that was agreed upon and Scott was thorough in his explanations and transparent about costs. When the time came to begin the project, the team that showed up was friendly, professional and timely in getting the project done. The cleanup afterward was such that it looked like they hadn't been there at all. The roof looks great, there were no surprises and Scott came by to inspect the work and explain the warranty upon job completion. I would highly recommend them.

Kenneth Simons

My neighbor had their roof replaced and I was really impressed with the speed, carefulness and quality of the work I saw. Asked her for her experience and she told me she would highly recommend J & B. I called Scott to set an appointment. He showed up on time and was very thorough in his assessment, also letting me know about some other issues and advise on where to get help. J & B is a fantastic company to deal with - their people are incredibly careful about the work they do, clean up and leave the property in the same condition as when they started, were careful about plants and the house, and work very efficiently. The office staff is great about following up, checking in and very responsive to anything that comes up. I was happy with the price charged. If you are looking to replace your roof, you should be calling J & B to get the job done.

David W.

We had work done by the J&B team at a commercial property and were very pleased with the whole process. Their estimator met us onsite and communicated with us every step of the way. They went over the scope in detail and the work performed exceeded what we were expecting. They found some additional concerns during the installation that were quickly addressed and communicated to us and to our surprise, there was not an additional charge. Our tenants reached out to share how respectful the employees were during the installation and how clean everything was left afterwards. As the project was wrapped up, we were walked through the completion paperwork and provided the warranty information. Very impressed with the professionalism of this company and would not hesitate to refer their services or use them again in the future.

Jessie C.