You might think that the recent rainfall would have gone a long way to improving the area’s current drought.  But, it did little to improve things.

The percent of the Northeast region under at least moderate drought dropped from 27.68 to 25.96 percent between April 17 and 24. The area under the severe drought classification fell a little more from 7.35 to 4.07 percent.

The immediate Washington, D.C. metro area is not in drought, but classified as “abnormally dry.”  This includes northern Virginia.

The message here is that we still need rain and when it comes, it will come in buckets. The annual rainfall deficit is 4.17” in Washington, D.C. 
Now is the time to fix your problematic roof and gutters.  Don’t take reactive measures, rather take proactive ones.  Get a quote today!

Here are the annual rainfall deficits for Baltimore:

Baltimore: 4.17”

ROOF REPLACEMENT TIPS - HOME VISIONS INC.

Blistering/peeling of paint on the inside or outside. / Dark or dirty looking areas on roof. / Leakage in attic after driving rain. / Missing, cracked or curling shingles. / Roof shingle, sheathing and siding decay. / Stains on interior ceilings or walls or mold and mildew growth. / Excessive energy costs.
 
If you have seen any of these warning signs you need an estimate. Neglecting your roof can cost you money by decreasing the home's value, increasing your heating/cooling costs and result in higher replacement costs and additional home repair if not addressed.

Home Visions is fully licensed in Maryland, Northern Virginia and Washington DC.  We are a CertainTeed SELECT Shingle Master and we can offer the very best warranty coverage in the industry due to our credentials.  Thank you for visiting and be sure to "like" us on Facebook!

From DCI Products (maker of SmartVent roofing ventilation solutions)

Roof ventilation, or lack thereof, is the leading cause of premature roof failures.
These failures include problems with dry rot, mold, mildew, condensation, warped decking, curling shingles, cracking shingles and structural failures. The proper and complete attic ventilation solutions are the answer when building new homes, remodeling existing homes and making improvements to commercial buildings.

Intake Ventilation
The patented SmartVent creates roof top, continuous intake airflow when soffit vents are inadequate or non-existent. The SmartVent can be used at the eaves edge, slightly up the roof and many other locations such as an exhaust vent on a shed roof or off-peak for firewall protection. The SmartVent can be used virtually anywhere on the roof and may be the only vent product the roofer ever needs. SmartVent has been field tested and approved since 1999 and creates an energy efficient roof system when proper exhaust vents are installed. At 9 NFA SmartVent provides a total of 18 NFA when installed at both eaves. This matches or exceeds all ridge vents.

Exhaust Ventilation
Topping the roof is DCI’s patented SmartRidge I and SmartRidge II. The 100% energy efficient design of SmartRidge I literally sucks attic air out like a straw and is the lowest profile ridge vent with a no street-side lift on one side. Due to this one side having no lift, 100% of the hot moist attic air is siphoned out instead of the short circuit that can occur on most double-sided ridge vents. SmartRidge II provides superior weather protection for ridge and hip ventilation.

A systems approach to roofing combines high-performance components - underlayments, shingles, accessory products and ventilation - to make the Integrity Roof System a complete roofing solution.  When you choose an Integrity Roofing System, you gain the advantage of having CertainTeed as you shingle manufacturing source to stand behind its roof system components.




Hip & Ridge Accessories
Accessory shingles are used to finish the hips and ridges of the roof and are designed to complement the appearance of CertainTeed shingles.

CertainTeed Shingles
High-quality shingles available in a wide variety of styles and colors, covered by the strongest warranty in the business.  Flintastic roll roofing products are also available for flat roof areas.

Roofer's Select or Diamond Deck
High-performance underlayment provides a protective water-resistant layer over the roof deck and a secondary barrier against leaks.

Winterguard
Waterproofing shingle underlayment prevents leaks from wind-driven rain and ice dams in vulnerable areas.

Starter Shingles
Starter shingles are designed to work specifically with each different type of CertainTeed shingle for maximum performance.


 

Press Release – SELECT CertainTeed ShingleMaster Status Achieved January 2012 – Residential/Commercial Asphalt Roofing

Home Visions Inc. is proud to announce certification by CertainTeed  as a SELECT ShingleMaster for roofing installations allowing the company to offer exclusive warranty coverage.  HVI has partnered with CertainTeed for eight years and the relationship has driven continuing education and manufacturer training for all departments within the company.  There are several requirements to obtain SELECT status including production and installation team training, consistent use of responsible business practices, proper insurance coverage and the company has been in business at least five years.

This accreditation will give all of our current and potential customers the confidence that they are dealing with top notch roofing installers and insures that all HVI installers and employees are up to date on the latest details for CertainTeed roofing systems and products.

Continuing education is very important to Home Visions Inc. and along with similar efforts in other branches of the company HVI continues learning in order to stay up to date with state of the art installations.

Thank you to CertainTeed and all HVI employees who put the hard work in through the years to make this possible.

Shingles are designed for water to run down and off the shingle into the gutter.  When conditions are right during the winter months ice damming can occur at the gutter line and in valleys on your roof.  Ice damming occurs on your roof when snow slowly melts due to the warmth escaping from under insulated attics as well as warmth from the sun.  When the show hits the gutter and begins to refreeze it creates a dam and water from above begins to sit on the shingles behind the ice dam.

Homes with the orginal builder grade roof in many cases do not have the proper protection needed against ice damming.  Ice and water shield is a thick membrane specifically designed to prevent water from penetrating down to the sheating or roof decking and ultimately keeping it from entering the attic and home.  Please click here for more information on proper roofing underlayment systems.

Home Visions Inc. through training and certification properly applies ice and water shield on all roof edges as well as in all valleys.  Additionally, we use ice and water shield over the entire area on low pitched roofs, around skylights and around windows on mansard style roofs (as seen below).

Classic example of ice damming:



Installation of ice and water shield around windows in a mansard roof:

Ridge vent is an important component of a sound roofing system.  Ridge vent acts as the exhaust valve for hot air that gets trapped in the attic.  The newest technology in the market actually promotes the escape of hot air and looks aesthetically pleasing compared to the metal ridge vents on new construction homes.  The ridge vent works in tandem with the air intake areas of a home, most commonly the soffit or overhangs of the roof.  A properly vented roof is the key to a long lasting roof with little or no maintenance required.


Older Ridge Vent



Close-up - new ridgevent technology.




Finished product in the far section of this roof.

Selection for the Exterior 200 indicates a double honor. 
First, Home Visions Inc. was chosen for the Qualified Remodeler Top 500 earlier this year.  Home Visions Inc.'s ranking of 113 in the United Sates is based on an evaluation of percentage of work reported in the categories of decks, doors, outdoor living, roofing, siding, sunrooms, windows and other exterior work.  To be chosen for the Exterior 200, contractors must perform at least 50 percent of their cumulative business in exterior projects.

We feel as though this recognition speaks to the company's commitment to meeting and exceeding our customer's expectations which allows us to continue to grow through a strong referral program and an excellent track record.

What goes on underneath the shingles of your home when a new roofing system is installed?


If you are in the market to replace your roof and you are interested in a few of the components that make up a good roofing system, take a look at the photo below.

Felt Paper - A "leak barrier" that is applied over top of the sheathing (plywood) of a roof.  Felt paper is not designed to take a lot of water rather to deflect moisture under the shingles of the roof.

Ice & Water Shield -  Product that is positioned along the edge of the roof as well as in valleys and around dormer windows.  The ice and water shield provides more protection against water and is installed in areas that ice damming can occur.  When ice damming occurs water pools up behind the dam and finds a way through the shingles (shingles are designed for water to run down - not sit on top).  In our region, the snow storms of 2009 and 2010 called upon ice and water shield a lot and those that did not have it typicially had some water infiltration.

Drip Edge - The last line of defense against extreme weather conditions.  The drip edge actually provides a final piece of protection against water that finds its way to the edge of the shingle and not into the gutter, but rather wants to curl underneath the shingle back to the plywood.

I just wanted you to know that I am very pleased with my new roof. Your staff and your crew were very professional and accommodating to my many requests. Your commitment of providing quality products at reasonable prices is much appreciated; I am proud to say that I am one of your customers. 

Mrs. Wright

Washington DC