Attics are supposed to be ventilated which keeps the air flowing and helps maintain a mild temperature. The warm Texas summers and bitter winters cause attics to inefficiently cool or heat the top of your home. What makes up for this inefficiency is your home air conditioning and heating unit. If attic soffit vents are blocked, air flow is impacted, which makes the situation that much worse.

Most likely, you have an elaborate duct system up there. These large aluminum-looking tubes can easily wear, tear and puncture. Approximately 20% of air is lost through leaks and holes in ducts. This loss is reflected on your energy bill every month. To keep your energy bill low, search for leaks and patch them with metal (foil) tape on an annual basis.

Chimneys are nice in the winter, but unfortunately, most are inefficiently sealed. Having a roaring fire may be romantic, but is a major influence on loss of heat. In addition, chimneys that run through the attic, more often then not, are improperly sealed at the attic floor level. These gaps can cause additional energy loss. As a solution, homeowners can easily caulk the gaps through the attic.

Attic doors are a major culprit in energy loss. Anyone who has an attic door located in a bedroom will certainly feel the difference in temperatures in that room. Hallways are common access points for attic stairs, and are also big energy losing areas of the house. Attic doors must be treated as any other door and properly weather stripped and sealed as any other door would require. Sealing an attic hatch or door can save homeowners up to $200 a year in energy costs.

The final area in the attic to watch out for is the roof. Leaks, holes and missing shingles can cause additional energy loss as well as affect the airflow in the attic. Speak to one of our roofing consultants today to discuss proper insulation, roofing and energy efficient shingles to help keep your heating and cooling exactly where it was meant to be.

Older houses have definite character and appeal to them. If one happens to grab your eye, or you are looking to sell your house that is maturing well beyond its years, be advised that older house may bring more than character to the negotiating table. The sale of your older home may bring more headaches then smiles to your family if you are unaware of potential common problems. These problems aren’t necessarily deal breakers, but a knowledgeable buyer and seller needs to know how to maneuver any of these issues before a contract is signed.

Lead Pipes

Homes built before the 1940’s are likely to contain lead pipes. Some homes built after the beginning of galvanized pipes up until the 80’s still contain lead in joining components. A costly solution is replacing the pipes, which will run upwards of $5,000. A filtration system is a less expensive solution that will ensure the removal of lead from the pipes. Filtrations systems range from kitchen-specific models $400 to entire home systems $2000.

Lead Paint

There is that annoying lead again. Older homes that contain lead-based paint may have different solutions depending on the problem. Lead based paints are dangerous when ingested, for instance by a child, and require replacement. These lead-based paints are so old, odds are the walls have already been painted over by a latex paint, which creates a safe barrier. When the exterior paint flakes or peels, the lead can contaminate your soil causing landscaping issues. In most cases, replacing the siding of a home will cost upwards of $10,000.

Radon

Radon is a gas linked to lung cancer. It can enter through cracks in walls and foundation, as well as through improperly sealed attics and windows. The EPA website can refer homeowners to radon inspectors for testing procedures. Solutions for radon problems include properly sealing windows, doors, cracks and foundation. New exterior vents will cost approximately $1000. Hopefully, the more costly repair of a cracked foundation is not in the cards for a homeowner, which can cost well over $5000 for small homes.

Foundation cracks

A cracked foundation is almost a guaranteed deal-breaker. The foundation fear-monger has a bad reputation and one that most buyers won’t touch. Foundations that used cement and cinder block often do not have appropriate “bending” capabilities. This causes cracks, which allow water to seep in further damaging the foundation. The threat of wood rot, termites, mold, mildew and other possibilities make repairing a foundation an immediate requirement. A foundation repair can range from $1000 to $20,000 depending on the home.

Other factors that are common in older homes include asbestos insulation. Asbestos in insulation of vintage homes was commonly used to insulate pipes, boilers and furnaces. Electrical codes can be changed and updates required as often as every year. An older home that has not been required to bring electrical outlets, breakers, and wires up to code will have a multitude of electrical repairs that will need to be done.

Whether it’s outside, inside, within the walls, or below the home, every area of the home should be checked by a qualified home inspector to make sure you don’t end up with a big bill after your home purchase. While most good inspectors will do a thorough job inspecting your soon-to-be-home, here are a few areas you should be extra careful of by asking for details:

Roofing

A home’s roof is one of the most important components of its structure. A bad roof can cause leaks, animal infestation, mold, and energy inefficiency. Most roof homes last anywhere from 15-25 years, however, factors such as bad workmanship and hail/storm damage could cause problems earlier in the roof’s life. Ensure that your home inspector checks the roof both inside (through the attic) and outside. Try to find out how old the current roof is, whether its under warranty, and how well its been taken care of.

For future inspection, we recommend you get a trained roofing specialist to your home to give you a better assessment, especially in storm-prone areas like Texas. You could never bee too sure!

Foundation

Foundations are a key part of the integrity of a home. A bad foundation can cause problems to the structure of walls, doors, windows, and roofs. For the most part, homes with bad foundations should be avoided, since the cost of leveling and repairing foundations can be extremely high. In addition to having an inspector review the home, ask the previous homeowners if it was maintained properly (ex. watered during long periods of heat).

Mold

Mold can be a nasty addition to any home, and unfortunately it’s quite common. Mold spores, which flourish in damp, dark areas, travel across the air infecting anything they touch. Unfortunately, mold can enter a human body, causing illness and discomfort. It’s important to make sure your family is not breathing in this toxin. Have your home inspector check every area where moisture might gather, such as air conditioning units, vents, plumbing and roofs. A badly ventilated and sealed roof can cause moisture to accumulate, encouraging the growth of mold spores. Most mold can be removed by a trained specialist, however have your inspector take close inspection of all areas to assess any cost associated with removal.

Take some time to consider these basic items when purchasing a used home. There’s nothing worse than having the excitement of moving into a home  be squandered by a large repair bill.

Making an informed decision is really important considering the long term commitment you make when installing a roof. Consider these three factors when speaking to an Austin roofing contractor about your new roof:

Budget

What kind of money are you looking to spend on materials and labor? Obviously some roofing types, such as solar panels and ceramic tiling, will be more expensive to purchase and install than other roofing types. Discuss your roofing preferences and budget with our Austin Roofers and we’ll give you the best options in your price range.

Where you live

Where you live determines not only the aesthetic types of houses around you, but more importantly the type of environment your roof will have to deal with. For the most part, Austin Roofs have to deal with extreme heat from Texas summers. This is what makes asphalt shingle roofing such a popular material for most Austin area homes. Not only are they affordable, they are also very resistance against the sun and heat. Also consider how well your roof reacts to moisture and humidity, which can be a concern for people during the Texas winter months. Metal, Asphalt, and clay roofing may be appropriate while wooden roofing may not be.

Energy Efficiency

How important is energy efficiency for your home? A properly ventilated and installed home can significantly lower the cost of monthly energy costs. The shape, design, and material of certain roofing types can help offset the high air conditioning costs usually associated with Austin area homes. Obviously, more expensive solar panel roofing can offset energy costs, however the higher cost of installation and materials needs to be taken into consideration.

Picking a roof can be a difficult decision. A trained roofing specialist can really help turn your budget, aesthetic wants and quality concerns into the perfect roofing choice.

The familiar Asphalt Roof

The asphalt shingle is the most widely used roofing material in the United States (and Texas).

Unlike it’s popular cousin, the clay roofing tile (such as the red Spanish style seen in Mediterranean homes) which has been used since around 10,000 B.C, the asphalt tile as we know it today only became widely used in the 20th century.

Back in the day (before the 1900′s), coal tar mixed with felt was a popular form of sealing roofs. However, as the tar became more expensive (as demand rose) the cheaper alternative was asphalt.

Around the turn of the 20th century, man-made materials were becoming more and more readily used.

The asphalt shingle, which originally was made of pulped up rags layered with asphalt and stone, began to boom in the 1920′s due to their ease of installation, resistance to fire, and how versatile they were in look and design.

During World War II, a paper-based ‘mat’ began being used that more resembles today’s flat, thin shingle. However, due to the paper’s problem with fire resistance and the mat’s tendency to rot, the current popular shingle now uses a fibrous glass mat that helps in fire resistance and durability.

So what are the benefits of this popular roof material? For one thing, they’re incredibly easy to maintain compared to other materials. In terms of installation, they are very simple to install and easy to repair if needed. A nice bonus is that they are relatively light, meaning there are less problems with the structure of a home maintaining their weight.  For some, the look and versatility in colors and shapes is a huge bonus for the design of their homes. Compared to other roofing materials, asphalt shingles are also less expensive to produce and install, therefore they’re cheaper to the customer.

Asphalt shingles are a great option for any homeowner looking for a durable roofing solution.

If you’re in Texas and looking for advice on your roof, All Star Roofing is an Austin Roofing Contractor with over 30 years of experience serving the Central Texas area. Our services range from residential and commercial roof estimation, roof repair, and roof replacement. Give us a call today at 512.477.7827.

Even for Texas, winters can be damaging to a badly ventilated roof due to sudden frost causing moist air on the rafters, metals, and wood. This condensation can cause mold-breeding moisture, it can rot the roof deck, and even cause water to leak from the roof into the insulation and home.

All these issues can be easily avoided by having proper ventilation on your Texas home. Why risk mold, condensation and fire dangers to your roof, home and family?

There are several types of vents that can be used to help ventilate a roof. Roof Ridge Vents, which are placed on the ridge, or top point of a roof, allow moisture, heat, and stale air to exhaust out of your roof. These type of vent can help reduce the heat and condensation found inside your roof.

Another type of vent, known as Soffit Vents or Eaves vents, are placed on the lower edge of the roof, and allow air to enter the roof and push out the stale air.

It’s important to check your roof to see what type of ventilation is best for you. Whether you have an older home or a brand new home, there’s no reason not to check to make sure your roof is properly ventilated.

The best option is to have a professional roofer with experience do a thorough inspection of the roof’s to evaluate your ventilation system.

All Star Roofing is an Austin Roofing Contractor with over 30 years of experience serving the Central Texas area. Our services range from residential and commercial roof estimation, roof repair, and roof replacement.

Your roof is a very important part of your home. A damaged roof can cause water leaks, more inefficient energy savings, and vermin infestation. The problem with many roofs, is that there could be something wrong but it’s not obvious without proper inspection. While we always recommend that you have trained professional make an inspection of your roof every few years, there are a few things you can do to check it yourself:

• Check the inside of your roof. For some people, going into the attic may be a great way to check for leaks or damages in your roof. The asphalt/tile materials on their exterior of a home conceal damages much easier than the wood inside. Look for problems such as discolorations, water spots, or any indications of mold. It’s a good idea to check the roof during a nice sunny day, that way you can see if there’s any light peaking through.

• Check your gutters. Make sure that if you have any gutters, they’re not clogged up (which would decrease the water flow during rains). You don’t want any water damage to your house due to flooding in your gutters! It’s also a good idea to check the edges of your roof and make sure no tree branches or vines are clinging onto the roof, since this could cause problems in the long term.
• If you see any signs of water damage inside of your home (water spots, discoloration, etc) make sure to check the ceiling and roof directly above the area. Unfortunately, these could all be signs of bigger problems found on your roof. Have a professional check your roof if you experience any sort of water damage in your home.

You may want to check your roof more routinely if you’ve been through some harsh weather (such as our famous Texas Hail Storms or our Blistering hot summers).

The best option is to have a professional roofer with experience do a thorough inspection of the roof’s surface to see signs of wear of damage.

All Star Roofing is an Austin Roofing Contractor with over 30 years of experience serving the Central Texas area. Our services range from residential and commercial roof estimation, roof repair, and roof replacement.

To counteract the the inevitable harsh elements, there are different things you can do to help protect your roof from the heat or the cold.

To protect against the cold weather, it’s important to use a good amount of insulation under the roof. Cold climates, those that produce snow and ice, can weigh heavy on a roof due to both the wetness of the ice, but the slow thawing afterwards. The insulation not only helps keep your home warmer during the colder months but also helps control the temperature of the roof, helping it stay closer to that idea normal weather condition.

For those in southern climates, like Texas, the strong summer heat can be destructive to roofs. The blistering sun will literally bake a roof, eventually causing the materials to expand and contract, leading to cracks and open seams. Mix that with the occasional rain and thunderstorm, and your home or business could be victim to water leaks, infestation and more.

For asphalt shingled roofs, using good quality materials and keeping your roof clean and primed is a good way of keeping it healthy. If there is any need to repair or replace sections of a roof, make sure it’s done by a trained professional who will set it up correctly for maximum protection. A badly installed roof could lead to easier leaks and damaged shingles.

Another option for roofs is the use of thermal coatings such as Elastomeric or Aluminium Roofing coats. These coats reflect the heat and reduce the chances of the material being damaged through deformation. These types of coats are usually reserved for flat roofs, such as those found in commercial properties.

Regardless of your weather conditions, routine check ups and maintenance should be performed by an experienced professional. There may be problems, such as small cracks (or the start of damage) that is not noticeable without proper inspection. It’s better to catch problems early on, so that you avoid any costly problems resulting from more extended roof damage.

All Star Roofing is an Austin Roofing Contractor with over 30 years of experience serving the Central Texas area. Our services range from residential and commercial roof estimation, roof repair, and roof replacement.