How to Prepare Your Gutters for Winter

Gutter Maintenance

As winter weather rolls in, you may not initially think about your gutters. However, it is essential to have your gutters in good shape before the colder months kick in. When snow and ice wreak havoc on your roofing and gutter systems, it can lead to severe damage.

Inspect Gutters

We suggest that you inspect the gutters before the colder weather hits. Be sure there are no cracks or loose fasteners. In addition to inspecting the gutters, check the fascia, foundation, and siding for any signs of rotting or water damage. The gutters can be the cause of water damage to your business or home. An inspection can catch damage early and prevent future damage from occurring.

Clean Gutters

One of the hallmarks of gutter maintenance is cleaning the gutters regularly. Not only do you need to check gutters often in the fall, but you also need to do it regularly in the winter too. Snow can accumulate and weigh down gutters. You will also want to pay attention to the junctions and corners where leaves build up the most.

Install Gutter Guards and Downspout Extensions

If you want to avoid a lot of hands-on maintenance, you can use a gutter protection system. These types of systems prevent debris from entering the gutters. Additionally, you may need to realign your gutters to make sure you have no standing water.

Another tip for maintaining your gutters is to install a downspout extension to send the ice and snow away from your building. When you send water about three to five feet away from the building, it can prevent the water from seeping in. When it comes to damaged gutters, water often seeps into the basement and causes severe water damage.

No matter the time of year, gutter maintenance is critical to the safety of your building. At Signature Exteriors, we understand the importance of clean gutters and roofing solutions. Contact us today to find out more about how to prep your gutters for winter!

Five Common Things That Are Ruining Your Roof

Protect The Roof Over Your Head

Keeping your roof maintained can prolong its life and prevent costly repairs. A regular maintenance routine can identify problems early, before they cause major damage. But how do you know when to check your roof for damages? Read on to discover five common ways your roof can sustain damage so you can be prepared.

Inclement Weather

Extreme weather conditions are the number one culprit of roof damage. Add to that the daily nuisance of harsh UV rays and regular downpours, and your roof can really take a beating. Roofs may need additional assessment after the following weather events:

•         Hail storms

•         Heavy snow 

•         Wind storms

•         Ice storms 

•         Extreme temperatures

Nesting Animals 

Animals look for shelter to reproduce or to hibernate for the winter. If loose flashing is already present, animals will further damage the roof and create holes for entry. Animals will also claw or bite holes in corner areas of roofs where seams may be less tight to get inside. 

Clogged Gutters 

Clogged gutters and downspouts can cause water to back up and pool on the roof, causing severe damages. Soft spots can form in multiple places on the roof, weakening and rotting its structure and loosening shingles. 

Growing Plants

Plant growth may seem like a good thing, but not on the roof. Plant growth can cause holes in the roof from pooling water and roots pushing down through the roof structure. If you notice moss, lichen, or small trees growing on your roof, it is time to clean up the debris immediately. 

Surrounding Landscaping 

Aside from inclement weather, surrounding trees and structures are also a primary cause of roof damage. Be sure to maintain landscaping and trim back trees away from the home to ensure that there is little to no chance that something could fall on the roof and damage it. 

Learn more about preventing damages to your roof or creating a routine maintenance plan by contacting Signature Exteriors to schedule a consultation today. 

The Benefits of Vinyl Siding

How Can Vinyl Siding Benefit Your Home?

Although builders continue to use brick, fiber cement, and stucco for home construction, vinyl siding is preferred by homeowners and contractors alike. Vinyl was first used on residential homes in the 1950s as a replacement for aluminum siding, and it is currently used in one-third of all homes constructed in the United States. At Signature Exteriors, we’d like to share some of the reasons why vinyl siding is the ideal building material for your home.

Longevity

Depending on the weather conditions in your area, vinyl siding can hold up for twenty to forty years. Extreme weather and heat can slowly degrade vinyl, but it’s less affected by wear than wood. Vinyl’s longevity can be attributed to its design. Unlike other porous materials, vinyl does not absorb water or attract insects, and it can withstand wind gusts of up to 200 miles per hour. It’s also less likely to crack or warp in extreme environments.

Maintenance

One of the most significant advantages of using vinyl is the ease of installation and maintenance. Vinyl siding can be applied to existing homes or used on new building projects. The interlocking panels are simple to install for a small crew, and if a panel is damaged, replacing it only takes a few minutes. You can clean the siding with soap and water, and you don’t have to apply paint every few years.

Efficiency

In the heat of the Summer, vinyl reflects sunlight and keeps your home cool. Due to its insulative properties, the siding traps heat in the winter months to keep your house warm and cozy. Vinyl siding keeps your home comfortable while also decreasing the cost of your utility bills.

Cost

Building materials can be pricey, but vinyl is less expensive than other materials that have shorter lifespans. You also save on labor costs for installation since vinyl can be installed quickly.

If you’re interested in having a professional crew install vinyl siding at your residence, we’re ready to help. Contact Signature Exteriors for a free consultation.

April Showers Bring…Roof Leaks

Prevent Roof Leaks With These Tips

Spring weather may come with several new maintenance requirements, such as fixing a leaky roof. At Signature Exteriors, we know that roof repairs are the last thing you want to think about in nice weather. Fortunately, the following tips can help you detect any problems that may lead to roof leaks and prevent further damage.

Watch the Trouble Spots

There are a few places on your roof where you may expect to find leaks. One of these places is along the flashing. Roofers install this material around your chimney and windows to keep water away from natural cracks, such as where the roof meets an exterior wall. If your builder did not install and seal the flashing correctly, water may flow beneath the shingles and cause damage.

Does your home have skylights? If so, you may need to pay close attention to these windows. Sometimes, water will make its way around the edges and into your home. If you notice too much moisture around your skylight, call in the experts.

Examine the Roof Valleys

Your roof may easily develop leaks along the valleys, where the different edges meet. Debris can accumulate in these areas and penetrate the roof, causing leaks. If water cannot flow down the roof to the drain pipes, it may seep beneath your shingles and cause damage.

Know the Age of Your Roof

Sometimes, a roof leak can be the result of old and worn-out materials. As your roof ages, shingles may crack, and the nails may loosen. Additionally, you may notice buckling or corrosion. When roof materials wear out, it is more likely that these materials will allow moisture into your house.

If you suspect that the rainy season may result in a roof leak, contact the experts at Signature Exteriors. We can handle all of your roofing needs in any weather.

Spring Forward With A Professionally Inspected Roof

Schedule A Post-Winter Roof Inspection

It's obvious why you should have your roof inspected pre-winter. You're trying to avoid dealing with leaks, you don't want it to collapse under the pressure of too much snow, and you realize how dangerous it could be to repair any small issues with the winter weather. But did you know it's just as important to have it inspected at winter's end?

Checking for Water Damage

Whether you forgot to have your roof inspected last fall or a small problem went undetected in the inspection, your roof could have small cracks. When water enters into these cracks, it can seep through into your home causing internal, and even structural damage. The cold winter temperatures caused the water in those cracks to freeze, expanding the crack. When the water thaws, the now larger crack allows for more water. The process would then repeat until you were dealing with a serious issue that needed a repair. A post-winter inspection would allow us to repair these cracks before the rainy season begins.

Cleaning Out the Gutters

Fall and winter bring a lot of opportunities for clogged gutters. Over the winter, your gutters may have gathered quite the collection of twigs, dirt, and other debris. With the weight of these items, your gutters could begin to pull away from your roof. This will require a gutter repair, but it also allows moisture to enter your home, which will result in more water damage. Having your gutters cleaned out as soon as it's safe to get up there will help ensure any rain or runoff can drain appropriately.

Contacting the Professionals

Now is the perfect time to take inventory of how your home withstood winter's harsh temperatures and moisture. Contact Signature Exteriors today and schedule your post-winter roof inspection.

Cleaning Your Gutters Before Spring

The Importance of Gutter Cleaning

Gutters are an essential part of your home and roofing system. Throughout winter, they collect dirt, debris, twigs, and leaves, which can lead to a backup. When clogged, they won't do what they're intended to do, which could lead to further roof or structural damage. One way to avoid these issues is by having your gutters cleaned come winter's end. 

Avoiding Damage to the Gutters

As your gutters fill up, they get weighed down and will begin to crack and bend. They'll pull away from the house, breaking the downspouts and other elements that are attached. If you have your gutters cleaned when the buildup starts, you don't have to worry about replacing them prematurely.

Avoiding Damage to the Home

With clogged gutters, the spring rainwater will not drain properly. The water will pool and begin seeping down into the walls of your home, creating wet spots that grow mold and mildew. Sometimes the water will head the other direction and spill out over the side of the gutter, which can cause damage to your landscape. It could also find its way into the foundation, creating structural damage. Avoid water damage and the costs that come along with it by having your gutters properly cleaned before spring hits. 

Avoiding Critter Infestations

Mosquitoes and other similar insects love still water. If your gutters are clogged, and the water is just sitting up there, you're more likely to have an infestation of wasps, mosquitoes, mice, and other critters that are looking for easy access to water. Cleaning your gutters will eliminate this problem.

Contact Us To Schedule Service

At Signature Exteriors, we are committed to ensuring your gutters are in their best shape by spring. Contact us today to schedule a gutter cleaning for your home. 

A Home Maintenance Checklist for the First-Time Homeowner

While we've already discussed bits of information that you have to know before moving into your new home in our article on the 10 Practical Things Every New Homeowner Should Know. Your work is far from over as there's still the process of maintaining your new home. Read on to learn more about our home maintenance checklist for first-time homeowners.

Check on Ventilation

Forbes highlights the importance of taking care of your home ventilation system, as poorly maintained ones can cause a slew of problems. One such problem is the growth of mold. And while a minor mold problem shouldn't be too hard to deal with, major mold removal could cost you somewhere between $3,000 to $5,000. If you do end up developing some minor mold, there is a quick way to fix this issue. An article by HomeServe recommends spraying the affected area with a solution of one-part bleach and four-parts water, as bleach has properties that can kill many types of fungus. With that being said, prevention is still the best option. So how do you prevent this from happening?

As mold grows in warm and damp areas, it is vital to maintain your ventilation system often so that you have better control of your home’s internal temperature. A good rule of thumb would be to have your vents cleaned every three years to avoid any complications. Another simple method is to simply open your windows, even on cold days, to let fresh air in. This is because fresh air is very efficient at evaporating any surface moisture and reducing a room’s humidity levels.

Maintain Your Heating System

The mileage on your heating system will vary depending on where you live, as places with colder year-round temperatures tend to make use of their heating systems more. This means that maintenance will also vary but it's recommended that you have your heating system inspected annually to detect any complications early on. Another determining factor is whether your home is equipped with a gas boiler.

But if you want to be proactive and do all you can to help maintain your heating system, there are a couple of things you can do. If you have a central heating system, it would be wise to check on your air filters every month and see if they need replacing. For gas boilers, it would be wise to check on the boiler's pressure gauge. Remember that it needs to be somewhere between one and two bars, anything lower than that means you need to have your boiler re-pressurized.

Check On Your Toilet

The toilet is one of the most used pieces of hardware in your home. A survey by the National Association for Continence has found that the average person spends around two weeks a year in the bathroom, which means a significant amount of effort needs to go into maintenance to ensure that everything continues to work properly.

One thing you have to be wary of is keeping the toilet clean. The particles that build up in your toilet are caused by the minerals in the water, and the longer you put off getting rid of them the harder it'll be, as the minerals tend to harden as more and more time passes by. This problem is about to be minimized in Japan due to the expert toilet-makers at Toto Ltd that have invented toilets with self-cleaning mechanisms. However, for those of us living in the United States, vinegar and baking soda should do the trick. First, you pour the vinegar into the toilet bowl and swish the liquid around. After around 30 minutes, proceed to scrub the toilet with a toilet brush. If the residue remains on the toilet, take your baking soda and apply it onto the brush and use it to scrub at the toilet again.

These tips may seem obvious but you will be surprised how often first-time, and long-time, homeowners miss them, only for these issues to become a costly expense further down the line.

Post solely for saintcharlesroofing.com
By JBright

Signature Exteriors Selected Best of St. Charles County by St. Louis Post Dispatch

The votes are in and Signature Exteriors won the Roofing category in St. Louis Post Dispatch’s annual “Best of St. Charles”. We want to thank everyone for their votes and support. You can view a list of all of the winners here: STLtoday.com/BOSC

SIGNATURE EXTERIORS, INC. SELECTED TO JOIN OWENS CORNING ROOFING PLATINUM PREFERRED CONTRACTOR NETWORK

SIGNATURE EXTERIORS, INC. SELECTED TO JOIN OWENS CORNING ROOFING PLATINUM PREFERRED CONTRACTOR NETWORK

St. Charles, Missouri – March, 20th, 2019 – Signature Exteriors, Inc. announced that it has been selected as a member of the Owens Corning Roofing Platinum Preferred Contractor Network. Owens Corning Roofing and Asphalt, LLC invited Signature Exteriors, Inc. to join this premier network of top tier roofing professionals based upon its commitment to service, reliability and outstanding craftsmanship.

The Owens Corning Roofing Platinum Preferred Roofing Contractor network is considered one of the most exclusive contractor programs in the industry. To be accepted, Signature Exteriors, Inc. must pass an installation workmanship inspection, carry at least $1 million in general liability insurance, and be screened for financial stability and customer service.

“We are honored to become a member of the Owens Corning Roofing Platinum Preferred Contractor Program,” said Jeramie Beechler, Owner, Signature Exteriors, Inc. “We appreciate that purchasing a new roof is a significant decision and are proud to have Owens Corning Roofing supporting the commitment to excellence we bring to our customers.”

“Owens Corning Roofing Platinum Preferred Contractor Network members are chosen based on their proven market and industry leadership,” said Jason Lewinski, Owens Corning Roofing Contractor Network Leader. “This network underscores Owens Corning Roofing’s commitment to providing value within the building materials industry and ensuring our roofing contractors have the tools and business solutions they need to grow their business.”

Through the Owens Corning Roofing Platinum Preferred Contractor Network, Signature Exteriors, Inc. is able to provide exclusive benefits and peace of mind to its customers, including extended system limited warranties* that also offer a limited lifetime workmanship coverage.**

ABOUT SIGNATURE EXTERIORS, INC.

Signature Exteriors, Inc. is an exterior contracting company based out of St. Charles Missouri serving St. Louis and St. Charles counties. We are not your average construction company. Our sincere values and passion for the community add up to top-quality construction — always with our customers’ needs first. Our team lives and works in the St. Charles area, so building relationships within the community is important to us. Your peace of mind is our number one goal!

*See actual warranty for complete details, limitations and requirements.

**Lifetime coverage is on laminate shingles only. See actual warranty for complete details, limitations and requirements.

Signature Exteriors, Inc. Earns 2018 Angie’s List Super Service Award

Signature Exteriors, Inc. Earns 2018 Angie’s List Super Service Award

Award reflects company’s consistently high level of customer service

St. Charles, Missouri January 16th, 2019 – Signature Exteriors, Inc. is proud to announce that it has earned the home service industry’s coveted Angie’s List Super Service Award (SSA). This award honors service professionals who have maintained exceptional service ratings and reviews on Angie’s List in 2018.

“Service pros that receive our Angie’s List Super Service Award represent the best in our network, who are consistently making great customer service their mission,” said Angie’s List Founder Angie Hicks. “These pros have provided exceptional service to our members and absolutely deserve recognition for the exemplary customer service they exhibited in the past year.”

Angie’s List Super Service Award 2018 winners have met strict eligibility requirements, which include maintaining an “A” rating in overall grade, recent grade and review period grade. The SSA winners must be in good standing with Angie’s List and undergo additional screening.

Signature Exteriors, Inc. has been listed on Angie’s List since 2012. This is the 6th year Signature Exteriors, Inc. has received this honor.

Service company ratings are updated continually on Angie’s List as new, verified consumer reviews are submitted. Companies are graded on an A through F scale in multiple fields ranging from price to professionalism to punctuality.

For over two decades Angie’s List has been a trusted name for connecting consumers to top-rated service professionals. Angie’s List provides unique tools and support designed to improve the local service experience for both consumers and service professionals.

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Signature Exteriors, Inc. is an exterior contracting company based out of St. Charles Missouri serving St. Louis and St. Charles counties. We are not your average construction company. Our sincere values and passion for the community add up to top-quality construction — always with our customers’ needs first. Our team lives and works in the St. Charles area, so building relationships within the community is important to us. Your peace of mind is our number one goal!

Contact:
Signature Exteriors, Inc.
ph: 314-827-5376