Tips for Severe Weather and Chattanooga Roof Damage

It's officially spring storm season here in Chattanooga, and unfortunately, we have seen the power of spring storms already in our state. It was not too long ago locally that we felt the effects of strong storms and straight-line winds. When events like this happen, the area becomes flooded with out of state roofing companies that quickly come into town to roof as many houses as possible in a short amount of time to collect on homeowner insurance money.

These roofing companies are often misleading in their presentation and proposals, as well as the quality and reputation of their work. They don't value the community because their only value is the check they will get from your insurance company. When the results of less than acceptable work begin to show up, these companies are nowhere to be found, leaving you in a situation that will end up costing you money.

Here are some tips that we hope are helpful to you should you have to deal with roof damage after a storm.

1. Look local. Local companies have roots here and are committed and invested in the community. Local companies have a reputation to uphold, unlike out of state companies, so local roofing contractors should be dedicated to quality work and great customer service because their reputation and future livelihood depend on it.

2. Ask for references. Local companies will have no issue with giving references. Out of state companies will typically avoid this request or ignore it completely.

3. Do your homework. With online reviews and other online digital footprints, it's not hard to find information on a company. 

4. Don't yield to pressure. Any company that leans on pressuring a homeowner to act swiftly is probably looking at one thing only: the insurance payoff check. It's an unfortunate reality in dealing with the aftermath of a storm.

5. Don't fall for bargain pricing. The old saying, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!” is a good thing to keep in mind when you find yourself looking for a roofing contractor after a storm. Choosing a roofing contractor should be an informed, well researched decision. When a contractor shows up at your door and quotes you an unbelievably low price, it's a good indication that they are in it for the quick money.

6. Never pay in full upfront. A reputable local roofing contractor will not ask you for the replacement costs to be paid up front. Any contractor that asks for immediate payment before the work has been done is giving you an indication of what's to come. You will either see poor quality work delivered, or sadly, they will take your money and run. Absolutely do your homework on all roofing contractors you are considering for your Chattanooga home.

As always, Chattanooga’s Langley Roofing is here for you before, during and after the storm. We are a locally owned family business that is dedicated to being the best roofing company in Chattanooga, TN. When you are searching for a local roofing company that is dedicated to delivering quality work, look no further than Langley Roofing. You can reach us through our online contact form, or call us at (423) 504-5056.

2020 - The Year of the Roof in Chattanooga

As Chattanooga homeowners planned their festive gathering to be the most New Year's Eve fun under one roof, no details were neglected. Streamers. Food. Beverage. Music. Fireworks. All items were checked, and double checked and now the only thing remaining was the ball to drop in Times Square. It's always a fun night of wrapping up the year and looking ahead with much anticipation of what's ahead.

New dreams. New goals. New you. New roof. NEW ROOF? Yes, new roof. Just like the saying goes, all good things must come to an end, and if the roof on your Chattanooga home is over 15 years old, or has any of the following warning signs, 2020 might become "The Year of the Roof" for your home. 

Chattanooga Roofing Warning Signs: Missing Shingles

The greatest warning sign that your roof is in need of attention are missing shingles. Shingles should be stationary and not easily tear off. Missing shingles can be a quick indicator of roof age or roof damage.

Missing shingles compromise the integrity. Missing shingles not only can expedite further damage to your roof, but it also leaves your roof vulnerable for leaking. One thing certain about Chattanooga weather is that it is uncertain. Make sure your home has certain protection with a roof that has not lost its integrity.

Chattanooga Roofing Warning Signs: Loose Granules

This area has absolutely beautiful Fall seasons, but that beauty soon finds its way into the gutters of your home. As you cleaned out the gutters this past season, did you happen to notice that there was an unusually large presence of something that looked like coarse sand? Those are roofing granules and they are a critical component of an asphalt roofing shingle. These granules not only play a role in appearance, but also in the protection of your roof.

Foot traffic on your roof, extreme Tennessee Valley weather and age can cause your shingles to lose granules and end up in your gutter, or at the ground below your downspouts. If you have seen a growing presence of these granules, it's a good idea to call Langley Roofing to come out and inspect the roof to determine if it is time for a Chattanooga roof replacement.

It’s January and that means there is a full year ahead of us: another cycle of potential winter weather freezing your roof, another spring storm season that holds potential for strong wind, hail and flying debris, another long hot summer that can cause your shingles to crack or curl. Now is a great time to take advantage of Langley Roofing's maintenance plans. You have made resolutions to take care of yourself in the new year, make the resolution to take care of one of your home's greatest investments: the roof.

Remember, we are here when you need us. Whether it is now, later in the year, or years down the road, Langley Roofing is Chattanooga's most experienced and most trusted roofing company and we will be ready to help guide you through the process of your Chattanooga roof replacement. From all of us at Chattanooga's Langley Roofing, Happy New Year!

Chattanooga Christmas Decorating Tips

Tis’ the season for Ice on the Landing, Sports Barn Turkey Trot, Grateful Gobbler and Chattanooga homeowners channeling Clark Griswold. Thanksgiving in Chattanooga signals the official start of the Christmas season. It's also when dads throughout Scenic City neighborhoods start to teach their kids everything they know about exterior illumination.

Could the most wonderful time of the year end up being the worst time of the year for the roof on your Chattanooga home? It can be if you follow the Clark Griswold method for putting Christmas lights on your home. Here's a look at how to make your home merry and bright without damaging your roof.

While putting up Christmas lights looks quick and easy on Christmas Vacation, the process used can damage your roof. Staples penetrate the shingles on your home creating a hole. Regardless of the size of the staple, anything that creates holes in roofing material is an immediate problem. Multiply that times the number of staples that would be used across a decorated roof, and you have many small entry points for moisture. Staples are not necessarily on Santa's naughty list for home decoration, but if you absolutely must use staples for putting up exterior Christmas lights, be sure to staple the lights to wood, not your shingles. Take it from the big guy himself, “Staples on the roof are a no, no, no.”

What's the best method for hanging outdoor Christmas lights? The best method for putting up exterior Christmas lights is to use plastic clips. These clips should, pardon the pun, be a Holiday staple for any Chattanooga homeowner that aspires to become neighborhood decorating royalty. They are available in a variety of styles which can support the wide variety of outdoor Christmas light styles.

Santa uses the roof on your Chattanooga home as a landing strip once a year, which is more than enough foot traffic on your roof (aside from roof maintenance inspections by a Chattanooga roofing contractor). We greatly suggest that homeowners skip the roof décor. The more foot traffic on your roof, the more damage that is potentially done to asphalt shingles. If decking the halls causes roof damage, we can guarantee it’s not going to be a happy new year.

So, if you won’t be climbing up on the roof this Christmas season to decorate, that means you won’t be in danger of getting hurt while decorating. Right? Not exactly. According to the National Safety Council, emergency rooms see thousands of injuries involving holiday decorating every season!

To keep it a Merry Christmas in Chattanooga this season, here are some Christmas decorating safety tips from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission:

·         Keep potentially poisonous plants – mistletoe, holly berries, Jerusalem cherry and amaryllis – away from children

·         If using an artificial tree, check that it is labeled “fire resistant”

·         If using a live tree, cut off about 2 inches of the trunk to expose fresh wood for better water absorption, remember to water it and remove it from your home when it is dry

·         Place your tree at least 3 feet away from fireplaces, radiators and other heat sources, making certain not to block doorways

·         Avoid placing breakable ornaments or ones with small, detachable parts on lower tree branches where small children can reach them

·         Only use indoor lights indoors and outdoor lights outdoors, and choose the right ladder for the task when hanging lights

·         Replace light sets that have broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections

·         Follow the package directions on the number of light sets that can be plugged into one socket

·         Never nail, tack or stress wiring when hanging lights and keep plugs off the ground away from puddles and snow

·         Turn off all lights and decorations when you go to bed or leave the house

Up on the housetop is best left to Christmas radio and not your outdoor Christmas decorations. Not taking Christmas decorating tips from the Clark Griswold playbook is a great way to ensure it’s the most wonderful time of the year for you and your family! Here’s to another great Holiday season in Chattanooga!

What Are My Options To Pay For A New Roof In Chattanooga?

There's no place like home for holidays, unless your home is struggling to keep the elements out due to an aging or damaged roof. There's also no greater holiday nightmare than facing the unexpected cost of a home necessity: a new roof on your Chattanooga home. Whether you have a rainy day fund for home emergencies like a new roof or a new HVAC system, or you are looking for ways to pay for a new roof, the fact is, a new roof on your Chattanooga home is an investment you have to make.

The best approach to not being caught in a roofing emergency is being proactive on home maintenance items. Staying ahead of the curve means that you can avoid other costs, like repairing sheetrock, having to repaint, replacing carpet or wood flooring, among other possible things as a result of a leaking roof or damaged roof. One way to not be caught by surprise about needing a new roof is to have ongoing roof maintenance, which includes roof inspections. These inspections are designed to ensure the roof on your home lasts as long as possible.

Planning ahead can help you pay for a new roof on your Chattanooga home.

One practical thing you can do to help pay for a new roof is to plan ahead by making monthly payments to a savings account. This will give you the option in the future to pay cash for a new roof, or at least pay a large chunk of the cost. It's never too soon to begin planning ahead because even if you think the roof on your home has years left in its life expectancy, you never know what can happen to cause you to unexpectedly need to replace your roof. Any amount you have been able to save will help lessen the impact of the replacement cost. 

How much does a new roof cost in Chattanooga?

When it comes to a new roof, the first question that Chattanooga homeowners want to know is how much does a new roof cost? There's no standard answer because there are variables unique to each Chattanooga home, as well as the individual homeowner's choice in roofing materials. The knowledgeable staff of Langley Roofing can go over roofing options with you to help you understand all aspects of each material and give you the information you need to decide what roof is right for your Chattanooga home.

Homeowners have different asphalt shingle options, which include traditional, designer or luxury shingles. There are also other roofing material choices, such as slate roofing or metal roofing. Aside from the home design variables, your choice of roofing options will impact the overall cost of replacing the roof on your Chattanooga home. 

We get it. There's never really a good time for paying for a new roof, but when the necessity arises, what options do Chattanooga homeowners have for paying for a new roof if simply writing a check to cover the cost is not an option?

Pay for a new roof in Chattanooga with your tax return.

One common option for paying for a new roof is with a tax refund. Many homeowners will earmark their yearly tax refund for home improvement projects, including replacing a roof. Using a tax refund to pay for a new roof will help alleviate the impact of the overall cost. Depending on the amount of the refund, it may be enough to cover the entire cost of your new roof.

Can I pay for a new roof with a credit card?

Some Chattanooga homeowners have turned to paying for their new roof through an existing credit card, or by opening a credit card specifically to cover the cost of a new roof. There are many credit card companies that offer no-interest cards to qualified applicants which can help a homeowner break down the costs over a 12 month period, interest free.

Speaking of financing a new roof, there are financing companies in the marketplace that offer assistance in paying for a new roof. Here at Langley Roofing, we offer new roof financing options through GreenSky. They offer several different financing arrangements, including one option for no interest and no payments for 12 months. Financing a new roof has never been easier. 

Another option for paying for a new roof is through a home improvement loan or home equity line of credit. Your current banking relationship may have several products available that are right for you to help you pay for a new roof. Stop by your local branch of your financial institution to see what options might be right for you.

Replacing the roof on your Chattanooga home is all about choices: choices of roofing materials and choices on how to pay for a new roof. Before a new roof is needed, there is a choice to help preserve the life of the roof on your home through roof maintenance and yearly roof inspections. When it comes time to choose a Chattanooga roofing contractor, make the choice that homeowners throughout the greater Chattanooga area make every single day: choosing Chattanooga’s Langley Roofing for their roofing needs. Langley Roofing is the dependable name Chattanooga homeowners trust for roofing, gutters and skylights.

The Two Scariest Words for Chattanooga Homeowners to Hear

It’s October and the Chattanooga has come alive with the seasonal Fall festivals and haunted attractions. As haunted houses are creating scares all over the city, there is a question you probably have never asked yourself. Could it be that the scariest house of all this Halloween season is yours?

We’re not talking about two words that you hear this time of year, ghosts and goblins, but two other words that strike fear in the heart of any Chattanooga homeowner: water and mold. 

How Water Can Damage Your Chattanooga Home

Water is a great thing when it is controlled inside your home. Indoor plumbing allows us to have indoor bathrooms, bathe, cook, wash dishes and laundry and the list goes on. It’s when water creeps in uncontrolled that the nightmare begins.

Water damage can occur from many sources: busted pipes, overflowing toilets, a broken washing machine or even spills.  Unfortunately, there is one more place water can enter your home, and the damage it can do is very scary. We are talking about a damaged roof.

Chattanooga Roof Damage

Roof damage on your Chattanooga home doesn’t have to be very big to cause major damage, which is why it is important to have regular roof inspections by a Chattanooga roofing contractor to ensure that your roof is performing as it was intended. Roof maintenance is critical for ensuring that water isn’t finding its way into your home through a faulty roof.

The roof on your Chattanooga home will inevitably be damaged. Roof damage can occur in high winds, extreme heat, hail, or by falling limbs and branches.   Proper roof installation by any Chattanooga roofing contractor is mandatory for your roof to perform like it should. Any corners that were cut by the roofing contractor, or any materials whose quality was compromised prior to installation, could put your Chattanooga home in danger for potential water damage.

Chattanooga Roof Life Expectancy

When it comes to your home, keep in mind that the life expectancy of a roof is only meant to last 20-30 years. Depending on when your roof was installed, it could simply be time for a new roof. If you have started searching for a Chattanooga roofing contractor, you know that your roof needs attention.

At the end of a roof’s lifespan, the shingles are very prone to break easily, which leaves opportunity for water to get inside your home. Getting caught off-guard by a leaking roof can greatly be minimized with proper roof maintenance. Part of our roof maintenance plans includes a roof inspection, which can let you know how your roof is performing and any issues that need to be addressed.

Let’s get back on track in talking about the two scariest words for Chattanooga homeowners to hear: water and mold.

Mold in Your Chattanooga Home

Anytime you find water in your home, there is a potential that frightens all homeowners. The one thing that can quickly turn your home into a house or horrors is mold. For a definition of mold and why it is such a danger for your Chattanooga home, we turn to WebMD:

Mold is a type of fungus that consists of small organisms found almost everywhere. They can be black, white, orange, green, or purple. Outdoors, molds play an important role in nature, breaking down dead leaves, plants, and trees. Molds thrive on moisture and reproduce by means of tiny, lightweight spores that travel through the air. You’re exposed to mold every day. In small amounts, mold spores are usually harmless, but when they land on a damp spot in your home, they can start to grow. When mold is growing on a surface, spores can be released into the air where they can be easily inhaled. If you're sensitive to mold and inhale a large number of spores, you could experience health problems.

Since mold spores are very tiny and lightweight, they can become airborne very easily. Once airborne, mold spores can be inhaled by anyone. Some of the symptoms of mold related health issues are:

·         Sore throats

·         Headaches

·         Trouble breathing

·         Wheezing

·         Shortness of breath

·         Coughing

·         Watery eyes

·         Sneezing

·         Chronic lung infections, such as pneumonia or bronchitis

·         Chronic sinus infections

·         Asthma

·         Fatigue

Why You Need A Roof Inspection for Your Chattanooga Home

We previously mentioned why a roof inspection is important for Chattanooga homeowners, but does a roof maintenance plan from Langley Roofing include a roof inspection? The answer is YES, and then some! All our Chattanooga Roof Maintenance packages come with a 10-point inspection that includes:

1. Gutter cleaning (once a year)
2. Inspect all rubber plumbing boots and replace as needed
3. Inspect all attic vents for cracking, flaking, and metal rusting
4. Check for exposed nails and repair
5. Inspect for animal damage or roof penetration
6. Debris removal
7. Inspect shingles for anomalies such as curling, cupping, flaking, tearing splitting, & blistering
8. Hail and wind damage inspection
9. Check for buckled roof decking
10. Roof top skylight cleaning

It is essential that you have routine roof inspections on your Chattanooga home's roof because these inspections will help catch issues before they escalate into a major home emergency. While roof inspections are not a guarantee that the roof on your Chattanooga home will never leak, it is a great proactive step to ensuring that your home doesn’t turn into a house of horrors from water and mold damage.

If you suspect that your roof may have some integrity issues, or your roof is simply well into its life expectancy, call Langley Roofing to discuss what options are available. Our experienced professionals can go over all our roof maintenance plans and find the one that is right for your home. Prolong the life of your roofing investment by calling Chattanooga’s trusted roofing contractor at (423) 504-5056.

Chattanooga Fire Prevention Tips

Fire Prevention Week is a great time for reviewing fire safety plans for your home, as well as preparing for any fire scenario that could unfold in your home. You have heard it said that failing to plan is planning to fail, but in this case, failure is not an option.

So where do you start in home safety planning? The first thing you need to ensure is that your home has the right number of smoke alarms installed. Did you know that if you have a fire in your Chattanooga home, smoke alarms can cut nearly in half your risk of dying in the fire? Smoke alarms sense abnormal amounts of smoke or invisible combustion gases in the air. They can detect both smoldering and flaming fires.

The American Red Cross offers these home smoke alarm tips:

In new homes: The National Fire Alarm Code (NFPA 72) requires hard-wired, interconnected smoke alarms with battery back-up on every level of the home, outside each sleeping area, and inside each bedroom. Alarms must be wired together so that if one sounds, they all sound.

In existing homes: If smoke alarms are not already in place, at a minimum install them on every level of the home and outside each sleeping area. If a fire occurs inside a bedroom, dangerous gases can cause heavier sleep. For the best protection, install interconnected smoke alarms in each bedroom and throughout the home. When one sounds, they all sound.

To prevent nuisance alarms, vacuum cobwebs and dust from your smoke alarms monthly. Never disable a smoke alarm, even if you experience nuisance alarms while cooking or showering. Instead, use the alarm’s “hush” button. If nuisance alarms are a persistent problem, look for a different type of smoke alarm and ensure they are installed in correct areas in the home.

Use the test button to test your smoke alarms at least monthly. The test feature tests all electronic functions and is safer than testing with a controlled fire (matches, lighters, cigarettes).

• If the manufacturer's instructions permit the use of an aerosol smoke product for testing the smoke alarm, choose one that has been examined and tested by a third-party product testing laboratory, and use it in accordance with the product instructions.

If you have battery-powered smoke alarms, replace the batteries at least once a year. Some agencies recommend that you replace batteries when the time changes from standard to daylight savings each spring and then back again in the fall. "Change your clock, change your batteries." Replacing batteries this often will not hurt, but fresh batteries typically last at least a year, so more frequent replacement is not necessary unless the smoke alarm begins to chirp.

• If your local area does not observe daylight savings time, pick an easy-to-remember anniversary, such as your birthday or a national holiday, as the day to change the batteries each year.

• Replace the batteries in your carbon monoxide (CO) alarms at the same time you replace your smoke alarm batteries.

Replace your smoke alarms every 10 years. This is the recommendation of the National Fire Protection Association and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Smoke alarms become less sensitive over time.

Be sure to install smoke alarms in areas where pets are and in other buildings that house animals where humans can hear them.

If a smoke alarm sounds in the middle of the night, it's too late to start making plans for fire safety. Did you know that you may have as little as two minutes to escape safely from the time the smoke alarm in your Chattanooga home sounds? 

Time is of the essence when it comes to getting your family out of your home in the event of a fire, which is why having a safety plan in place and practicing it often is of critical importance.

According to Ready.gov, 71% of Americans have an escape plan in case of a fire, but only 47% of those have practiced it. It is important to have a plan when there are children in your home. Children sometimes need help getting out of the house. They may not know how to escape or what to do unless an adult shows them.

Here are tips they offer for creating a home fire escape plan for your Chattanooga home:

Have a plan for young children who cannot get outside by themselves. You will need to wake babies and very young children and help them get out. In your plan, talk about who will help each child get out safely.

It is important to learn two ways out of every room in your home, in case one exit is blocked or dangerous to use.

Remember, if there is smoke, you need to get low and go to your exits. So practice getting low and moving to your exits.

Choose a safe meeting place a safe distance from your home. Children should know what to do when they hear a smoke alarm and there is no adult around. Help them practice going to the outside meeting place. Teach them to never go back inside a building that is on fire.

Have a home fire drill at least twice a year. So everyone can practice what to do if the smoke alarm sounds.

The most important thing to know in a home fire escape plan: Get out. Stay out. Call for help.    

Make Fire Prevention Week a yearly re-assessment of your family’s fire safety plan but make fire safety a focus of your family all throughout the year.  

Here are some helpful fire safety links:

https://www.ready.gov/firedrill

https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/fire/fire-safety-equipment.html#smoke-alarms

https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/fire/home-fire-preparedness.html

https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/fire/if-a-fire-starts.html

3 Things To Do In The Fall In Chattanooga

If you look closely, you can see some fall color starting to appear on the trees around Chattanooga. From festivals to incredible outdoor adventures, fall is a great time in Chattanooga. Fall is also a great time to perform some important home maintenance on your Chattanooga home. A little time, energy and TLC now will potentially save you headaches and money down the road. Here are three things you should do this fall in your Chattanooga home.

Clean Your Gutters. Chattanooga fall colors are beautiful, but all good things must come to an end, and that includes the beauty on the tress. Once the leaves being to fall, they end up everywhere, including in the gutters of your Chattanooga home. When gutters become blocked from leaves and debris, the water doesn't flow off your Chattanooga home's roof as it is designed. Instead, the water flows wherever it can, including underneath your roof shingles, down the siding or wherever it can find drain. This leaves your home at risk for water damage, which may or may not be seen until the damage is extensive.

The gutters on your Chattanooga home are designed to remove water from your roof in order to:

• prevent pooling of water and moisture buildup

• prevent damage to your home’s structure

• discourage moisture-related mold growth

When the system is compromised, your Chattanooga home is at risk for damage. Whether you choose to clean the gutters o your home or decide on a roof maintenance package that includes seasonal gutter cleaning, make this a priority this fall for your Chattanooga home.

Roof Maintenance. Fall roof maintenance on your Chattanooga home's roof is a necessary part of extending the lifespan of your roof. Your roof undergoes a tremendous amount of wear and tear during the year. Without a roof inspection, you may not become aware of the issues until the needed repairs reach a critical level, such as with a leaking roof.

There are many things to look for when inspecting your Chattanooga home’s roof, such as curling, cupping, flaking, tearing, splitting and blistering. These things can occur during any part of the year, but with the brutal heat of a Chattanooga summer, it's prime time for roofing issues to develop.

Langley Roofing offers Chattanooga homeowners a variety of maintenance plans to help preserve the lifespan of the roof. All our maintenance agreements include:

1. Seasonal gutter cleaning

2. Inspect all rubber plumbing boots & replace as needed

3. Inspect all attic vents for cracking, flaking and metal rusting, replace as needed

4. Check for exposed nails and repair

5. Inspect for animal damage or roof penetration, such as squirrels, woodpeckers and raccoons

6. Debris removal

7. Inspect shingles for anomalies such as curling, cupping, flaking, tearing, splitting, & blistering

8. Hail and wind damage inspection

9. Check for buckled roof decking (possible moisture problems)

10. Roof top skylight cleaning

Replace Batteries in Smoke Detectors. One rule of thumb is changing the batteries of your Chattanooga home's smoke detectors every time the time changes. Besides changing the batteries, take a moment to do a full smoke alarm checkup in your Chattanooga home.

Smoke alarms should be outside each sleeping area in your home and inside any bedroom where the door is typically shut each night. Every floor of your Chattanooga home should have smoke detectors.

Smoke alarms work only when they are properly maintained.

Here are some tips to ensure your smoke alarms remain in working order so they are there when you need them:

• Test every smoke alarm in your home monthly.

• Don't wait on the time changes twice a year to change the batteries. If your alarm starts chirping, immediately change the battery. Batteries that are nearing the end of their lifespan may not cause the smoke alarm to function properly. Don't risk the safety of your family!

• Just like you have the change the air filters in your Chattanooga home's HVAC system monthly because of dirt, you should also clean the smoke detectors in your home monthly. Simply use the brush attachment on your vacuum to remove all dust and debris that may have accumulated on the sensors.

• Think 10! The lifespan of a smoke detector is about 10 years, so if it has been over ten years since you last replaced the alarm, fall is a great time to replace the smoke alarms in your Chattanooga home.

We titled this post for our Chattanooga roofing blog 3 Things To Do In The Fall In Chattanooga, but there is actually one more thing you absolutely MUST do: Enjoy the season! It a fantastic time to get out and enjoy the city we call home!

Mismatched Roof Shingles or Blue-Green Algae?

Have you noticed differing colors on your Chattanooga home's roof? Chances are the issue isn't mismatched shingles, but nature. The most common cause of stains, streaks or off-colored appearances is actually blue-green algae.

Algae can grow in moist, shaded areas, which is why you often see discolored roofs around heavily treed yards or on homes around water. This algae can cause shingles to have a different appearance than others, even though they are actually the same shingle. This mismatched appearance can happen on parts of your roof and not the entire roof.

What does this mean for the curb appeal of your Chattanooga home? For starters, this discoloration does not necessarily mean that your entire Chattanooga roof needs to be replaced. Shingles that are not well into their life expectancy can actually be cleaned, resulting in a roof that has uniformed appearance.

If your Chattanooga home's roof has discoloration on some of the shingles so that there is a mismatched appearance, a simple cleaning will restore the appearance of your roof. It's important to know that climbing on your roof with a pressure washer is not a recommended approach to cleaning a dirty roof or a roof with blue-green algae growth. The best approach is to trust your roof care to a roofing professional.

Chances are you've been out in nature, around water, and slipped on an algae covered rock. Wet algae is very slippery, which is why cleaning algae off a dirty roof should only be done by a Chattanooga roofing professional. We all know the term "slippery when wet," but it's even more true when you are talking about an algae on a roof.

When it comes time for replacing your Chattanooga roof, consider calling Langley Roofing. We can help ensure the beauty of a roof against unsightly blue-green algae.

Chattanooga Roof Damage and Summer Heat

When it comes to summer heat in Chattanooga, one word comes to mind: extreme. When the thermometer climbs into the upper 90's, most Chattanooga homeowners head inside and crank up the air conditioner. Unfortunately, the roof on your Chattanooga home doesn't get a break in the extreme heat. Just like staying out in the sun can damage your skin, the constant exposure to the sun and extreme southern heat can also damage your Chattanooga home's roof.

Maintaining the roof on your Chattanooga home should be a year-round focus, which is why Langley Roofing of Chattanooga offers roof maintenance packages to ensure the integrity of your home’s roof remains intact. The summer months in Chattanooga mean your home’s roof deserves special attention. Summer weather is not friendly to your home's roofing material. Here is a look at what damage the summer heat is causing to Chattanooga roofs.

You've heard it said that it's not the heat, but the humidity that makes the extreme summer heat dangerous. That's the truth for your Chattanooga home too! Roof damage can occur from the Chattanooga humidity. Heat and humidity can cause the roofing material and shingles on your Chattanooga home to curl, bubble or warp.

The UV rays can dry out the roofing material on your home, causing them to break and peel. Anytime there is a compromise of the shingles on your home, a real danger exists for damage. If it has been an extended period since your home’s roof has been inspected for damage or material compromise, you should consider scheduling a Chattanooga roof inspection for your home. We offer a great annual maintenance program where we perform a 10-point inspection, cleaning, debris removal and so much more.

The Chattanooga summer humidity also means one thing: summer storms. Summer storms can pop up suddenly, and often. Anytime it storms, there is potential for damage to your Chattanooga home through water. Whether it's from the humidity or storms, moisture can become trapped beneath your Chattanooga home's shingles. Moisture is a word that strikes fear in the heart of homeowners, and with good reason!

Moisture is an enemy of your Chattanooga home’s roof, and one of the main causes of roof damage. When moisture finds its way into the layers between your roof, or into your attic, it can cause damage from the inside out. The unseen moisture can also create another issue with your home: mold. Mold growth in your home doesn’t only cause potential damage to your roof, it can also cause damage to your health.

Don't risk ongoing damage to your Chattanooga home's roof due to summer heat and humidity. Langley Roofing is a premier Chattanooga roofing contractor with decades of experience in roof repair, new roof installation and roof maintenance. Langley Roofing’s roots run deep in the Chattanooga and we are proud to provide roofing services to Chattanooga homeowners because, we don’t just work here, Chattanooga is home. Call Chattanooga’s Langley Roofing at (423) 504-5056 to learn more about protecting the roof on your home.

Chattanooga Throwback Thursday: Where Is It?

This location was named for an artist who lived and painted in the neighborhood during the 1850s. It was once considered one of the finest neighborhoods in the city, containing many antebellum mansions and at the time, the oldest houses remaining in Chattanooga. Where is it? 

If you have ever visited the Hunter Museum of American Art in Chattanooga, Tennessee, chances are you have seen this well known painting by James Cameron. You can find out more about this painting here. 

"COLONEL AND MRS. JAMES A. WHITESIDE, SON CHARLES AND SERVANTS"

Deep Zoom Chattanooga has much more on James Cameron here. 

Now Hiring: Part-Time Administrative Coordinator

Langley Roofs is hiring a part-time Administrative Coordinator for our Chattanooga office. If you would like to be considered for the position, please fill out the form below to begin the application process. 

Administrative Coordinator Job Responsibilities:

Serves customers by providing product and service information; resolving product and service problems.

Administrative Coordinator Job Duties:

Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions; suggesting information about other products and services.
- Opens customer accounts by recording account information.
- Maintains customer records by updating account information.
- Resolves product or service problems by clarifying the customer's complaint; determining the cause of the problem; selecting and explaining the best solution to solve the problem; expediting correction or adjustment; following up to ensure resolution.
- Maintains financial accounts by processing customer adjustments.Recommends potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs.Prepares product or service reports by collecting and analyzing customer information.Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.

Administrative Coordinator Skills and Qualifications:
- Customer Service, Product Knowledge, Quality Focus, Problem Solving, Market Knowledge, Documentation Skills, Listening, Phone Skills, Resolving Conflict, Analyzing Information , Multi-tasking

The Great American Eclipse: What You Need To Know In Chattanooga

The excitement is building for the solar eclipse happening and all of us at Langley Roofing are beyond excited to witness history. We were curious about the details and logistics of what exactly would be happening on August 21st and so we turned to our friends at NASA for an explanation. It’s absolutely fascinating! Here is what they have to say:

Eclipses, whether solar or lunar, occur because of the periodic alignments of the sun, Earth, and moon. These three bodies, orbit in space in very predictable paths (yes, the sun orbits too. It orbits the galaxy once every 200 million years!). Ever since the days of Kepler and Newton, we have been able to predict the motion of planetary bodies with great precision. So, why do eclipses happen?

Solar Eclipses Happen when the moon moves between Earth and the sun. You might think that this should happen every month since the moon’s orbit, depending on how it is defined is between about 27 and 29 days long. But our moon’s orbit is tilted with respect to Earth’s orbit around the sun by about five degrees. Not much, you say? Yes, but the moon, itself, is only about ½ degree in width in the sky, about ½ the width of your pinky finger held at arm’s length. So, sometimes the moon misses too high and sometimes too low to cause a solar eclipse. Only when the sun, moon, and Earth line up close to the “line of nodes”, the imaginary line that represents the intersection of the orbital planes of the moon and Earth, can you have an eclipse.

This is true for both solar and lunar eclipses. This situation is somewhat unique as no other moon in the solar system orbits roughly in the plane of the “ecliptic”, Earth’s orbital plane, that the planets more or less follow.

Did you know that there are four types of eclipses? Depending on your location and on the specific geometry of the sun-Earth-moon system, you may experience one of four types of solar eclipses; total, partial, annular and hybrid.

A TOTAL ECLIPSE happens when the moon completely covers the sun. Here, the observer is standing under the umbral shadow of the moon. In a total solar eclipse, the sun’s outer atmosphere can be seen.

The brighter stars and the planets come out. Animals change their behavior. Birds and squirrels nest. Cows return to the barn. Crickets chirp. There is a noticeable drop in both light level and air temperature. It is an eerie feeling. Totality can last for no more than about seven and a half minutes but is usually less than three minutes long.

A PARTIAL ECLIPSE occurs when the moon passes in front of the sun, off center and only a portion of the sun’s disk is obscured. Here, the observer is standing in the penumbral shadow of the moon.

AN ANNULAR ECLIPSE occurs when the moon passes dead center in front of the sun but, because the moon’s orbit is elliptical and so is sometimes closer and sometimes further from Earth, it appears too small to fully cover the disk of the sun.

Here, a bright ring called the “ring of fire” appears around the dark disk of the moon. In an annular eclipse, the moon’s umbral shadow comes to focus – to a point – above the Earth’s surface.

A HYBRID ECLIPSE is a combination of total and annular eclipses. The eclipse begins as one type and ends as another.

Even though we’ll be witnessing history here in Chattanooga, don’t forget to protect your eyes! You can find out more about that here.

Back To School In The Tennessee Valley: Saved By The Bell

Between getting dressed, fed and organized, it’s a miracle the kids make it to the bus at all. Get out the door faster this semester with these parent-approved tips from the folks at Good Housekeeping.

1. Plan Outfits Ahead of Time
Parents agree that this is one of the top culprits for running late. There’s no better time than the night before to select clothes for the next morning so avoid the early morning issue that always crops up of what to wear!

2. Prep Lunch The Night Before
Sending your kids off with a healthy lunch doesn’t need to be another item to eat up the precious little morning window of time you have. Prepping the night before frees you up to worry about other key issues…like where’s your keys?

3. Keep Backpacks Packed
Backpacks do not need to be completely unpacked every single night. Of course, your child will need to remove items to study or do homework each afternoon or night, but that doesn’t mean completely emptying out the backpack. Staying on top of this will ensure that you don’t get the dreaded call at 11AM of “mom, can you bring me my homework?”

4. Start A Family Calendar
Failing to plan is planning to fail. Avoid having important school events or assignments sneak up on you by incorporating a family calendar into your routine. Technology even makes it possible to go paperless and have the schedule always with you!

5. Get Into A Routine
Routine is important, especially when time is of the essence, like during the extremely busy Chattanooga school year. Why is a routine important? Did you know that keeping a routine can improve overall health, well-being and productivity? Who couldn’t use that!

So whether you have sent your child off to kindergarten for the first time, or your senior off to count down the days until graduation, all of us at Langley Roofing wish you and your children a very successful school year!

The Truth About Tesla’s Solar Roof Math

Can you really install a solar roof on your home that would cost about as much, or even less, than a regular roof? That's a good question. Before we tell you the straight answer to the question, let's look at Tesla's cost comparison.

"When you include the benefits of the solar production, Solar Roof will cost less than a regular roof. In fact, it may earn you money – as an example, the out-of-pocket cost of a Solar Roof for a typical home in Maryland will be around $52,000, but after considering the tax credit and the value of energy it generates, the roof will actually pay for itself and earn you about $8,000 over 30 years."

Tesla’s online cost calculator uses your address to determine the ratio of solar to non-solar tiles your house would need to get 100 percent of your energy from solar. The calculator deducts the upfront cost of the roof and the Powerwall battery from the cost of what you’d otherwise spend on energy over 30 years. That estimate is based on the price of electricity where you live, assuming a 2 percent increase in your utility bill each year. Tesla uses a simplified interface to Google’s Project Sunroof, which can be found here.

Tesla’s calculator factors in a 30 percent Solar Investment Tax Credit, but not the incentives and credits that are available from various states and local utilities. It's a long stretch to say that Tesla's solar roofs are as cheap, or cheaper, than a "normal" roof. The math has never been correct and now here is the truth.

The very best and most expensive asphalt shingle installed will cost $5-$6 per square foot. Life span for this type of roof would be 30 plus years. The Tesla products are saying the cost of the roofing material at $21.00 per square foot. This does not include the labor or the hardware. Solar has its place but as a replacement for asphalt roofing, it's not a fair comparison and by no means cheaper.

Carbon Monoxide: The Silent Killer

Winter is the time when the public turns attention to the dangers of carbon monoxide, but did you know that it's a threat to your Chattanooga home all year long? This colorless, odorless and tasteless gas is produced by appliances and other devices that generate fumes as they burn fuel. Items such as your furnace, water heater, stove, space heaters, charcoal grill and gas dryer can be sources of carbon monoxide in your home. If these items are not in good working order, or if proper ventilation is an issue, the risk increases of carbon monoxide exposure.

WebMD list potential signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide as:

-Dull headache
-Weakness
-Dizziness
-Nausea
-Vomiting
-Shortness of breath
-Confusion
-Blurred vision
-Loss of consciousness

What precautions can you take against carbon monoxide in your home?

- Install and test a carbon monoxide and smoke detector in your home.
- Avoid closed spaces, such as your garage, when burning a charcoal grill.
- Never leave your car running in a closed garage, including warming it up during the cold mornings of winter.
- Ensure you use your gasoline or diesel powered generator outdoors.
- Have your fireplace inspected so that any blockage can be removed   
- Have your home’s heating system inspected to ensure proper operation 

If you need further resources about preventing carbon monoxide in your Chattanooga home, please visit the National Fire Protection Association.