Get Your Home Ready for Fall with These Easy Tips

Autumn is almost here! Bring out the hot chocolate, fuzzy blankets, and scented candles as you prepare to stay warm and safe in the comfort of your home after following these tips:

Inspect the roof
You should be able to do at least a visual inspection of the roof from the ground. Grab some binoculars to get a closer look or if you’re able and can do so safely, climb on up for a better view. Look for missing, damaged, or loose shingles. If your roof is flat, you may need to remove leaves and debris.

Have the chimney cleaned
If you have a wood fireplace and use it often, have your chimney cleaned and inspected by a professional. Source: Lifehack

Prepare the tools you need
Now is a great time to rummage through your garage or shed and get all your fall and winter tools in one, easy accessible location. Nothing is worse than trekking through the snow in search for a snow shovel.

For fall: leaf blower, broom, rake, gardening tools (bulb planting!)
For winter: ice scraper, ice salts, snow shovel, snow blower Source: HGTV

Transform your environment
Since we’re likely to spend more time indoors during autumn and winter it’s a good idea to give your rooms a fresh lick of paint (if you haven’t already done so during lockdown). Giving your walls a new lease of life, even with wallpaper, a wall mural or perhaps new artwork, will brighten the space and be more pleasing to the eye. Source: HouseBeautiful

Keep your home warm
Inspect your windows and doors. Check weatherstripping by opening a door, placing a piece of paper in the entryway and closing the door. The paper should not slide back and forth easily. If it does, the weatherstripping isn’t doing its job.

Also, now’s the time to re-caulk around windows and door casings, if needed. Source: Zillow

Need a pro to check if your roofing, chimney, and gutters are fall-ready? Call us today!

 

Contact:
Kerrisdale Roofing & Drains
8296 Ross St, Vancouver, BC V5X 4C6
(604) 360-2114

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Basic Things You Need to Know about Gutters

Mostly overlooked, gutters are actually very important to prevent flooding and damage to your home. Here are some things you should know about them:

Are Gutters Necessary?
First, figure out if your house really needs rain gutters. Most do, but there are exceptions, so consider the following:
– If your roof has no overhang or only has a few inches of overhang, it’s likely that water will accumulate against the foundation, damage flowerbeds near the foundation, and/or pour down on people as they enter or exit your home. In this scenario, gutters are a must.
– If your home has a sharply peaked roof with an overhang of 12 inches or more, rainwater will naturally tend to cascade out and away from the house, rather than dripping straight down to the ground to puddle against the foundation. In this case, gutters may not be necessary.
– If your house is higher than the surrounding landscaping, water is unlikely to pool around the foundation, making gutters optional. But if the house is slightly lower than the surrounding ground, gutters are required to channel runoff a sufficient distance from the foundation. Source: BobVila

Materials to Choose from
– Aluminum gutters: Most common of all types of gutters, these are inexpensive, lightweight and easy to install. They’re weather-resistant and available in many colors.
– Vinyl gutters: Vinyl gutters are simple to install and rust-resistant. Like aluminum, they come in a wide variety of colors. However, they’re not as strong as other types and tend to become brittle in cold weather — which can lead to cracking.
– Galvanized steel gutters: The most economical gutter, they are very strong and durable. However, they must be treated to prevent rust.
– Stainless steel gutters: These are popular because they are very strong, maintain their sheen and will not rust. They are costly, though. Source: Networx

Sectional vs. Seamless
The final thing to consider is whether you want sectional versus seamless gutters. Most materials are only available in sections that are joined and fastened together as they are installed. Aluminum gutters, however, are now available in seamless varieties, custom made to fit your home out of single, long sheets of metal. The advantages here are obvious. The most common place a gutter fails after years of wear is at the joints and seams. A seamless gutter will never have this problem, making it a popular choice for those who can afford the extra cost. Source: HomeAdvisor

Do you have any gutter-related needs? We’ll be more than happy to take care of them for you. Contact us for a free estimate!

 

Contact:
Kerrisdale Roofing & Drains
8296 Ross St, Vancouver, BC V5X 4C6
(604) 360-2114

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Types of Dormer Roof

Dormer windows are placed on sloping roofs to let natural light in. If you love lots of sunlight in your attic or room, consider adding a dormer on your home by choosing from its many variations. Here are some:

Flat
An extension of the shed roof dormer is the flat roof dormer. In this modern building in Germany, you can see that dormers are hardly an old-fashioned idea. Postmodern architects often take traditional architectural details and turn them on their heads.

Hipped
The hipped roof dormer is slightly less popular than gable and shed dormers, but it’s more elegant. It often mimics the hipped roof of the house itself. A hipped roof has four sloping sides that come together in a peak, rather than a gable which has just two sloping sides. Source: TheSpruce

Bonnet
A bonnet dormer has a curved roof and vertical walls on either side of the window. It’s common to install arch-top windows in bonnet dormers so the top of the window matches the arch of the bonnet.

Wall
This type of dormer can feature any one of the above styles of roofs, but it’s defining feature is that the front of the dormer is an extension of the exterior wall below. Instead of setting back in the middle of the roof, the siding on the main part of the house continues right up into the dormer, making the front of the dormer flush with the front of the house. Source: BobVila

Pyramidal
When a hipped dormer projects from a roof at a 45-degree angle, it takes on a pyramidal shape. This design is unusual but creates an opportunity for a nearly wrap-around view because there are spaces for windows that look out in two directions.

Recessed
Recessed dormers, also known as inset dormers, have one or more walls that are set into the roof, rather than placed on it. This style of dormer allows the windows to be deeper than they might otherwise be. Source: ThisOldHouse

Roof-related projects can be costly, but they’re worth the investment because if done right, they can last a lifetime. Leave it to us!

 

Contact:
Kerrisdale Roofing & Drains
8296 Ross St, Vancouver, BC V5X 4C6
(604) 360-2114

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Before and after: Nyalic clear finish metal protectant

In a prior post, we introduced the benefits of Nyalic and explained the process. Here, we’ll share a couple striking ‘before & after’ examples.

Quick Recap:

Nyalic is a clear coat, finishing product that when used on faded, oxidized pre-finished surfaces, rejuvenates and restores the surface to a like-new appearance, blocking UV rays and limiting chalking or discoloration. In our experience, we most commonly use it on metal window frames, flashings and railings.

Current Project in False Creek

 

Remdal is working hard on a concrete restoration and high-rise painting project in False Creek that includes Nyalic application to the window frames, flashings and railing. The window frame on the left has been cleaned and coated whereas the one on the right shows the faded, weathered condition many of these frames progress to over time.

 

This engineer-specified project also includes vent replacement. You can see the old vents we are removing (some falling off the building in the picture on the right) and the new, improved ones we already installed (on the left). The difference is significant.

Did they install new windows this summer?

In 2018, we painted an Abbotsford school and this project included applying Nyalic to the window frames. When the teaching staff saw how great the windows looked, one even asked if the windows were brand new. The photo shows the top floor completed and the lower floor has only been cleaned. It’s a great example of how Nyalic can rejuvenate these surfaces to their original beauty.

Can you just paint the frames?

Of course, painting is an option and some buildings choose to do so. That said, once you paint the metal frames, they become an ongoing maintenance item prone to peeling, chipping and fading. When access is challenging this can be a costly item to re-do every few years. Also, Nyalic refreshes the original finish so beautifully, it truly seems the best choice when it’s an option.

Key Takeaway:

Nyalic allows for a simple renewal of the clear finish. This is often more cost effective than painting the relevant surfaces, without the risk of peeling or future repainting maintenance costs. For a step by step of the process, visit our blog post here.

Contact us 604.882.5155 or info@remdal.com for more information to see if this can be the solution you need.

The post Before and after: Nyalic clear finish metal protectant appeared first on Remdal.

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Types of Flat Roof

One of the best roofing options for contemporary homes due to their modern, sleek design is a flat roof. But did you know that there are actually several types of flat roofing that you can choose from? Take a look below to see which one you think would be best for your home.

Built-Up Roof (BUR)
The traditional hot-tar-and-gravel roof is built from three or more plies of waterproof material alternated with hot tar and ballasted by a layer of smooth river stone. Once made of tar paper, these types of roofs gradually are using more-advanced materials such as fiberglass membranes.

Pros
– Gravel is an excellent fire retardant.
– Attractive for windows and decks that overlook the roof.
– It’s the cheapest of the four roof varieties.

Cons
– Very heavy.
– Joists sometimes have to be strengthened.
– Smelly and messy to install.
– Installation’s not recommended for occupied homes.
– It’s not a DIY installation job, and it is hard to find the source of leaks.
– Gravel can clog gutters and scuppers. Source: ThisOldHouse

Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM)
EPDM roofs are made of rubber. The material used is very durable and looks a lot like the material used in inner tubes. There are 3 different ways to install EPDM or rubber membrane roofing. It can be anchored using fasteners, ballasted or glued down.

This material is one of the easiest of the different types of flat roofing. Leaks in this type of roofing are fairly easy to patch and the material is light weight, but very durable. However, this material is slightly more prone to puncture than other types. The black version of this form of roofing soaks up a great deal of sun and is not generally recommended for extremely hot climates. There is a lighter version for hot climates, but it is much more expensive. Source: DoItYourself

Sprayed Polyurethane Foam (SPF)
Sprayed polyurethane foam is a relatively new product that is sprayed onto the roof as a liquid in order to form a single, continuous, seamless structure. Because foam is flexible and lightweight, it’s perfect for irregularly shaped roofs and protrusions. For re-roofing, SPF also eliminates the need to remove the previous roof, since it can be applied directly over existing roof installations, including asphalt shingles, built-up roofs, clay tile, concrete, metal, and wood. Foam roofing systems are easy to maintain, and with a high insulation value, they can combat some of the heat issues common with flat roofing. The only downside is SPF’s track record. It just doesn’t have much of one yet, so you’re taking a little bit of a risk by going with this product. Source: HomeAdvisor

We can help you choose the type of roofing design and materials that will fit your location, style, and budget. Call us for a free estimate!

 

Contact:
Kerrisdale Roofing & Drains
8296 Ross St, Vancouver, BC V5X 4C6
(604) 360-2114

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