We would also like to congratulate all the other winners and nominees of the 2012 Best of Nevada County – find them all here!

With so many styles of gutter guards to choose from, it can be hard to decide which will work best. There are several designs that, in THEORY, should be quite effective in allowing water to flow into the gutters without bringing debris in with it.  As popular as they seem to be in our area, we often find the solid surface gutter guards not living up to their reputation.

These are designed so water will flow off the roof, curve around the nose and into the gutter, while debris just falls off the front of the nose. During light to average rainfall, this theory holds up pretty well. But with a heavier downpour, the high volume of water tends to bounce off the solid surface and splatter to the ground, rather than flowing into the gutter as intended (thus negating the purpose of having gutters in the first place).

Some of the other design flaws we see are:

• They have a higher profile than mesh screen style guards. This is fine if you WANT to look at your gutter guards, but we find most people would rather their gutter guards be more of a hidden protection system than a focal point of their home.
• Smaller debris is light enough that it will still flow along with the water around the nose and into the gutter.
• Depending on the bracket system, there can be inconsistencies in the size of the opening along a run, thus allowing a larger gap for debris to enter.
• After a decent build-up of debris accumulates in the gutters, they can be very difficult to clean out.

If your current guards are proving to be rather ineffective, it may be time for some new Leaf Solution gutter guards.  This low-profile, micro mesh gutter guard doesn’t have gaps for debris to sneak into.  The design helps to slow the flow of water and direct it down into the gutters where it belongs, rather than letting it splash all over you whenever you walk by.  Unless, of course, you enjoy that sort of attention…

Call Gold Country Roofing today and let us help you end your gutter protector issues once and for all!

“Of course!  It would be my total pleasure to assist as a reference.  I contacted more than 10 roofers and you all stood out way above the pack and the finished product exceeded my expectations!”

-Nancy Baglietto, Grass Valley

What is a Roof Overlay?

The new shingles are applied over the existing layer of shingles.  While overlays save on time, labor and disposal costs, they can only be done if certain conditions are met.

What is a Tear-Off?

First we remove all the old shingles from the roof.  Then we inspect your roofing deck (the wooden base over your rafters) and replace or seal it as needed.  We then completely re-cover your roof with new underlayment and shingles from top to bottom.

Which option is better for you?

If there are already two layers of shingles, an overlay is NOT an option, as Nevada County only allows up to two layers.

If you only have one layer, the existing roof is in good condition, lays flat (no bumps or rolls) and has no leaks or any problems with the underlying roof deck (soft spots), then an overlay may be the best option for you.

However, a tear-off will probably be necessary if:

• The condition of the existing shingles is so rough and distorted that it would not be practical to flatten all raised areas enough for the new roof to lay flat.  Installing shingles over existing shingles that aren’t flat can make the new roof look bumpy and make it harder for the new layer of shingles to form a seal.

• The roof structure shows signs of sag across the ridge or truss lines.  If the roof does not look straight and feel solid, there may be structural defects.  Shingles are heavy, and adding a new layer over an existing roof adds weight to the rafters and to the structure in general. Older roofs, sagging roofs or substandard rafters may not safely bear the additional weight.

• If spongy areas are noticed when walking on a roof, or an inspection of the deck reveals rotted/warped wood or large gaps between the deck boards.  Any rotten or damaged boards must be replaced before applying the new shingles.  Deterioration can occur when there is delamination in the plywood due to glue failure.  Dry rot is wood rot caused by certain types of fungi and if it isn’t taken care of, it can spread. If there is any suspicion of bad decking, then a full tear-off should seriously be considered, as these conditions are not always evident until the roofing is removed.

Lastly, if you are considering the benefits of the Owens Corning Preferred Protection Limited Warranty, a tear-off is required to qualify for the warranty.

The experts at Gold Country Roofing have decades of experience installing quality roofs, both overlays and tear-offs.  Contact us today for your free roof estimate, and we will give you our recommendation based upon the condition of your current roof.

-Linda Haldane, Haldane Computers, Grass Valley

-Ron Merrall, Santa Cruz, CA  [rental home in Penn Valley]

-Karen Schlanser, Grass Valley, CA

-Pat Cooper, Grass Valley, CA

-Melody Laverentz, Nevada City, CA

Don’t let D.I.Y = “oops!”

We often get calls from clients who are experiencing a leak or some other concern, only to find the problem stems from their attempts to install or repair something themselves.  While we understand their desire to take matters into their own hands, we advise you to proceed with caution.  Read your roof warranty carefully before attempting any repairs or installing any item that could damage your roof and/or void the warranty.  Third party entities, (for example, heat & AC unit installers), can also cause damage and void your warranty.   Protect yourself and your investment from costly DIY or third party mistakes.

Not everything should “go green”

Dust, debris, algae, “presents” from area wildlife… over time, this build-up not only becomes unsightly, but may also encourage deterioration of your shingles.  Keeping your roof clean is important and so is the cleaning method you use.  Harsh chemicals or excessive scrubbing can remove the granules, damage the shingles and even void your roof’s warranty.  Periodically blowing off your roof is a good way to maintain overall cleanliness, but if the build-up has gotten out of hand, the spray nozzle on your garden hose can often do the trick.  IMPORTANT: DO NOT power wash, and avoid spraying your roof at an upward angle that will force water up underneath the shingles.

Avoid a pile-up

With Nevada County’s plentiful foliage it doesn’t take long to accumulate a solid layer of debris on the roof.  Roof shingles are designed to shed water rapidly downward and off the roof, so when debris is allowed to collect, the shingles are not able to drain and dry properly.  Standing water leads to premature rotting of the shingles and growth of algae, and water tends to wick upward, finding its way up underneath the shingles and into your home.  NOTE:  When cleaning out your gutters, watch for any roof granules that have accumulated.  Excessive granule loss is a warning sign that your shingles may be reaching the end of their life.

Know what to look for

It’s not always easy to spot a problem until it’s become a big and costly one.  Sometimes leaks can be difficult to diagnose even for seasoned professionals.  However, anyone can keep an eye out for signs that their roof is in need of maintenance, repair or replacement, and take action now to avoid more expensive problems later.