1. Inspect for Required Roof Repairs

On the next warm and dry day this spring, inspect the entire roof for any loose shingles, tiles, separated flashing, broken gutters, curled shingles, or any other irregularities. Keep a close eye around any roof protrusions such as chimneys, heating vents, skylights, etc., as these areas are in more frequent need of repairs such as fastening the flashing. Make a note of any affected shingles or worn down roof granules that need to be replaced.

2. Clean the Roof and Gutters

If it’s possible and reasonably safe, set a day to clean your roof and gutters of debris. The late fall and winter months will certainly clog up your gutters with leaves, twigs, and more. This will of course cause gutter overflow, and can break the gutters after too much heavy exertion. And if you have a pressure washer that will reach, we highly recommend using it to help clean.

3. Remove Mold, Moss, and Lichen

Remove moss, mold and lichen from the roof. On a dry day you will be able to sweep the majority of it off or can apply a moss removal chemical. Once you have applied the chemical, wait until it has dried and then sweep off.

4. Inspect Your Homes Interior

After your inspection and fixing any roof leaks, shingle repairs, flashing repairs, etc. you should check for any stains that have affected the interior of your home. Depending on the affected area, you may be able to apply a new coat of paint, though you may also have to apply new drywall to restore a ceiling or wall texture.

Contact Your Local Massachusetts Roofing Contractor

Safety needs to be your top priority if you plan to do your own roof repair. Make sure there is someone at home, or at least a neighbor is aware that you will be climbing your roof. If you are unable to make the required checkup to your roof, either for safety reasons or not knowing what to look for, then be sure to contact us at Olympic Roofing and let us perform a free roofing inspection for you. Happy Spring!

Olympic is excited about this partnership because it allows them the opportunity to offer another valuable service to its client base, as well as, attract new customers who wish to support green initiatives and offer solar energy systems to residential and commercial property owners. The solar industry is the fastest growing segment of the “green movement” due to the federal and state tax incentives.  Olympic is a local, established company with years of experience in the roofing industry and feels it is a natural progression to be the installers of solar systems due to the penetration of roofs.

Want to save money?  Solar is the answer.  A solar power system has never been easier or more affordable.  Here’s why:

Lower your energy bill

You become your own energy provider, reducing electricity costs for the next 25+ years; increase your financial security by gaining energy independence; reduce your exposure to rapidly accelerating utility costs.

Increase the value of your home

Adding a capital asset to your property and reducing annual operating costs increase the value of your property.

It’s more affordable than you think

The size and cost of your solar installation depends on your electricity bill and energy savings goals.  A solar system typically returns more than twice its cost in electricity savings over 25 years.  There are attractive financing options now available that allow property owners to install a system for as little as $500.

Current federal and state incentives lower the cost even further

The federal tax credit for residential installations reduces your cost by 30%. In addition, Massachusetts offers additional rebates and tax credits.

To capitalize on the financial and environmental opportunity presented by clean energy technology, you need to make smart decisions and avoid mistakes.

Location

Olympic is an established, local business that has been around for over 25 years.  We are here to stay, and while other companies from out of state may not be here in two or five years from now, Olympic will be and will make sure you always have a company  to call if the need arises.

To request more information and request a FREE Solar Assessment contact:
Olympic Solar Power
1 (978) 887-5870, ext. 202 or 208
www.olympicsolarpower.com

Olympic Roofing has proudly been serving the Boston area for over 50 years. We are New England’s best roofing contractor, while also specializing in siding, painting, and home additions. Please contact us if you’re interested in learning more about our services, and we would be glad to prepare a customized solution for you and your property.

It’s been an incredible year for the soon-to-be 40 year old Varitek, and it’s widely expected that he’ll be staying with the Red Sox organization in some capacity.

Varitek’s retirement announcement will be made from Fort Meyers, and the news will come 12 days after former Red Sox knuckleballer Tim Wakefield retired from the Red Sox, officially ending his 17-year career.

Like Wakefield, Varitek was offered a minor-league contract and an invitation to spring training with the Red Sox. However, without the guarantee of making the big league team, both elected to retire instead.

Varitek will leave behind a legacy few other catchers in the game can match. In addition to captaining his team to two World Series titles, the capitain h hit .256 with 193 home runs and 757 RBIs in his career, was a three-time All-Star, and won the Gold Glove and Silver Slugger Award in 2005. Varitek was ninth in team history with 1,546 games and had the most games for a catcher.

Newly married and with a child on the way, Varitek is sure to he honored at Fenway Park later this season.

It’s certainly not uncommon for many roofs in Massachusetts and New England to experience black, green, or yellow mold on their roofs. The reason being that many home are situated in wooded areas that instigate a lot of the mold growth. Animal droppings, tree sap, tree moss and debris, and damp shaded areas are all causes of roof mold. Black mold stains often appear on lightly colored asphalt shingles and are scientifically known as “Gloeocapsa Magma”. This blue-green algae is most often found in climates such as areas north of Boston with warm and humid summers. The algae are not particularly harmful to your roof, though it certainly looks bad.

Roof Mold and Algae Remedies

Some of the remedies to remove roof mold and algae include replacing the shingles, or shingles that have copper granules that are deadly to algae growth. The most economical way to get rid of it is to buy a spray or create your own solution that is 50% water and 50% beach. And remember to apply and wash off the solution gently as power washing will damage the shingles.

Prevent Mold and Algae from returning

To stop the re-growth of the algae, insert a 6-inch wide strip of zinc or copper underneath the area of shingles closest to the peak of the roof leaving about 1-2 inches of the lower end of the copper or zinc exposed. The exposed part of the metal will allow the rain to pick up the molecules and wash down over the bottom of the roof killing and mold or algae in its way. You may also notice chimneys often have copper flashing at their base, and that there is rarely any algae below those areas.

We hope this information helps you. Also note that the same procedure will work on moss buildup on a roof as well. If you have any other questions or would like to request a free estimate please give us a call, or fill out the contact form HERE.

With such a variety of roof shingles available, it can be difficult to understand the differences between each type. We want to share with you a few points about some of the more popular shingle types in New England and Massachusetts so that you can make an educated decision for your next project.

To begin, you must first decide about what you want your shingles to accomplish as well as what your budget is. Additionally, think about what the future budget of your home may be. Once you are able to come up with answers to these questions, you will know what you shingle materials are best suited for your home.

Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingles are the most popular shingles in the Boston and New England area. These shingles are also known as composition shingles and are reinforced with either fiberglass or paper. Some of the benefits are that they inexpensive, easy to repair and fire resistant. On the other hand, they are not the most environmentally friendly and they typically have a shorter life span.

Wood Shake and Shingles

Often made from cedar, spruce or treated pine, wood shake shingles are a beautiful way to roof your home. Hand split shakes are typically rough on the front while smooth on the back, whereas wood shingles are machine cut and smooth on each side. Some of the benefits are they are easy to repair, long lasting, and blend into the environment. The cons include being expensive, prone to rot, and require routine maintenance.

Slate Shingles

A more unique way to roof your home, slate shingles are simply thinly cut rock. These shingles are quite expensive but increase the value of a home greatly. They are low maintenance, and last over one hundred years. However, they are quite expensive and take time to install for your local Massachusetts roofer.

Metal Shingles

As metal shingles come back into the market with style, you will begin seeing many more steel, aluminum, copper and tin shingles. The benefits include a long life, low maintenance, and environmental friendliness. The cons include there difficulty to install and can also be quite expensive.

Clay Tile Shingles

A great choice for warm climates as clay tiles do not retain as much heat as other shingle styles (not the best choice for New England home owners). These shingles come in many styles and colors, are fireproof, and are long lasting. On the other hand, they are typically expensive, heavy, and can break quite easily.

If you would like to request more information about shingle styles please feel free to give us a call at Olympic Roofing, or send us an email at Admin@OlympicRoofing.com.

We all know (most of us thankful) that it has been a mild 2012 winter in New England. But perhaps more thankful than us are the roofs of our homes and buildings. Though this is a good time to make sure the roof is still prepared for some large snowstorms that may be coming in the next few months. The cold temperature often causes leaks and cracks in the roof that will be enlarged with a snowfall or ice dam on your home. If you are under the impression your New England home roof may need to be inspected, make sure to call us or your local Boston area-roofing contractor.

However, we understand that many of you are hands on and would like to perform a roof inspection by yourself. And for those of you, we have listed some of the most important areas to address when performing a roof inspection before and during the winter season.

Roof Inspection Tips for Massachusetts

• 1) Begin by looking at the structure of the roofs frame to ensure that it is in good condition. Performing a full roof visual inspection to see if there are any areas of the roof that has dips of sags. If you are able to spot these uneven areas, it most likely means that there has been damage done to the roof below the shingles.
• 2) With a ladder or from the roof, inspect the gutters to ensure that there are no cracks, and that they are clean of leaves and debris. A gutter that is broken or cracked will cause rainwater, snow and ice to build up in certain areas, and cause possible damage the surrounding areas below. Ice damming is another effect of a broken gutter and can create stress on the roof, shingles, wood and more, creating areas of penetration. Also make sure that the gutters are screwed or nailed in securely to the house. Water that falls down the side of a home can damage not only the siding but to the homes interior as well.
• 3) If your Massachusetts home or buildings roof has many valleys and curves, also make sure these are clear of any leaves, debris or branches. These can cause build-ups of water, ice, and snow and can put a lot of weight on the roof in vulnerable areas. Valleys are some of the most susceptible areas to leaks and should be properly protected with a quality roofing system.
• 4) Roof flashing is an area that is most often connected with roof leaks. Flashing is basically the metal material that is used in the roofing system to wall the transitions over joints and protrusions to deflect water from entering the home or building. Metal flashing is also used on other parts of the house such as chimneys, pipes, skylights, vents, AC units, and more. Some of the biggest culprits that damage roof flashing are wind, rain, and heavy snow and ice. Be sure to check up on these areas each year.
• 5) Finally, make sure that all of your shingles are in place and are not loose. You can spot faulty shingles if they have curled edges, missing granules, rot, or other obvious blemishes.

If you have any further questions about inspecting your roof, or would like an Olympic Roofing specialist to perform a roof inspection please feel free to call (978) 887-5870 or email admin@olympicroofing.com

Epstein will be officially unveiled as the Chicago Cubs’ president of baseball operations early this week. In the ad he paid tribute to all of the levels of the Red Sox organization and the fans that he had been with since 2002. It was an incredible journey that resulted in two world cahmpionships and six playoff appearances. It was an incredible ride, Theo. Cheers!

Above letter property of The Boston Globe. All rights reserved.

Starting in Europe in the early 2000′s, Car-Free Free Week is part of an international effort to raise awareness of alternative transportation methods and cut the number of vehicles on the road. Over 1,000 cities and around 40 countries now participate in the initiative.

European cities are currently some of the most bike-friendly and pedestrian-friendly cities in the world. Biking is a great way to become intimate with a city and get excercise at the same time. There are many amazing cities for biking throughout the world, allowing residents to explore the city and commute easily and safely. In Amsterdam, which is widely known as one of the bicycle capitals of the world, 40% of all traffic movements are by bicycle.

It’s our sincere hope that weeks such as this raise significant awareness and assist us in our transition to more effective methods of transportation and environmental awareness.

Olympic Roofing has proudly been serving New England for over 50 years. We are the best roofing contractor in MA, NH, RI, and ME, also specializing in painting, siding, masonry, and more. Please contact us if you’re interested in learning more about our services, and we would be glad to prepare a free estimate for you and your property!

Video Credit: My Fox Boston

It’s been just over a week since hurricane Irene passed through New England. This is just a friendly reminder that if you have not performed an inspection of your roof and home, the time to do so is now. Many home and building owners in the area are continuing to find roof damage, shingle damage, gutter damage, chimney damage, and siding damage. Even if a problem isn’t visible, this doesn’t mean you’re in the clear. These hidden problems can intensify over the coming months and result in hazardous and expensive home repairs in the Fall, Winter, and Spring.

The forecast through the beginning of this week calls for heavy rains, which means that it’s an opportune time to clean your gutters. If you have any additional home concerns, it’s also a great opportunity to have our professionals inspect your home for roof leaks, gutter draining issues, chimney leaks, and roof water resistance, and more.

If you are in need of any roofing, painting, or siding services please give us a call at 1 (800) 535-4312 for a free estimate, or simply fill out our contact form below! Olympic professionals are standing by to help!

Keep dry, and have a great week!

Your local Olympic Team
1 (800) 535-4312

Olympic Roofing has proudly been serving New England for over 50 years. We are the best roofing contractor in MA, NH, RI, and ME, also specializing in painting, siding, masonry, and more. Please contact us if you’re interested in learning more about our services, and we would be glad to prepare a free estimate for you and your property!

Contact Form

10. Duck Tour: A great way to see the entire city. Make sure it’s a nice day, and bring some friends and family. Information on tickets and schedules can be found here.
9. Freedom Trail: Do you know that many Bostonians still have never done a Freedom Trail tour? Although you probably see the sites from time to time, there’s nothing like taking a day to see them all at once!
8. Visit the mountains: Have you been up to New Hampshire or Vermont yet? Take a day and bring the entire family up north to catch some of the greenery before it’s gone!
7. Visit the coast: What is a summer without a trip to Cape Cod? There truly is no other place like it, and if you watched Shark Week, you noticed that even the sharks are vacationing this summer off of the Chatham coast.
6. Have a beach day: It’s hard to take time out of your daily routine to hit the beach, but if you’re still looking for that summer tan it’s not too late!
5. Take a wine tour: Southeast New England is home to five vineyards with treats ready for some tasting. If you are a wine connoisseur or just a fan, this is a real treat!
4. Newport: Head down to Newport and visit the magnificent mansions along the famous Cliff Walk. There are few places in Rhode Island better to spend a summer day than the sailing capital of the world.
3. Beacon Hill: Take a stroll down Charles Street and have lunch at Café Vanille. After lunch walk up Beacon Hill and through the brownstones and cobblestone streets that are recognizable in photos around the world.
2. Visit the North End: Have a big family dinner in the heart of Boston, and take a post-dinner stroll through the narrow cobblestone streets and down to the beautiful waterfront.
1. Catch a sunset: Grab a blanket, a picnic, and some friends, and head to the beach one last time this summer, when the sun is prepared to call it a day and the sky bursts into fleeting color. Enjoy the view, which like the waning days of summer, is something to cherish while it lasts.

- Your neighborhood team at Olympic

Olympic Roofing has proudly been serving the Boston area for over 50 years. We are New England’s best roofing contractor, while also specializing in siding, painting, and home additions. Please contact us if you’re interested in learning more about our services, and we would be glad to prepare a customized solution for you and your property.

Related Readings

The Boston Globe – 25 things to do before the end of summer