By fiveboro General Information • Tips and Tricks 0 Comments

Leaves Are Falling – Are Your Gutters Ready?

Fall is full swing in Queens, and with it comes cooler weather, pumpkin spice everything, and clogged gutters!  All you have to do is look outside to see the leaves changing, and while it’s a beautiful thing to see it presents an issue for your house’s drainage.  Soon those leaves will fall, and it seems like a majority of them end up in your gutters! 

Homeowners in Queens, NY know this better than anyone, and if you’ve every gotten on a ladder to clean your gutters yourself, you know it’s no fun task.  First you have to climb up the ladder, sometimes up two stories.  Then you must blindly dunk your hand in that cold wet putrid black gunk, grab a handful, pull it out and deposit it into your black garbage bag.  Don’t forget to do it again and make sure you get it all!  Once you’re done you can climb back down, move that ladder over about two feet, and repeat for about 6 hours until you make it around the whole house.  Fun stuff!

We at Five Borough know that a lot of homeowners skip this yearly task of cleaning gutters, because we usually end up fixing the damage caused by clogged gutters.  What inevitably happens is their gutters get filled with decayed organic matter that causes overflowing, clogging, and leaks.  Your gutters are your houses water management system, and when your gutters get clogged at roof level, the water has nowhere to go but backwards into your fascia board, soffits, and plywood.  From there it follows the path of least resistance and goes down into your wall cavity, where electrical outlets, wiring, and insulation lay wait.  This can lead to house fires, mold, wood rot, and water damage that could not only end up costing you thousands of dollars, but can pose a serious hazard to you and your loved ones.

There’s a better way!  Installing seamless gutters with micro guards will ensure that you have a maintenance free gutter system that’s built to last.  At Five Borough, we install Englert seamless gutters with Microguard leaf protection to keep leaves out and water in.  Englert has been the trusted name in gutters for over 50 years, and they pioneered the concept of seamless gutters.  The Microguard gutter protection sits on top of the gutter and gets nailed down for security, ensuring that it never sinks into the gutter or flies off.  It’s the best system out for water management, and it’s guaranteed for the lifetime of the gutter. 

For a limited time, Five Borough Remodeling will be offering free gutters with any roof replacement project in Queens, Brooklyn, and Long Island.  Give us a call today for a free estimate, and forget about having to clean gutters for good!

By fiveboro Construction • General Information • Management • Roofing 0 Comments

Winter’s Right Around The Corner – Time to Fix Your Roof!

As summer winds down and winter looms in the not-so-distant future, homeowners will start to scramble to complete the home improvement projects they had set out to do at the beginning of the year. Its for this reason that roofing contractors and construction companies find the fall to be their busiest time of year, and if you haven’t done so yet, it’s a wise idea to start getting estimates now so you can complete the project before the season ends. Winters in NYC are no joke, and roofing contractors in Queens are going to be very busy over the next few months!

If it’s a roofing job that you are going to take on, it’s always best to get the job done before winter. With all the crazy weather New York City winters bring, if you try to complete a roofing project in January, you’re likely to get delayed in the event of inclement weather. Besides, the weather conditions in New York and Queens are optimal for roof repair during the fall months because of the cooler temperatures.

With winter in mind, be sure to ask your roofing contractors to show you what they do to prevent ice dams from forming on your roof. Ice dams are the leading cause of leaks in roofs during the winter months, and they can cost you thousands of dollars if your roof isn’t installed with the right materials and methods. Make sure to ask about underlayment the roofers use as well as what type of ventilation they install to keep temperature evenly distributed underneath your ply boards, a key factor in preventing ice dams.

If you’re considering getting your roof repair done before the winter, be sure to call Five Borough Remodeling today to get a free inspection on your roof, and free seamless gutters with any roof install! We install only the best materials with the latest installation methods, and we do it at an affordable price!

Roofing Contractors Queens

By fiveboro Do It Yourself • General Information • Roofing • Tips and Tricks 0 Comments

Roof Repair 101

As homeowners, it’s difficult to tell when it might be time to replace your roof. It’s not as if it has a check engine light that pops on when it needs a repair, and the sad reality is most homeowners will wait until there’s a leak to do anything about a problem roof, and by then it ends up cost more in collateral damage! On top of that, many of the homes in Queens and the metro area are very old with many layers of shingles, which can make it hard to assess the condition. So here’s a guide to follow to see if it’s time to start looking into roofers in NYC to fix the issue!

Streaking – If your roof has streaks going down the shingles, making it almost appear as if it were wet in certain areas, this is a sign your shingle is retaining water and you should replace it. It’s a common problem in Queens where there’s little sunlight during the winter to dry wet roofs.

Algae growth – Similar to streaking, it’s evidence that the shingle is retaining water instead letting it fall into the gutters.

Lifting Shingles – If shingles appear like they are popping up, this is evidence that there’s excessive heat and poor ventilation in the attic. It may be time to consider replacing the roof and adding some sort of ventilation system to protect the wood sheathing underneath your shingles.

Cracked Rafters – This one will require you to climb into the attic and check the structural wood of the roof, but it is extremely important to do time to time, as this is the support system of the entire roof. If there are cracked on a significant number of rafters, you may be looking at a big project.

Leaks – While your in the attic, take a look at the sheathing underneath to check if there are any water spots. If there are, times up, it’s time to call a roofer in Queens NY!

This are just a few of the warning signs you should look for as a homeowner to see if it’s time for a new roof. If your at all in doubt, call up 5 Boro Remodeling! We provide a free inspection with every roof estimate we give!

Roof Repair Queens NY

roofers
By fiveboro Construction • Do It Yourself • General Information • Roofing • Tips and Tricks 0 Comments

Choosing the Right Roofing Contractors

If you’re in the market for a roof, chances are you’re going to get estimates from several roofing contractors in Queens.  A roof replacement is one of the most important home improvements you can do, and in New York you have plenty of options, so it’s important you find the right roofer.  After all, your roof protects everything underneath.  That’s why it’s important to know exactly what materials and methods your roofer is using.  It’s good to get multiple estimates from several roofing contractors in the Queens area so you can properly evaluate all options, but it’s even better if you know the right questions to ask so you can better evaluate each contractor.  This article will tell you what questions you should be asking as a homeowner when considering roofers. 

Ventilation – More than just staying cool

Ventilation is one of the most important aspects of roofing.  This is what separates a roof with no warranty to a roof with a 50 year warranty.  Excessive heat in the attic will warp shingles, rot wood, crack rafters, and could even lead to mold.  That’s why it’s critical that a ventilation system is installed with a roof.  Make sure you ask your roofing contractors what they do about ventilation.  Most will install a ridge vent, but in most cases that’s not enough.  The ridge vent is the exhaust, but you need a place to bring cool air into the attic for ventilation to occur properly. So be sure to ask if they are going to install soffit vents or some other air intake system.  Without it the ridge vent is useless. 

Roofing Contractors Material – Underlayment

What’s underneath your shingle is important because it’s the last layer of protection between the outside and your wood sheathing.  Most contractors are still using tar paper, which is not the best material to use.  Years ago tar paper was made of much better material, but at this point its been relegated to construction paper dipped in asphalt.  It’s paper thin, tears easily, and most importantly it traps moisture.  Any condensation and vapor that get’s trapped in the attic cannot permeate through the tar paper, thus getting trapped onto your wood sheathing.  This can cause leaks, lifting shingles, and wood rot.  There are better underlayments than tar paper available on the market.  Five Borough Remodeling uses a state of the art permeable underlayment that’s waterproof on top, but permeable through the bottom, ensuring your deck stays dry and doesn’t trap moisture. 

Roofing Contractors Material – Shingle

Make sure you confirm that your roofer is doing a full tear and not a layover.  Adding a layer of shingles is never a long term solution to a roof issue, and up until about 10 years ago it was the thing to do in Queens.   It’s not unusual to find 3 layers on a Queens home.  If you want the roof done correctly, you’ll have to tear off all of the existing layers and start from the wood underneath.  Ask what type of shingle they’re using.  At this point, all roofing contractors should be installing with an architectural shingle, not a three tab.  If a roofer is using a three-tab shingle, chances are he’s trying to cut corners to cut costs.  Ask what the warranty is on the single, and also the wind rating.  These are all important questions when it comes to your shingle. 

Obviously your need as a homeowner will vary depending on your budget and your plans for the future, but your goal should be to get the best value for your dollar.  So be sure to ask the right questions, and you’ll know what are your best options, and what roofing contractors are delivering the best value.

5 Boro Remodeling – The Best Roofing Contractors

By fiveboro Uncategorized 0 Comments

Windows

Give your home a new look by replacing your dated windows with Five Borough’s energy efficient windows. Not only are old windows out of style and unappealing they are most likely poorly insulted. Our windows are built from the highest quality component beautifying your home and lowering your energy costs by reducing the amount you’ll be spending each year on air conditioning and heat.

Call us now to get your free estimate for our affordable Superior Weather Resistant Five Borough Climate Guard Windows.

 

Slider | Single Hung | Double Hung | Casement Window

Awning Window | Bay & Bow Window

 

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Exterior Siding and Trimwork

We specialize in Soffit & Fascia Repair and Composite Vinyl Siding. Our top selling affordable Vinyl Siding products come with durability and versatility with the ability to re-create classic architectural styles without the high price. We offer Siding in a variety of colors, textures and shapes.  It can either replace existing exterior siding or be installed over older siding.

Vinyl Siding eliminates the hassle and expense of repainting your house every five years or so. Siding Replacement will make your home look brand new with a lasting exterior that will never peel, streak or warp. If you are going to re-do your house make sure it is energy efficient.

 

Custom Trim | Gutters | Soffit & Fasca | R-Value Insulation

 

By fiveboro Uncategorized 0 Comments

Gutter Repair

Homeowners tend to focus mostly on interior home repairs when exterior repairs are also just as necessary. The best thing you can do for your home or business is to keep water away from it especially when you’re dealing with your drainage and gutters.

Gutters direct rainwater from your roof AWAY from the base of your house. Gutters lead rainwater into a downspout, which carries water away from your house.

We specialize in providing custom Gutter systems – a no clog system solving your rain gutter problems making sure your roof drains properly. Our gutters are designed to capture more water. Failure to repair your gutters can lead to larger issues, like leaks and rotten fascia board.

 

Clog Free (with Gutter Protection)

Aluminum | All Colors | PVC Coated | Heavy Gage

 

No need to risk yourself climbing ladders to clean out the waste in your gutters! Five Borough will save you money, time and worry!

 

By fiveboro Uncategorized 0 Comments

Roofing

Re-roofing: Tear-offs & Re-covers | Leak Repair and Preventative Maintenance

Inspecting Roofs for Damage and Aging | Flat and Rubber Roofs | Free Minor Repairs

 

 

Your roof is the difference between you being safe inside your home and being exposed to the elements. Not all home improvement repairs require you to break the bank but an unexpected leak in your roof may be one of them.

Once your roof’s safety has been compromised, you will need a roof specialist. Homeowners are highly encouraged to take care of roof issues as soon as they are noticed.

Re-roofing is the process of installing a new roof as a preventative measure or when unfortunately your existing roofing system fails. Roofing system failures can be caused by a number of factors – age, severe weather, poor workmanship, defective materials, abuse and failure to maintain the roof through inspections.

Five Borough specializes in a board range of Roofing services whether you need a small repair or replacing your entire roof. We do:

 Flat Roofs | Shingle Roofs | Slate Roofs

 

Our Top 3 Selling Roof Shingle Styles are:

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