With spring on the way, there’s no time like the present to make sure your outdoor spaces are in warm weather shape. Get ready for outdoor entertaining season by checking your deck! An annual deck inspection is easy to do, and it’s a great way to make sure everything is in proper condition.

Why You Should Get Your Deck Inspected Every Year

The North American Deck and Railing Association (NADRA) has made it their mission to raise deck safety awareness among homeowners. Per their recommendations, here are a few things you can do to make sure your deck is sturdy and safe!

• Check your trees: First, make sure the trees around your home haven’t sustained any damage during the cold weather months. Damaged trees and limbs are a major safety hazard to your property and family alike. You’ll want to have them removed as soon as possible.
• Give it a knock: By knocking on your wooden deck, you’re able to check up on its structural integrity. Check different points on your deck, like boards, stairs, and support posts. Soft or spongy wood could be decaying.
• Clean it up: Over the fall and winter, your deck has likely accumulated leaves and debris. Check for mold and mildew as you sweep it away. Once your deck is clear, clean it with a solution designed for your deck’s materials.
• Call a pro: If you have any questions about your deck’s condition, or if you found anything suspicious during your inspection, it might be time for a professional evaluation. They’ll let you know for sure whether it’s safe or needs further attention.

Looking For A New Deck? 

If it’s time to replace your deck, or if you’re looking to add one to your home, look no further than BNW Builders. We’re Central Virginia’s premier deck builders. Our expert craftsmen use nothing but the finest products to build a custom deck that will delight your friends and family for years to come. We can restore an aging deck to its original beauty, replace rickety decking with sturdy materials, and even create breezy screened porches. As a local company, we’re intimately acquainted with Central Virginia’s weather patterns, and you can rest assured that your deck can withstand anything the elements have in store.

It’s easy to see why homeowners across the greater Richmond area have turned to BNW Builders to turn their decks into a showpiece. Call us today to get started!

Roof leaks are more than just an annoying inconvenience – they cause severe property damage that could cost you thousands of dollars to fix. Leaky roofs lead to dangerous mold and mildew growth, destroy your insulation, and ruin your home’s ceilings and walls. The best way to avoid property damage due to roof leaks is to work with a Richmond roofing contractor that you trust and get regular inspections and maintenance, or even a full roof replacement when necessary.  

The Richmond roofers at BNW Builders will inspect your roof for any current or potential leaks and perform any necessary maintenance and repairs to keep your roof (and your entire home) in great shape. Stay on the lookout for these three common causes of roof leaks so that you and your Richmond roofers can catch them early before they become serious problems.

1. Damaged or Missing Shingles

Your roof’s shingles can become dislodged due to extreme weather, high winds, or due simply to age. Missing shingles expose the weaker underlayers of your roof to the elements, which will quickly lead to a leak. If your roof is 20 years old or more, it’s especially important that you get it inspected by a reputable roofing contractor in Richmond like BNW Builders as soon as possible to make sure you don’t have hidden leaks.

• Cracked Flashing or Rubber “Boots”

Flashing and rubber “boots” are materials that seal roof transitions between your roof and walls, plumbing vents, skylights, and more. Flashing is made of metal and is usually adhered to your roof and the adjoining wall with caulk or tar. When the caulk or tar rots or the flashing itself cracks, water can easily make its way into your home. Similarly, when the rubber “boots” around your plumbing vents and skylights dry rot or crack, rainwater will start to leak into your attic or ceiling.

• Dislodged Roofing Nails

Roofing nails will sometimes back out of your roof and leave small holes that can be very hard to detect if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Even though they’re small, these holes still create a clear pathway for water to leak into your home. Trained, experienced Richmond roofers will be able to spot and rectify roofing nail holes during a routine inspection.

You might think that if you’re having problems with your roof during the wintertime, you have no choice but to wait for spring to arrive before you can address them. On the contrary, winter can be one of the best times to schedule roof maintenance and roof replacement in Richmond.

It’s important to note that there are certain types of roofing material – like rubber and peel-and-stick adhesives – that don’t cooperate with the cold weather very well. However, most other roofing materials can be maintained and installed in the winter without issue as long as you’re working with an experienced roofing contractor like BNW Builders.

Winter Roof Replacement

Saving Money
One of the most significant benefits of scheduling your roof installation or roof replacement in the winter is that you may be able to get a better deal on the cost of materials and labor. Winter is typically a slower season for the home improvement industry, so many roofing companies will offer off-season deals and discounts so that you can stretch your annual remodeling budget further.

Easier Scheduling
Because winter is a slower time for the home repair industry, you’ll be able to effortlessly schedule your roof maintenance or roof installation at a time that suits your schedule. Plus, because they won’t be dealing with as many projects, your roofers will be able to accommodate your specific needs and preferences more quickly and easily.

Prepping to Sell
According to experts, spring is the best time to put your house on the market. Getting your roof replaced during the winter means your home will be in perfect selling condition as soon as the warm weather hits. You’ll be able to get your house on the market during the optimal selling time and snag high-quality buyers early on. If you wait until spring arrives to schedule your roof replacement, you may be waiting weeks for an appointment to open up, and you’ll miss out on the best potential buyers.

Winter Roof Maintenance

Don’t Ignore Small Problems
Winter can often shine a light on roofing issues that have been building up for months. Cold temperatures combined with ice and snowfall make things like leaks and cracks more apparent. If you decide to just put off your roof maintenance until spring, you may end up regretting your decision in the long run. Even small issues like leaks and missing shingles can snowball into serious (not to mention expensive) problems if left unaddressed. Schedule your roof maintenance as soon as possible this winter so that you can catch issues early and save yourself money.

Keep in the Heat
Cracks and gaps in your roof let your heat escape all day long, which will make your energy bills spike. Investing in roof maintenance or roof replacement from a highly trained and experienced Richmond roofing contractor, like BNW Builders of Richmond, will help keep your energy costs low this winter and make sure you and your family can stay warm and comfortable all season long.

Your roof does a lot more than just protect you from getting rained on or keeping your house from filling with snow. Your roof is a critical part of your home’s insulation system, and it helps maintain the actual structure of your house. If your roofing is cheap and not well-constructed or installed, it could lead to a whole host of problems in your home far beyond simple leaks.
Investing money in professional roof maintenance can save you a ton of money down the road and keep your entire home in tip-top shape. After all, if you’ve ever had to have your roof replaced, you know all too well that it is not a cheap process. Proper roof maintenance can extend the life of your roof for years to come, even if it seems to be on its last legs. By eking out a couple extra years on your current roof, you’ll have plenty of time to save up for a roof replacement in the future.

Think of getting your roof inspected and maintained as something similar to going to the doctor for your annual checkup. You always hope that there are no problems, but if there are, it’s so much better to know sooner so you can catch it early and nip it in the bud. Roof maintenance professionals know exactly what to look for when inspecting your roof, and they will be able to identify any imperfections that could snowball into big issues if they’re not properly addressed. Roof repairs certainly aren’t free, but they’re a fraction of the cost of a full roof replacement.

Regular roofing maintenance could even be a condition of your roofing warranty. If you don’t get your roof maintained on a regular basis, the company you bought your roof from could void your warranty completely and leave you in a tight spot if something goes wrong. Make sure to read your warranty thoroughly and make a note of any special conditions. Then, set up a regular roof maintenance schedule with a roofing company you trust.

BNW Builders of Richmond has become one of the most trusted Richmond roofers over our time in the industry. We value our ongoing relationships with our customers, and we will always be honest and transparent about the condition of your roof. You don’t have to worry about unnecessary upselling when you’re dealing with BNW Builders. We will do everything we can to maintain the beautiful design of your home and extend the life of your roof, so you can avoid shelling out for a full replacement for as long as possible.