Have you felt the chill...?

Have you finally felt the chill? The cold of winter is quickly approaching and it is time to get ready for the weather ahead.

If you need help, call Madera and Sons. In the meantime, you can begin home winterization with some easy-to-follow guidelines.

Check the exterior, doors and windows, looking for cracks and exposed entry points where cold air gets in. Those holes need to be sealed or your heating dollars are going to waste. Use weatherstripping around doors to prevent cold air from entering the home and caulk the windows.

Replace cracked glass in windows and, if you end up replacing the entire window, prime and paint all of the exposed wood. If your home has a basement, consider protecting its window wells by covering them with plastic shields. Replace any broken windows and now is a good time to install your storm windows.

Adding extra insulation to the attic helps to prevent warm air from escaping to your roof and causing ice dams. Check flashing to ensure water cannot enter the home and replace worn roof shingles or tiles.

Clean out your gutters and use a hose to spray water down the downspouts to clear away debris. You can also consider installing leaf guards on the gutters or extensions on the downspouts to direct water away from the home.

Madera and Sons can help you prepare for the cold and keep a warm roof over your head this winter.

Beware rip off roofers!

One of the biggest problems that we see at Madera and Sons is roofers who did such a terrible job that we are called to come in and fix the problems. We have heard all kinds of horror stories from our customers including contractors who switched to inferior grade materials after the contract was signed, to problems that occurred after the new roof was installed such as leaks in walls and basements. We have even heard about roofing contractors who cause damage to a roof to convince customers that work is needed.

Often, the contractors will try to defend themselves by saying 'You just can't please everyone.' But we believe that you can! And there are plenty of things you can do to make sure that you are going to get the services you really need.

The first thing you should do is request multiple bids for the work. We are happy to inspect your roof and provide you with an accurate estimate, and encourage you to find other contractors who will do the same. Since most contractors can purchase materials for the same cost, and the cost of labor is generally the same, you will need to be wary of bids that come in too high or too low compared to the majority of estimates. Too low and you may be buying shoddy materials. Too high and you may be getting ripped off for labor charges that are unwarranted.

Ask for credentials, proof of insurance and references. Qualified contractors are happy to offer these for your review.

And beware of storm chasers! Often, after storms come through an area and cause normal damage, roofers will be out in force offering free inspections or pointing out problems that don't even exist. These people will take advantage of a homeowner's fear.

At Madera and Sons, we pride ourselves on our many happy customers. We have the credentials to prove we are the best and the testimonials to show that our customers rely on us to do the job right. Whether you need a roof or fiberglass deck in South Jersey including Atlantic City, Margate, Ventnor, Longport or Ocean City, or Philadelphia and the surrounding area, we can help.