Going green is top-of-mind for many of our customers. It may be hard to see how you can use your existing roof to minimize your carbon footprint, but we have put together a few ideas to help you get started.
Rain Barrels
Gig Harbor and the Kitsap Peninsula are known for their rainy days, and we recommend you take advantage of this by installing rain barrels. Rain barrels help reduce stormwater runoff that carries pollutants to Puget Sound, diverts water away from your foundation, and you can use it to store water for your plants and lower your utility bill.
A rain barrel can be purchased at your local hardware store at minimal cost and is easy to install. Just make sure your barrel is on a level and elevated base that can hold a few hundred pounds of water. If you’re recycling a bulk food container, you can purchase a faucet attachment and downspout re-routing materials at many local hardware stores.
Check your Insulation and Ventilation
A well-ventilated roof can lower your heating and cooling costs and helps to extend the life of your roof. This is because a poorly ventilated roof can result in high levels of moisture that can lead to decay in your roof deck and shingles. To find your roof’s vents, check your eaves or near the roof’s peak. There are several different types of roof vents, and if you have trouble locating them, give us a call. We can help you determine if you have the right amount of ventilation for the size of your roof.
Insulation keeps your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Your home has insulation throughout, but it’s important to make sure your roof is properly insulated to help maintain consistent temperatures in your home and reduce monthly utility bills.
Maintain the Roof you Have
It sounds simple but keeping your roof in good shape helps extend its life, protects your investment, and keeps it out of the landfill for just a bit longer. Check out our recent blog on summer maintenance tips to help get you started.
If all of this seems like too much, contact us today. We provide complimentary inspections and estimates and help with roof repairs as well as new roofs.