We are proud to say that, thanks to our wonderful clients’ referrals, we’re back in Hartsdale, New York, for another shingle roof project. We regularly frequent this beautiful piece of real estate, a Greenburgh community in Westchester County on the Bronx River just north of New York City.
This job brought with it something we thought might make an interesting topic: Stucco. Did you know stucco, a compound construction material, has been around thousands of years? You can find stucco in historic buildings throughout Europe, and it began to make its way to mainstream elements of the United States housing market in the mid-1800s. Stucco is still used today and, with maintenance, a solid performer.
OK, so you can find it on homes and buildings throughout the world, but what is stucco exactly?
GAF Asphalt Shingle Replacement
Hartsdale, NY
Well, it is like plaster. Stucco is a cement-based siding made up of aggregates, a binder, and water. It is applied wet, and once that hardens, becomes a durable solid. A stucco installation involves a little more than that, though.
There are several layers that need to be applied to a structure, such as asphalt paper and a rain barrier mesh (and potentially insulation), then finally the stucco. As always when working on the exterior of a home, one of the most important parts is flashing. If the flashing is not properly installed, moisture will not be kept out.
As we know, letting moisture in is a big problem. Unfortunately, stucco (due to its absorbency) is more susceptible to moisture than other building materials.
Stucco was part of the reason we received a roof referral call to Hartsdale. The homeowner had noticed some issues with his roof, and receiving the rundown, we were pretty sure we knew what was going on. Still, as a professional roofing contractor, we don’t assume anything and did our usual thorough assessment to confirm.
GAF Asphalt Shingle Replacement
Hartsdale, NY
During the examination for the shingle roof replacement, we noticed many cracks on the stucco siding. Once we got under it, we determined the stucco flashing was rotted out. This was the source of the homeowner’s problems.
What was once thought to be a plumbing leak was actually an external leak.
The homeowner was puzzled. How did he miss this? But this is actually a common problem with stucco. When water gets trapped behind the stucco, it’s not immediately apparent. By the time it’s noticed, there typically is a significant amount of damage that’s getting worse by the day.
Even though it can be tricky to catch a problem with the flashing under your stucco, here’s how to spot possible signs:
- Cracks or leaks in the stucco
- The caulking around your home’s doors and windows looks old or discolored
- Part of the seal is missing
- The area between the stucco and other siding materials seems to be losing its seal
A major concern with any water that seeps in or stands on your roof or siding is mold. This is something no one wants to deal with. Something every homeowner should know is that once water damage occurs, mold can begin forming within 24 to 48 hours. This is a great incentive to keep your roof in tiptop shape against the elements, and if you notice any issues, contact us immediately.
GAF Asphalt Shingle Replacement
Hartsdale, NY
Back to Hartsdale. Although our client had a rather large home, we were still able to finish all the work in two days. His new GAF architectural shingles roof looks amazing (as the pictures show).
Architectural shingles are easily recognized by their dimensional appearance and are the perfect option for the homeowner who wants a durable roof that looks incredible without all the maintenance. (Beyond regular roof cleanings and inspections, of course!)
The new flashing under the stucco provided a fresh seal and will keep his home dry and safe from the elements for years to come. This gives him, like all our other valued clients, what we consider most important: peace of mind.
We must thank our crew for putting in additional hours to get this project done quickly to meet the homeowner’s deadline. They really went the extra mile, even going as far as to check with the neighbors to make sure they weren’t being unduly disturbed.
And this is not the last you will hear about us in Hartsdale. In fact, we’ve already returned, working on the house of our client’s neighbor.
GAF Asphalt Shingle Replacement
Hartsdale, NY
This is a Gunner trademark: Doing a job so well that the neighbors take note and hire us themselves. The neighborhood roofing contractor of choice!
Do you have roof issues? Insulation problems? Siding issues/damage? Maintenance questions? Just need a shingle roof replacement? Call Gunner Roofing. We’re here to help.
City: Hartsdale
State: NY
ZIP: 10530
Category: Roofing
Materials used (manufacturer): GAF
Materials used (type): Asphalt
Materials used (color): Charcoal
Project Cost: $14,000
Time to Complete: Two days