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Showing posts from December, 2024

Winter Roof Maintenance Tips: My First Winter as a Homeowner

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  Okay, so here’s the thing about buying a 20-year-old house: it’s kind of like adopting a very temperamental pet. One minute it’s charming you with its “character,” and the next, you’re Googling “is my roof about to collapse or just being dramatic?” Spoiler alert: roofs don’t have moods, but they do have a lot of ways to ruin your winter if you’re not paying attention. Ask me how I know. Last winter was my first in my “new” (read: old) house here in Olympia, and let me tell you, my roof and I went through a lot together. Snow, rain, random pine needles from the trees that apparently can’t mind their own business—it was a whole thing. But hey, I made it through, and I learned some very real lessons along the way. Now I’m basically a self-proclaimed winter roof maintenance expert. Or at least, I know enough to keep you from ending up where I did: in a full-on panic every time the wind picked up. So, here’s what I wish someone had told me before the snow started falling. Ice Dams Ar...

The Cozy Secret to Surviving Winter: My Journey to Energy-Efficient Roofing

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  Picture this: it’s a crisp January morning in Olympia, and I’m wrapped in my favorite blanket, sipping hot coffee, and feeling pretty smug about my new home. Until, of course, I get the heating bill. Spoiler alert: my “cozy winter vibes” were costing me a small fortune. Turns out, my 20-year-old roof (bless its tired shingles) was not pulling its weight. It was like trying to stay warm in a drafty tent—expensive, frustrating, and wildly inefficient. That’s when I realized it was time for a serious upgrade. Enter: energy-efficient roofing. And let me just say, this decision was the best thing I’ve done since switching to oat milk. So, here’s the scoop on why energy-efficient roofing is the unsung hero of winter and how it saved me from financial frostbite. It’s not just a roof; it’s insulation’s BFF Here’s what I didn’t know: your roof does way more than keep the rain out. It’s actually a key player in keeping your home warm (or cool, but let’s survive winter first). The problem? ...

How Winter Weather Woke Me Up to My Roof’s Reality

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You never really think about your roof—like really think about it—until it’s screaming for attention in the dead of winter. I know I didn’t. To me, my roof was just… there. A silent, reliable friend, keeping me warm and dry while I binge-watched Netflix in fuzzy socks. That was until last January, when my cozy homeowner bubble burst in the most dramatic way possible. It started innocently enough—Olympia’s usual gray skies, a bit of drizzle, the kind of weather that makes you crave soup. But then the rain turned into snow, the snow turned into ice, and suddenly, my roof decided it had had enough . Cue the ominous dripping noise in my living room. Not from a window. Not from a pipe. But from the actual ceiling. (Insert minor freakout here.) I’ve since become a reluctant expert on how winter weather can wreak havoc on a roof, and I’m here to spill the tea so you don’t end up where I did—Googling “emergency roofing repairs near me” while clutching a bucket. The not-so-cute side of snow I...

How to Protect Your Home Exterior from Fall Storms in Olympia

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  As fall begins to settle in Olympia, WA, homeowners face the challenge of preparing for unpredictable storms that can bring strong winds, heavy rainfall, and significant damage to their homes. The Pacific Northwest is particularly prone to heavy rain and windstorms during the fall months, which can have a substantial impact on roofs, siding, and gutters if not properly maintained. To prevent costly repairs and protect your home’s structural integrity, it is essential to take proactive steps before the storm season hits. This article outlines key tips to safeguard your home’s exterior and explains how Equity Roofing and Exteriors , a trusted roofing and exterior service provider in Olympia, can help homeowners prepare their homes for fall storms. The Risks of Fall Storms in Olympia The Pacific Northwest, including Olympia, experiences an average of 20 inches of rainfall during the fall months, combined with strong winds. These storms can cause damage in a variety of ways: Roof D...