Englert Gutters are a perfect addition to your home

8 Awesome Tips to Help Homeowners Choose the Right Roofing Contractor

One of the biggest challenges homeowners face when looking to replace their current roof is finding the right vendor to do the job. Finding the right roofing contractor in New Jersey means doing your homework to make sure the roof is completed in a timely fashion, the roof comes with a manufacturer’s warranty, and the company is local and can service the roof in the future.

A-Top Roofing & Construction has been providing roof repair and replacement in Central New Jersey for over 35 Years. We have decided to create a list to help ensure you take the proper steps when selecting a great roofing contractor.

Go local. There is less chance of a scam or other potential issues if you hire a local roofing contractor who is familiar with the local township ordinances, local and state code regulations and is familiar with the style of your home and it’s roof type.

Brand Names. Manufacturers’ designations are considered a badge of honor in the roofing business. Contractors like A-Top Roofing & Construction must pass stringent requirements to be factory certified. GAF, for instance, enforces their top designation by only allowing 2% of roofing contractors per market to be recognized as Master Elite® Contractors.

BBB Ratings. Checking with the BBB (Better Business Bureau) is key. Stay away from contractors who do not have a BBB score. Making sure the roofing contractor has a great score will give you the confidence you need choose a reliable contractor.

The Warranty. Not all roofing contractors can offer a manufacturers’ warranty. By having an extensive warranty, you are protecting your family in case something happens and you need insurance coverage to repair or replace your roof.

“A Master Elite® Contractor can offer one of the longest workmanship warranties on the market—the Golden Pledge® Warranty.”

Andrew Ferrara, President A-Top Roofing and Construction

Safety First. If you are looking for the best roofing company or contractor in NJ, safety training and safety programs should be part of your selection process. GAF offers specialized training through CARE (Center for the Advancement of Roofing Excellence).

Insurance and Licenses. The roofing contractor you select should have insurance for all employees and subcontractors. They should easily be able to provide you with a certificate of insurance. Roofing contractors Like A-Top Roofing & Construction are required to hold an appropriate level of insurance by GAF. As a Master Elite Contractor, Workers Compensation and General Liability Coverage will protect your family in case of an accident.

No Pressure. Beware of any roofing contractor applying pressure for you to sign a contract. Be wary of any roofing contractor trying to get you to finance a roof that is overpriced to begin with.

Materials. Any reputable roofing contract will give you choices of many roofing options, materials and even warranties. The style and color of roofing shingles can have a dramatic effect on the resale value of your home. As a GAF Master Elite Contractor, A-Top Roofing & Construction has an impressive array of designer colors and styles for you to choose from.

With home values going up in Monmouth, Ocean and Middlesex Counties, it is more important than ever to protect your home as an investment and with maximum curb appeal. A-Top Roofing & Construction has been the best choice in roofing contractors throughout Central New Jersey and the Jersey Shore Area for over 35 years. We offer competitive pricing and the highest installation standards in the business and have been serving our community since 1986.

For more information on A-Top Roofing & Construction and the services we offer, visit our website.


GAF, North America’s largest quality roofing manufacturer, has given A-Top Roofing and Construction their GAF “Master Elite Consumer Protection Excellence” award EVERY year since 2004. In addition, we have also received the GAF Master Elite Installation Excellence Award, the GAF Master Elite Consumer Protection Excellence Award, and the GAF Master Elite Consumer Training Excellence Award.

6 Exterior Home Remodeling and Renovation Ideas from A-Top Roofing & Construction

Celebrating 35 years beautifying homes in Monmouth, Middlesex and Ocean County, NJ, A-Top Roofing & Construction understands your home is one of your biggest investments. To make the most of your home’s exterior, here are a list of things you can do when renovating or remodeling your home. From siding to windows, keep your home looking great with these 6 ideas.

6 Home Exterior Remodeling & Renovation Ideas

REPLACE YOUR HOMES SIDING

One of the ways your can improve the look of your homes’ exterior is to replace the siding. Color trends for 2021 include mixing dark and light hues. Blending different widths will create depth and accentuate your homes exterior. A variety of color options and adding different styles of siding to upper stories, eves, towers, and areas above the garage are most popular.

ADDING ACCENTS

Add a metal seam room over the porch, or a frieze board to the top section of your siding. Replacing your front door with a larger front door with sidelights will not only make your house pop, but it will also make the home more energy efficient. If you are replacing your roof and siding, it is probably time to replace your gutters. Gutters can accentuate the roofline and protect the homes from water and moisture.

Click here to learn more about siding, stone and accent choices.

UDATE YOUR ROOF

Your roof plays a major role in how your home looks as well as how it protects your home from the elements. Newer architectural roof shingles are now available featuring more dimension than older style roof shingles. With many shapes, styles and colors available, a new roof will add a great deal to your homes value and increase the curb appeal.

ENLARGE YOUR WINDOWS

There are opportunities to take your older home’s windows and replace them with larger and more energy efficient windows. Replace those old bay and box windows, add light into your home and value to your home. Brands like Marvin, Pella and Andersen offer a wide variety of windows to fit most architectural styles and any homeowner’s budget.

Explore window options here!

ADD SKYLIGHTS, ROOF WINDOWS OR SUN TUNNELS

Brighten your home and your life! Endless options in skylights, roof windows and sun tunnels will enhance the style of any room or space. Complete systems and accessories for any solution down to the finishing touches are available from companies like Velux. You can now select from skylights, sun tunnels, and blinds in a variety of colors and styles to fit your homes design and your budget.

HIRING THE RIGHT COMPANY

When you are renovating or remodeling your home, hiring the right contractor can make all the difference. What are the best products? What about the warranty for my new roof or siding project? Homeowners should hire professionals who are experienced and licensed. Using a reputable company with a great reputation and many years in business will make sure the job goes smoothly from start to finish.


Located in Manalapan, NJ, A-Top Roofing and Construction has earned a reputation for beautifying homes throughout the Central Jersey area for over 30 years. We service Monmouth County, parts of Middlesex County and Northern Ocean County. Our full range of services include roofing, siding, gutters, windows, skylights, and mold remediation. Call (732) 446 – 6341 or visit us at https://a-topconstruction.com/.

Do I Need a New Roof? How to Determine if You Need Roof Repair or Roof Replacement

Age is an important factor in determining if you need a roof replacement or can get by with repairing it. If your roof is not very old and you spot a few loose or damaged shingles, you may be able to replace them. Older homes that have more extensive damage over a larger area may need an entire roof replacement.

The key is a roof inspection done by professionals. A-Top Roofing and Construction has a team dedicated to finding where the damage is coming from and what steps need to be taken to protect your home and your family.

So what does roof damage look like? Here are a few things to look out for:

Attic Leaks

You should check your attic after a heavy rain or severe storm. Do you see wet spots? This could indicate a leak and failure of some shingles or failure of the underlayment. It could also mean there is a failure in the plywood or flashing.

Peeling Paint/ Nail Pops

Poor ventilation or roof leaks can appear inside the house. Nails popping or peeling paint can be a sign there is moisture in the attic.

Ceiling / Wall Stains

Leaks that appear inside the home at the ceiling can mean moisture is being trapped in the attic. Roof failure that makes its way to the ceiling can lead to more damage including stained ceilings and walls or even worse, mold and mildew.

CLICK HERE TO SEE HOW A-TOP CAN REMOVE MOLD AND MILDEW IN THE HOME

Sheathing Decay

One issue that can arise with poor ventilation is sheathing decay. Sheathing (also called decking) is the layer of plywood that forms the foundation of your roof system. Sagging ceilings, broken gutters, leaks or missing patched of shingles are all signs your sheathing might be damaged.

Shingle Damage

When a home is roughly 20 years old, the roof shingles might be coming to the end of their useful life. Broken, loose, brittle, or cured shingles all mean it is time for a roof replacement. A-Top Roofing and Construction offers the best roofing products with the best warranty in the business.

Dark Streaks

It may look like dirt, but the darker staining on your roof shingles may be moss, lichen, or algae. This may not require a new roof. But if you do need a new roof, A-Top Roofing offers products that are super resistant to and add superior protection from staining and algae.


About A-Top Roofing & Construction

No matter what your issues may be, A-Top Roofing & Construction is dedicated to protecting your family. Located in Manalapan, NJ, A-Top Roofing has earned a reputation for beautifying homes throughout the Central Jersey area for over 30 years. We service Monmouth County, parts of Middlesex County and Northern Ocean County. Our full range of services include roofing, siding, gutters, windows, skylights, and mold remediation.

Cleaning Your Gutters This Fall – 4 Important Tips

While the leaves are at peak color and falling rapidly, it is vitally important to maintain your gutters before the winter season arrives. Gutters are play a vital role in maintaining both the overall health of your roof, as well as your home. Cleaning your gutters and having them free of debris ensures that any water collected will flow properly away from your home (and not end up in your basement!).

At A-Top Roofing, we advise our customers to wait until all the leaves have fallen, then we can clean their gutters thoroughly before Winter.

Andrew Ferrara – President, A-Top Roofing

As your local roofing experts, we thought it best to provide you with a few tips to follow when cleaning your gutters this Fall:

  1. Leaves are Falling: How clogged your gutters will be is largely dependent on how many trees you have surrounding your home. Clearing overhanging branches and twigs away from your roof should be part of the regular maintenance of your home and roof.
  2. Rain, Rain, Go Away: When your gutters are full and a heavy rainstorm hits, your gutters will become filled with soggy leaves making proper water flow and drainage impossible. When your gutters eventually overflow, the excess water can damage the siding, fascia, and soffits of your home, as well as cause significant damage to your basement and foundation.
  3. Attracting Pesky Critters: While the wet leaves and debris building up in your gutters may be invisible to you, all kinds of critters and pests definitely know its there. The decaying leaves attract mosquitoes, termites, ants, squirrels, mice, and even birds. Pests could then find away into your home, starting with your roof and attic. The only way to ensure critters do not occupy your gutters is to thoroughly clean them.
  4. Winter Snow & Ice: When the snow and ice storms of winter arrive, any remaining leaves and debris in your gutters can cause serious problems if ignored. Each subsequent rain and snow storm will leave excess water trapped, with no place to go. This can cause gutter sagging and ice dams, two concerns that can cause long term damage and lead to costly repairs in the future.
Cleaning your gutters is a good way to prevent ice dams from forming.

A-Top Roofing Offers Expert Gutter Cleaning and Repair Services. To schedule a thorough cleaning and inspection, click here! Staying on top of your gutter maintenance is vital to the long term health and care of your home.

About A-Top Roofing & Construction

Located in Manalapan, NJ, A-Top Roofing and Construction has earned a reputation for beautifying homes throughout the Central Jersey area for over 30 years. We service Monmouth County, parts of Middlesex County and Northern Ocean County. Our full range of services include roofing, siding, gutters, windows, skylights and mold remediation.

Our award-winning staff and professionally trained installers will get the project done on time and on budget. We partner with brands you trust like GAF, Owens Corning, CertainTeed, Pella, Andersen, TimberTech and Azek which means extensive customer choice backed by the best warranties in the industry.

Need a New Roof for your Home? Here are some Expert Tips from A-Top

Are you in need of a new roof for your home? Here are a few expert tips to keep in mind when replacing your homes roof. To do the job correctly, it is best to consult with the experts who have the knowledge and experience in roof replacements. Yes, any reputable roofing company can give you a price, but let’s dig a little deeper and see what areas of the roof project you need to be focused on in more detail.

Roof Sheeting or Sheathing

This is the material (wood panels) or sheet material that is fastened to the roof rafters or trusses on which the roof shingles are fastened.

Roof Sheathing Tip: When the old roof shingles are removed, there may be damage underneath. You need a firm, weather-resistant and level surface on which to put your new roof shingles. Your existing sheeting/sheathing is one of the first things A-Top Roofing and Construction addresses in the contract and inspects carefully after the old roof is removed. Often only a small portion of the sheathing needs to be replaced and, in some cases, not at all.

A-Top Roofing and Construction recommends using 1⁄2” CDX plywood when sheathing needs to be replaced.

Roofing Underlayment

Underlayment is a layer of fabric-like material that is rolled out and stapled to the sheeting or sheathing. It adds an important level of moisture protection between the roof shingles and the sheeting.

Roofing Underlayment Tip: A high quality underlayment is just as important in preventing leaks as the roofing material itself. State and municipal codes require roofing underlayment to meet standards like fire resistance, wind uplift resistance, puncture resistance, and resistance to wind-driven rain. The weight and specifications of the material should be sufficient to provide protection for the life of the roof.

A-Top Roofing and Construction offers its customers the highest quality underlayment. The product is stronger and lays much flatter during the installation and does not bubble or shrink. This makes for a nicer looking, more effective roof. Another advantage is the underlayment does not blow off in high winds and provides superior foot traction for our roofers so there is less slipping, which makes for safer jobsites. A-Top Roofing and Construction always uses sheathing that matches up with the warranty specifications of the project and has lasting value for the homeowners.

The Drip Edge

Drip edge is a metal flashing that is installed at the edges of the roof to help control the flow of water away from the fascia and to protect the underlying roofing components. Drip edge overhangs the sides of the roof and has a small metal flange that is bent away from the fascia.

A-Top Roofing and Construction uses the best quality flashing at the gutter edge. It makes a big difference in reliability of your new roof. The plywood next to the gutters is vulnerable to water saturation. Water that reaches the gutter can soak back up and result in moldy or rotting plywood on the eaves of your roof. To prevent this, gutter edge metal should be installed on every roof.

We recommend a special gauge, corrosion-resistant, coated metal flashing in all places where the roof is joined by a gutter.

Roof Flashings

In addition to the gutter edge flashing, your roof has flashings at many other critical points. These include fireplaces, the valleys in the roof, around skylights, around plumbing vents and anywhere roof and siding meet.

A-Top Roofing and Construction best practices to replace all your existing flashings. Re-used roof flashings are prone to leaks, and diminish from the curb appeal of your roof.

To be sure of what your roofer will do, look for these flashings to be listed in the contract: valley, roof-to-wall, chimney (especially if you have a brick chimney), plumbing vent, and skylights if you have them. A-Top Roofing always replaces existing roof flashing with new ones.

Ridge Venting

Attic ventilation is an important part of your homes roof installation. The proper method of ensuring proper air flow in the attic is a ridge venting “system”. These are structures with molded-in air vents located under the ridge cap shingles. The system provides the free airflow in the attic while keeping it watertight.

A-Top Roofing and Construction wants to make sure you have plenty of air flow in the attic. If there isn’t enough airflow, mold may grow, and plywood may delaminate and rot. A ridge vent system provides better airflow than box vents and will not leak. It also gives your home a higher profile and a more attractive look.

A-Top Roofing and Construction recommends following these expert tips. These factors should be kept in mind when replacing your homes roof. To do the job correctly, it is best to consult with the experts at A-Top roofing and Construction. With 35 years of knowledge and experience in roof replacements, you can rest assured you are in good hands from start to finish. Our reputation is based on doing the right thing by our customers and offering a great price and the best roofing warranty in the business.

Click here to view our projects!

To call our roof replacement hotline dial (732) 446-6301. If you have a question, email us at info@a-topnj.com.

Once the home roof replacement is complete and the clean-up is finished, make sure you are satisfied with the work.

Home Roof Replacement – A-Top Offers Fast & Affordable Solutions

A-Top Roofing & Construction has a 35 year reputation for affordable roof replacements in Monmouth, Ocean, and Middlesex Counties.

Replacing your roof can be one of the largest investments you can make in your home. After years of use, eventually wear and tear will take its toll and the time will come to replace your roof. Don’t worry, doing so doesn’t have to break the bank! After all, affordability should not mean cutting corners or using inferior roofing products, or a contractor who does not specialize in roofing.

The quality of the roofing materials, combined with an experienced contractor and a great warranty can make all the difference in your home roof replacement. A-Top Roofing & Construction has been specializing in home roof replacements for over 3 decades. We can accurately quote your replacement roof, show you a selection of quality products in various colors to choose from. Making the process easy for you from start to finish, A-Top will advise you with the proper upkeep for your new roof when complete.

Specializing in home roof replacement, we service towns throughout Central New Jersey.

A-Top Roofing provides total protection for your home. We offer the most comprehensive and affordable roofing shingles and roofing systems.

  • Certified GAF Master Elite installer since 2004
  • GAF Master Elite Installation Excellence Award Winner
  • GAF Master Elite Customer Protection Excellence Award Winner
  • GAF Master Elite Consumer Training Excellence Award Winner

When it is time to replace your homes roof and you want to select the right contractor who offers the best quality, best warranty and an affordable price, give us a call at 732.446.6341 or click here for more information.


About A-Top Roofing & Construction

Located in Manalapan, NJ, A-Top Roofing and Construction has earned a reputation for beautifying homes throughout the Central Jersey area for over 30 years. We service Monmouth County, parts of Middlesex County and Northern Ocean County. Our full range of services include roofing, siding, gutters, windows, skylights and mold remediation.

Our award-winning staff and professionally trained installers will get the project done on time and on budget. We partner with brands you trust like GAF, Owens Corning, CertainTeed, Pella, Andersen, TimberTech and Azek which means extensive customer choice backed by the best warranties in the industry.

project map for A-Top Roofing

A-Top Roofing Showcases Our New Project Map – I Bet We Did Your Neighbor’s Roof!

A-Top Roofing and Construction has a long-standing reputation for quality worksmanship and outstanding service. Since 1986, we have been providing roof replacements in the nearby hometowns of Freehold, Howell, Manalapan, Marlboro, Englishtown and a dozen other towns in Monmouth, Ocean and Middlesex County.

We are proud to showcase the newest addition to our website: an interactive project map showing A-Top’s full body of work over the last three decades. Get a close-up view of each town, neighborhood, or street, giving you a window into just how many roofs we have completed (literally thousands). As we filled in the map over the last few months, our recent billboard slogan kept coming to mind over and over again, “I bet we did your neighbor’s roof…”

This new addition to our website also provides a place to learn about our past clients and what they have said about us over the years, including almost a dozen pages of reviews and testimonials that we have accrued. Take a look, you might recognize a few names from your community!

Check Out Our Project Map and Find Out Just How Many Roofs We’ve Done in Your Neighborhood!

We offer free estimates on all projects, so give us a call today at (732) 446-6341, or email us at info@a-topnj.com. Or just ask your neighbor how we did!


About A-Top Roofing & Construction

Located in Manalapan, NJ, A-Top Roofing and Construction has earned a reputation for beautifying homes throughout the Central Jersey area for over 30 years. We service Monmouth County, parts of Middlesex County and Northern Ocean County. Our full range of services include roofing, siding, gutters, windows, skylights and mold remediation.

Our award-winning staff and professionally trained installers will get the project done on time and on budget. We partner with brands you trust like GAF, Owens Corning, CertainTeed, Pella, Andersen, TimberTech and Azek which means extensive customer choice backed by the best warranties in the industry.

A-Top Roofing & Construction – Roofing is an Essential Service

At A-Top Roofing & Construction, the health and safety of our employees and customers is our highest priority. In response to the public health situation related to the coronavirus (COVID-19), we are diligently monitoring updates from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO) and medical professionals to ensure our customer’s health and safety is at the forefront as we continue to provide an essential service to the community.

A-Top Best Practices – Good Hygiene & Etiquette

Your professionals at A-Top Roofing & Construction are practicing the following preventative safely measures:

  • Cleaning hands often, with soap and water
  • Wearing Gloves and Masks (PPE)
  • Using hand sanitizer when available
  • Maintaining social distancing at least 6 feet apart.
  • Shift work in the office and working from home practices
  • Cleaning work surfaces often
  • Cleaning equipment and truck vehicle interiors and equipment between shifts

We Care! – Keeping our Customers Safe

  • Generating virtual quotes using specialized technology
  • Before entering customer’s property, we maintain safe distances
  • Avoiding contact when possible
  • Wearing PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)
  • Addressing customers concerns regarding the virus and answer according to our company’s updated procedures.
  • Scheduling Roofing Services in advance to minimize personal contact
roofing is an essential service

A-Top Providing an Essential Service for over 30 Years!

  • Roof Replacement and Roof Repairs
  • Gutter Repair, Maintenance or Replacement Gutters
  • Metal Roofs and Skylights
  • Vinyl Siding and Replacement
  • Windows
  • Mold Remediation

A-Top Roofing & Construction Gives Back to the Community

Our reputation has grown over the last four decades. People have come to rely on A-Top Roofing & Construction for roofing services throughout Central New Jersey. We have seen our share of recessions and have the foresight and experience that we will ride this through.

We are in this together with you!

Located in Manalapan, NJ, A-Top Roofing and Construction has earned a reputation for beautifying homes throughout the Central Jersey area for over 30 years. We service Monmouth County, parts of Middlesex County and Northern Ocean County. Our full range of services include roofing, siding, gutters, windows, skylights and mold remediation.

Our award-winning staff and professionally trained installers will get the project done on time and on budget. We partner with brands you trust like GAF, Owens Corning, CertainTeed, Pella, Andersen, TimberTech and Azek which means extensive customer choice backed by the best warranties in the industry.

Call (732) 446-6341 to schedule a virtual appointment or fill out a form on our website!

COVID-19 Links: https://www.cdc.gov/ and https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/ncov.shtml

It may be time to reach out to a roofing contractor to replace your roof

7 Ways to Prevent Roof Leaks – A Guide from the Roofing Professionals at A-Top

These Maintenance Tips will help you Prevent Roof Leaks and Prolong the Lifespan of your Roof

Roof leaks are one of the most common reasons homeowners call in a roofing professional for roof maintenance. Usually roof leaks are detected only after they have done moderate or considerable damage inside a home. This is what makes roof leaks one of the costliest issues for homeowners. At A-Top Roofing, we encourage customers to act preventively and be proactive in keeping their roof in a good shape by having regular inspections by the professionals.

Make Regular Roof Inspections a Top Priority

Finding the source of roof leaks can be a very tough task for a homeowner. They will rarely line up with the areas where you see water getting into your home, such as spots on your walls and ceilings, blisters, paint peeling, and similar issues.

It takes an experienced professional with a trained eye to detect the path of the water and locate the source of the leak before it spreads and turns into a bigger leak with serious and expensive consequences.

All major roof problems can be avoided with a comprehensive roof maintenance plan. The first step is to call your local roofer, set up a date, and have your roof professionally inspected.

Check Your Attic for Roof Leaks

There are certain areas that your roofer will advise you to pay attention to, and one of them will be the attic.

Therefore, before you start inspecting different aspects of your roof outside, make sure that there is nothing inside your home that may be causing leaks. The attic is probably the least obvious culprit of a roof leak and, therefore, is very often overlooked.

Attic ventilation should be the first thing you inspect. Make sure that the parts of the ventilation, such as the soffit vents, louvers or ridge vents, are never blocked as their blockage can lead to dangerous moisture and heat buildup.

This buildup can cause the insulation to soak and lose its functionality, the shingles to buckle, or the sheathing and rafters to rot. The intake vent can also sometimes be clogged, so try to inspect your entire ventilation system and clean it thoroughly.

Other signs of leaks and moisture buildup can be mold present in the attic, which can easily and quickly spread, as well as signs of algae on the interior plywood or black stains or rust around any of the nails in the attic and roof structure.

Click here to learn more about A-Top’s mold remediation services.

Inspecting your Roof’s Flashing

Your roof flashing is a common source of roof leaks. It refers to all the metal, or sometimes vinyl pieces of material that are used to connect the different parts of your roof, such as skylights, chimneys, vents, or the places where the wall and roof meet.

You should check for gaps or holes in the flashing and make sure that it is not loose, bent, or damaged in any way.

A-Top Roofing, with a trained and experienced eye, is much more likely to notice any issues with flashing, issues that may easily escape you. To be on the safe side, have a roofing expert take another look and inspect your roof.

Your Roof’s “Drip Edge”

Your roof’s drip edge has a very important function which keeps the water off the roof and away from the fascia. When inspecting this part, it is important to locate any damages and especially missing drip edges.

When a drip edge is missing, there will be a gap between the fascia board and the roof deck where the water can get in. The water can then cause the wood to rot as well as find its way into the interior walls and ceilings.

Apart from that, these gaps can also be entry points for different insects and other critters, which is an additional reason to make sure your drip edges are safely in place and functioning properly.

Maintain Your Gutter System

Gutters and downspouts are very important parts of a home and it’s roof system and play an integral part in preventing water damage and roof leaks.

They should be a part of your regular roof maintenance and inspection plan and be cleaned at least twice a year.

Gutters can get clogged by dirt, leaves, branches, twigs, pine needles, and any other outdoor debris that falls into them. This can happen more often if there are trees and bushes around your home, so you should make a habit of inspecting the gutters from time to time and schedule a professional annual cleaning to maximize their lifespan.

A roofing professional will inspect your gutter system, making sure it is clean so that the water can drain properly, as well as make sure that they are properly fastened, properly pitched, and secured to the home’s exterior.

Keep an Eye on Trees and Branches Close to Your Home  

Large trees that overhang your roof areas, as well as trees and bushes that are too close to your home, can pose certain risks to your home and your roof.

They can create shaded and damp areas allowing for moss and mold to grow, they can damage your roof if they are close enough to it, scratch the roofing material, and even puncture it or the windows during strong winds and storms. Apart from that, there will be more debris buildup in your gutters, increasing the chances of gutter clogs.

Trimming back these branches or removing a problematic tree altogether may increase the lifespan of your gutters and help prevent roof leaks in the long run.

Prevent Roof Leaks Before They Happen – Call Your Roofing Professionals!

Have your roof inspected regularly by A-Top Roofing and Construction to stay ahead of any trouble with roof leaks in the future. Call 732.446.6341 or click here!

For over 35 years, A-Top Roofing and Construction has led the industry with best practices, best products and award-winning service. For over 35 years, they have specialized in repairing roof leaks and roof maintenance plans.

Ice Dams : How They Form and How to Prevent Them

Icicles hanging along the edges of your gutters may look beautiful, but they spell trouble. That’s because the same conditions that form icicles —snow-covered roofs and freezing weather—also lead to ice dams: thick ridges of solid ice that build up along the eaves of your roof. Ice Dams can tear off gutters, loosen shingles, and cause water to back up and pour into your home. When that happens, it can cause a lot of headaches for homeowners: peeling paint, warped floors, stained and sagging ceilings. Not to mention soggy insulation in the attic, which becomes a magnet for mold and mildew.

How Do I Stop Ice Dams from Forming?

Getting rid of ice dams for good is simple, in principle: Just keep the entire roof the same temperature as the eaves. The process usually begins in your attic space by increasing ventilation, adding insulation, and sealing off every possible air leak that might warm the underside of the roof.

By addressing these common trouble areas, you should enjoy dam-free winters and use less energy to boot:

Ventilate Eaves And Ridge: A ridge vent paired with continuous soffit vents circulates cold air under the entire roof. Both ridge and soffit vents should have the same size openings and provide at least 1 square foot of opening for every 300 square feet of attic floor. Place baffles at the eaves to maintain a clear path for the airflow from the soffit vents.

Cap the Hatch: An unsealed attic hatch or whole-house fan is a massive opening for heat to escape. Cover them with weather-stripped caps made from foil-faced foam board held together with aluminum tape.

Exhaust to the Outside: Make sure that the ducts connected to the kitchen, bathroom, and dryer vents all lead outdoors through either the roof or walls, but never through the soffit.

Add Insulation: More insulation on the attic floor keeps the heat where it belongs. To find how much insulation your attic needs, check with your local building department.

Install Sealed Can Lights: Old-style recessed lights give off great plumes of heat and can’t be insulated without creating a fire hazard. Replace them with sealed “IC” fixtures, which can be covered with insulation.

Flash Around Chimneys: Bridge the gap between chimney and house framing with L-shaped steel flashing held in place with unbroken beads of a fire-stop sealant. Using canned spray foam or insulation isn’t fire safe.

Seal and Insulate Ducts: Spread fiber-reinforced mastic on the joints of HVAC ducts and exhaust ducts. Cover them entirely with R-5 or R-6 foil-faced fiberglass.

Caulk Penetrations: Seal around electrical cables and vent pipes with a fire-stop sealant. Also, look for any spots where light shines up from below or the insulation is stained black by the dirt from passing air.


Keep A-Top Roofing and Construction in mind for all of your roofing needs. We have over 30 years experience and service all parts of Central New Jersey. Our services include: residential and commercial roofing, gutters, skylights, flat and metal roofs, vinyl siding, soffits, facia, replacement doors and windows, decks, porches, columns and mold remediation.

Feel free to give us a call at (732) 446-6341 or find more information about our services on our website: https://a-topconstruction.com/.

A-Top Roofing and Construction is conveniently located at 137 Freehold Road, Manalapan, NJ 07726. We are open daily from 9 AM – 4 PM, five days a week.