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South Shore Local Treasures: Part I

We’re so fortunate to have so many of what we like to call “local treasures” on the South Shore that we thought the onset of warmer weather made for the perfect occasion to share some of our favorite things to do and places to visit in spring and summer.

And, because there’s so South Shore treasures we want to talk about, we’re featuring these fun and interesting South Shore places and activities in two blog posts — one featuring cultural activities and events, like food, art, and music, and the other featuring nature-related activities and events.

So, here we go. Part 1!

Local Treasures on the South Shore: Culture

The weather is warm, school’s out, and the sound of peepers fills the air. Summer is a great time to attend outdoor concerts, festivals, fairs, and farmer’s markets – and many of them are free! We’ve looked into the best cultural events happening on the South Shore this summer and we’re excited to share some of them with you. South Shore residents, get out your calendars and read on to learn when and where you can go and have some fun.

Plymouth: Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra and Project Arts both offer free outdoor summer concerts in Plymouth. Their free outdoor concerts are on the waterfront and family-friendly, perfect for all ages to enjoy. All you need to bring is a lawn chair or blanket. Additionally, First Fridays Plymouth occurs on the first Friday of every month from May-October. Restaurants, art galleries, museums and shops open their doors to host poetry readings, display artwork, and host musical performances and art demonstrations.

Quincy: We’ve attended the following event a couple of times already, and it is just so much fun! It’s also refreshing to see folks off their devices and phones, and singing & dancing with friends, family, and neighbors. Check out Porchfest Quincy!

Braintree: The schedule has yet to be posted, but every year, there are a series of free outdoors concerts at beautiful Sunset Lake in Braintree. Invite friends, family, and neighbors, and bring your own chair and snacks for an evening of great outdoors music!

Hanover: Every Tuesday at Forge Pond Park, you can find food trucks lining up for business which are part of the South Shore Food Truck Association. Although the food isn’t free, it’s reasonably priced and you’ll find some of the most creative food start-ups in action there. You can find everything from tacos, pizza, and sandwiches to ice cream and shaved ice. Bring your family and friends or a date for a nice picnic.

Kingston: Gorgeous Gray’s Beach Park has a host of cultural activities planned for this spring and summer — farmer’s markets, movies, and music. Be sure to mark your calendars for one or all of these fun events.

Weymouth: This year is Weymouth’s 400th anniversary so there are plenty of celebrations in which to take part. Village festivals will celebrate each of the four villages in May, June, July, and August. The second Saturday of each month, streets will be full of vendors in the selected village. In June, the Weymouth Farmers Market will start up and be held weekly at the high school on Sundays. Featuring local fruits and vegetables, this is a great place to pick up the ingredients for your next farm-fresh meal.

Get outside and enjoy the rich cultures of all these South Shore towns this summer. It’s the perfect time to enjoy the resurgence of many public events. Remember to read up on local mask mandates before you attend.

We hope South Shore residents consider us here at South Shore Roofing one of the South Shore’s #localtreasures! We’ve got a long, rich history of meeting the roof repair and roof installation needs of both South Shore business owners and residents.

As with getting out and about, spring and summer are the perfect time to have your roof repaired or replaced, so reach out now to see how our team of roofing experts can be of service!

 

 

South Shore Local Treasures: Part II

As we expressed in the first post in our two-part blog series about South Shore Local treasures, we are truly blessed to have so many of what we like to call “local treasures” on the South Shore.

Our first South Shore Treasures blog post focused on cultural activities and events — think yummy food, great outdoors music, and more!

So, here we go with Part 2, which focuses on South Shore spring and summer nature activities and events!

Local Treasures on the South Shore: Nature

Beaches, marshes, and rolling hills characterize the beloved landscape of our South Shore. While we’re close to the metropolitan area of Boston, there are still plenty of beautiful places to enjoy nature. Whether you like fishing, walking, hiking or biking, there’s a place for everyone in the outdoors.

Plymouth: Explore the site of the largest freshwater ecological restoration project in the Northeast at Tidmarsh Wildlife Sanctuary. What was once a 481-acre cranberry farm is now a permanently protected natural resource. You can see a brand new pollinator garden, attend a program, or walk through the marsh on 3 miles of maintained trails.

Quincy: The Saltmarsh Trail is a half mile self-guided nature walk designed to highlight major plant and animal species in the marsh. It leads to a cemetery overlooking the bay. Another short trail is the Red Diamond Trail at Faxon Park. It’s a good walk for families, with a playground at the entrance and stone benches for resting or picnicking along the trail. Also in Quincy is the waterfront park at Squantum Point, a former naval field with views of the Boston skyline. It’s now a popular spot for birdwatching.

Braintree: Pond Meadow Park (which has entrances in both Braintree and Weymouth) has 2 miles of paved trail on 320 acres of land. The diverse landscape of ponds, streams, meadow, forest, and marsh is a popular place for jogging, biking, fishing, camping, kayaking, and canoeing. A wide paved loop circles around a pond, providing beautiful views of the water. You can find old stone walls and glacial erratic boulders scattered throughout the woods. In terms of wildlife, there are turtles, migrating birds and plenty of fish species.

Hanover: 40-acre athletic complex, Forge Pond Park offers athletic fields and 6.5 miles of wooded trails for walking and running. A 1-mile paved trail is ideal for biking with small kids and wheelchair use. A gravel boat ramp at the back of the lot provides access to Forge Pond for a quiet paddle. Luddams Ford Park includes 22 acres of trails maintained by the Hanover Conservation Commission and a dam which was once used to power several mills once located here. Now, it forces salmon to climb a fish ladder to swim upstream to spawn. A nearby pond offers catch and release fishing, and small launch for kayaks and canoes. Hungry? Bring lunch! There’s also a picnic area overlooking the river.

Kingston: Maple, cedar and pine trees surround the marsh at The Nook Preserve in Kingston. At the mouth of the tidal Jones River, this nature preserve was once a location for Wampanoeg and Patuxet tribes’ summer encampments. European immigrants then used it for livestock pasture, so the land is criss-crossed by stone walls. You can also launch kayaks and canoes at the nearby Mulliken’s landing.

Weymouth: King Oak Hill Park features views of the Boston skyline and a quarter mile paved loop makes for easily-counted laps. Stroller and wheelchair friendly, the park’s total area clocks in at 24 acres. It’s built on what was once an important junction and hunting lookout for Wampanoag people. Check out other Weymouth park favorites of a devoted South Shore walker.

South Shore Nature and South Shore Ice Cream:

What’s not to love about pairing exercise in nature with ice cream? Check out this great blog post from another Local Treasure, North and South Rivers Watershed Association, on how to get your nature and ice cream fixes simultaneously!

We hope you can find time to get outside and relax in the parks, preserves, and trails in your town/city and beyond!

We also hope South Shore residents consider us here at South Shore Roofing one of the South Shore’s #localtreasures! We’ve got a long, rich history of meeting the roof repair and roof installation needs of both South Shore business owners and residents.

As with getting out and about, spring and summer are the perfect time to have your roof repaired or replaced, so reach out now to see how our team of roofing experts can be of service!

 

Spring Cleaning Checklist For Your New England Home

The days are getting longer, the temperatures are slowly rising, and the first flowers will soon be poking their heads out of the ground. Yes, while it may feel impossible and long-overdue, as it does every year without fail, spring will soon have arrived in New England and on Boston’s South Shore!

Like January and September, spring is a time for new beginnings. It’s time to clean out the old and make way for the new! In this post, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about spring cleaning your house and your roof! So whether you’re a spring cleaning newbie and just learning the spring-cleaning ropes, or you’re looking for some extra tips related to your annual spring cleaning routine, read on!

Why Create and Follow A Spring Cleaning Checklist?

The best way to get your home clean for spring is by using a checklist. This will ensure that you don’t miss any essential areas and complete the job promptly (we’ve found having a checklist motivates one to complete tasks, so you receive the satisfaction of checking them off your list).

Whether you create and update your spring cleaning checklist via paper or an online document such as a Google sheet or Excel worksheet, some of the most common areas to focus on during home spring cleaning and incorporate in your checklist include:

  • Deep cleaning kitchens and pantries.
  • Giving all fixtures, surfaces, and objects in your home a good and thorough dusting
  • Scrubbing all bathroom surfaces from top to bottom
  • Cleaning all windows and windowsills – inside and out (depending on how far off the ground your windows are you may need to hire a professional window cleaner to do the outside work safely)
  • Cleaning your grout and tile, professionally, if possible, to preserve its longevity
  • Thoroughly dusting and washing baseboards and molding
  • Cleaning dirty spots off the wall and doorways and on or near light switch plates
  • Refreshing your entryway with new runners and welcome mats
  • Using touch-up paint where needed, or re-painting walls entirely
  • Cleaning your carpets and rugs with a carpet cleaner, or hiring a rug cleaning service
  • Inspecting the home for mold, cracks, and leaks. Learn why wet walls require immediate action.
  • This is also a great time for checking the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, and replacing them, as needed.

Roof Spring Cleaning

Just as you need to clean your home in the spring, you also need to clean off your roof. This is especially important if you live in an area like Massachusetts that sees a lot of rain or snow. After all, the winter weather can do a lot of damage, and it’s important to get ahead of any potential problems. A dirty roof can lead to all sorts of issues, such as leaks and water damage.

There are many different things that you can do to get your South Shore roof ready for spring. However, here are a few of the most important ones:

  • Inspect the Roof for Damage: Take a look at your roof for any damage that may have occurred over the winter. We suggest you do this by looking up at your roof vs. climbing up on your roof – we don’t want anyone to slip or fall, unnecessarily. Sometimes, it means standing far back in your driveway or yard, so that you can look at your roof from a distance. If you notice an area of your roof that looks like it’s been damaged and needs fixing, give our South Shore roofing contractors a call and we can access whether you need our services related to residential roof repair or roof replacement. Check out these warning signs it may be time to replace your roof.
  • Clear Debris from Gutters: If you can do it safely yourself, make sure to clear out all the debris from your gutters. This will help ensure that rain water can flow freely and not cause any damage.

Need more spring cleaning ideas and inspiration? Check out last year’s spring cleaning hacks blog post: https://www.southshoreroofers.com/tag/spring-cleaning/

How Our South Shore Roofing Experts Can Help

Don’t risk getting up on your roof to try to mend yourself any damage that you may see. Both being up on the roof, and trying to fix the roof yourself, could lead to undesirable consequences. One of the professional roofers on the South Shore Roofing team can inspect the roof and determine what needs to be done to fix it. They can also provide advice on how to prevent future damage. If you’re looking for a reliable and experienced roofing company, be sure to contact South Shore Roofers! We have been providing quality roofing services for many years, and we’re seasoned roofing contractors who’ve helped many South Shore businesses and families get their home roof or business/commercial roof ready for spring. So, reach out today!

 

 

 

What Home and Business Owners Need to Know About Missing Roof Shingles

As New Englanders, we’re no strangers to storms. Wind, rain, sleet and ice can all leave a roof looking a little under the weather. After a storm blows through, you might notice a few asphalt shingles missing from your roof. Or maybe there is no storm, but you own a beautiful older home and some of the shingles are damaged or badly worn. You don’t think it’s a big deal, but then you start wondering. Will my roof leak? It’s definitely possible!

It’s important to get missing shingles replaced as soon as possible to prevent further damage and expenses down the line. Being proactive with your roof repair will save you hundreds of dollars and bring you peace of mind.

Why, Generally, a Missing Shingle is Cause for Concern

When shingles are missing it allows the wind to get between the roof deck and roof shingles causing the “non-missing” ones to lift and come unsealed. There is a one in three chance that the missing shingle sat above an open seam between the shingles below. The standard 3-tab shingles are installed side-by-side with each new row of shingles covering the top of the layer below and the side seams.

Shingles are installed in layers to wick water away from the wood underneath. Each layer is composed of 3-shingle sections that are laid next to each other, end to end. When roofers add new layers of shingles during installation, they stagger the seams so water can’t get in. If a shingle above a seam tears off, water can flow into the newly unprotected gap between the lower shingles, leading to rotted plywood and roof leaks.

Sometimes your missing shingle doesn’t reveal a seam, but your roof may still be in danger of leaking. The upper portion of the shingle has less protective mineral granules than the bottom. These granules protect the shingle from the sun. When the upper portion of the shingle is exposed, the UV rays might cause it to decay and the rest of the shingles will follow suit. This will eventually lead to leaking, water damage, and mold. No matter their placement on the roof, all missing shingles can lead to roof leaks. Generally, it’s best to address these issues as soon as possible.

The Details Behind Damage from Missing Shingles

  • Water: For a while, the felt paper below any missing shingles will shield your house from water damage. However, a missing asphalt shingle isn’t something you should leave unattended for too long. Left unfixed, you could be in danger, especially during heavy rain which can be common on Boston’s South Shore. Once under the shingles, water will rot the wood sheathing beneath. This can also harm your attic, ceiling joists, rafters, wall framing, and more. Rotting wood leads to structural instability in the home and seriously expensive damage. Leaking water is also a hazard because it leads to electrical issues and fire hazards when electrical systems are in close proximity to the leaking roof.
  • Mold: Mold and mildew can develop as a result of the moisture coming in through the damaged roof. Mold can ruin paint, walls, clothing, furniture, carpets, and rugs, not to mention cause health-related harm to people who have allergies or respiratory problems.
  • Ice: When the New England winter arrives, freezing water can lead to other issues. When the water which has entered the home freezes, it expands. This leads to cracks in the roof or framing of the house. It’s a slippery slope as the cracks allow more water to seep in – which makes the structure more unstable. You can read more about the impact of ice on roofs here, here, and here.
  • Increased Energy Bills: A roof with a hole in it is permeable. With a missing shingle, you will find it harder to keep your home warm or cold depending on the season and this will increase your energy bills.

How Our South Shore Roofing Company Can Help

As with many other home issues, it’s better to fix the problem of a missing asphalt shingle sooner rather than later. Our roofing contractor experts at South Shore Roofing can fix your home or commercial roof before it starts leaking. We’ll help keep your family, employees, or tenants safe and dry! So, please reach out any time to discuss roof damages and the best solutions.

 

 

 

 

 

Rejuvenate Your Home For Summer With These Spring Cleaning Hacks

Spring in New England is just around the corner, and when it comes to home-related musings and to-do lists, that’s got our team at South Shore Roofing thinking about spring cleaning. Yeah, we know that spring cleaning can be time-consuming, hard work, and a bit boring. But, if you focus on the end game of literally and figuratively clearing away the winter cobwebs, and on how much fresher and airier your home will feel, you can bring a whole new, upbeat approach to the task of making your Massachusetts home spring- and summer-ready.

Check Out These Spring Cleaning Checklists

To make your spring cleaning thorough and effective, we’ve done some of the heavy lifting for you – at least on the research side vs. decluttering and chore side of things.  Check out the following resources that provide tips and checklists for pointing all your spring-cleaning energies in the right direction.

We know you’re going to want to be outside as soon as warm, spring weather hits Boston’s South Shore. So, why not start tackling your spring cleaning today? We think you’ll reap both emotional and physical benefits from the breath of fresh air that physically and mentally comes from having digs that are less-cluttered. And, you’ll also be invigorated by the spring air that comes from opening windows to let winter aromas out!

What Spring Cleaning and Being Back Outdoors Might Uncover

We hope you’ll keep our residential roofing services in mind, should your spring clean-up work reveal home water damage/stains, leaks, or mold. As we talked about in our recent blog post, the aforementioned unsightly, smelly, and unhealthy home conditions, may indicate the need to call in a roofing specialist or roofing contractor like our experts at South Shore Roofing. In addition, as you are out in your yard more with the arrival of spring in the Greater Boston area, you may become aware of changes in your roof that you didn’t notice the previous fall or during the winter. Learn more about whether it may be time to replace your roof.

Our team is always ready and available to discuss both your home roof and commercial roof concerns, so don’t hesitate to reach out today  or anytime that you need our assistance.

 

 

 

Why Wet Home and Office Walls Warrant Taking Immediate Action

Despite our rainy New England springs, and sometimes snowy winters, it’s not normal — or a good thing — if your South Shore home or office has wet walls, or if you’ve noticed new water stains or mold in your commercial or residential building. Sure, we’ve all experienced a fogged-up mirror or small droplets on the wall due to condensation left in the bathroom after a shower. But, such moisture should dry up within an hour or less, and your bathroom and kitchen should be the only rooms in your office or house where you experience such short-term moisture.
How To Know If Moisture Is Meddling With Your Residential or Commercial Property
In addition to having walls that are wet in appearance and touch, other signs your home or business has a moisture issue that needs to be addressed immediately include:
  • Wallpaper or wall paint that is peeling
  • Wall or ceiling stains from mold
  • Water stains on walls or ceilings
  • A musty smell or odor emanating from walls or ceilings
Why Even Your Bathroom Shouldn’t Be Bathed in Moisture
Damp, wet, or slick walls, that remain so, mean trouble for both your family’s or tenant’s health as well as your residential property’s or commercial property’s health. Mold can make both humans and pets sick. And, the longer it is left untreated, the more mold can spread — creating uninhabitable work and living spaces. Houses can literally be rendered unlivable by deadly mold that is not addressed. Plus, the cost associated with removing such mold grows exponentially along with the mold!
Common Sources of Home and Office Wall Moisture
Three of the most common sources of home and office wall moisture — and what causes them — include:
  • Inadequate drainage – Home or office dampness can stem from inadequate ground and surface drainage. Pooled water from saturated ground, downspouts, or runoff can find its way into your house or business via porous walls or cracks in your foundation.
  • Condensation – this occurs when hot, moist air hits cold, dry air — causing water droplets to form on cold surfaces, such as home and office walls. We’ve all noticed condensation in the bathroom or kitchen after a steamy shower or when the tea kettle’s been whistling
  • Leaks – this can be due to something as simple and noticeable as a leaky washing machine, dishwater, bathtub, or sink; something less obvious like roof-related leaks occurring in chimneys, vents, or skylights, or, from leaks associated with inadequate or deteriorating flashing on windows and doors; and from Mother-Nature-induced ice dams.

Why Temperature Discrepancies Can Spell Big Trouble

Many of the reasons past and new customers reach out to us at South Shore Roofing in winter months have to do with the colder temperatures we experience in the Greater Boston area. The huge difference between the temperature outside home and office buildings and the temperature inside can cause an abnormally large amount of condensation, causing walls to get and remain wet. This in turn leads to mold build-up and water and mold stains. In addition, as we discussed in our blog post about ice dams, such temperature contrasts (uneven temperatures) can occur within your home or office roof itself. The latter can also lead to leaks and water damage.

Our residential roofing contractor and commercial roofing contract experts can help you determine both the source of your wall moisture and the best way to treat it. For example, installing adequate roof ventilation in your home or office may help to control moisture levels and save you from needing a premature roof replacement. Or, perhaps, your home needs greater insulation.

Experiencing the “moisture meddling” signs we described above? Don’t try to solve or fix the problem yourself. Contact our team of professional home roofers and commercial roofers at South Shore Roofing today to ensure the good health of your family, tenants, employees, and that of your business property or residential property!

The In’s and Out’s of Interior Design: What’s Hot and What’s Not for The New Decade

While we repair existing/old roofs and install new ones all year long – hey, sometimes, for a variety of reasons, a client can’t wait for warm, sunny weather to be underway in New England – we find many homeowners and business owners don’t tend to think about replacing their roof when snow is in the air, ice is on the ground, or simply when the temperature is below 50 degrees.

Given the above, we thought our blog readers might rather focus on the inside of their homes and/or businesses right now. With that in mind, we did some research on, and all the consolidating of others’ thoughts regarding, “what’s hot and what’s not” as far as interior decorating goes for 2020. Keep in mind that these opinions about interior decorating trends are the opinions of design experts, not those of South Shore Roofing – we’ll limit our design suggestions to your home’s or business’ exterior!

So, as a new decade of design gets underway, what’s in and what’s out?

In

  • Colored cabinetry
  • Stoned counters
  • Patterned flooring
  • Ceiling treatments
  • Open floor plans, multi-use spaces, more-functional spaces
  • Bolder-colored & bolder-shaped kitchen tiles/backsplashes
  • Less is more – the number of decorative objects on display should be reduced, and rotated by season. This also means furniture that can serve as a decorative object is in. Another “in?” Industrial lighting, considered to be minimalist.
  • Mixing old with new – instead of one design style, the eclectic, Bohemian look is expected to make a comeback – vintage furniture should be mixed with more modern pieces
  • Authenticity – commercial and living spaces should reflect the many interests of the owner or renter
  • Faux furs and blankets for couch and sofa draping
  • Bar cabinets
  • Furniture with ribbed or channeled surfaces
  • Sustainable furniture & décor – purchasing and decorating with pieces that are expected to last a long time and that take into consideration where and how pieces were made
  • Green accents
  • Velvet
  • Geometric designs
  • Canopy beds
  • Four walls of wallpaper vs. an accent wall (see below) and flowered wallpaper

Out

  • In keeping with “less is more” being in, clutter is out
  • Dark wood cabinets
  • Anything grey or neutral-colored unless it has some kind of special texture or visual interest – this includes paint and furniture
  • Formal, single-use spaces
  • All-white kitchens, but black is back, so think about a black & white kitchen, instead!
  • Accent walls (one wall of a room is wall-papered)
  • Some faux things, but not all (see above) – faux finishes and plants are out
  • Neon lights
  • Bar carts

Of course, the above lists are just the interior design projections of a small number of interior designers. As noted under the “ins,” we believe authenticity is always “in” and decorating in a manner that reflects who you are, what’s important to you, and what feels comfortable and like “home” to you is always a great way to go! Still, as you think about refreshing your house’s or your office’s look & feel this year, you may find our lists a good resource, particularly if you’re updating your home to put on the market!

Regardless of whether a home or office design “refresh” is in the cards for 2020, we’re always here at South Shore Roofing to talk to you about what’s hot and what’s not as far as commercial roofs and home roofs go — not only trends in the appearance of your residential roof or business roof, but also what materials are currently thought (and we’ve experienced to be) best to ensure a long-lasting, high-functioning, durable roof. Whether you decide on asphalt, metal, rubber, TPO, or other options, South Shore Roofing can meet all of your residential and commercial roof installation needs. So, please reach out to our expert roofing contractors if you are considering repairing, replacing or installing a roof on Greater Boston’s South Shore!

 

South Shore Roofing: Massachusetts’ Roofing Contractor

roofing specialist hanover maSince we founded our roofing company in 2002, we have built a reputation of quality and affordability in Cohasset, Massachusetts and the surrounding areas. We offer roofing services for both residential and commercial buildings including repair work, regular maintenance, and full roof replacements. We pride ourselves on taking the time to listen to our clients’ needs to ensure that the job is done right.

In this blog, through a diverse set of future blog posts, we will discuss various aspects of the roofing industry, as well as the challenges of being a home or commercial property owner. Whether you’re interested in learning more about roof repair and how to properly maintain your roof, or you want information on tangential topics, like home decorating, and home & office safety, you’ll want to subscribe. There are many interesting topics to explore related to creating and maintaining the ideal appearance, safety, and longevity of your home or office building, and we’re bringing them all to you!

When you need residential roofing services/home roofing services and/or commercial roofing services on the  South Shore of Boston, MA, you can trust South Shore Roofing to get the job done right the first time. Visit other page of our site to learn more about our services, view a photo gallery of our previous work, and see what our satisfied customers are saying about us. We work hard to maintain our reputation as one of the best locally owned and operated roofing contractors/roofing companies in Massachusetts by providing reliable and high quality craftsmanship in every project, big or small.

Contact us today to speak to a roofing contractor who understands local homes and businesses better than anyone. We proudly serve customers in Massachusetts, particularly in the South Shore towns below, and accept credit cards and offer financing through a third party.

  • Braintree, MA
  • Cohasset, MA
  • Duxbury, MA
  • Hanover, MA
  • Hull, MA
  • Kingston, MA
  • Marshfield, MA
  • Norwell, MA
  • Pembroke, MA
  • Plymouth, MA
  • Quincy, MA
  • Scituate, MA
  • Weymouth, MA