No one enjoys making an insurance claim and all of the pains that come with it. However, when it comes to your roof, it's a necessary evil – especially when the damage is extensive. It can be a difficult process, so we have some tips for how to approach your claim as well as some information you may not know about the effect of your roof on your policy. 

The bigger the better, right? Not always. When it comes to gutters, many factors come into play to determine gutter size. Some issues may seem to be related to the size of your gutters but could end up being completely unrelated. Hiring a gutter specialist you trust is crucial, as they can help guide you towards the right gutters for your home. Trotter Roofing and Gutters has years of experience in gutter installation and is dedicated to giving our customers the information they need to make the best decision for their home. 

Your roof is a vital part of your home and when roof damages occur, you're likely racing to find a roofer so you can get everything fixed and back to normal as soon as possible. It's impossible to avoid everything that's a danger to your roof, but you can certainly be aware of possible threats so you can decide the best course of action moving forward. To help you stay aware, we've compiled a list of a few things to watch for in attempt to stop preventable roof damage. 

If you're a new homeowner, congratulations! We hope you're excited about your purchase and that moving is treating you kindly (or at least as kindly as it possibly can). Whether you're a first-time homebuyer or you've done this a few times, it's important to know what to expect and what to look for since you now have a roof that is solely your responsibility. Once you know the works, you'll have it covered without a problem, especially if you have a trusted roofer to help you when needed. 

These hot, Georgia summers are a force to be reckoned with! Between the humidity and the sun beating down on your home, you have likely noticed that your home gets way too hot during the day. Of course, this isn't a desirable outcome, and you may be wondering how you're going to beat the heat this summer. Hopefully, we can help you do just that as we outline the reasons your home may be getting hot and how to fix it. 

Choosing your roof material is a long-term investment, and you want to make sure you choose what's best for your home and location. You have to consider the pitch of your roof, expected longevity of the material, maintenance, energy efficiency, material weight, and price range. Some of the most frequently used materials seen by Trotter Roofing and Gutters include shingle, tile, metal, and EPDM roofing. We will dive into each of these roofing options and explain the benefits and downfalls of each to help you determine what's best for your home. 

Fads aren't always a good thing, and this was proven to be true after the popular Atlas Chalet shingles didn't pan out the way everyone thought they would. Similarly, it was found that CertainTeed Horizon shingles were also found to be a subpar product with a variety of defects. Though shingle roofs are generally expected to last around 25 years, you may experience a shorter life span from these widely used shingles. If you have either Atlas Chalet or CertainTeed Horizon shingles, here is what you need to know about the problems they cause and what you can do about it. 

Any good thing requires some TLC now and again. When it comes to roof flashing, it may not be something you notice, but it's actually the cause for the majority of roof leaks! You don't need to maintain your roof as often as your car, but it's important to periodically inspect it for any damage so any issues can be located and repaired. Leaks originating from roof flashing may go undetected for weeks or even months, leaving you with thousands of dollars of repairs and even potential health concerns. Here's what you need to know about roof flashing…

Roof leaks are inconvenient – there's no way around it! However, commercial roof leaks have a way of being especially destructive and expensive as it can lead to a loss in revenue for your business. As a business owner myself, I know that's the last thing you want! Money aside, commercial roof leaks can also result in major safety concerns, technology damage, fire hazards, and more. Though natural disasters can't be prevented, slow-growing roof leaks caused from neglect can be. By heeding these 5 tips, you can decrease the chances of letting a roof leak wreak havoc on your office. 

If you live in Georgia, you know that the summers are humid, and it's entirely possible that it will be 80 degrees on Saturday and snowing on Monday. While we don't experience extremely harsh winters, our temperatures can range greatly, with the average summer day being around 90 degrees and the average winter day being between 34 and 58 degrees. With temperatures varying as they do, we find that energy-efficient windows are great at regulating the temperature in your home and saving you money. Check out 6 reasons you need energy-efficient windows. 

The housing market is hot right now and as sellers are prepping their homes, the question arises: "Is it worth it to replace a roof on a home you will be moving out of soon?" Many variables come into play, but one of the initial deciding factors should revolve around the aesthetics of the roof. The first thing potential buyers see of your home is the outside. This means that you want your yard to be well kept, the paint to be in good shape and – you guessed it – your roof to look presentable. Think of your roof as a marketing tool. It's an opportunity to make an impression and leave buyers wanting to see more. Heed these home seller tips regarding your roof and get your home sold as quickly as possible! 

Have you ever visited Savannah or Charleston and noticed porches with blue ceilings or blue front doors? You may have even noticed homes outside of these cities with a blueish-green color painted somewhere near an entrance to a home. Though people may now use this blue color just because they like it, the origins of the color go back hundreds of years. Though starting as an old wives' tale, this trend has morphed over time to fit practical and aesthetic needs. But how exactly did "Haint Blue" come to be? What does it mean? Why are homeowners still painting their porch ceilings, doors, and window frames blue to this day? Here are four reasons people are painting their porch ceilings – historically and presently. 

Fall is here and you're probably noticing more and more leaves piling up not just on the ground, but also in your gutters. The primary job of gutters is to protect your home from water damage by diverting water away from the house, and though you may not notice them on a daily basis, they have an important job and should be cleaned out regularly. If you're not conscientious about your gutters, you could run into a variety of very expensive consequences! 

You want to keep your home as energy efficient as possible and one way you can do this is through proper insulation. Especially in the summer, your attic could reach stifling temperatures since heat rises and this can ultimately cause damage to your shingles and roof as a whole. If you have an attic that's too hot, it may be time to invest in attic insulation. However, we found that homeowners have a lot of questions when it comes to attic insulation, so we decided to answer some of those questions for you!

Do you ever find yourself being completely uninformed on a subject until it becomes relevant to you? You suddenly realize that you're not quite as knowledgeable as you think you should be, and scramble to find information. We find this to be true when it comes to solar panel roofing as many people aren't fully aware of the options, benefits, and details. We're here to explain the top 7 things you should know about solar panel roofing – whether you think you need it or not. 

Storms are unpredictable – despite meteorologists' best efforts to prepare the public for what's to come, whether it be your typical summer thunderstorm or the effects of Hurricane Irma (2017) felt by people all over Georgia. That's why you should get a step ahead and make sure your home is secure and ready to take on both small and large storms. Life happens, so preparation doesn't prevent damage, but it can minimize it. That's why we made a list of ways to prepare your home for bad weather, and what to check for when a storm gives your preparation a run for its money. 

If you've lived in Georgia for an extended amount of time, you know that the summers are long, the air is humid, and the pop-up storms are frequent. There's nothing quite like a good summer storm...except for when your rain gutters aren't able to withstand the downpours. To keep damage to a minimum and savings to a maximum, you need gutters that are installed properly and regularly maintained. Whether it be eliminating repair costs or collecting rainwater to save money on your water bill, your gutters play more of a role than you might think. 

In history books, you read about a time before electricity, cars, and other modern-day luxuries, but was there a time without roofs? Since the beginning of time, humans have sought after a place to protect them from the effects of weather. Each culture and region called for different roofing strategies and materials, but it was vital to daily life both then and now. The evolution of roofing has taken place over thousands of years, and we continue to make strides in the roofing industry, combining some of the world's oldest techniques with the technology of today. 

No one wants to deal with a leaky roof, but it's something that can't always be avoided for a variety of reasons. When your roof begins to leak, it's not an issue you should overlook as it could lead to an expensive and health-compromising problem. Let's look at some of the dangers that can occur because of a leak.