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Written by Roof Top Services, Inc
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Tuesday, 20 September 2011 15:02 |
With the winter months approaching, numerous residential roofing companies are receiving a number of enquiries regarding repairing leaking roofs. Roof leaks should never wait until the last possible moment as they can cause devastating effects, not just to the roof of the house, but the interior and structure of the home as well. If a leak remains undetected, it can grow, causing materials surrounding the leak to begin to rot and sag. If the leak is able to gain access into the inside of the home, it can cause unhealthy mold to form. In both these scenarios, it is more expensive to fix the leak after serious damage has been caused. It is less expensive to fix a residential leaky roof right at its onset.
As just mentioned, the main reason why individuals need to repair their leaky roof as soon as a leak is noticed is that it can result in hefty charges if left alone. Think about it this way, when a person gets sick, they immediately treat it so they symptoms do not get worse. If symptoms get worse, it could mean expensive doctor visits and even more expensive medications. The same should be considered with a roof. At the first sight of a leak, homeowners need to call a professional, licensed and bonded roofing company to fix the leak. A small leak will cost mere pennies as opposed to what it will cost to replace part of the roof as well as damage done inside the home as well.
Another reason why homeowners need to repair their roof when it leaks is because persistent leaks can cause the creation of mold. Not only is mold extremely dangerous to the health and wellness of those who live inside the home, it can actually destroy the home and cause the roof to sag. Removing mold is very expensive, especially when rotted drywall, beams, window frames, studs, trusses and ceilings are all damaged due to mold. Unfortunately, many homeowner insurance companies do not pay for damage caused by mold from roof leaks. Individuals should take a good hard look at their insurance policy because most likely there is a clause limiting or even excluding payments for home-related issues caused by mold. This leaves homeowners footing the bill when they have roofing repair companies and mold removal companies coming in to complete a job to make the house a safe place to live in once again.
Do not wait for the water to leak down before taking action. If a homeowner notices discolored patches on their ceiling, take action fast before the entire frame starts to rot. The National Roofing Contractors Association recommends that homeowners have their roof inspected twice a year. One of the things they will look for are leaks. Once a leak is noticed, the roofing company will immediately repair it to ensure that all items under the roof, including floors, walls, ceilings, personal effects, and furniture, are not damaged.
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Written by Roof Top Services, Inc
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Monday, 15 August 2011 19:05 |
The most common roofing material used on a majority of residential homes in any neighborhood around the United States is asphalt shingles. They are a lot less expensive than other roofing options and very easy to install. This makes them a very popular choice for homeowners looking to redo their roof. However, on the downside, shingles have a shorter life span than most other roofing materials. Because of this, they have to be checked often, either when looking to protect the home or get it ready to put on the market. It is essential to know what to look for when inspecting roof shingles to know if the shingles are going bad. Replacement or repairs are the two viable options when it comes to bad roof shingles. Roof shingles may be interiorly or exteriorly bad, so it is important to check both.
Many times, there are signs that roof shingles are bad without having to venture to the top of the roof. Stains located along ceilings and/or attics are a good indication that there is a leak in the roof. New stains are soft to the touch, while older stains are firmer because they have existed for some time. Even though water stains may not necessarily be connected to bad roof shingles, it is advisable to monitor the location and proceed with caution. It could be a sign of a larger problem, as in the insulation is moldy and/or wet due to bad roof shingles.
A good sign that roof shingles are going bad is if the homeowner heads into the attic and can see the sun’s rays through the roof. If the sun is able to shine and get through the roof, it is a good indication that moisture is able to enter into the house through the roof as well. Elevated energy bills are another good sign of a problem with roof shingles. Insulation in the home is being made ineffective due moisture entering in through the roof. It allows cold air to enter into the home, making the heating system work much harder to keep the home warm.
Exterior signs of roof shingles going bad can be seen by a trip onto the roof. However, before proceeding to the roof, maintain caution. Walking on the roof can cause further damage to shingles if not careful. Furthermore, the right kind of protection is needed for the person on the roof, such as a hardhat and a harness. A good sign of roof shingles going bad are damaged and missing shingles. Cracking, wavy edges and curling are all signs of shingle damage. Another sign is pieces of roofing shingles located along the gutters of the home and spread along the roof’s surface. Cracking and blistering roof shingles is a primary sign that the residential roof is starting to fail and requires immediate attention. While mold and algae on the roof is not a primary indicator of bad shingles on the roof, if it is the only place where mold and algae reside along the home’s exterior, it is a probable sign of ineffective roofing insulation most likely due to roof shingles that are going bad. |
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Written by Roof Top Services, Inc
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Sunday, 10 July 2011 23:00 |
It is unfortunate that a majority of times roofs on Orlando commercial buildings are often ignored until there is a large problem, such as a leak, missing shingles, or water clinging to the ceiling of the commercial building. Once a problem gets to be quite large, most businesses are unnerved to find out that it will cost a lot of money to have it repaired. Like with a majority of thing, it is always better to catch any problems while they are still small, which is why preventative commercial roof maintenance is always recommended. Having regular commercial roof maintenance is important because roofs are not the easiest to get access to for proper evaluation. The longer a business allows a problem with the commercial roof to persist, the more money they are likely to spend fixing it. It is important to keep in mind, for example, the leaks in roofs cause water to get trapped in the ceiling. If not fixed right away, the stagnant water will continue to build, causing the formation of mold. Not only does mold have the possibility of causing harm to the structure of the commercial building, but it can also cause employees to get sick.
Having regular preventative commercial roof maintenance will save money because if there needs to be repairs, they are often miniscule and do not cost a lot. Regular maintenance will also maintain the longevity of the roof – the business will not have to replace the roof as often. Not only that, but businesses will not have to pay compensation to workers who get sick due to the increase of mold in the building.
Orlando commercial businesses should have their roofs inspected by a roof maintenance company at least two times during the year. One of the scheduled appointments should be conducted after the winter months as heavy snowfalls may cause the structure of the roof to become weak, possibly leading to the collapse of the roof. Also have an inspection done in the fall, before the winter begins. If there are any weak spots, they can be fixed before the snow fall occurs and ensure s the drainage system on the roof is operating at an optimal level.
A good commercial roof maintenance inspection will include things such as sealing pipes and vents, covering exposing nails, securing any loose shingles, removing any additional debris, and inspecting and performing minor repairs. All this preventative roof maintenance will ensure the roof lasts longer and costly future repairs are avoided.
When it comes to hiring a company to do preventative commercial roof maintenance once or twice a year, it is important for businesses to locate a good, professional commercial roofing company. A professional commercial roofing company will offer a lot of information during the course of the roof inspection, including photographs of all problem locations along with a detailed description of what they did to fix it, a description of the current roofing system, a list of any recommended replacements or repairs that will make the roof stronger and increase its longevity, and an estimate of the life cycle of the current commercial roofing system. Having regular commercial roof maintenance ensures the roof stays strong and the inside of the building remains dry and safe. |
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Written by Roof Top Services, Inc
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Tuesday, 07 June 2011 19:06 |
A residential roof warranty is a formal written agreement in relation to the integrity of the residential roof and the responsibility of the roofing manufacturer to replace or repair the roof if defective. It is extremely important for all homeowners to get a roof warranty as it is one of the most important aspects of the home, and one of the most expensive if it gets damaged. However, a warranty does not provide all inclusive coverage for all problems, so it is important to understand what a residential roof warranty covers and does not cover.
If a problem occurs with the roof, such as a leak and the homeowner adheres to the terms of the warranty, the warranty will provide the necessary remedy, including fixing the leak or replacing an entire section of the roof. The objective of a residential roof warranty is to guarantee the overall quality of the roof installation and that it will provide the home with long term performance. A long term warranty will improve the total performance and quality of the roof. If there is a problem, a warranty will often dictate that an inspection occurs to locate the damage and see if it is covered under the warranty.
Because residential roof warranties do not offer blanket coverage, it is extremely important to understand the residential roof warranty. Many warranties differ depending on the manufacturer as well as the contractor. It is essential to always read over the fine print of a residential roofing warranty. The fine print will outline all coverage exclusions, which often include pounding water, natural disasters, excessive traffic, building component failure, metal work failure, and wind.
Make certain that the exclusions are specific. For example, when discussing weather or natural disasters, the warranty should state that it will not cover damage done by a hurricane and associated wind speeds that were a certain number of miles per hour or higher than a certain number of feet off the ground. Wind also needs to be specifically defined in a residential roofing warranty as well. The more specific the warranty is, the easier it is to understand what is covered.
When reading over the residential roofing warranty to understand it, individuals will also notice a number of omissions whereby the warranty will be considered null and void. If a homeowner decides to make any modifications, alterations, or repairs to their roof without notifying the manufacturer and receiving written authorization to do so, the warranty could be voided. Doing repairs with an unqualified, non licensed contractor may also lead to the cancellation of the warranty. If the homeowner does not take reasonable care of maintaining their roof, the warranty may be voided as well. One last act that is a common way to get a warranty canceled is by placing equipment, fixtures, utilities, or structures on the roof with no prior written authorization.
Residential roofing warranties contain a number of notification requirements, including the amount of time a homeowner has to notify the manufacturer of a problem. Most require maximum 30 days notification. This is to protect the manufacturer from unreported prolonged roof leaks that cause greater, more expensive damage that would have been prevented if the homeowner reported it earlier on.
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Written by Roof Top Services, Inc
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Monday, 09 May 2011 18:33 |
A roof serves to protect a home from the elements; unfortunately, however, roofs don’t last forever. Many roofs fail to last as long as they can simply because homeowners keep an “out of sight, out of mind” mindset. This eventually leads to major roof repairs. How do you know when it’s time to get a new roof?
Perform a visual inspection on a regular basis. Mark the calendar and do it on a periodic basis, and especially after each storm. You don’t have to climb onto the roof but a pair of binoculars and a scan from a short ladder is a good habit to practice. It is important to climb up there at least once a year for a closer look. Buckling, discoloration on your roof, rotting shingles, termite damage, age of your roof and interior damage, are just a few of the tell, tale signs that indicate that your roof is at risk for costly repairs.
Flashing (construction material used to prevent the passage of water around objects) at the roof line, vents and valleys need to be maintained in top shape. Galvanized metal flashing should go underneath the shingles. Common areas to look at galvanized flashing are around the edge of the roof-line and around anything that breaks the shingle surface or extends out of it (chimney, vents, skylights, etc.) Examine the flashing for dried, cracked roof cement and for metal corrosion. Flashing spots are normally the areas of a roof that may have problems or leak and are usually looked past due to the slow process of tell, tale signs of something wrong.
Check your roof for rotting shingles. Surface chipping and corrosion are common clues that something wrong with your roof. Rotting shingles contain holes or show signs of substantial deterioration. If the shingles on your roof that you can see have begun to rot, there is a high chance that the rot is occurring in areas you cannot see as well. A rotting roof should be replaced before further damage can occur. Cedar shake shingles are notorious for cracking and bowing when they’re nearing the end of their lifespan. Replace these shingles as necessary, but it’s a better idea just to get rid of them. Check the ground around the perimeter of your home for shingles or pieces of shingles that may have blown off your roof. Excessive loss of shingles may indicate a new roof is needed.
Consider the age of your roof and the cost of repairs. If your roof is more than 20 years old, the cost of repeated roof repairs can rapidly surpass the price of a new roof. In such case, opting for a new roof replacement may be the most financially sound option in the long run. You may consider replacing an aging roof even if it doesn’t show any current signs of deterioration. A new roof is an attractive feature for buyers if you plan on selling your home and increases your property value.
The usual sign of problem with your roof is sagging or uneven conditions. Your ridge line should be straight. If a swoop is seen between rafters your sheathing may be at fault. If it’s sagging on the ridge line, you may have foundation damage. Check inside the home under the sag for cracked drywall and doors that may drag. Note any sagging in any of the ceilings of your home. Sagging ceilings are sure signs of water damage caused by roof leaks. Check your attic for sagging as well. This is often the first area of the home in which water damage becomes apparent.
There are many things that you can do to maintain your roof and neglect is not one of them. The only sure way to know if you need a roof replacement is to have a professional come out and inspect it for you. A roofer can tell you whether and damage they find can be easily repaired or if a new roof is a better option. An existing roof can be tuned up for a longer life span simply by being proactive with inspections and making small repairs. Don’t find yourself spending unnecessary costs on outlandish repairs when all you need is a little TLC for your roof. |
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