By the Carey Brothers, Syndicated Columnists

With wet weather on the way in many parts of the country, now is the time to inspect your roof.

A roof leak can result in significant damage to insulation, walls, ceilings, flooring and personal property. If undetected, a leak can cause rot that will endanger the structural integrity of the roof framing system and cause costly repairs.

The larger the leak, the greater the damage; however, we once found pinhole leak in galvanized sheet metal roof flashing that ruined an entire bathroom during a single storm.

According to the National Roofing Contractors Association, a roof should be inspected at least twice annually — once in the fall before the rains and again in the late spring to determine how it fared during the winter.

Most homeowners can inspect a roof for trouble areas and can make the required repairs. If you have a fear of heights or otherwise feel uneasy about attempting such a project, many professional roofing companies will provide a free inspection and provide a written estimate.

You can also use binoculars for a closer look. It’s a good idea to limit traffic on the roof to prevent damage to shingles or tiles.

Look for loose shingles or shakes, or, if you have a tile or slate roof, check for missing or cracked pieces. On shingle roofs, look for curling, fraying and tears at the edges. Check the flashings around chimneys, vents, skylights and other roof penetrations. They should be tight and in good condition.

Maintaining good roof flashings, especially those at roof edges and penetrations, is crucial. Many roof leaks are actually flashing leaks.

Leaves, pine needles and other debris inhibit the roof’s ability to properly shed water, and are the cause of water backing up between shingles or around flashings. Clogged gutters and downspouts is another cause of leaks. It is important to clear sticks, leaves, tennis balls and other debris from drains, scuppers and gutters at least yearly.

Sometimes a visual inspection of the roof isn’t enough. A water test may be in order. You’ll need to venture atop the roof to do this effectively. Use a firmly braced or tied-off ladder equipped with rubber safety feet and wear rubber-soled shoes to avoid slipping.

Using a garden hose, run water onto the areas where a leak is most likely. For example, if there is a water stain on the ceiling just in front of the fireplace in the living room you’ll want to concentrate on that general area. The chimney flashing may be the culprit in this case and a water test is sure to expose it.

It’s useful to have a helper in the attic who can readily detect where the water is making its way through the roof. Work your way up from the lowest part of the slope, tackling one area at a time and working on a dry surface.

Sometimes a dab of roofing adhesive, a touch of caulking or a small shingle patch is all that’s required. Other times flashing, vents or sections of roofing must be torn out and replaced, in which case hiring a roofing professional would be wise.

If your roof is 15 years or older or has leaked periodically, its condition should be evaluated once annually by a roofing contractor. A new roof should be considered to preserve the integrity of the home.

If you decide to install a new roof, there are two alternatives: recovering (installing a new roof over the existing one) or replacement.

While some building codes will allow the application of up to three layers of roofing, we recommend that all existing roof cover be torn off before the new roof is installed.

Frequently the roof sheathing or wood decking below the roof cover is rotting. The only way to effectively inspect and repair this damage is by removing all of the existing roof cover.

Having the roof sheathing exposed is a prime opportunity to look for protruding nailheads that can damage roofing and become the source of future leaks.

Another disadvantage to multiple layers of roofing is the weight that is placed upon the roof structure.
When selecting a contractor follow these guidelines:

Ask friends and neighbors for the names of contractors they would recommend.
Be sure the contractor has a permanent business address and phone number.
Be sure the contractor is licensed (where required) and check with the licensing agency to check the status of the license.
Get three to four written estimates.
Call your local Better Business Bureau to find out if there are any complaints on file.
Ask for a list of customer references and take the time to check them out.
Be certain the contractor carries liability and worker’s compensation insurance. Ask for certificates of insurance.
Insist on a warranty for materials and workmanship, and at contract time, get it in writing.
Be sure everything is in writing: scope of work, materials, warranties, price and start and completion dates.

GAF is now offering $300 in rebates for Active Military, Veterans and Retirees on their GAF Lifetime Roofing System installed by Roof Top Services. Roof Top Services will match that $300 for a total of $600 off! If you are active in the Military or a Veteran, contact Roof Top Services today for more information!

Everyone with a home has a roof and everyone needs a good Orlando Roofer to take care of their roof. A roof is just as important to your house as the main entrance door. Just like the door stops intruders from invading your house, the roof stops rain, sunlight and other things from reaching indoors. The importance of a roof cannot be understated.

The job of a roof is not just to serve as a lid to your house; it does much more than that. A roof adds beauty to your house. This is what really gives that different look to the house. Imagine all the houses having identical roofs… nightmarish, right? All the houses would almost look the same. Homeowners today have a variety of roof designs to choose from, such as:

Flat roofs
Hexagonal gazebo roof
Jerkin head roof
Dutch gable roof
So, what kind of the roof is best for you? A good Orlando Roofer can help you decide that. Almost all different kinds of roofs are seen in Orlando, due to the city’s moderate climate. A good Orlando Roofer will not only help you decide on the best design for your roof, but will also help you with further roofing issues.
Most of the people today have their roofs sheeted. Some use steel for this purpose while some use simple tiles to give their roof a unique touch.
No matter if you are constructing a new roof or renovating an old one, you will require the services of a good Orlando Roofer. It is inevitable for a roof to start decaying after a few years. As per research, most roofs are good for 12-15 years, after which they start deteriorating and ask for repair services.
A good Orlando Roofer can help you enhance the life of your roof. Most Orlando Roofer firms suggest covering the roof for better protection. Some of the advantages of roof covering are:

Longer life of the roof
Better temperature control
Enhanced beauty
Roof covering will provide shelter against the roof’s natural enemies, such as sunlight and rain. Heavy shower and strong sunlight cause damage to the roof. Water adds moisture to the roof which leads to breakage and leaks. The moisture also gives birth to micro-organisms that further rot the roof.
Most Orlando Roofer companies suggest that it also is great in controlling room temperature. When the roof is covered, the sun is not able to reach the house directly, hence the temperature remains controlled. This, as a result, greatly helps cut energy costs too. It is also more comfortable to live in.
The beauty of a roof also increases by using roof sheets. Orlando Roofer firms insist that people in Orlando often go for roof sheeting just because they realize the value it adds to their house. Different kinds of roof covers give a different look to the roof. The roof alone can completely change the look of the house.
In a nutshell, the roof is very important for any house and it is imperative that you take care of and maintain your roof. If you value your house then you should value your roof too. Get your roof checked for any leaks or damages by a good Orlando Roofer and have a better and more secure shelter.

When Mother Nature causes destruction, an Orlando Roofer from Roof Top Services of Central Florida, Inc. can utilize an emergency tarp over service to protect your roof. In times of harsh weather conditions often debris can become weapons for destruction, causing broken skylights or holes in roofs.

The tarp over service is ideal in situations where the roof must be covered quickly in order to prevent further damage and protect the interior of the structure.

Tarp Overs often grant up to 90 days of protection which is necessary when money is not readily available from the outset and one must protect a building from rain and other weather conditions. Furthermore, those 90 days can also be spent repairing the roof while maintaining the inside in perfect condition.

There are several steps that experienced roofers will follow to place a tarp over a roof:

1. First the situation is assessed. The interior is checked for leaks and the exterior is examined for broken tiles and material

2. A piece of tarp is cut that fits the dimensions of the damaged area

3. The tarp is then placed near the eaves and stapled to one of the boards to secure it. Then another board is placed on top of the first board

4. The other side of the tarp is then secured as well

5. All the edges of the trap are then secured

As one can see, the process of a tarp over involves a hefty amount of securing and labor and should not be attempted by an inexperienced person. Placing a tarp over one’s roof after a devastating storm or other natural occurrence is essential to prevent further damage from happening to a roof.

If you have recently experienced roof damage and are in need of emergency repair, please contact out well trained staff at Roof Top Services of Central Florida to provide you with the best Orlando Roofer for the job.

There are different types of roof shingles used by an Orlando Roofer such as Roof Top Services of Central Florida, Inc. that are available today. This type of covering for one’s gable is overlapped tiles which are laid from the bottom edge. At the top of the slope, the slats are covered with a ridge which was traditionally made from lead or copper.

Today, the tiles that are applied in this method are under-laid with plastic which is a better way of protecting the inside of the house and the rooftop. The tiles that are employed can be made from different materials. There are also several layers of materials that are laid under the tiles of the rooftop such as fiberglass sheeting.

Asphalt tiles are conventional and low cost and come in various colors. The warranty length should be taken into account and can vary between 20 and 40 years. It can also be weighted according to fire resistance, therefore, one should understand that this material could be a fire hazard, but that is less likely because of the treatments that are applied.

Architectural tiles are similar to Asphalt, but thicker and substantial. They can be made to resemble other materials such as slate or wood shakes which are quite attractive. These are a little more expensive and one should inquire about the laminate that is part of the package.

Wood tiles are carved from either yellow pine that has been pressure treated or cedar. These tiles are naturally resistant to weather. This choice is a very expensive choice because of its premium quality and installation costs. However, when selecting this option, one is guaranteed of a longer lasting result.

The concrete tile is a cheaper and lighter weight option but offers the same kind of benefits that the clay tile offers. Both of these materials can take extreme heat and cold, hail, high winds and fire and they can last for 100 years or more. Slate tiles are the most expensive option that one can get.

Slate is a natural product and comes in a wide variety of shades and colors. If the slate is properly installed and maintained regularly, it can last indefinitely. The disadvantage of using slate is that it is extremely heavy. The house and the foundations need to be structurally sound enough to bear the weight of the tiles, so it’s essential to ensure this before purchasing.

A more stylish type of tile that can be chosen would be a slate tile, which is of the best quality and provides excellent protection. It does make a heavy load so the house needs to be able to withstand the weight. Slate naturally comes in various colors. It is the most expensive option because it is complicated to install and high cost. In the state of Florida, one would be wise to install the best types of roof shingles used by an Orlando Roofer such as Roof Top Services of Central Florida, Inc.

A good contractor such as Roof Top Services of Central Florida, Inc. should be able to tell the difference between commercial and residential Orlando Roof Repair services. This means that when hiring a contractor, you need to consider several things. These will help you in staying in a building which will not have several problems. The materials used during the process are very vital.

If the contractor decides to use low quality materials then you will have to do frequent maintenance practices for your own safety. Homeowners will ensure that they call the technician to serve them immediately they realize that their roofs are leaking. When this is a store where you keep most of your commodities then this has to be taken as fast as possible. This depends on the weather. Some goods will get damaged when they get into contact with water.

The procedure to maintain the roofs in good conditions may either be simple or complicated. For you to count yourself lucky, then you need to ensure that your technician has got the necessary skills which will enable him to deal with such problems successfully. The main aim is to get your house back to its usual state and reduce the damages. The technicians in Orlando are qualified to handle residential and commercial roofs.

The costs of such services should be taken into consideration. Some cheap services may not be of high quality. A roofing professional should be at a position to work faster and should portray competence in his work. This will help him to advertise his good work to other clients. It is also important to discuss the charges and even mode of payment.

When calling the company to offer such services, ensure that you give them all the necessary information. This will promote communication between both of you. When the signs are properly described then the expert may be at a position to guess where the problem is. Such information should involve what raised your index of suspicion about the tiles or even the roof itself. Such signs include leaking, destroyed tiles or coatings. The roofing may have a number of problems which can only be identified by professionals in this field. The information given to specialist may be useful in coming up with rough estimate of the charges.

At times the tiles may only need coating to sort out their issues. In other cases they require total replacement with new ones. The coatings are suitable for enhancing the lifespan of these items. Some coatings act as protective layer against rain, heat and snow. Precise information would be very crucial in determining the right procedure.

There are different roofing designs which contractors use. The sloping and flat roofs are quite popular. The flat type does not allow the rain to drain off unlike the sloping kind. This implies that the flat roofs need a lot of attention to maintain.

In order to make your house look beautiful, you need to carry out such measures regularly. No one would be pleased to stay or store his commodities in a leaking house. There is not much difference between what commercial and residential Orlando Roof Repair contractors from Roof Top Services of Central Florida, Inc. offer to their clients but that small difference can be key.

When constructing or repairing your home, Orlando Roof Repair Contractor pro’s from Roof Top Services of Central Florida, Inc. know that the roof is an important part which has to receive the best kind of service. This is to ensure it is not destroyed by natural effects like strong winds or heavy rain. You therefore need good and long lasting service done on the roofing. If you want to comprehensively deal with the roofing, you have to consider the Warranty options offered by a roofing contractor. There is much on offer when you consider these warranties.

 

An act which has been there for a long time and which continues to be existent is that of selling your home to move into another one. Since there are many on offer here, one has to look for a means of offering an edge to the buyers. This is possible if you have a guarantee from the person who made the roof. This assures the buyers of free repair in case of a fault which is a good deal when buying a home.

It is known that any fault or damage on the roof of a house can cost one much money especially if it is extensive. One should therefore look for a means of ensuring that you do not encounter additional costs. Getting warranties for the roof will cater for any problem which may occur during the period thus ensuring you do not pay for repairs which are to be done.

With delicate parts like the roofing of the home, you must ensure that they are done in a quality manner. When one goes for the warranty, you can be least assured that quality work will be done. This is because, the contractor will do a great job so that you do not come back with complains which will be only an added cost to him.

In order to be settled and have a good time whether alone or with friends, you must have peace of mind always. This is possible if you are not thinking of other pressing issues which you have to attend to. This is what the guarantee period offered is responsible for. You can stay relaxed knowing that in case of any fault on the made roof, there is someone who will work on it at no additional cost.

The lengthy processes which are involved in the many businesses today are quite discouraging to people. When it comes to the warranties offered by contractors here, they are simply acquired and you do not have to worry about the lengthy procedures. Furthermore, you are not charged any extra cost after the payments you made with the repairs.

Warranties have lengthy time periods to ensure one has enough time to scrutinize the work done. You should therefore go the warranties to ensure you have the chance of placing complaints. It is therefore wise to look at the warranties for an assurance of repairs in case of a problem.

Making of the roof should therefore not be taken lightly; one has to take keen measures to benefit more. One way of doing this is by settling on any one of the warranty options offered by an Orlando Roof Repair Contractor such as Roof Top Services of Central Florida, Inc. who are the most reliable.

When it comes to selecting a roofer, there are certain things you need to pay attention to in order to ensure that you are not only dealing with a professional; but that you are also dealing with someone who is very experienced. Here are some tips to help you select a good roofer:

• Check with the roofer’s suppliers, vendors, and previous customers to get an idea of how they do business. This will give you an idea of the type of service to expect.
• Find out what the local bylaws and homeowner association rules are for roof work. If the roofer knows that, for example, a permit is required; then this means that the roofer is knowledgeable.
• If the roofer or employees are unprofessional in the way they speak on the telephone; this is an indication of the same lack of professionalism you can expect should you hire them.
• If the company shows an interest in only big roofing projects, then this indicates that money and not customer service and satisfaction is their primary focus.
• An experienced roofer will expose the roof down to the wood to give you a more accurate estimate of costs.
• A good roofer will hand nail the shingles so that care is taken to ensure that each shingle is properly secured.
• A good roofer will have worker’s compensation and general liability insurance.
• A good roofer is properly equipped with safety gear, roofing jacks, roofing magnets, and containers to remove wastes.

Algae are actually plants that do not have roots, stems, leaves, flowers, et cetera. However, the variety that grows on roofs relies on the sun, moisture, and the shingles to provide sustenance for their growth. Since asphalt shingles are made of limestone, algae have ample supply of food from these shingles. The most common type of algae that grow on roofs is gloeocapsa magma.

Algae that grow on roofs usually give the roof a dark and often times unsightly color and also hideous streaks and stains. These organisms also cause the roof to look much older that it really is. They also give the visual impression that the roof is in need of replacement.

One of the major problems with roof algae is not so much the unsightly streaks and stains on the roof but the fact that as time goes by; they will cause the shingles to lift which could have a domino effect in terms of roof damage.

With the climate of Florida being what it is, algal growth on roofs is a common issue that an Orlando roofer faces. The good news is that roof algae can be removed with targeted cleaning methods. By so doing, not only will the life of the roof be extended but its curb appeal will significantly be enhanced.

An Orlando roofer is able to get rid of roof algae in a professional way that does not damage the shingles. The right chemicals, process, and safety equipment ensure that the job is done right the first time.

Rain gutters that surround a roof can sometimes be havens for all sorts of debris. Leaves, granules from roof shingles, bits of broken branches, and even small animals are common inhabitants of gutters.

However, it is very important that rain gutters are kept clean so that water on the roof can be carried away from the roof and away from the foundation of the house. Clean gutters certainly help to prevent water from pooling on and around the roof thus preventing roof decay. Cleaning rain gutters at least in the spring and again in the fall is good preventative maintenance. Here are some gutter cleaning tips:

• The first priority is safety. Ensure that you use a ladder of the right length and that you and the ladder are properly tied off.
• Wear a good pair of gloves to remove the debris from the gutters. Attach a container (garbage bag or pail) to the ladder in which to put the debris and empty it as often as necessary.
• When all the debris have been removed, wash the gutters to ensure that small debris are removed, there are no leaks, and also that there are no clogs in the gutter system.

If for any reason you are afraid of heights or find gutter cleaning a daunting task; call on the professional services of an Orlando roofer. An Orlando roofer can clean your rain gutters quickly and safely while at the same time identify any other issues with the roof that you might need to take note of.