Archive for: roof tips

What To Look For In Your Roof Quote

By Ryan Roman
Thursday, March 31st, 2022

Alright, so you’ve had that reliable, trusted roofer take a look at your roof. The inspection has been done and now we are on to the next part of the process: the quote. Also known as the estimate, this is the report that the roofer provides at the end of the inspection process to let you know how your roof is doing and the approximate cost of the repairs that they have found. To help you fully understand what goes into a roofing estimate, check out the below!

 

What is Included in the Roof Quote?

 

Any professional roofing company will break down your quote into easy-to-follow items so you can know exactly what you’re paying for and how much it should be. The materials used and services provided should be specifically stated in the estimate so there is no guesswork when it comes to your roof work. The roof quote will also give an estimated timeline for your project so you can make sure that it fits into your schedule.

 

Will the Timeline Take Your Life’s Schedule into Consideration?

 

Your life should not be interrupted because of roof work. Whether you need your home or business’s roof done, you should feel confident that your day-to-day schedule will be minimally interrupted. Another part of the schedule is the availability of materials. All of the materials needed to do your roof work should be acquired well before your job is started- you definitely don’t want the job to be 75% done only to be waiting on materials. And lastly, the bigger the roof, the longer it will take. But this should all be explained by the roofer and in the quote!

 

Does the Roof Quote Expire?

 

With the cost of materials and their availability changing every day, there should be a clearly established expiration of your roofing quote. The price will constantly be changing, so knowing how long you have the price on the quote locked in will help you with how quickly you need to make a decision.

 

Will the Roofers Fix Unexpected Damages?

 

No matter how in depth the inspection is, there is always the possibility of hidden damage. It could be hidden under the layers of roofing, it may have made itself known as the project is underway- no matter the way it was discovered, you are going to want to know your roofing company’s plan on dealing with these unexpected hurdles. Some quotes may have an extra line on the estimate for unforeseen damages, some may add them to the labor costs. But no matter what, you will want to know your roofer’s plan for how they’ll deal with it and how that will affect you.

Any reputable roofing company should go over this and so much more when discussing their roofing quote with you. They should be eager to answer any questions you have and make it a top priority to make sure this whole roofing process is as simple as it can be for you. After talking with your roofer about your quote, you should be confident in the cost, the timeline, and the scope of your roofing project.

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Your Guide to Gutter Cleaning

By Ryan Roman
Tuesday, March 22nd, 2022

Gutters might be the most underrated part of your roofing system. They never truly get the credit they deserve- they’re integral to how your roof is supposed to work. And with the weather that we get here in Florida, these unsung heroes need to be ready to perform their duties for your property. All that rain and other precipitation needs somewhere to go. But, with the importance of the gutters to your roof, you don’t want to go up to check and clean the gutters unprepared.

Doing so can lead to damage to your roof, your home, and even yourself. That’s why we’ve gathered some of our best tips and tricks to help you safely and effectively get those gutters up to code.

 

Ladder Safety

 

First things first, always make sure that you’ve let someone know that you’ll be performing some gutter maintenance before you get going, just in case of an accident. Even the most experienced ladder users can fall if a gust of wind comes rolling through, so make sure you inform someone that you’ll be using a ladder.

 

Also, you’re going to want to inspect the ladder. A small issue could mean that your ladder isn’t safe to use. And once you’ve inspected it for safety, you’ll want to attach a bucket for the dirt and debris that is in your gutter. Secure that bucket with a lanyard so you don’t have to carry it around while you’re going up and down the ladder. And the last step- make sure there are no power lines or tree branches that will be blocking your path.

 

The Right Materials

 

Along with a safe ladder, you’ll want to get all of your materials before you get up on that roof. One of the most important things you’ll want to grab is a good, sturdy pair of gloves. Your hands need some protection against the debris that’s clogging your gutters, as it’s likely full of bacteria. Those gloves will also protect you from cuts from any shards that may have found their way into your gutter. Protective eyewear is also important as you never know what could come out of those downspouts.

 

And as for the actual cleaning of the gutters, there are two important items you’ll want to have: a scooper and a hose. You could use your hands to scoop out the debris in your gutter, but that scooper makes the job even easier. The technology has come a long way with the scooper, so you’ll be able to find a scooper specific for your gutters. And as for the hose, a pressurized spray nozzle attachment will help you with those final cleaning steps. You can also use it to confirm that water will safely travel through your gutters, down your downspouts, and away from your home’s foundation.

 

Pre-Cleaning

 

Now, we’ve talked a lot about the preparation that goes into cleaning your gutters. But, with the right steps, the actual cleaning should be a breeze! The first prep step is to get a tarp to put under you and your ladder to catch any debris that drops from your gutters. This tarp can also protect your landscaping and sidewalks.

 

Next, you’ll want to sweep or rake-off any excess debris that’s on your roof. You don’t want to go through all the work of cleaning your gutters just for the next rainstorm to push all the roof’s debris right back into your gutters.

 

Finally, the Actual Cleaning of the Gutters

 

We’ve made it! You are ready to get your gutters into tip-top shape. If you’ve performed all the necessary steps listed above, then we are at the easy part of the day! Make sure your ladder is safe and secure, your bucket is ready for debris-catching, and get to scooping that dirt out of your gutters! Once you’ve gotten as much as possible out of your gutters, run your hose to collect any remaining debris and ensure that rain and melting snow have a path away from your home.

All in all, it’s really a simple process. But this simple process is so important to make sure that your roofing system is operating properly. If you have any questions about how to properly clean your gutters or any other roofing services, you know where to find us, so call us today!

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5 Threats to Your Florida Roof

By Ryan Roman
Tuesday, October 12th, 2021

Living in Florida certainly has its perks. Sunshine, Disney World, year-round golf courses, the list goes on and on. But, for all of the benefits, there are also some downsides. As residential roofers, the All Area Roofing team has seen firsthand how the Florida climate can have a negative impact on our client’s roofing systems. 

To keep you informed, the residential roofers at All Area are sharing the five biggest threats to your Florida roof and what you need to be aware of to protect your home. Keep reading below to learn more!

Five Major Threats to Your Florida Roof

  1. The Florida Sunshine

They certainly don’t call Florida the Sunshine State for nothing! As much as we love the Florida sun and our year-round tans, the strong UV rays and constant sunshine can do a number on our roofs. 

If you have asphalt shingles on your home, you should know that UV rays can lead to a breakdown of the chemical coating on your shingles. When this happens, the oily substance covering the shingles can evaporate, leaving them unprotected. This can lead to dry, cracked shingles. Scheduling regular maintenance with your residential roofers can help keep your shingles safe from sun damage. 

  1. Heat Degradation 

It isn’t just the damaging UV rays we’re obligated to warn you about, but the overall heat degradation your shingles may face. The extreme Florida summers can cause your shingles to rapidly expand, followed by rapid contraction when temperatures cool in the fall. This can cause straining for your shingles and lead to a number of issues. 

Your residential roofers should inspect shingles that are peeling, splitting, or cracking, as these are all major signs of heat degradation. Left untreated, these cracks leave room for moisture and water damage overtime.

  1. Heavy Frequent Rainstorms 

Native Floridians know that afternoon storms seem to appear almost every day out of absolutely nowhere. These frequent, heavy rain showers can wear down shingles and other elements of your roofing structure overtime. If they bring strong enough winds with them, they can even cause shingles to come loose from your roof. 

Loose or missing shingles can easily lead to water damage that penetrates the roof deck and compromises the overall integrity of your roofing system. Moisture can also lead to problems like mold, mildew, and wood rot in your attic. 

  1. Poor Ventilation 

As Florida based residential roofers, we firmly believe that a well ventilated attic and roofing system is one of the most important elements of your home. Poorly ventilated attics can cause air and heat to become trapped, leading to many issues for your home including decreased energy efficiency, mold, mildew, and wood rot. Avoid these issues by ensuring your home is properly ventilated and if it is not, taking the necessary steps to fix the issue.

  1. Overhanging Tree Limbs 

We love our palm trees, the bigger the better! But, only when all limbs and branches are a safe distance from our homes. When tree limbs grow long enough that they hang over your home, they become a major hazard to your roof and home in general. All it takes is one extreme storm to take a limb off and send it right onto your roof, puncturing your shingles and leading to major repairs or even a replacement. Mitigate this risk by keeping tree limbs away from your property so it never becomes an issue. 

Despite the many threats to our Florida roofs, the residential roofers at All Area Roofing would want to live anywhere else. We’ll take our UV rays and heat degradation over ice and snow pile ups any day of the week! 

If the list made you pause to consider whether your roof might be in need of a few repairs, our team is here for you. Give us a call and we can schedule you for an inspection with one of our expert residential roofers today!

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How Heat and Humidity Affect Your Florida Roof

By Ryan Roman
Friday, September 3rd, 2021

I’m sure I’m not telling all you Florida residents something you don’t already know when I say that it can get pretty humid out there. And while it certainly affects our life when the temperature rises and you can feel the moisture in the air, most people don’t think about the ways it can affect your roof. Your roof is out there protecting you and keeping you cool from the sun, but in turn it can take a beating. Because of this, we decided to write a blog about the effects of heat and humidity have on your roof.

The unfortunate truth is that both heat and humidity can significantly decrease the life of your roof. The heat can cause your roof to expand, stretch, crack, break, and a variety of other not ideal actions. The holes and cracks that are created can allow moisture into your homes, which is only exasperated when the heat comes with humidity. The moisture can also become trapped in the cracks of your roof, which will lead to mold, rotting, weakening, and a host of other problems.

On top of the cracks and holes that lead to moisture in your roof, attic, and crawlspace, the heat and humidity will also increase the temperature of your roof. And that increased temperature means an increased workload for your air conditioner, which already has a harder job because of the moisture in the air. Unsurprisingly, that means that, if your roof isn’t up to the task, your energy bills could skyrocket.

And I know you’re reading this thinking, “But I can’t stop the sun from being hot and Florida from being humid, so what am I supposed to do?” Well, I’m glad you’ve made it this far! There are a few things you can do to make sure your roof is protecting yourself, your family, and your wallet from the heat and humidity of the Florida sun.

The first is to make sure your roof is properly ventilated. A lot of times, people say that a wave of humidity feels “stuffy”, and that feeling is only amplified when there’s no air flow. The vents will help prevent condensation from forming and will also dissipate the heat. By preventing condensation from forming, it will also help stop the formation of mold on the interior of your home.

This one shouldn’t come as a shock since it’s right in the name, but a dehumidifier can also help with the humidity in your attic and roof. A dehumidifier works in conjunction with roof ventilation to stop the accumulation of condensation. Even if no one regularly goes into the attic, running the dehumidifier there can have positive effects throughout the whole house, including a cooler environment and a lower energy bill.

And lastly, making sure your roof is inspected regularly and all repairs are made as soon as they are noticed should be a priority when it comes to roof maintenance. This step is especially important for us in Florida, where a small crack or hole could mean costly energy bills. Even if it’s not noticeable, the heat and humidity could cause your foundation to weaken through its constant expanding and retracting. And you also run the risk of a costlier repair when the small hole or crack becomes a bigger issue in the next storm or heat wave.

This is all to say, there’s nothing you can do to stop the sun. As Annie said, it will come out tomorrow, and my guess is it will still be as hot as is what yesterday. The humidity it brings has an effect on your mind, body, and roof. But making sure your roof is properly ventilated, running a humidifier, and having a professional come out to take a look regularly will help your roof protect you and your family for years to come.

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