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How Proper Roof Maintenance Can Extend the Life of Your Roof

How Proper Roof Maintenance Can Extend the Life of Your Roof

Homeowners, now more than ever, are looking for ways to cut costs and save money. However, if they are taking an “out of sight, out of mind” approach to roof maintenance, they could miss an excellent opportunity to extend the life of the roof on their home and therefore save money. A proactive maintenance program, along with understanding different warranty policies, will help homeowners do their part to extend the life of their roof for as long as possible.
Proactive maintenance programs address each homeowner’s individual needs and typically include twice yearly inspections, documentation of roof conditions, maintenance, and repairs (if necessary). For example, leaks and water seepage typically do not occur until after the roofing system or insulation has worn down or there has been deck damage. Proper maintenance and service are needed to ensure the roofing system performs as expected and the earlier you catch the warning signs of a leak, the less costly any needed repairs will be.

In an attempt to save money, many homeowners wait until minor roof problems become very obvious and major roof problems before conducting maintenance/service. This type of reactive maintenance will, in fact, increase roof life-cycle costs. Spot repairs made during a proactive maintenance visit are far less costly than replacing membranes, insulation and decking if a leak occurs in the future. Proactive maintenance also helps identify potential problem-causing areas, thus decreasing life-cycle costs.

 

Along with extending the life of a roof system, homeowners and business owners are discovering there are many other benefits to proper roof maintenance by a roofing contractor. When minor roofing problems are repaired over time, there is less of a chance for larger and more costly issues down the line. Along with roof-related issues such as leaks and damage, a bad roof can equal stress and unnecessary costs.

Since every roof comes with different challenges — depending on the type of roofing system, roofing accessories, etc. – you will need a professional and licensed roofing contractor to assess your specific roofing needs and wants in order to design the most cost-effective solution. Whether you will need to repair a leaking roof or install a new one, the final result should be a high-quality roofing system that will last its lifetime or surpass it.

 

Again, the best tool that an owner has available to extend the life of their roof is a regularly scheduled maintenance program. Proper maintenance can guard against simple problems that left unattended could dramatically shorten the life expectancy of your roof. Potential problems can be identified and corrected through periodic inspections, preventing serious problems later. Regular roofing inspections that are performed properly will head off many problems and even extend the life of your roof.

Hurricane Season

Protecting Your Home Before and During Florida's Hurricane Season

Protecting Your Home Before – and During – Florida’s Hurricane Season

The Atlantic hurricane season is officially from June 1st to November 30th. Still, hurricanes have occurred outside of these six months, but these dates were selected to encompass over 97% of tropical activity. June 1st has been the traditional start of the Atlantic hurricane season for decades.

Most homeowners living in Florida are no strangers to severe weather such as hurricanes.  However, with adequate planning and protection, you can protect your home with some basic precautionary measures to ensure your property won’t become too badly damaged if a ‘big one’ hits.  Here are some tips to help you secure your home.

Windows and glass doors – Some people will simply put up some plywood over their windows and doors but often this may not be enough to fully protect the property from damage.  Consider making an investment in some properly installed metal shutters for your windows and doors in order to better protect your home. Also consider getting properly installed high impact-resistant windows that can withstand high winds and high velocity projectiles that are thrown into the air by hurricane strength winds.

Stock extra supplies – If a hurricane for example, knocks out the power in your area, floods your area, causes some road damage, or even disables your vehicle you will not be able to go anywhere to buy essentials so make sure you have things such as batteries, bottled water, canned food, extra blankets, first aid supplies, and any medications you might need etc. on hand in case this happens. Another good tip is to buy a generator and to use it properly and safely in case of power blackouts.

Trim Nearby Trees And Foliage – It is often flying debris that causes the major damage to properties during hurricane season so make sure that there aren’t any loose tree branches or other potentially dangerous debris lying near your home and make sure that all the foliage close to your home is well-trimmed.

Have Evacuation Plans – On occasion there will be a hurricane that is deemed powerful enough for the state to intervene and order everyone to evacuate.  If this happens, it is vital to have an evacuation plan in place to ensure a smooth departure.  Know in advance where you will be staying and make sure you have all the necessary supplies with you. And remember, you don’t have to go far to be safe. Do your research and find places near you that are deemed safe evacuation zones by the proper authorities.

Protect Your Roof — The roof on your property can be the first line of defense during a hurricane. The most important step you can take is to secure and protect the roof on your property before hurricane season starts.

A roof with an existing leak is weak and this can set up a domino effect resulting in greater damage. The best defense is to have a roofing professional inspect your roof to determine any weak points. Depending on the type of roof system, part of the action plan could include:

• Repairing loose shingles or tiles and repairing any leaks.

• Checking to make sure roof sheathing is properly attached.

• Bracing and securing gabled roofs.

• Checking and sealing flashings and fasteners.

• Insuring gutters are properly attached.

• Complete replacement of the roof to meet new code requirements.

A roof in good condition is much better able to stand the punishment inflicted upon it by a storm and provide that much needed first line of defense against hurricanes. Keep your home properly protected and be prepared.