In last week's blog we talked about the steps home and business owners need to take for a healthy roof that operates efficiently. Here are a few more steps to make certain you get a long life out of your roof.
Know where most trouble starts
The typical trouble spots here in Central Florida are leaks around flashing, damage to asphalt shingles and tiles, broken or cracked roof vents, leaky skylights and damage from satellite dishes, and clogged gutters.
Roof flashing is added around openings, such as skylights, chimneys, and valleys, where two sections of the roof come together. Typically made of rubber, plastic, or metal. Weather, corrosion, and debris, can cause flashing to fail. It should be replaced before it is comprised and causes a leak.
Both shingles and tiles protect your roof, but like everything else they don’t last forever. Over time the intense heat, high winds, hail, and tree branches, all take a toll, causing damage. Some indications include, shingle granules on the ground, roofing material that is curling, split, missing, or cracked.
Vents are an important element of every roof. They allow an exchange of air, necessary for proper insulation. Some look like small twirling turbines, others just like pipes popping up out of the roof. They are installed with screws, if they become loose or start to rust, they can cause a leak. Vents made from plastic can crack or break. While metal vents can separate at the seams.
Satellite dishes and skylights can both be very functional, but they are also a common source of water leaks. Whether it is improper installation, corrosion, or decay, they can cause a lot of damage.
It doesn’t take much in our tropical environment for our gutters to get clogged. Instead of taking water away from a building, water becomes trapped, making its way under shingles, causing mold and damaging the plywood underneath.
The importance of being proactive
Even a short delay in our hot, humid environment can turn a small issue into an expensive problem. Exposure to the elements, mold and mildew, decayed materials, higher labor costs, elevated energy costs, interior damage, not to mention the insects and rodents that are attracted to this type of situation.
The cost of emergency repairs is typically three to nine times higher than preventative repairs. Most warranties require proactive maintenance. You can think of it like an oil change for your car's engine. The cost of ignoring it can be without doubt to high to ignore.
Schick Roofing is proud to be one of the few roofing companies here in Central Florida who have earned the GAF Master Elite contractor certification. It is such a distinguished achievement that only the top 3% of roofers throughout the country have obtained such an accomplishment.
A GAF Master Elite contractor means all the screening and research is done for you. You know the contractor you are working with is fully licensed, adequately insured, uphold a quality reputation, and provide expert roofers.
It also means Schick Roofing is highly reputable, dependable, delivers the highest quality installation, and able to offer GAF’s top warranties, which are backed by North America’s largest roofing manufacturer.
Owning a home is the American Dream, but with home ownership comes responsibility. Clean water, a healthy environment, and a safe roof over your family’s head.
Maintenance is necessary
To ensure your roof is in good shape and operating properly, requires maintenance. Though, it may sound like a lot of work, with these 5 east steps, you can make certain you get a long life out of your roof.
1. Get An Inspection
A good place to start is with an inspection by a licensed roofing contractor. While a home inspector is great before you purchase a home, they don’t specialize in roofs. This way you will be certain if any upgrades were done properly and any repairs that need to be addressed. Identifying and repairing small problems now, will save you the expense of big problems down the road.
2. Ensure Your Roofer Is Reputable
This is vital, the last thing you want is a roofer who works on your roof and vanishes. You're roof starts to leak and nobody's answering the phone when you call! Hiring an unlicensed contractor is just asking for problems, there won't be any repercussions for mishandled or poor workmanship. You will also be responsive for any injuries or damages. A quality and experienced roofer can easily save you money by knowing what can be salvaged and what can't (especially if your home is older). Your roof may just need a few repairs instead of replacing. They will also know the best material for your roof and the best place to purchase them.
3. Understand Your Options
There are many new options in today’s roofing options, some are better for your situation. Our climate, price range, and style, all play an important role. You want a roofing material that is energy efficient, impact resistant to withstand extremely strong winds, and won’t cost an arm and a leg, while complimenting your home.
Check back with us next week for more steps to take to ensure your roof is healthy and last a very long time. Until then, if something does happen with your roof, don't scramble to find a roofer. Knowing a trusted roofer gives you piece of mind you're covered.
The experts at Schick Roofing have built our reputation on providing our customers with an honest and accurate assessment of their roof and suggest the proper action that will keep their roof functioning at its maximum potential.
Experts agree, the 2020 hurricane season is expected to have ‘above average’ storm activity. Is your roof ready?
How Can You Prepare Your Roof For Hurricane Season
Well-maintained roofs deal much better in hurricanes. Now is a great time to visually inspect your roof or hire a professional to take a look for you and assess any potential issues. Any shingles or tiles that are roof, loose, curled, or broken are potential leaks during a hurricane. The edges of the roof and around chimneys or vents are especially vulnerable.
According to Disaster Safety, “Existing leaks in your roof can worsen in severe weather.”
- Skylights: Install flashing around skylights to keep water from leaking into your home.
- Chimneys: Remove and replace the flashing, including the ice and water barrier, around your chimney to ensure no water seeps into your home.
- Flashing: Have leaky flashing removed and replaced.
- Roof valleys: Remove and replace leaking valley metal on your roof
Be Prepared Before the Next Storm Hits
It is important to have a roofing company you can trust before the next big storm hits and after. Schick Roofing is a leader in the industry, we are proud to provide our customers with an honest and accurate assessment of their roof.
Unfortunately, roofing materials can deteriorate quickly in the extreme Florida weather, our experienced professionals can guide you through the proper action to help keep your roof functioning at its maximum potential.
Schick Roofing is proud to be one of the few roofing companies here in Central Florida who have earned the GAF Master Elite contractor certification. It is such a distinguished achievement that only the top 3% of roofers throughout the country have obtained such an accomplishment.
The professionals at Schick Roofing can help you make the best cost effective solution for your roof. We are proud to offer accurate and honest roof assessments at an affordable price.
Contact Schick Roofing Today For More Information.
Is your roof ready for that first big storm? By the time you notice a water spot on the ceiling, deterioration has already started and the integrity of the roof could be compromised.
How Can You Prepare Your Roof For Hurricane Season
A roof inspection is the first place to start. The qualified roofers at Schick Roofing have the experience and knowledge to reveal the life expectancy of your roof, detect any weak areas, go over any repairs that need to be repaired, and talk to you about how to secure your roof before the storms arrive.
Take A Good Roof At Your Roof Both Outside And Inside
You don't need to get up on your roof and walk around, but if you have a pair of binoculars it may make it easier to look at your roof.
On the outside of the roof look for and broken, warped or missing shingles, nails that have popped up, buckling or curling shingles, rust spots on flashing, and a large amount of granules in the gutter.
On the inside of your home, look for any stains or water spots on the ceiling, wet attic insulation, peeling paint, or any daylight shining through.
Trim The Trees Around Your Home or Business
Trees near your home can be especially dangerous during a storm. According to Storm Struck, "Falling trees and limbs are a big safety hazard during storms. Trim your trees often and look out for older, week or diseased trees that could topple during a storm. Trim branches away from your roof to prevent damage."
Make Sure The Gutters On Your Roof Are Clean
Definitely not a fun job, but it is imperative to clean your drainage system on your roof before a hurricane. Clean all the debris and leaves from the downspouts and gutter. If water starts backing up on your roof, it can intrude into your home.
Your roof protects your home but also your family. Unfortunately, many homeowners often neglect their roof, what could have been an easy fix, can end up costing much more and reduce the life expectancy of your roof.
If you suspect damage, contact the roofing experts at Schick Roofing. As a leader in the industry, we provide our customers with an honest and accurate assessment of their roof and affordable services.
Contact Schick Roofing today for an estimate
While the Coronavirus has seriously impacted the way we conduct business, we have adapted with the necessary safety procedures. Thankfully, the team at Schick Roofing has been working day and night to ensure our customers are protected, with roof inspections, repairs, and replacements.
When it comes to roof inspections, we can accommodate your appointment preferences.
Whether it’s talking over the phone, wearing appropriate personal protective equipment, or simply meeting outside your home.
If you don’t want to meet in person, we respect your decision. Our inspection process uses a host of visual technology to accurately exam your roof.
We can also safely gain access to your roof without entering your home. Rest assure, we take the extra measure to clean and disinfect all of our tools, gear, and personal protection equipment.
Our highly trained technician at Schick Roofing are able to diagnose any damage to your roof and repair it without meeting or speaking to you in person.
All of our team members are in compliance with the CDC guidelines and OSHA standards.
Through it all, our mission remains the same: providing the highest quality materials and craftsmanship, with the best customer service. If there is any way we can help you through these difficult times, please reach out to us. We are here to serve you.
The Earlier You Repair a Leak, The Less It Will Cost
If left unattended, roof damage can easily result in costly repairs. Whether it is failed flashing or a roof leak, it can result in insulation replacement, extensive mold remediation, and even structural damage. It also results in higher material and labor charges.
Financing Available
Taking care of your family and loved ones, shouldn't mean neglecting your roof. Especially, right before hurricane season. We offer instant, paperless financing on roofing services with credit decisions in less than a minute. With these paperless financing options, you have the ability to see the terms and details of a loan as well as make payments electronically.
Like many of you, the team at Schick Roofing is monitoring the effects of COVID-19, and the health concerns confronting our community. As the situation evolves. we want you to assure you that the health and safety of our customers and staff is our highest priority.
As part of the community we want to thank everyone for doing their part, because together we can weather the storm. We care about our neighbors and are committed to doing what we can to lessen the impact of COVID-19. As we continue serving our customers, we follow strict protocols and procedures in place to protect our clients and employees.
We value the relationships we build with our clients, but we understand if you are not comfortable with face to face consultation at your home or business during our current situation. Our advanced technology allows us to interact remotely.
When we come out to inspect your roof, we don’t expect you to come outside. We can video chat after and go over the findings. We make every effort to meet your expectations, without compromising anyone’s safety.
- The business has been cleaned and disinfected and will continue a routine cleaning recommended by the CDC.
- Our technicians will wear protective gloves and gear at all times.
- Our staff is taking extra measures such as sanitizing equipment and tools.
- Our team members will not shake hands and will a recommended safe distance
- We actively encourage our sick team members to stay home & report health daily
- Our team members will sanitize their equipment before entering your homes
- We have made every effort to provide our staff hygiene products as recommended by the CDC.
Thank you for your support of the small businesses in our local area. Schick Roofing continues to serve our community, we are currently making appointments.
Spring is a great time to have any roof damaged repaired or even have your roof replaced. But with everything going on with the Coronavirus and social distancing, you may be wondering how you can get this done before hurricane season.
Don’t worry, you can stay safe inside your home and leave the work up to us, Schick Roofing. We can take care of all your roof repairs or replacement during these challenging times.
With today’s technology, there are many ways to communicate with social distancing, via phone, text, email, FaceTime. A team member from Schick Roofing will go up on your roof and examine it, while you are safely in your home. You can even see the findings and communicate with the team member through Face Time or Zoom.
This eliminates any face to face meeting, resecting social distance guidelines. You will still receive great customer service, quality workmanship, and piece of mind your roof is in tip top shape.
According to GAP, Ensure Onsite Work Is Conducted While You’re Indoors, “Should your roof need total replacement, you can still be at home throughout the work. In most cases, contractors won’t need to enter your home during installation. It can get noisy once work begins, but a good pair of earplugs or noise-canceling headphones can make it bearable. A roof replacement usually takes only a day or two and is done entirely during daytime hours, so the noise should be manageable for a short time.
"By using virtual methods that eliminate the need for in-person contact while allowing you and your contractor to stay connected and share important information, you can forge ahead with your necessary roof repair or replacement while respecting social distancing guidelines. Peace of mind and great customer service can be safely enjoyed from inside your home."
As more of us are staying at home, it's a good time to get some of those home projects done. Before hurricane season hits, it is a good time to take a good look at your roof.
Here is a roofing inspection checklist
Cracked caulk or rust spots on flashing
Broken or missing shingles
Shingles that are blistering, curling, or buckling
Worn out or cracked boots around vent pipes
Any debris, such as moss or leaves, that can cause decay
Damaged or missing chimney cap
A very important part of the roof, but often overlooked is the Underlayment
The underlayment is the foundation of the roof. It acts as a second layer of protection for the decking, but still allows moisture to be released from inside the home and allows the deck to breath. It also acts as a secondary drainage plane, directing water away from vulnerable places such as joints and seams.
"They last a lot longer than tradition roofing felt and provide some extra benefits such as improved water tightness and traction control(for when your roof is being installed). It is highly recommended to use a synthetic underlayment for metal roofs or any shingles expecting to exceed 40 years in life," according to Research Roofing.
Today's advancements have led the way to synthetic underlayment. Unlike the traditional felt underlayment, synthetic is designed aid the ventilation process, provides superior waterproofing, and even seals around nails.
“Moisture resistance and hardiness make synthetic underlayment a good choice as a secondary weather-resistant barrier under roof cladding,”says the Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH). “Polypropylene and similar synthetic materials resist moisture, tearing, and degradation from UV rays, making them a durable, relatively long-term covering that can be used for disaster response. Fire-rated synthetic underlayments can provide added protection against fire spreading through the roof in multifamily housing and/or in regions of the country that are prone to wildfires."
Is synthetic roofing underlayment worth it?
An extra layer of protection binds to the decking, keeping your home or business safe during heavy rain, strong winds, and even hurricanes, making it well worth the investment.
At Schick Roofing, we meet stringent standards of installation specifications, quality workmanship, deliver the best possible product, and excellent customer service. In fact the owner himself, Paul Schick every job daily ensuring the best quality work on your home or business.
At Schick Roofing our goal is to provide the best materials at an affordable price. We pride ourselves in offering the best customer service of any roofing company in Central Florida. We're so serious about offer excellent service that owner Paul Schick makes daily visits to each and every job, big or small, to ensure that only the highest quality work is being done.
As the Coronavirus has many of us staying at home, it's a great opportunity to get a few of those home projects done. With hurricane season just around the corner, it is a good idea to make sure your roof is ready. But where do you start?
Roof Inspection
A roof inspection will catch a problem in the early stages. For example, finding a small leak can be easily repaired, but if is allowed to go undetected, it could end up compromising the integrity of your roof.
During an inspection, basic roofing maintenance can be taken care of, which is required for most warranties. They can also clear any debris off the roof, which can also save tons of money down the road.
"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."
If your roof needs an inspection or you suspect damage, contact the roofing experts at Schick Roofing. As a leader in the industry, we provide our customers with an honest and accurate assessment of their roof and affordable services.
Take A Good Roof At Your Roof Both Outside And Inside
You don't need to get up on your roof and walk around, but if you have a pair of binoculars it may make it easier to look at your roof.
On the outside of the roof look for and broken, warped or missing shingles, nails that have popped up, buckling or curling shingles, rust spots on flashing, and a large amount of granules in the gutter.
On the inside of your home, look for any stains or water spots on the ceiling. In the attic look for any wet insulation or the sunlight shining through.
Clean Your Gutters
Definitely not a fun job, but it is imperative to clean your gutters before a hurricane. Clean all the debris and leaves from the downspouts and gutter. If water starts backing up on your roof, it can end up leaking into your house.
Trim Your Trees
Trees near your home and branches hanging over your roof can be especially dangerous during a storm. It doesn't take much for a strong wind to snap a sick tree limb and damage your roof. These winds can also cause debris to build up on the roof, causing moisture to deterioration. Which can lead to a host of problems, such as roof rot.
Look Through Your Insurance Policy
Now is the time to review your homeowner's policy, see what is covered, what isn't, and what your deductible is. A high deductible may make it difficult to afford a new roof, especially with everything going on at the time.
In light of the Coronavirus pandemic, Schick Roofing has decided to continue working to help our residents and businesses in our community. We are scheduling service calls outside your home and providing routine appointments. We understand situations arise with our roof, that if left to wait may cause more damage.
We continue to closely monitor the recommendations by health officials and have implemented measures to help ensure the well-being of all employees.
While the COVID-19 is an evolving situation, we want to assure everyone that the health and safety of our customers, employees, and suppliers is of the highest priority.
Our continuing operations are out of an abundance of caution. We understand how important your roof is to the safety of your home and family. We will continue to monitor the situation and make decisions based on science and the recommended guidance provided by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and our state and local health department.
You can rest assure, Schick Roofing is taking all the necessary precautions:
- The business has been cleaned and disinfected and will continue a routine cleaning recommended by the CDC.
- Our technicians will wear protective gloves and gear if they need to enter the home
- Our team members will not shake hands and will a recommended safe distance
- We actively encourage our sick team members to stay home & report health daily
- Our team members will their equipment if entering your homes
- We have made every effort to provide our staff hygiene products as recommended by the CDC.
Thank you for your support for local businesses in our area. We look forward to helping you with all your roofing needs. We believe in top notch workmanship, an honest estimate, and consistent communication.
Contact Schick Roofing for more information and please continue to visit our website for further updates.