Whether your roof has seen better days or you're dealing with damage from a storm, finding a reputable roofing contractor you can trust, is overwhelming. So, before signing on that dotted line, ask these important questions
Are you properly licensed?
Though a license is required, this does not stop many fly by night unlicensed companies from soliciting work. Not having proper insurance can lead to issues down the road, such as litigation if an accident happens on the job site.
More than just a Florida General contractors license, the service you choose should also have a Florida Roofing Contractors License. They should offer name brand products, provide great workmanship, and material warranty.
If you want to make sure you are getting the most bang for your buck, make sure your roofer has a GAF Master Elite Certification. Only the top 3% of roofing contractors qualify for such an elite certification. This ensures you are getting a dependable professional, with the highest quality and ongoing training.
What type of warranty will be on my new roof?
A roofing warranty protects you and your investment. It is a contract with the roofing manufacturer giving you the assurance the materials will perform as stated in the specifications. It can save you money if something goes wrong with either the materials or workmanship. Mistakes made during installation and manufacturing defects can significantly reduce your roof's lifespan and performance.
GAF is North America's largest roofing manufacturer. As a GAF Master Elite contractor, Schick Roofing is proud to be among the top 3% roofers in the United States to receive this special certification.
This allows us to offer our customers the GAF System Plus Limited Warranty and the Golden Pledge Warranty. The strongest warranties in the industry.
What is GAF's Golden Pledge Warranty?
Golden Pledge Warranty, is GAF's best warranty. 100% coverage period for material defects for 50 years (20 years on 3 tab shingles). It covers the entire roofing system, cost of installation and labor are included for a lifetime. 100% coverage period for workmanship defects for up to two years.
GAF's Golden Pledge warranty is the best in the industry. Covering 100% of material defects for 50 years and 100% of workmanship coverage for 25 years. Also included is the cost of installation labor for a lifetime period and disposal costs.
There are many effective tips that homeowners can follow to help maintain the quality and durability of their roof so that it can perform for its maximum lifespan. Regular maintenance can save you from having to replace your roof prematurely.
On the other hand, overlooking roof maintenance can be a very costly oversight, and one that we hope to help you avoid. In the article below, you will find 4 tips that help serve as a guide to be certain that your roof and drainage system are functioning properly.
Have your roof inspected regularly
Routine inspection by a professional will catch small issues before they become big costly problems. This includes checking for damaged or loose shingles, replace loose or missing roofing nails. As well as, inspecting the structural integrity, materials, interior, and workmanship of the roof.
“When homeowners place blind faith in their roof and neglect it completely until the first sign of a leak appears in the ceiling, they could already be facing much larger problems—unwanted structural issues, mold growth, or damaged insulation, for starters. Spare yourself a headache down the road by having your roof periodically inspected,” Bob Vila.
Stay on top of repairs
If you discover any roof issues or damages, it is important to have them repaired in a timely manner. Also, be mindful of signs your roof needs repairs. Shingle granules on the ground, water stains on the ceiling, missing shingles, or a sagging appearance.
Ensure the roof is properly ventilated
Proper ventilation is vital here in Central Florida for roof durability. Poorly ventilated roofs are subject to increased energy consumption, excessive heat and moisture. This can cause shingles to buckle, and the rot of rafters and sheathing.
Keep your gutters and roof free from debris
It may not seem like a bit deal, but removing moss, vegetation, leaves, and small branches from your roof and gutters can significantly increase your roof's durability.
If you are concerned or have questions about your roof, please remember that our experienced staff is here to serve you. We would be honored if you would choose Orlando’s Schick Roofing for all of your roofing needs.
Hiring a roofing contractor here in Orlando isn’t always easy. Sorting through all those roofers on line is stressful and overwhelming. Which one will do a quality job at an affordable price? Before signing on that dotted line, here are a few questions to ask a potential roofing contractor.
Are you a licensed roofing contractor?
Hiring a licensed roofer is important. It means they will comply with all the local and state codes. It also means, you will have legal recourse if something goes wrong during the process or after it is finished.
Do you carry workman’s comp insurance?
Known as a gold standard in the roofing industry, a blanket workers compensation policy requires an exceptional track record for several years to obtain this type of policy. It means all the company’s employees are covered without exception. Unfortunately, not all contractors have this insurance - though required by law - if something happens, you could be held responsible.
Do you have General Liability Insurance?
Roofing employees are covered by workman’s compensation insurance, while on your property. But general liability insurance covers any damage that may be done to your house, roof, or property.
Do you use roofing subcontractors?
It is not unusual for contractors here in Central Florida to hire subcontractors to handle the actual work. This can leave you open to a number of liabilities, are they properly insured, who is responsible if something goes wrong, what happens if the subcontractors don’t get paid? Know who you are working with and who will be on your property doing the work.
Know your options!
A roofing contractor should be looking out for your best interest. The color, style, and material you choose can affect your investment and resale value.
Schick Roofing is one of Orlando's most recognized roofing services. With an A+ accreditation from the BBB and GAF Certified. Also, don't forget to check out our reviews on Google.
All it takes is one strong afternoon thunderstorm here in Central Florida to cause damage to your roof. Ensuring your roof is prepared in advance will save you money and unnecessary damage to your home.
“It is very important to note that the seasonal outlook cannot forecast where and when storms will form, let alone if/where they will make landfall and what the impacts would be," said Dennis Feltgen, public affairs officer for NOAA's National Hurricane Center. "It only takes one storm hitting your area to make it a bad year, regardless of the number of storms that are forecast in the seasonal outlook."
What Can You Do To Protect Your Roof?
Have Your Roof Professionally Inspected
A professional roof inspection is definitely worth the time and effort. It’s the easiest and quickest way to know for sure how your roof is doing. It may look okay from the ground, but it may be a different story on top. Loose shingles, worn or cracked boots around piping, rust spots on flashing, popped up nails, excessive shingle granules in the gutter and unseen dangers of a leaking roof, will be seen during an inspection.
Though it may seem like a small thing, replace missing or loose shingles, it can lead to big problems down the road.
Trim Your Trees
Trees near your home can be especially dangerous during a storm. It is important to trim tree branches hanging over the roof. Not only does the debris, leaves, pine needles, and mulch pile on your roof and cause it to deteriorate, it doesn't take much for a branch to break off during strong winds and cause severe 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.
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. Take a good look at your roof. Look for any missing, warped, or broken shingles, rust spots on flashing, popped up nails, buckling or curling shingles and worn or cracked boots around pipes.
If you suspect damage or want to get your roof ready for hurricane season, contact the 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.
When replacing the asphalt shingles on your Orlando area roof, it can be difficult to know what type of shingle to choose. Should you just go with whatever a roof tells you, or do a little homework and choose for yourself?
GAF, North America’s largest roofing manufacturer, offers high quality roofing systems with great warranties for your peace mind.
More than just a great looking roofing shingle, with dependable performance, state of the art technology, and advanced protection, they add value to your home. They are also the number one selling shingles in North America, with the Good Housekeeping Seal and the Women's Choice Award.
Why Choose Timberline American Harvest Shingles from GAF?
The advanced optimized construction and color application techniques adds a beautiful dimensional look.
Custom designed color palette, with colors from the Heartland of American, to compliment your home's exterior style.
Highest fire rating, class A, from Underwriters Laboratories.
High performance for superior protection and stain guard protection to ensure your roof looks beautiful, guarding against unsightly stains and blue-green algae.
Equipped with Dura Grip Adhesive seals to reduce the risk of shingles blowing off the roof, even during hurricane strength winds.
Not only are they architecturally stylish, they are affordable and have a lifetime warranty.
Timberline American Harvest Shingles come in a variety of colors. "Designed to complement your home's exterior color scheme, the American Harvest Collection will give you that modern architectural style you want, at a price you can afford! Its custom color palette, designed exclusively for GAF by color industry expert Patricia Verlodt, features subtle blends with contrasting colors that are designed to enhance your home’s exterior and give it unexpected depth and beauty. Nantucket Morning cool gray tones, compliments yellow based brick, browns, and beiges," GAF
Golden Harvest incorporates chocolate hues, tangerine, and light blue, for a warm light color roof.
Cedar Falls is a subtle brown with gray highlights for a polished look.
Appalachian Sky gives your home a touch of serenity with a variety black, brown, and dark grays.
Midnight Blush rich warm hues of brown, gray and terra cotta, for a sophisticated presence.
Amber Wheat full of warm tones, beiges, off white and grays.
Whether it is for your Central Florida home or business, it is important to choose a reputable and honest roofer.
As a leader in the industry, Schick Roofing provides Dr. Phillis and Southwest Orlando with both residential and commercial roofing services. We value every customer and offer appropriate, accurate and affordable long term solutions. We never have any hidden fees.
Contact Schick Roofing for more information and a quote.
Hurricane season is heating up here in Orlando, which is forecasted to have an above normal activity. As you get ready for severe storms, don’t forget about your roof. By taking just a few proactive steps, you can prevent roof damage and save you money in the process.
Inspect your roof
Take a good look at your roof, use binoculars if you have them. Check for loose or missing shingles, curling, especially around the edges, rust spots on the flashing, popped nails, cracks in the plastic or rubber around vent pipes, and any damp areas.
Look in the attic for the sun shining through, if you can see any light, it indicates a space where water and wind can get inside, compromising your roof.
Look for anything that can damage your roof
Now is the time to trim any branches that have grown close or hanging over the roof. If there is any debris, such as leaves or sticks, these need to be removed. It is also a good time to clean out the gutters, it is important water doesn’t back up or puddle on the roof.
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 higher deductible may make it difficult to afford a new roof, especially with everything going on at the time.
Be prepared for the next storm. A professional roof inspection can save you time and money down the road.
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.
At Schick Roofing our goal is to provide affordable and professional roofing service to both residential homes and commercial business throughout the Dr. Phillips and Southwest Orlando area.
Contact Schick Roofing today to request an estimate.
Though roofing systems in Orlando are designed for long term performance, they require maintenance. Now is the time to prepare your home and business roof from water leaks and damage.
A roofing system in good condition is more likely to withstand strong thunderstorms, hail, and hurricane strength winds, providing the first line of defense for you and your family.
Roofing systems that are regularly maintained typically last 50 to 70 percent longer than those that are not properly cared for, according to a roofing system study.
The savings can be substantial when you consider the cost of proper maintenance (which can practically double the lifespan of a roof) vs how much it will cost to replace your roof.
The best defense if a inspection by the professionals at Schick Roofing. We take pride in serving the Dr. Phillips and Windermere areas of Orlando.
The Storm Damage Center list some important facts about hail damage
Ever been hit by a golf ball or a baseball before? Now imagine a solid ball of ice falling at up to 120 mph from thousands of feet up in the air. Large hail falls with enough force to damage roofs, cars, break windows and more. If a person were to be directly hit with large hail, it could cause serious bodily injury, or death. It is imperative to seek shelter immediately when faced with hail storms, severe thunderstorm watches and severe thunderstorm warnings in order to protect yourself from falling hail.
Hail is defined as starting at a diameter of 0.2 inches or more. Hail can grow as big as golf balls, baseballs, and even soccer balls. Hail larger than 0.75 inches is considered large enough to cause serious damage in the United States. Per NOAA, hailstones can fall at speeds up to 120 mph.
Especially when talking about hail damage to roofs on houses and commercial buildings, often times the untrained eye cannot detect hail damage to shingles, roofing materials, skylights, siding, and other materials. The safest option is to have an experience hail damage repair contractor perform a full hail damage inspection.
Poor quality contractors and scammers can cause permanent damage, devalue your property, steal your money and put you at personal, legal and financial risk… not to mention all the headaches!
It’s just one shingle missing from my roof, how much damage can it really cause? The fact is, every shingle counts when it comes to the integrity of your roof. Unfortunately, our high winds, heavy rain, and hail can damage and even displace a shingle.
Many people don’t even realize they are missing a few shingles, while others feel it is an eye sore. But are these damaged or missing shingles causing roof damage? That answer depends on a few factors.
Does it matter if only part of the shingle is missing?
When it comes to roofing shingle it does NOT matter if it’s the entire shingle or just part of it is missing. Most asphalt shingles have three “tabbed” sections.
Intense weather can rip just one tab off. In this case, repairing part of a missing shingle isn’t really possible, the entire shingle would need to be replaced.
Does the location of the missing shingle matter?
The location of the missing shingle does play a role when it comes to damage. Roofing shingles are positioned in a staggering pattern, resulting in a staggered pattern. So that the shingles above, cover the seams between the ones below. It is when one of these seams are exposed to the elements that allows water and humidity to seep in and cause damage.
Another cause for concern is in the valleys of the roof and where two lower areas meet. If part of a shingle is lost in one of these areas, chances of a leak increase because debris and water tend to collect at these points
If I don’t replace the shingle, will my roof leak?
It is just one shingle missing, do I need to replace it? If part of a roofing shingle is missing and a seam is not showing, water may not immediately start dripping from the ceiling. But the integrity of the roof and surrounding shingles will begin to deteriorate due to the exposure to the elements.
Do I need to hire a professional to replace the missing shingles?
Hiring a reputable roofer will ensure the job is done right, without damaging the surrounding area of the roof. They can also inspect the roof for other issues to avoid future damage.
In last week's blog we talked about repairing your roof yourself. While it may seem like you are saving a couple of bucks now, but it will probably cost you down the road. Having a professional install your roof or make repairs will give you peace of mind the materials are installed right and under warranty.
A few missteps when DIY roof repair include, using the wrong materials, reusing the flashing, and voiding the warranty. Here are a few more:
Underestimating how long the project will take
Most DIY projects, such as painting a room or installing a backsplash, can endure a delay without any issue. But if even a small portion of your roof is left exposed to the elements, rain and sun, it can cause damage. A professional will complete the job in a timely manner.
Using incorrect techniques
Having the right equipment and know how is important. Ripping off old shingles without damage existing ones, properly nailing the shingles, proper underlayment, and techniques, all play an important role. Improper installation can compromise the integrity of the roof.
Finding a roofer you trust can be difficult. According to a report by the Better Business Bureau, a shocking 73 percent of homeowners don’t trust home improvement contracts. So, for those who feel they are pretty handy and can do the work themselves, GAF has a warning.
They may seriously damage their roof. At their most innocuous, improperly nailed roofs can result in ripples, lifted shingles, and leaks. On the more serious side, there is potential for roof collapse and even bodily harm. A DIYer may have replaced a few shingles here and there, but they need to understand that roof work is a whole different animal.
Improper installations result in so many roofing replacements that manufacturers often won’t cover a roof that isn’t installed by a licensed contractor.
Last weeks intense storms are just a taste of what is in store for Orlando residents in the upcoming months.
The Storm Damage Center list some important facts about hail damage
Ever been hit by a golf ball or a baseball before? Now imagine a solid ball of ice falling at up to 120 mph from thousands of feet up in the air. Large hail falls with enough force to damage roofs, cars, break windows and more. If a person were to be directly hit with large hail, it could cause serious bodily injury, or death. It is imperative to seek shelter immediately when faced with hail storms, severe thunderstorm watches and severe thunderstorm warnings in order to protect yourself from falling hail.
Hail is defined as starting at a diameter of 0.2 inches or more. Hail can grow as big as golf balls, baseballs, and even soccer balls. Hail larger than 0.75 inches is considered large enough to cause serious damage in the United States. Per NOAA, hailstones can fall at speeds up to 120 mph.
Especially when talking about hail damage to roofs on houses and commercial buildings, often times the untrained eye cannot detect hail damage to shingles, roofing materials, skylights, siding, and other materials. The safest option is to have an experience hail damage repair contractor perform a full hail damage inspection.
Poor quality contractors and scammers can cause permanent damage, devalue your property, steal your money and put you at personal, legal and financial risk… not to mention all the headaches!
Having a game plan in place is the best way to protect your home and loved ones.
Repairing any leaks, loose tiles, or shingles
Securing and bracing gabled roofs
Checking fasteners and flashings, resealing if necessary
Inspecting the gutters, ensuring they are attached properly
Checking to see if the roof meets the new code requirements
Ensuring the roof sheathing is attached properly
If by chance the severe storm comes before you are able to have your roof inspected and damage has occurred, it is important to have the roof covered with a tarp to prevent more damage
Whether you want to prepare your home for the upcoming severe weather or have a roofing emergency, contact the professionals at Schick Roofing.
Schick Roofing is your preferred Dr. Phillips and Southwest Orlando Roofing Contractor providing the Central Florida area with residential and commercial roofing services.
Contact Schick Roofing today with any roofing questions or to make and appointment.