Hurricane season is expected to be an active season this year with several named storms. Most homeowners are concerned about existing roof leaks heading into hurricane season but there is something more important to watch out for: loose objects on the roof. The biggest danger during a storm is projectiles caused by loose objects on the roof. Before a storm, homeowners should inspect the roof for any loose tiles or debris. Active leaks are a problem for rain season in general, but during a storm, wind is a bigger and more important factor than rain. The best do-it-yourself way to secure any loose tiles is purchasing a can of Polyfoam (sold in any major roofing supplier or Home Depot) and spraying the foam adhesive underneath any loose tiles. This is a fast and easy way to be protected during a storm as flying projectiles can not only endager your family but also your neighbors as well.
Hurricane Season Preparedness
June 6th, 2011Pros and cons of different roof types
April 4th, 2011There are not many options when it comes to residential roofing in miami or roofing in ft lauderdale. The common choices are between shingle, tile, and metal. Unless, of course, if you have a flat roof, in which case you will have many more options. We will get into flat roofing systems later. Shingle roofs are the most economical and easiest to install. The options are regular 3-tab shingles or dimensional. These two roof types may last between 25 and 40 years respectively. Tile roofs options consist of clay or concrete tiles. These tiles come in different profiles including flat, double roll, spanish s, and barrel tile. Popular manufacturers of concrete tiles are Monier, Hanson, Eagle, and Entegra. Clay tile brands include Santa Fe, Altusa, Ludowici, and Borja. Metal roofing options include standing seam metal roof panels, 5V crimp panels, and metal tiles. The most popular metal roofing in Dade County and Broward County is 16″ standing seam metal roof panels. When choosing what type roof to install at your house, considerations include price, longevity, style, and location.
How to find the cause of a roof leak PART 2
July 21st, 2010A guide for repairs of Miami roofing and Ft Lauderdale roofing.
Performing a water test is easy, however most people don’t know how to do it effectively. Start off by taking the hose on the roof. Then have someone turn the water on as you aim towards the general leak location. Do not turn the water on yourself and climb on the roof with a running hose. Climbing the ladder with a running hose can cause you to slip and really hurt yourself. Allow the water to flow over the leak area until the area is fully saturated. Then point the hose away from the leak area so you can check if water has entered the house. If water leaked into the house, then you’ve got a general idea where the water is coming from. Then choose a smaller area to continue to wet with the hose. Add water until the area is fully saturated then stop again, making sure to only wet the smaller area you have focused on. Then check again if water entered the house. If you did you’re getting closer and choose yet a smaller area to wet again. Continue this process until you think you’ve isolated the culprit. The “kill the culprit”. This is a popular roofing phrase which means point the hose at the area you have isolated and apply pressure. Make the tip of the hose touch the roof and blast the water at the area. This will cause a tremendous amount of water to enter the house. Although you will need to do some mopping inside, you now know exactly where the water is coming from and can take the necessary measures to fix the leak.
How to find the cause of a roof leak PART 1
April 27th, 2010A guide for repairs of Miami roofing and Ft Lauderdale roofing.
Finding the exact location of a roof leak can often be an arduous task, especially on tile roofs. The first thing one should do in order to effectively pin-point the problem area is to mark the probable location. View outside a window and spot an object that falls in line with the area where the ceiling shows sign of moisture. After choosing an outside object to guide you, with a tape measure, measure the distance from the wall to your leak spot. This should give you the location of the leak within a 5 foot radius.
When you get onto the roof, find your outside guide, measure the same distance from the edge of the roof and add two and a half feet to account for the overhang and slope. At this area, look for roof penetrations, valleys, flashing areas, or other questionable areas. Often times you’ll immediately know where the leak is coming from. Other times you may encounter several questionable areas within your target location. At this point, a water test is the best solution.
Pros and Cons of Concrete & Clay Tiles
April 14th, 2010There are several misconceptions about the performance of concrete tiles and clay tiles. It is often thought that clay tiles are not as strong as concrete tiles because they are thinner. Actually, clay tiles are thinner but are much stronger per cubic inch so their strength is comparable to that of concrete tiles despite their thinner profile. The strength of concrete tiles depends highly on the sand content in the concrete mix. The higher the sand content, the weaker the tile. Not all concrete tiles are created equal so the manufacturer of the tile is an important factor. Concrete tiles generally weigh 10 lbs versus clay tiles that weigh a little over 5 lbs. each. A good quality clay tile and a good quality concrete tile are in equal in strength; however no concrete tile is stronger than a high end clay tile by Ludowici or Borja.
The style of house determines the best tile. Mediterranean-style homes with arched windows and frames warrants a clay Spanish style tile. Concrete flat tiles are appropriate on modern-style houses with features that incorporate sharp lines. Flat tiles are usually concrete.
Pros of concrete tiles include: wide variety of color options, many styles, domestic so readily available, and strong. Cons include: heavy, hot, gets dirty easily if it’s porous, may fade. Pros of clay tiles include: natural material so cannot fade, imported from areas with high quality clay deposits like Columbia and Venezuela, strong, cool, light. Cons include: Limited color selection in medium price range and more expensive than concrete tiles.
Choosing a roofing contractor
March 22nd, 2010When choosing a roofing contractor, there are several things a homeowner should consider. Choosing the right roofing contractor is essential to ensure a timely, pleasant, and successful roofing experience.
Company Philosophy
It is important to understand the mission that drives any organization you do business with. A company’s philosophy is what determines their approach to workmanship, customer service and business relationships. It is the foundation the company is built on, lives by, and influences company actions. A company’s corporate character is molded and supported by their company philosophy and understanding it is an important component in any business partnership.
Licensed and Bonded
In the State of Florida it is required to obtain a state license in order to perform any contracting work. In addition, some commercial projects require bonding from surety companies and not every contractor qualifies to secure the necessary bond. Check to see if a prospective roofing contractor is properly licensed and/or bondable. Considering a company with an insufficient bonding capacity will cause wasted time and effort. A letter from their bonding agency should be requested as a prerequisite to any contractor consideration.
Financial Stability & Credit
A professional contractor will be able to supply you with current financial information. This should include: current assets, net fixed assets, current liabilities, other liabilities and references from a financial institution or auditing firm. Contractors are infamous for credit deficiencies. Contacting local suppliers or a credit bureau to inquire about the credit and financial stability of a company will provide insight on the company’s moral character.
Company Resources
It is imperative when considering a roofing contractor that the company’s resources are considered. Does the company have the manpower or internal customer service support in order to effectively produce the work it was contracted for? A company’s internal and external structures are an integral part in keeping up with promises and meeting completion deadlines.
Industry Affiliations
Ask the contractor if his company is a member of a local, state, regional or national industry association. Involvement in a professional organization tends to keep a contractor better informed about the latest developments and issues in the industry. It also provides a catalyst for organizational improvement and product knowledge.
Completed Projects
Look for a company with a proven track record that readily offers client references and a list of completed projects. Verify that the company has experience working on a similar project to one at hand. A track record can give clear insight on the company’s past performance and ability. You may also contact the Better Business Bureau or the Department of Business and Professional Regulation to find out if they have received any customer complaints about the contractor.
Insured and Committed to Safety
Insist on seeing copies of insurance certificates that verify workers’ compensation and general liability coverages. Make sure the coverages are in effect through the duration of your job and the adequate coverage is provided. If a contractor is not properly insured, you, the owner, may be liable for accidents that occur on the property. Many building owners and homeowners have been dragged into litigation involving uninsured roofing contractors.
24 Hour Emergency Service
Unexpected issues may arise and is it imperative for the roofing company to always be readily available to address any situation. Verify that the contractor has a designated person on call 24 hours a day including holidays. Addressing a matter immediately can save the customer thousands of dollars and avoid unnecessary legal involvement. Piece of mind is key in maintaining a healthy relationship with your contractor.