Bay Area roofing contractors Archives - Page 2 of 2

What Sets Apart Some West Florida Roofers

Posted on November 10, 2011 by Matthew Housh

When you’re looking for a roofing contractor in Tampa Bay, word of mouth helps. But no word is as reliable as that of the Better Business Bureau. Homeowners all over the country turn to their local BBB chapter when checking out a business. Along the Gulf Coast, residents rely on the Better Business Bureau of West Florida.

What makes the BBB so reliable a source for company information is the way a company’s profile is created. Due to the stringent criteria, not every company will earn accredited status. Only a fraction of companies in any given field or industry meet the accreditation standards. For residents prepared to hire a home improvement contractor, it’s essential to know how those standards are set.

According to the BBB website, the BBB Code of Business Practices is “built on the BBB Standards for Trust, eight principles that summarize important elements of creating and maintaining trust in business.” Not only does a business or organization meet the set of standards, it agrees to abide by them going forward. While you can learn in more detail about them on the BBB site, let’s take a look at two of the standards as they apply to the roofing industry.

Building trust is the first standard listed. A BBB roofer not only has established a positive track record, the company also has been in business at least 12 months. The BBB roofer also fulfills all licensing requirements at the time of accreditation and maintains them currently. In addition, the BBB roofer is not facing legal action due to unethical business practices. The contractor’s rating and relationship with the BBB are other key factors. A contractor who quickly addresses a complaint, whether rectifying it or demonstrating its lack of validity, honors settlements, and cooperates with the BBB’s efforts is seen as a business worthy of retaining BBB accredited status.

The second standard listed relates to advertising honestly. A BBB roofer follows federal, state/provincial and local advertising laws, provides evidence for all advertising claims, if requested by the BBB, and agrees to correct any advertising and selling practices, if directed to do so by the BBB. A BBB roofer also agrees to participate in the resolution of any disputes connected to the roofer’s advertising in any medium, from print and broadcast to web and signage. In addition, the BBB roofer does not attempt to mislead or confuse customers by suggesting relationships with roofing material manufacturers or other business entities when those relationships, sponsorships or endorsements don’t actually exist.

You can read about the rest of the standards at the link below. Then, once you understand how carefully the businesses are evaluated, you’ll be more informed when it’s time to compare roofing contractors and determine which one to hire. You’ll find Arry’s Roofing there as both an accredited roofer and a BBB sponsor, and we always welcome your inquiries at 727-938-9565.

West Florida BBB

Gutters from Arry’s Roofing Help Tampa Bay Go With the Flow

Posted on November 2, 2011 by Matthew Housh

November is historically the driest month in Tampa with an average rainfall of 1.62 inches. That’s a significant drop from a month like August which typically sees 7.60 inches of rain fall on the area. But even a month with the lowest amount of rain can lead to problems at home if your gutter system is inadequate.

A malfunctioning gutter system fails to provide the proper protection against the elements. In fact, a failing gutter can lead to water leaking into your home. Water leaks can lead to serious structural damage and potentially expensive repairs.

A period of low rainfall is a excellent time to evaluate your current gutter system and take action, if necessary. It’s helpful to make a point of inspecting gutters and downspouts twice a year. Potential issues may stem from a system’s design, age or installation.

In addition to providing superior roof repair and replacement services for Tampa, Arry’s Roofing can help homeowners with our expertise in gutter systems. Our factory-trained gutter contractors design and install gutter systems, from durable troughs to wide downspouts, for many of your Tampa neighbors. Whether rainfall is light shower or a heavy downpour, a gutter system from Arry’s Roofing will send water where it belongs—away from your home.

Strong, long-lasting aluminum gutters from Arry’s Roofing will always be the right size for function and appearance. Your new gutter system will effectively handle an expected volume of water while not looking too small or too large relative to the size of your home. Plus, 25 options in color choices ensure you can find one to match the trim and house colors.

When you’re concerned that your current gutter system is not going with the flow, a quick call to Arry’s Roofing can restore proper protection to your home. We provide inspection, adjustment, and replacement, with gutter cover systems and downspouts available. It’s just takes one call to Arry’s Roofing today at 727-938-9565 to schedule a free inspection.

No Leak Skylights for Tampa Bay Homes

Posted on October 28, 2011 by Matthew Housh

Brightening a Tampa Bay home and lowering energy costs are great reasons to consider a skylight from Arry’s Roofing. But some homeowners may have dismissed the idea because of concerns over possible leaks. It’s true that skylights have often been associated with leak problems, unfortunately due to several issues and errors, such as faulty skylight installation, damaged caulking, damaged flashing, faulty or damaged roof shingles, or improper repairs. Those concerns need not influence your decision anymore thanks to a No Leak Skylight that’s on the market these days.

The No Leak Skylight is among numerous skylight products available from VELUX that can be installed by Arry’s Roofing. The product comes equipped with three layers of water protection—a valuable asset during those heavy rains that sweep over the Florida Gulf Coast due to storms and tropical events. Engineered flashing provides the first layer of water protection. The second comes from an adhesive underlayment. The third level of water protection is provided by a pre-attached skylight gasket that provides a tight seal between a standard site-built curb and the skylight.

Beyond the peace of mind that comes with no leak threats, the No Leak Skylight from VELUX also features improved energy efficiency thanks to advanced LoE3 glass, higher visible light transmittance, and improved solar heat gain performance. A valuable feature of the electric venting skylights, whether curb mounted or deck mounted, is their ability to close automatically in the event of rain. Plus, all No Leak Skylights are accompanied by a 10-year installation warranty, plus 20 years on glass, 10 years on product, and five years on blinds and controls.

Tampa Bay homeowners who install a No Leak Skylight before the end of the year can feel even better about the choice thanks to a federal tax credit. After a skylight installation, a consumer can claim a credit of 10% up to $200 of the purchase price of qualifying windows and skylights, excluding installation costs. Consider all the benefits and give Arry’s Roofing a call today at 727-938-9565 to discuss your options.

Tax Credit Information

BBB or Bust: Guarding the Gulf Coast Homeowner

Posted on October 15, 2011 by Matthew Housh

The Better Business Bureau is a primary resource for information regarding complaints and consumer problems with local companies, yet many websites claim to offer the same services. One website that focuses on problem contractors promises to help consumers avoid doing business with companies that do substandard work or engage in bad business or fraudulent practices. On the surface, a site like this one seems to be an asset for homeowners.

Upon closer inspection, some concerns are raised in regards to sites that promise to distinguish the good contractors from the not-so-good ones. One concern is how a company earned a positive review. If it’s not evident that it came from a BBB rating or customer testimonials, that should raise a red flag. There is a chance the site is offering a “pay for play” service to contractors, listing them in exchange for a monthly or yearly rate.

Another concern is the nature of the personal information the site requests. If it is as simple as a zip code, then a homeowner is likely to see a list of favorable contractors within a pre-determined range of that zip code. The content might cover a neighborhood or include all of Tampa Bay. If the site requests more personal information, including name, email address, phone number and type of contracting project, expect that information to be used in subsequent sales calls from one or more contracting companies.

Sales calls from companies you do not know, while often unwelcome, give you an opportunity to ask specific questions about a company’s history and ask for references before taking the next step and scheduling an in-home assessment and estimate. You should also ask for any available online details about the company, such as a company website. A company that cannot provide evidence that supports a legitimate business operation is one to avoid.

Prequalify Your Roofing Contractor

Posted on October 5, 2011 by Matthew Housh

One of the biggest investments you’re about to make in your home is replacing the roof. Regardless of what type of materials you prefer, the most important decision is who to hire for the job. In areas like Tampa Bay, this can be challenging for the homeowner who is presented with numerous options and may not know how to begin the decision-making.

What you want to is find a reputable contractor who can provide a roofing system at a fair price. Thankfully the National Roofing Contractors Association has created a resource for you. The Residential Roofing Contractor Qualification Form is designed to help homeowners and building owners prequalify roofing contractors.

Residential Roofing Contractor Qualification Form

The form has places for information for two companies so you will have a side-by-side comparison once the form is complete. When you meet with a roofing contractor for a free estimate, you can have him fill in the information. The final contract bid is listed at the end, but there are other important details to fill in along the way.

You want to know if the company carries workers’ compensation and liability insurance. Ask for a copy of both certificates. Also, the contractor must respond to questions about any current litigation. Customer references are another helpful aspect of the qualification form.

Under the materials section of the form, you’ll see a mention of subcontracting. If your contractor plans to subcontract any area of the work, you should know before the project commences. Below the Subcontracting you will see a section for Warranties. Know the difference between a Manufacturer’s warranty and a Contractor’s warranty, and request a copy to review during your decision-making process.

As you can see, there is quite a bit of homework for you to finish before a roofing project begins. But doing your due diligence can make the contracting process run more smoothly. Also, you can avoid encountering any unwelcome surprises later.

Nail-Pop & Other Neat Roofing Terms

Posted on September 26, 2011 by Matthew Housh

Parents of young school-age kids are often called upon to test their child’s spelling, understanding of word meanings, and reading comprehension. It can feel labor-intensive at times unless it’s done in some fun way. Games are a great way to teach kids new things. Games also work for adults.

Multiple Choice, True or False, and Fill in the Blank are a few popular exercises. Let’s start with a True or False question.

1. When a nail is not fully driven, it sits up off the roof deck. This is the definition of Nail-Pop. True or False?

Let’s move on to a Multiple Choice question.

2. Installing a second layer of shingles aligning courses with the original roof to avoid shingle cupping is known as:
A) Blistering
B) Nesting
C) Buckling
D) Racking

Now let’s try a Fill in the Blank.

3. A Roof Plane is a roofing area defined by having four separate __________.

How about another Fill in the Blank?

4. Crickets effectively divert ___________ around roofing projections, such as chimneys.

We’ll wrap up this little quiz with another Multiple Choice question.

5. A roof with four roof planes coming together at a peak and four separate hip legs is commonly called a:
A) Capstone Roof
B) Brow Roof
C) Alp Roof
D) Hip Roof

How did you do? If you’re an ace and got all 5 right, reward yourself with your favorite dessert tonight. If you think you got less than 3 correct, you may want to spend a few minutes studying.

GAF Glossary of Roofing Terms

Getting comfortable with roofing terms is one way to become a better informed customer. A better informed customer will make better decisions regarding home improvement needs. More importantly, a better informed customer will think more critically when in the process of evaluating which contractors to hire and which to avoid.

See, there is something valuable about play time, even at your age.

(Answer Key: 1. True; 2. B-Nesting; 3. edges; 4. water; 5. D-Hip Roof)

Go Green This Fall

Posted on September 23, 2011 by Matthew Housh

Some good news has come out of the roofing industry lately. Some of it has surrounded new products in development, such as roofing material embedded with solar cells and smog-scrubbing tiles. While they sound promising, the opportunity for energy-conscious individuals to be environmentally friendly already exists. If you’re not already acquainted with the methods of going green with your roof, there’s never been a better time to get started.

Green Roof Central

As a MasterElite Roofing Contractor, we’re backed the resources of North America’s largest roofing manufacturer. The GAF website contains a page dedicated to helping consumers green their homes and buildings. In some cases, the savings from these products may include both energy savings and tax credits.

Cool Shingles are one terrific option. These shingles from Timberline reflect some of the heat from the sun, reducing heat in the attic and the rest of the home. According to national figures, homeowners can save up to 15 percent of total cooling costs. The benefits may be greater in warmer climates with more days of sunshine, the kind of weather we experience here in Florida.

Another green measure you can take at home is recycling asphalt shingles. While you can’t set them out in a typical recycling bin or bag with your paper and plastics, you can find a recycler in Florida. One restriction on recycling asphalt shingles is if they contain asbestos. You can find out much more about state regulations and recycling opportunities for asphalt at the link below.

Recycle Asphalt Shingles

Garden roofing is a popular option worth exploring for commercial properties. The available garden roofing systems, such as GardenScapes, can be installed quickly and easily, reducing any interruption to day-to-day business on the property. Specialists can help you select the right vegetation for your climate, personal tastes and landscaping needs.

Keep in mind, there’s no requirement to be comprehensive in your efforts to go green this fall. Starting with small but beneficial projects can be a wise decision. Once you’ve found a little success saving energy and enhancing your surroundings, you’ll want to find more ways to do the same.

The End of Summer

Posted on September 14, 2011 by Matthew Housh

The end of the summer is quickly approaching. Autumn officially begins on September 23, even if temperatures along the Gulf Coast won’t make it feel like fall right away. But that’s probably a big reason you live here. If you wanted mid-September highs in the 60s, you could move to Boston right now. But that’s not going to happen.

One big benefit of this “extended” warmth is the opportunity to start home improvement projects here while homeowners in other regions of the country are ending theirs. Many of your Gulf Coast neighbors are beginning to repair, replace and beautify parts of their property. You can, too!

That doesn’t mean you want to rush out and hire the first contractor who drives by. You want a professional contractor that comes equipped to handle the project and delivers on a promise to provide the materials and workmanship for which you’re paying. Wait, you’ve heard this before?

Sure, how to avoid to scam artists is a topic that gets mentioned a lot after tropical storms and hurricanes. But it’s always a good time to remind our Tampa Bay neighbors about the need to be vigilant when hiring anyone to handle home improvement projects. Education is a key part of the process.

Get acquainted with the particular project you want completed. When roofing is the focus, use reliable resources to become better informed about your options. For example, as a GAF MasterElite Roofing Contractor, we share the resources of GAF, North America’s largest roofing manufacturer. The company has a feature on its website that allows you to see how different options would look on a home.

Virtual Home Remodeler

This feature allows you to see several categories of home products, from stone options to brick and siding. Among the roofing options, you can view a variety of Slate choices, such as Bristol Gray and Sheffield Black. You can even upload an image of your own home to use, then print and save a project thanks to the site.

You can also educate yourself about the work involved. The more you know about the process, the less likely you are to be susceptible to a sales pitch from a less-than-scrupulous person. Of course, it’s always wise to ask for references, get a written agreement, and avoid paying a large amount of the bill up front.

Update the Way You Insulate

Posted on August 19, 2011 by Matthew Housh

Newcomers and long-time residents along Florida’s Gulf Coast recognize the tremendous beauty of the Bay Area. Many homeowners further enhance the look of the area with improvements to their own properties, adding curb appeal to a home and more personality to neighborhoods like Seminole Heights and Carrollwood in Tampa and Driftwood and Bahama Shores in St. Petersburg. Yet homeowners focused on visual improvements to a home may neglect one critical area that largely remains unseen.

It’s not an attractive part of the home, but attic insulation provides an important function as it controls energy loss in your home, year round. It can mean the difference between feeling cool and comfortable during a Florida summer and feeling miserable—or paying higher-than-necessary utility bills due to an air conditioner or furnace consuming more energy. One factor is the age of your insulation. Attic insulation that’s ten years old or older is likely no longer functioning at 100% and should be replaced immediately. If you’ve purchased a home in the Bay Area in the last few years and don’t know the age of your home’s attic insulation, don’t assume the insulation is sufficient.

Even homes with new construction are not necessarily adequately insulated. One variable is the type of insulation used in your attic. While most homeowners are acquainted with rolls of insulation, they may not be aware of the added benefits of blown-in insulation, such as the kind offered by Owens Corning. According to www.energystar.gov, 15.5 inches of Owens Corning AttiCat Expanding Blown-In PINK FIBERGLAS Insulation can save a homeowner up to 20% on heating and cooling costs.

Whether you’re unsure about the efficiency of your insulation or already planning to replace it, Arry’s Roofing can help. We’ve worked with many of your Gulf Coast neighbors and we’d love to with you. Learn more about our services by clicking on the link below.

Replace Your Inadequate Attic Insulation

Roof Safety Starts on the Ground

Posted on August 11, 2011 by Matthew Housh

Imagine tying two flat ladders together to create a makeshift extension ladder. Or placing a ladder in the bucket of a backhoe for extra reach. Or placing a flat ladder against a flagpole when nothing else was available. These scenarios may seem absurd but they’ve all happened in real life. You may have driven by them, or perhaps you’re the one who’s made those choices.

As an experienced roofing contractor, Arry’s Roofing always encourages our Bay Area customers to use a licensed professional for roof repair and maintenance jobs. Yet we realize that some homeowners, in an effort to pinch pennies, may attempt to handle the work themselves. What many of them don’t know is that seemingly simple tasks—such as cleaning the gutters or removing moist leaves that can lead to shingle rot—can lead to personal injuries and property damage. Working on (or near) the roof requires carefully planning the work and ensuring one’s safety from the ground up. If you absolutely must do any roof maintenance on your own, take note of some helpful hints that could save you time and money by sparing you the agony of an accident.

According to ladder safety guidelines published by the Department of Environmental Health and Safety at Stanford University, inspecting a ladder prior to each use will reveal any cracks, splits or corrosion. A fiberglass ladder is preferable for most uses, and is less sensitive to heat and moisture than a wood ladder. While strong and lightweight, aluminum ladders cannot be used near electricity or exposed electrical equipment. It’s also essential to keep all ladders away from mud, materials or debris—or any place they could get accidentally struck.

Once the ladder is properly positioned against your home—extending three feet beyond the roof—ensure your shoes are clean and dry and begin climbing. Refrain from standing or working on the three top rungs, and always keep three points of body contact with the ladder, such as two feet and one hand or two feet and your chest. The Belt Buckle Rule, which involves keeping your belt buckle between the ladder’s side rails to stay centered, is another safe practice to remember.

Ultimately, keeping that ladder in storage and letting the licensed and insured team take care of your roof maintenance is the safest practice. But you’ve still got a job to do: regularly inspecting your roof—even from ground level—will give you top-of-mind awareness of your home’s best protection. Then, if a problem does develop, you’ll be on top of it right away and able to call in the Bay Area’s most trusted roofing professionals to take care of the business we do best.