Bay Area roofing experts Archives - Page 3 of 3

Decorating Without Damaging Your Tampa Roof

Posted on December 2, 2011 by Matthew Housh

Decorations on a multitude of homes from Tampa to St. Petersburg make this a festive time in Florida. Thanks to our mild weather in December, putting up lights and other holiday decorations is a more enjoyable activity here than it is in cold climates where overnight lows have already dipped below the freezing mark. Yet home decorators in any part of the country can unknowingly cause damage while decorating if they don’t recognize potential hazards.

The most common type of decoration is lighting. It’s wise to test your lights before putting them up, and discard any lights that malfunction as an electrical short is a common cause of house fires during the holidays. But the roof is not a recommended place for holiday lights due to the need to secure them. While many lights can be wrapped around a tree or stapled around windows, the use of staples or nails to secure lights on the roof may permanently damage your roofing materials. Even a relatively small hole in a roofing system can allow moisture to penetrate your roof and begin rotting or causing leaks. A safer option would be to secure light strands with clips along the eaves of the roof.

Some homeowners will decorate with giant inflatable products in the front yard or on the roof. This fun and colorful items are attention grabbing, but can also be damaging if they are secured to a roof using staples or nails. If your decorations from the store don’t come with directions, a reliable and safe alternative for securing them can come from using zip ties and small sand bags for weighing them down in the valley of the roof, for example. Tying large decorations to a chimney is also an option.

Regardless of how you decorate, always use caution and practice a safety-first approach to ensure your holiday is a trouble-free and pleasant one. Then, once the holiday decorations come down and you’re ready to talk about roof repair or replacement, give Arry’s Roofing a call. You can reach us at 727-938-9565 or visit us at www.arrysroofing.com.

A Truly Clean Tampa Roof

Posted on November 26, 2011 by Matthew Housh

If you were to give one gift to your home this holiday season, would it be the gift of a clean roof? That’s probably not your first thought. There may be other ways to tend to your Gulf Coast home in the next several weeks. But professional roof cleaning makes a significant difference in the life of your roof.

For homeowners who choose not to keep roofs clean the risks are great. Growth on a roof can compromise its protective qualities and shorten its life span. Dirty roofs also generate more heat than clean roofs.

Other homeowners may choose to clean the roof while using ineffective or potential harmful methods. For example, pressure cleaning can damage shingles or tiles. Certain cleaners, especially ones not intended for roof cleaning, also can damage roofing materials.

For a truly clean Tampa roof, find a local contractor who understands the nature and limitations of roofing materials. This type of contractor generally knows how to provide a cleaning service that gets visible results without compromising the integrity of whatever roofing materials installed on your home. In addition, this contractor is less likely to recommend an universal cleaning approach to every roof type, including asphalt shingles, tiles, slate or metal.

At Arry’s Roofing, we bring our expertise in your home’s most important protective element to our cleaning services. The chemical cleaning system we use contains mild detergents. It also contains a thickener to minimize run-off.

Regular cleaning services from Arry’s Roofing can benefit a home in several ways, saving energy and helping a roof to reach its maximum life expectancy. A clean roof eliminates the threat of debris causing cracks which can lead to roof leaks. Also, there are health benefits associated with the removal of growth which can lead to the growth of mold and fungi. Another notable benefit is the enhanced curb appeal and property value that comes with an immaculate roof.

Arry’s Roofing provides roof cleaning to Tampa, St. Petersburg, Tarpon Springs, Clearwater, Palm Harbor and surrounding areas. Learn more about roof cleaning services from Arry’s Roofing by visiting the link below. You may also call 727-938-9565 to schedule a free roof inspection today.

ROOF CLEANING

Ten Days on a Tampa Roof

Posted on November 16, 2011 by Matthew Housh

If you look at the 10-day forecast for Tampa as of today (November 16), you’ll notice the threat of rain tomorrow followed by several days of sunshine leading up to a couple more days of rain. While we’re not in the business of predicting the weather, the extended forecast provides an opportunity to think about the work your roof does day in and day out. Beyond protecting your home from the elements, a high quality and well installed roof does so much more.

Let’s take a look at the various ways a roofing system from a reputable contractor helps you and your home. Each scenario will incorporate the weather condition from the current 10-day Tampa Bay forecast. For the sake of this example, we’ll reference the advantages of a metal roof system that’s been professionally installed by Arry’s Roofing.

Day 1: Partly Sunny. A metal roofing system is reflecting radiant energy and minimizing your energy costs.
Day 2: Thunderstorms. A metal roofing system is easily withstanding stronger winds that accompany storms.
Day 3: Mostly Sunny. A metal roofing system is adding value and curb appeal to your home.
Day 4: Mostly Sunny. A metal roofing system with a skylight is lowering energy costs by providing hours of natural light during the day.
Day 5: Mostly Sunny. Thanks to a built-in venting system, a metal roof reduces the heat in the attic, lowering your cooling costs.
Day 6: Mostly Sunny. Even in the midst of periods of extensive sunshine, a metal roofing system resists fading.
Day 7 Mostly Sunny. A metal roof requires little or no maintenance so you’re free to handle other home and property projects today.
Day 8: Mostly Sunny. Even after 15 years on your home, a metal roofing system needs no replacement.
Day 9: Scattered Showers. Thanks to several levels of materials, including radiant barriers, you’re not hearing the rain drops hitting the roof.
Day 10: Scattered Showers. A quality metal roofing system is sending the rain water where it belongs—away from your home.

When you’re ready for roof repair or replacement, or you’re unsure about the condition of your roof, licensed professional contractors in Tampa Bay are ready to help you. At Arry’s Roofing, we’ve been providing superior service to your Gulf Coast friends and neighbors for more than 25 years. In addition, our commitment to excellence has also led to the designation of GAF MasterElite Contractor, one of the few in Florida to carry that status. Learn more about the difference a MasterElite contractor offers by calling Arry’s Roofing today at 727-938-9565.

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

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

Failing Roofs Along the Gulf Coast

Posted on October 20, 2011 by Matthew Housh

You may have been bracing for bad weather this week but Tampa Bay was spared the worst of it. That’s good in so many ways, especially for anyone living with a roof that’s not ready for heavy rain. Now you’ve got time to remedy any roof issues, as long as you recognize that you do have roof issues.

Let’s take a look at some of most common roof issues. For starters, missing, cracked or curled shingles are obvious signs that a roof is failing to provide adequate protection. Also, a roof that appears dark and dirty may have several potential problems. Among them, the growth of vegetation, algae or fungus could compromise your roof’s performance. Dark spots may also be signs that shingles that are past their prime.

The roof is not the only place to look for roof-related issues. After rainfall, wet spots in the attic may suggest aging of your shingles or flashing deterioration. Wet spots may also indicate faulty installation of your roofing components.

A thorough review of the home for roof-related issues should include an examination of ceilings and walls. Stains, mold and mildew growth are obvious signs of trouble. They may point to roof failure or inadequate ventilation.

If you spot any of these key danger signals at your Tampa Bay home, it’s important to address the issues immediately to avoid facing additional (and potentially costly) problems. Contact a licensed contractor who regularly operates in Tampa Bay and can provide local customer references. Get an estimate in writing and ask pertinent company questions, including questions about a company’s bankruptcy and litigation history.

Some Tampa Bay homeowners may hear different recommendations from different contractors. One might recommend roof replacement while another recommends only roof repair. It’s important to note that not all roof issues necessitate total roof replacement. An experienced and reputable roofing contractor will be able to explain if making repairs to a troubled roof is an option or if roof replacement is a must.

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.

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.

Hurricane Irene Provides Role Reversal

Posted on August 30, 2011 by Matthew Housh

Residents along Florida’s Gulf Coast are no doubt feeling a role reversal in the days following Hurricane Irene’s path of destruction from North Carolina to New England. The images on TV of mountain towns in upstate New York cut off by flood waters and water rescues in New Jersey are certainly different than we’re used to seeing when tropical weather usually ravages our state and states to the west. For many residents in the areas affected by Irene, the hurricane of that size will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Hearing from family and friends is an important part of the recovery process for residents whose homes have sustained damage and people who have temporarily cut off by flood waters. According to news reports, some groups of people in the Northeast may be stranded for days due to flooded roads and washed out bridges. Resources, like food and clean water, may be sharply limited, too. Widespread power outages have prompted utility crews from outside the region, including crews from Florida, to provide assistance in outage areas.

If you’ve experienced the wrath of one of nature’s most formidable forces, you likely remember living in survival mode for days or even weeks. But in an area like New England, hurricanes are a rare occurrence and residents are less likely to be prepared for either the initial impact or the aftermath. In fact, landlocked Vermont is battling its worst flooding in 70 years.

Another unexpected event connected to disasters like this one is the arrival of scam artists and unlicensed contractors looking to make fast money from home repair jobs. Hopefully, you never fell prey to one of these unethical individuals. But any experience you’ve had with them can be valuable to a friend or family member who may encounter someone similar during the cleanup and recovery period up north.

One of the best bits of advice you can give to a friend or family member affected by Irene is to recommend asking for several bids for any significant needs, such as roof repair. Also, tell them that checking the license of a contractor, getting the agreement in writing and avoiding those door-to-door sales calls are more than suggestions—they’re mandatory steps. Now your experience is paying off!

Irene’s Not-So-Gentle Reminder

Posted on August 24, 2011 by Matthew Housh

As Hurricane Irene pushes closer to the United States, residents along the East Coast are stocking up on supplies as they prepare for power outages that can accompany damaging winds. Of course, it’s been awhile since we’ve seen any tropical action affecting the mainland U.S. Nearly three years have passed since Hurricane Ike made landfall in Texas as a strong category 2 hurricane—with a storm surge more than 12 feet. It was part of an active 2008 Atlantic hurricane season. The season included the formation of Tropical Storm Cristobal off the Florida coast, but that storm paled in comparison to Ike and left Florida largely unaffected.

The large gap in time between these types of storms is a blessing and a burden. A quiet hurricane season can mean no casualty and minimal property damage. On the flip side, the passage of time also leads us to forget what always accompanies damaging storms: the people looking to make a quick buck by promising fast repairs and not delivering on that promise. These so-called “storm chasers” pop up everywhere, and some may even travel from state to state following a disaster.

While a homeowner’s eagerness to save a few bucks may prompt him or her to hire one of these less-than-desirable contractors, it’s important to remember that you never need to make a decision on-the-spot when someone knocks on your door and offers to provide a service. Like any licensed, reputable contractor, we will always advise you to do your research first before contracting the services of anyone. Ask for testimonials. Check with the Better Business Bureau. Check out company information online, if available.

As we watch the track of Hurricane Irene, we’re breathing a sigh of relief that it’s bypassing Florida. At the same time, we realize that there is the potential for damage to homes and properties along the East Coast. This is an ideal time to advise your friends and family in the potential affected areas to be cautious regarding any type of contractor who approaches them with pre-hurricane services or quickly appears following storm damage.