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Avoiding Tampa Bay Roofing Disasters

 

Photo from TBO.com/Courtesy of Wayne Staples

With a population of more than 4 million people in the Tampa Bay area, it’s likely that at least few dozen people are making a roofing decision this week. If you’re one of them and you haven’t handled a roof repair or roof replacement project before, you’ll want to make sure you’re making informed decisions along the way. As a local expert with more than 25 years in the business, we can guide you through a few simple things to consider before getting a roofing project underway.

WHO IS DOING THE JOB?
If you’re thinking that you’ll handle re-roofing alone, consider the value of your home’s best system of protection. A well-made, properly installed roof is vital to keep the structure and your home’s contents safe. An amateur approach to the job could lead to common mistakes and failure to anticipate the kinds of problems that can occur due to weather here in Tampa Bay. In addition, an uninsured roofer who has an accident on your property could leave you responsible for costs related to injuries and property damage.

WHAT MATERIALS WILL BE USED?
Proper installation will not make up for the decision to use low-grade materials. Another common issue you may encounter with some contractors is failure to protect the roof deck and install additional leak barriers. The ideal materials are part of an integrated system, made specifically for use together on the same roof.

WHAT PROTECTION WILL YOU GET?
Spending thousands of dollars on a roof replacement in Tampa Bay should provide you with coverage for the materials and workmanship. A solid warranty from the manufacturer and the roofing company itself provides peace of mind for years to come. If you’re getting no warranty, or one that covers a period of less than 10 years, it’s wise to keep shopping for another roofing company.

When you’re ready for roof repair and roof replacement in Tampa Bay, rely only on experts in the field. Arry’s Roofing has been providing superior service to your neighbors as a GAF Master Elite Roofing Contractor with a 20-year Workmanship Warranty of all of our services. Call us today at 727-938-9565 to schedule for free estimate.

 

Fall Roofing-To-Do List

 

You probably don’t need anyone to give you more chores at home. It’s likely you don’t have time to get the ones on your current list done, especially if football watching takes up your weekends and family obligations tie you up during the rest of the week. But a little preventive care of your roof can go a long way this season and next.

Homeowners who neglect the roof year round may find trouble developing that could have been prevented easily. Certainly you can’t be vigilant every day of the week, but scheduling time to assess your roof’s condition and potential needs takes very little time and could save you a great deal based on the cost of future repairs. Those repairs could become more costly if the damage compromises the roof’s ability to provide even minimal protection during a severe storm.

To minimize the time it takes and the effort necessary, think simple when tending to your roof’s needs. A visual check is an easy step. You can also look for signs inside and out that suggest the roof and gutters aren’t functioning at their best. Then if you notice something doesn’t look right, don’t change your weekend plans; call in a roofing expert accustomed to handling a variety of roofing systems.

Assess the obvious
Look for debris on the roof that could mask damage to shingles or conceal missing shingles. This is a simple visual check you can do by walking around the home, without climbing a ladder.

Look for subtle signs
Look for any sign of where water flowing from the gutters. Clogged gutters and downspouts can redirect water and ruin landscaping or affect the structure of the home.

Call in the experts
Stay off the ladder, especially if you are using the wrong ladder for the job. Standing on top of a step ladder is a terrific way to injure yourself. Instead of risking your health, call Arry’s Roofing at 727-938-9565.

We’ll come assess your roof’s condition no matter where you live in Tampa Bay. Then we’ll provide a written evaluation and estimate AT NO CHARGE. That will give you time to focus on more important things, like watching the Bucs beat the Cowboys on Sunday.

 

 

A Change in Isaac’s Path

When the weekend arrived, the threat of Tropical Storm Isaac seemed imminent. At that point, the forecasted track appeared to take it into Tampa Bay as of this morning. But, as often happens with tropical storms and hurricanes, the path has shifted and it looks like Isaac will take aim further west, perhaps making landfall in Louisiana as a Category 2 hurricane.

While we may breathe a sigh of relief here, and hope for the best for those in the path of Isaac, we’re still going to be dealing with stormy weather here today. The outer rain bands of Isaac were already making their impact in Florida yesterday, flooding streets in some areas including Key West. Much of that same type of rain will fall on Tampa Bay today and be joined by thunder and lightning.

It’s certainly less of an impact than we expected a few days ago but we’re certainly not in the clear in Tampa Bay. It’s important to remember that it doesn’t take direct impact of a tropical storm to create conditions that can threaten your safety and damage your home. Heavy rains on a roof that may have a leak already can be disastrous. It can also be a serious problem if your gutter system isn’t working properly or has been clogged by debris.

Should the widespread storms affecting our area today lead to trouble at your Tampa Bay home, particularly with the roof, we encourage you to call Arry’s Roofing right away. The damage may be easy to spot. If not, we can work quickly to determine the problem spot(s) and make emergency repairs. In some cases, the damage may be hidden and take weeks or months to reveal itself, leading to more issues later on.

If you suspect your home’s best system of protection has been damaged or compromised in any way during severe weather, give us a call at 727-938-9565. We’ll be on the job quickly to make emergency repairs, document the damage for insurance claims, and ensure the contents of your Tampa Bay home remain protected. Then we’ll arrange another visit to create a plan to restore your roof—and your peace of mind.

 

Tropical Storm Preparations

Tropical Storm Isaac is expected to hit the Tampa Bay area early on Monday morning August 27.

 

As your fellow Tampa Bay residents, our concern during the approach of a tropical storm turns to the personal safety of our family, friends and neighbors. The news that Tropical Storm Isaac is expected to arrive here after the weekend makes preparation a priority in the next two days. For people who have experienced this type of situation before, they may have already begun getting ready for the potential damaging winds and heavy rains. But there are still a great many people who have yet to get started so we want to take a moment to help you get started.

There are three phases to consider. Understanding your responsibility during each phase is important in protecting yourself, your family and your home. The following material was carefully prepared by the weather experts at the Weather Channel as a helpful resource for situations like the one we’re about to face. Take a few minutes to reach about each phase today.

BEFORE THE STORM
Click HERE to read an article about how to effectively prepare for the arrival of Tropical Storm Isaac in Tampa Bay.

DURING THE STORM
Click HERE to read about how to safely protect yourself and your property while the Tropical Storm Isaac is passing over Tampa Bay.

AFTER THE STORM
Click HERE to learn how to respond to storm damage and related situations once Tropical Storm Isaac has exited Tampa Bay. 

Once your preparations are done and you have time, be sure to check in on others on your street to make sure they are prepared for the damaging weather conditions that accompany a tropical storm. Your neighbors, especially ones with a disability or the elderly, will appreciate your thoughtfulness. If you don’t have your neighbor’s phone number already, make sure you get it in order to check on them in the hours following the worst of the tropical weather.

The family at Arry’s Roofing will also be using this time to prepare for a worst case scenario but we are available to take your calls if you have urgent questions. We want you to be safe, first and foremost, and as informed as you can be. To reach us, call 727-938-9565.

Tampa Bay Native Springs into Action in the Olympics

Photo courtesy of chriscolwell.com

As you watch NBC’s coverage of the Olympics in London, keep your eye on a diver Chris Colwill. The Brandon native returns to the Summer Games, competing in the Men’s 3-Meter Springboard. The preliminary round is scheduled for Monday August 6, although when it airs is entirely left up to NBC.

We’re proud to celebrate the success of Colwill, even before he makes his first dive in London. 22 years after he first started diving at the Brandon Sports & Aquatic Center, he’s getting another chance to be in the international spotlight. We hope it pays off for him in a big way, and he brings a medal home to Tampa Bay.

Viewers of 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing may recall seeing Colwill in two events. He participated in the 3 meter springboard and the synchronized 3 meter with teammate Jevon Tarantino. He finished 12th solo and he and his teammate were one spot away from a medal in the synchro event.

What you may not know is this Olympian suffers from hearing loss. What may be perceived as a disability by many is viewed as an advantage for this 27 year-old. He’s explained in interviews that the hearing loss he was born with actually helps him avoid the distractions caused by crowd noise. It’s clearly working for him; he’s diving in front of the world’s largest crowd this summer.

Arry’s Roofing takes this time to celebrate homegrown talent like Chris Colwill to remind all of us where hard work and dedication to our chosen vocation can lead us. For Colwill, we hope it’s the joy of earning his first Olympic medal. For you, it could be something equally spectacular, even if your shining moment is not televised and broadcast around the world.

Swimming Safety Tops Summer Priority List

Swimming Sisters

 

Two young members of the Arry’s Roofing family are getting water-wise this summer thanks to professional swim instruction. Leyton and Brylee, daughters of Stephen and Heidi Housh, have been learning all the necessary skills at a facility known as the Seal Swim School. The goal of creating strong swimmers for a lifetime is what prompted their mother to enroll the girls in these summer sessions and there’s an incentive for any parent in Tampa Bay to do the same.

Water fun is common in the summer, of course, but also can become a threat to the inexperienced swimmer. That’s why it’s important for young students like the Housh girls to becoming more aware of the dangers related to being in the water, develop skills to become strong swimmers, and learn how to make quick decisions if a problem in the pool (or any body of water) develops. Beginning this training early and continuing it throughout a summer and in successive years can help children avoid the fate that many others encounter.

The Seal Swim School staffs American Red Cross safety instructors who are certified in CPR, First Aid and Lifeguard Training. These experienced instructors also receive ongoing training to ensure they’re providing the best possible instruction. They can even teach children with all levels of abilities, including students with special needs.

We’re proud of Leyton and Brylee for their ongoing efforts to become superb swimmers. We’re also proud of their parents for ensuring the girls remain enrolled in every session throughout Seal Swim School’s swimming season. As they know, safety is not an occasionally important; it’s valuable every day of the year. That’s a lesson we know the girls will remember for a long time to come.

Satisfied Customers Say It All about Arry’s Roofing

The Tampa Bay Home Show at Tropicana Field in June gave us an opportunity to meet many new potential customers. Some of them will be calling on us to repair and replace roofs at their Gulf Coast homes this summer. But we’re especially pleased and grateful to be able to hear the appreciation of customers we have served in the past.

These customers were quick to share with our own Matt Housh the joy they experienced having Arry’s Roofing provide expert installation, high quality materials and exceptional customer service. One customer even pointed out that he’s hired Arry’s to handle roofing projects at four different homes.

One enthusiastic woman complimented our insulation work, calling it “impeccable.” She went on to say, “You were not messy. You did not crack our drywall ceiling.” Sometimes it’s the things you don’t do that impress a customer most.

Gary Lewis, board member of Sun Ketch Town Homes, is another pleased customer we chatted with at Tropicana Field. He explained, “Arry’s started a project for us in November re-roofing 13 of our buildings.” Mr. Lewis had plenty to add right away. “They did a beautiful job,” he said. “We’re really happy with the outcome. The crews were fantastic, and we really appreciate the work that Arry’s did for us.”

Palm Harbor’s Shane Schwarzkopf also shared praise for Arry’s Roofing commenting on the entire process, from the initial estimate through completion. He said, “They did a fantastic job. They did what they said they were going to do, and I was very pleased with the overall product.” We’re glad we kept you smiling, Shane.

Summer is a terrific time to experience what these satisfied Arry’s Roofing customers are talking about. With hurricane season in place, there’s no better time to ensure your roof isn’t unnecessarily vulnerable. Plus, Arry’s Roofing is offering a summer promotion of Six Months Same as Cash. Call us today to get your roof repairs or replacement project started.

A Roof Replacement Plan During Hurricane Season

Nobody rings in hurricane season. It doesn’t arrive with fanfare and fireworks, like New Year’s Eve. It quietly slips in and goes unnoticed, except by the news media which uses the season’s arrival to cheerfully tell us the names of the storms that could end up destroying our property and altering our lives.

Hurricane season is underway and we’ve gotten a taste of it quickly. Less than a month after it started, Tropical Storm Debby arrived to give Florida plenty of weather action to stay busy. Strong winds may have ripped shingles off your neighbor’s home. Heavy rainfall may have flooded some of the areas you planned to drive through. But hopefully, you remained safe throughout the experience.

Photo by Chris Zuppa, Associated Press

We’re a long way from the end of the Atlantic hurricane season which ends on November 30. How you prepare for the next potential disaster between now and then is of the utmost importance. After all, your roof is your home’s most important system of protection so if your roof goes, everything else could easily follow.

If you believe your roof is not functioning at its best, for whatever reason, replacement timing becomes critical. Your roof’s ability to withstand severe storms, the kind generated by tropical weather systems, is a must during hurricane season. A compromised, weak and vulnerable roof provides no true protection and getting it replaced quickly could spare you property damage expense later on.

There is time to address and remedy those roofing concerns in Tampa Bay. By calling Arry’s Roofing, a 25+ year veteran of the industry, you can get an expert on site to evaluate your existing roof and make a recommendation. In some cases, repairs may be all that’s necessary to return your roof to tip-top shape. So make the call now before the next potential disaster finds its way to Florida.

Congratulations to Tampa Bay’s Graduating Seniors

In the month of June, many Tampa Bay high school seniors will be bringing to a close one important chapter of their education. Whether those students and their families gather at Spronger Field, Ruth Eckerd Hall or Bayside Gym, there celebrations will be great ones. But the reality is, the future challenges will be even greater.

These graduating seniors, many earning academic and athletic honors for outstanding achievements, are now preparing to move forward with plans to continue their studies, enter the workforce or serve their country. Some may take the summer off; many may work during the next two and a half months in order to pay for school or other expenses.

The reality of reaching a point of freedom will begin settling in, if it hasn’t already. We wish each one of them the opportunity to safely pursue their dreams. May they be guided by wise parents, professors, mentors, friends and employers. May they learn from each challenge along the way.

For those graduating seniors in Tampa Bay who aspire to run their own businesses someday, may they learn to do so with integrity. May they remain ambitious in learning all they can to continuously improve their companies. May they deliver their service at the highest level of excellence possible.

Arry's Roofing Earns Its 7th Super Service Award from Angie's List.

No successful path in life is created alone. Role models shape and influence our development in any field, and finding strong role models now can create momentum in a career that takes today’s graduating senior to levels not yet reached. May these role models be available to the young minds who need them most.

Arry’s Roofing wishes graduating seniors in Tampa Bay all the best in transitioning from this accomplishment to the ones that will follow. Keep your standards high, your mind open, and your inner fire burning. We look forward to serving you when you need us and relying on your expertise when we need you someday.

What’s Hot in Tampa Bay

Looking at the headline might prompt you to think of hot summer attractions, hot spots for nightlife or even a hot new restaurant in Tampa, St. Pete or Clearwater. There’s no shortage of hotness here on the Gulf Coast now or year round. Imagine if Stefon from Saturday Night Live visited us.

“Tampa’s hottest club is … Mangroves.”

You get the idea. But what’s hot in Tampa Bay just may your house. Okay, maybe the ice cream isn’t melting in the freezer. Maybe the cool beverage you’re sipping stays cool all the way to the bottom of the glass. But if you’re making more trips to the thermostat or lowering the auto setting, something is clearly wrong.

A dramatic change in your cooling bills recently could be an indication that you need a new roof. If it’s been several years since your last roof inspection, at the very least getting a professional to evaluate your roof’s condition is a wise move. This free, no-obligation inspection is the best way to rule out a roofing issue as the reason for higher cooling costs. It’s also a way to remain proactive regarding your home’s most important system of protection.

Arry’s Roofing provides a free inspection and recommends you call a reputable contractor like us to handle it every 3-5 years. Staying a step ahead of developing damage could spare you the expense of total roof replacement prematurely. Beyond changes in cooling (and heating) bills, other key danger signals may include water leakage that appears in the attic or in the ceilings of rooms below the attic space, missing, cracked, worn or damaged shingles, damaged flashing around vents, chimneys, eaves, and skylights, and sagging roof sections or sagging gutters.

Contact Arry’s Roofing at 727.362.2230 to schedule your roofing inspection. Once we’ve finished a project for you, be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @ArrysRoofing.