roofing help in Tampa Archives - Page 2 of 4

Fall Roofing-To-Do List

Posted on September 20, 2012 by Matthew Housh

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

Posted on August 27, 2012 by Matthew Housh

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.

Tampa Bay Native Springs into Action in the Olympics

Posted on July 30, 2012 by Matthew Housh

IMG_2429_edited — 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.

The Wave of Warnings in Tampa Bay

Posted on July 4, 2012 by Matthew Housh

As Debby reminded us recently, hurricane season can bring plenty of problems to Florida. The first kind of trouble, directly related to the storm, was most visible in the widespread flooding. For residents still dealing with the impact of that tropical storm, the aftermath is the second kind of trouble. But it’s not restricted to damage to property and home. In disaster areas, the trouble can come in the form of people who offer clean-up and repair services.

Luckily for many homeowners the wave of warnings came quickly after the arrival of Tropical Storm Debby. With word that scammers were flooding the area, equipped with broken promises to deliver, vigilant homeowners were spared the expense and humiliation of paying for repairs that never happened. Unfortunately, with any weather-related event of this size and scope, inevitably someone fell prey to one of the people looking to make a quick buck.

As a homeowner or property manager in Tampa, St. Pete, Clearwater or surrounding areas, it’s likely you’ve been through this experience before at least once. Hopefully you didn’t get burned then. If so, you learned your lesson and haven’t repeated it since then. But there a great many people who will experience property damage and act quickly to restore their homes and return their lives to normalcy without realizing the people they’ve chosen to do business with lack experience, expertise, and legitimacy in any way.

As a veteran of the roofing industry in Florida, we’ve seen these types of unethical folks pass through here countless times in the last 25 years. Some of them travel great distances to get their hands in your pockets. If you’re not hiring local, reputable, experienced contractors only, you could be one of their next victims this hurricane season or next.

A Roof Replacement Plan During Hurricane Season

Posted on June 25, 2012 by Matthew Housh

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.

TS Debby_USA Today — 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.

A Sweet Summer Promotion for Tampa Bay

Posted on June 25, 2012 by Matthew Housh

Summer in Tampa Bay is always sweet, but Arry’s Roofing is making it sweeter for our customers. That’s because we have a summer promotion that’s second to none. It’s a six-months-same-as-cash offer.

Who benefits? The answer is pretty much everybody in our service area who needs a new roof or repairs to an existing roof. That’s right. We’re making this promotion available to homeowners who need roof replacement and homeowners who need repairs. Qualified customers just need to get in on the deal before the end of August.

Roof replacement customers may need a new asphalt, tile, or metal roofing. We’re experts in working with each of those materials. Roof repair customers may be feeling inadequately protected following the impact of Tropical Storm Debby on the Gulf Coast and much of Florida.

Besides waiting six months to pay and not getting interest fees added to the expense, there is another terrific benefit to getting in on this summer promotion. It comes from a company that has achieved status as a GAF Master Elite Roofing Contractor. Only a small percentage of roofers nationwide earn this distinction. It follows rigorous training and testing to ensure that our installation methods and procedures meet the superior standards established by the GAF Corporation.

Another reason to choose Arry’s Roofing for your repair and replacement needs in Tampa Bay comes from our track record for excellence. Not only have we been pleasing customers for more than 25 years, we’ve earned a trio of Excellence awards from GAF three years in a row. A few months ago, the company named Arry’s Roofing as a repeat recipient of Consumer Protection Excellence, Training Excellence, and Installation Excellence honors.

When you’re ready to take advantage of a sweet summer deal to take care of your home’s most important system of protection, call us at 727-938-9565. We’ll schedule a free estimate and answer any questions you have about the six-months-same-as-cash promotion. Until then, we invite you to find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @ArrysRoofing.

Proper Vents and Ventilation for Tampa Bay Homes

Posted on May 22, 2012 by Matthew Housh

Ever heard of a homeowner getting a new roof installed and needing it replaced a year later? It’s happened and not just because of storm damage. Faulty installation is another reason for it. But there is still another issue that can cause roofing (and other) problems for the Gulf Coast homeowner. It’s poor attic ventilation.

If the last roofing “contractor” you hired didn’t discuss attic ventilation with you, it might be because he didn’t have any experience in that area. So before your next roofing project, let’s get you acquainted with the need for roof vents and attic ventilation. It doesn’t need to be a long process since our friends at GAF, North America’s largest roofing manufacturer, have made it clear and concise on the company website that you can see by clicking HERE.

As you’ll see, poor attic ventilation can actually damage your shingles, ruin your insulation, and cost you money in higher energy bills. When you read the statistic that 9 out of 10 homes in North America do not have proper attic ventilation, you’ll wonder if you’re in the majority or the minority. If your roofing system has been prematurely aging, that could be a sign that you’re in the majority of that 9 out of 10. That’s when contacting a reputable roofing professional at once is the best step.

A roof replacement project is a major undertaking, no matter how large or small the home. Expertly installing a roofing system involves a thorough understanding of the need for a continual flow of air through the attic. So be sure to protect that investment by hiring a contractor who does more than install shingles.

If you’ve noticed warning signs such as roof deck warping, buckling of shingles or mildew growth, call Arry’s Roofing at 727.362.2230 to schedule an inspection and a free estimate. In some cases, repairs now could spare you the expense of total roof replacement in the near future. Learn more about us by liking our Facebook page and following us on Twitter @ArrysRoofing.

Discover the Arry’s Roofing YouTube Channel

Posted on April 29, 2012 by Matthew Housh

It’s likely you’ve been on YouTube in the past week at least once checking out some kind of content. If you’re a DIY-type, maybe you’ve been looking for tips and techniques for some home project. There’s no shortage of helpful sources there, whether you prefer to handle projects on your own or look for outside help. One of those sources is the YouTube channel hosted by Arry’s Roofing.

View the channel here

The content on our YouTube channel is primarily an introduction to our company, our services and the way we approach our work. We also share our credentials within a competitive industry, including our status as a GAF Master Elite Roofing Contractor. These videos are a terrific way for us to complement the information on our website, and give you a look at the quality work we do for your friends and neighbors in Tampa Bay.

One particular video demonstrates the importance of training within our company. TPO Training shows how Arry’s Roofing trains all installers to perform professional services with consistently high standards. The two-and-a-half minute video features an outdoor workshop that included topics such as welding, proper adhesive, and installation for drains.

When you watch the videos on our channel, feel free to share your comments. Better yet, respond with your own video of a roofing project handled at your home or business by Arry’s Roofing. Be the star of your own video by getting in front of the camera and talking about how the finished project is making an impact now.

After checking out the Arry’s Roofing YouTube channel, feel free to subscribe to receive updates when future videos are posted. Then contact us for a free estimate for your next roof replacement project in Tampa, St. Pete, Clearwater and surrounding areas. You can also learn more about Arry’s by liking our Facebook page, and following us on Twitter @ArrysRoofing.

“Greening” Your Roof for Earth Day

Posted on April 23, 2012 by Matthew Housh

A celebration of Earth Day isn’t limited to April 22 as the annual occasion has become a multi-day event in many parts of the country. The scope of Earth Day has also expanded in recent years, with more active corporate and community involvement. One entity supporting the mission this year is GAF, North America’s largest roofing manufacturer. As a GAF MasterElite Roofing Contractor, Arry’s Roofing wants to share the GAF tips to “greening” for Earth Day.

GAF Tips for a “Greener” Reroof Project

1. Recycle. The average roof is many thousands of pounds of material—the weight of several years’ worth of household trash. Most roofing material can be easily recycled by your contractor. Find out where to recycle at http://www.shinglerecycling.org—it’s an easy way to make a big difference.

2. Energy audit. A home energy audit is a professional evaluation of the best ways to improve your home’s energy efficiency. The start of your reroofing project is a great opportunity to make energy-efficiency improvements to your structure. When the roof is off, your contractor can work from the top down and improve attic air barriers, seal around can lights and bath fans, make sure there isn’t wind wash around soffit vents, and check the overall energy performance of the home. It’s not uncommon to save double-digit percentages on utilities after these improvements. Find qualified auditors at http://www.resnet.us/directory/raters.

3. Proper attic ventilation. Attics should maintain a temperature as close to the outdoor temperature as possible, with vented areas along the eaves (the underside of the overhangs of the roof, in what is called ‘soffit’) bringing in cooler air, which is then vented along the ridgeline of the roof. This steadily moving air keeps your attic from heating up, and clears out any moist air from the living space that does make it into the attic through the ceiling. Many homes were designed without enough of this ventilation; increasing this attic ventilation during your reroof helps make your roof system more effective and helps improve the energy performance of your home.

4. Solar readiness. Most residential solar installations go on the roof. Putting the solar panels up on the roof gets them out of the way, optimizes exposure to the sun, and keeps them close to utility connections. However, it is very common to find a plumbing vent or fan running right through that perfect southern exposure. Even if you’re not having solar PV or solar thermal put on as part of this reroof project, think down the road and get your roof ready by moving this “clutter” to other parts of the roof. You can also add additional leak barrier — the peel and stick self-sealing membrane material that is used in high-stress areas of the roof — in the areas where penetrations for utility connections would go. Making these changes when the roof is being replaced will save additional hassle and cost in the future.

5. Cool roofing. Some options, including Timberline® Cool Series Lifetime Shingles, preferentially reflect the infrared spectrum — the non-visible, heat-carrying portion of the light spectrum. This means your roof can be an attractive, medium or dark color, but still reflect more heat away from your home than conventional roofing. In many parts of the country, for air-conditioned homes (and especially those with A/C ducts that run in the attic), cool roofing can save enough energy to justify the extra expense — and you’ll be doing your part to reduce the urban heat island effect. Learn more about GAF’s Timberline® Cool Series Lifetime Shingles and use GAF’s Roof Wizard to see how these shingles will look on your house at http://www.gaf.com.

6. Last but not least: a durable, efficient, properly detailed roofing system. The number-one job of the roof is to keep the rest of the home dry. It’s tempting to think that you can just get new shingles, but it’s the entire roofing system—consisting of leak barrier, flashing, underlayment, and shingles together—that works to keep the home dry. That’s why a complete roofing system is so important. GAF is the only roofing manufacturer to offer a Lifetime Roofing System warranty. Make sure that your roofing contractor is knowledgeable about all of the proper components of a full roofing system—selecting a factory-certified contractor is your best way to ensure this. You can find a factory-certified professional at http://www.gaf.com simply by entering your zip code.

In Tampa Bay and surrounding areas, rely on the expertise of Arry’s Roofing for your next roof replacement project. With more than 25 years of award-winning service and a team of licensed roofers, Arry’s is ready to handle your roofing needs, no matter how big or small. Call 727.362.2230 to schedule a free roof estimate, and be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @ArrysRoofing.

From Home Improvement to Community Improvement

Posted on April 17, 2012 by Matthew Housh

A new survey about curbside recycling reveals that only one-third of Tampa residents actually use the service. That may or may not surprise you, depending on if you’re one of those people who use it. Perhaps you live in South Tampa or southwest Tampa, areas with the highest recycling rates, according to the Tampa Tribune. But those not participating may need some convincing on how simple it is to get started.

Why is a roofing company talking about recycling? Perhaps it’s because roof tear-offs account for millions of tons of landfill waste every year. There’s movement in the industry to increase recycling efforts involving used roofing materials. But even more important are the efforts we can make on an individual level to reduce, reuse and recycle items within our daily reach.

5 Ways to Start Recycling Today

1. Start with a spot.

Pick a place in your home that provides easy access and room to store a container for recyclables. The kitchen is ideal since it’s where most glass, plastic and aluminum items tend to collect.

2. Start with a routine stop.

Leftover plastic bags can be taken back to the grocery store during your weekly (or daily) stop there.

3. Start with the mail.

Place junk mail, flyers, and unwanted correspondence (that doesn’t include personal information) in your chosen recycling spot before setting it down on the closest flat surface. Newspapers and magazines can be collected around the house too.

4. Start with old technology.

Donate or recycle cell phones, PDAs, chargers, and batteries. Cell phone service providers are among the numerous drop-off locations, and recycling one million cell phones saves enough energy to power more than 185 US households with electricity for a year, according to the EPA.

5. Start with the family.

No, you’re not recycling the kids or your spouse. Sit down with them and plan a recycling strategy that involves everyone. Instruct your children to recycle that paper they bring home weekly in the form of assignments, reports and classroom activities.