The rainy season is nearly upon us in Venice and Englewood, and for the next 6 months, we can expect a substantial amount of precipitation to fall. This is not the time to discover an active leak on your roof. We recommend that you conduct your annual roof inspection before the May showers begin. This will allow you to identify any minor damage, leaks, or damage which may have occurred during last year’s wild weather and the throughout the winter. Before the rains begin, it is best to make sure your roof is in top condition, as the additional water and high winds of our storm season can easily further aggravate a current defect on your roof. How to Spot an Active Leak During a Storm Unless there is a catastrophic storm, the chances of water pouring into your home unexpectedly are very slim. However, any current holes or cracks in your roofing materials may, in fact, result in an active leak when the rain gets heavy. If you have not had a roof inspection and are experiencing the first deluge of the season, you can proactively look for any signs of an active leak. In the Attic: Your attic space is often one of the best places not only to spot a leak but to accurately gauge where the water is actually intruding. Because water always follows the path of least resistance, it often follows a non-linear path from the point of intrusion to the interior of your home. By spotting the leak in your attic, you are much more easily able to see where the water is getting into the structure. Look for drips, wet framing, dark or stained wood, and damp or compacted insulation as a sign of an active leak. If you see water coming in, try to stop it as best you can and make note of the area so your roofing contractor can repair your roof once the roof dries off. In Your Home: Often, a Venice homeowner doesn’t realize that there is an active leak until they see the evidence on their interior ceilings or walls. If you see wet spots, water drops pooling, or if the drywall is bulging and damp, you likely have an active leak. In this case, it is best to actually open up a larger hole in the drywall to allow the water to flow freely out, instead of further backing up into other areas of the walls. If possible, do go up to the attic to see if you can find and stop the leak from that vantage point. You should also remove or protect furniture and floor coverings inside until the active leak can be repaired. If water is filling containers consistently, you may wish to utilize a garbage can on wheels, as it will be easier to move. Watch the Windows: If your windows or skylights are showing signs of condensation in between the panes, or if there are water droplets around the frame, protect […][…]
Venice area roofer
Summer in Venice means hot, humid weather and lots of rain. These extreme weather conditions can have adverse affects on home and property if we are not properly prepared. Before heading into the dog days of summer, you should check your roof ventilation and attic insulation to make sure they are ready for the season. Roof Ventilation Your roof and attic need to be properly ventilated in order to regulate the air temperature and guarantee that your home energy is as efficient as possible. Heat and moisture naturally want to rise, and vents allow these elements to be released. Without proper ventilation, you may experience a variety of problems with your home: Increased energy costs Damaged roof system components Deterioration of insulation Water damage caused by condensation Dry rot to plywood decking due to extreme heat Rust corrosion of metal nails, straps and HVAC ducting clamps Mold and mildew There are three types of ventilation systems most often utilized in Florida homes. Ridge Vent: A ridge vent is a ventilation strip that is located along the ridge line of your house. Ridge vents work by allowing the hot air to escape up and out through small holes. They are popular choices not only for their effectiveness, but because they blend so easily into your home’s structure – and are barely visible from the ground. Ridge vents also reduce indoor air pollution, and alleviate many residential pest control issues. Soffit Vents: A soffit vent is an intake vent in the soffit area of the home (under the eaves). Soffit vents provide attic venting at a lower portion of the roof deck, and are generally used in conjunction with other forms of venting such as ridge vents which expel the hot air. They are typically painted to blend in with the home and soffit. Gable Vents: Gabled vents are louvered vents which allow air to be drawn out of the attic space but prevent rain and precipitation from flowing back into the home. Proper Attic Insulation Attic insulation is necessary to keep excessive hot, humid air from entering your home. Without proper insulation, your air conditioner will be forced to work harder and the energy efficiency of your home will be decreased. It is important to check your insulation periodically to look for any deterioration caused by prior roof leaks or pest infestation. If your insulation needs to be replaced or replenished, call your local roofing contractor. We can help you with choosing the right R-value, the number which represents how well a certain type of material stops heat flow from one area to another. In hot climates such as South Florida, the target R-value is 30. The most common types of insulation are: Fiberglass batt is the least expensive type of insulation, and is most often used in warmer climates where moisture is not a big problem. Made of fiberglass fibers, this product is sold in predetermined lengths and widths to fit in standard joint spacing. The rolls are lightweight, easy […][…]
When examining the integrity and health of your roof, you understand that a roofing professional will inspect the exterior of your roof, as well as the roofing materials. What you may not expect is that an expert roofer will also perform an attic inspection. The attic inspection is actually a very important part of understanding the overall condition of your roof. Why is an Attic Inspection Necessary? If at all possible, a roofing professional will request access to your attic when assessing your roof. There are several key areas of information which can be gleaned from taking a look underneath the exterior. Check the Insulation: The attic is one part of the house in which the insulation can be clearly seen. Not only does having the proper amount of insulation help you to keep your home cooler during the hot summer months, but looking at the insulation’s condition can give us clues as to any water intrusion which may be taking place. If your insulation is matted down, compressed and/or damp, there is a very good chance that water is leaking in from somewhere. While you may not see any visual deterioration and damage on the exterior, wet insulation will necessitate further investigation into where the leak is occurring. Evaluate the Ventilation: One of the more critical aspects of roof construction is how well the attic space under the roof is ventilated. Household moisture often makes its way up into the attic, and in the Venice area, the attic is also likely to be very hot. A well ventilated attic will work to release some of that heat and moisture – which will help with energy efficiency and a less-stressed air conditioner. Too much attic moisture can lead to mold growth and wood damage. A properly ventilated attic will have plenty of vents along the lower portion of the attic space to allow air in, while the upper part of the attic will provide enough venting to allow hot air and humidity to leave the space. Take a Look at the Framing: An attic inspection will include inspecting the wood framing, which is not visible in most parts of the home – but can give important clues as to the quality of the roof construction. Remember, the attic framing and roof sheathing is part of the overall roof system. Proper construction practices are necessary to not only ensure that the roof is properly supported, but in South Florida, to ensure that the house is protected against the high winds we are susceptible to. The catastrophic effects of Hurricane Andrew, which devastated areas of Florida in 1992, were responsible for a radical change in the building codes. However, if a home was built prior to 1996, those codes may not have been implemented. Look for Signs of Water Intrusion: Aside from the insulation, an attic inspection will also look for stained roof sheathing/framing; as well as stains or water marks on vent pipes which protrude through the roof. Some stains may […][…]
Out of sight, out of mind. The roof over our head is something we just assume is there – it is a rare homeowner who considers the condition of their roof unless they are concerned that something is going wrong. Still, between a “newly installed roof” and a “roof which needs replacing” is a lot of time, wear and tear and maintenance. We all understand that it is important to fix our roof when we discover roof damage or a roof leak. But a question we hear often at is this – “Do I really need to wash my roof? ” Is it Necessary to Wash My Roof? One of the most compelling reasons to wash your roof is simply keeping up appearances. A dirty or moss covered roof can significantly detract from the curb appeal of your home – meaning a roof cleaning prior to selling your home is definitely recommended! Even if a dirty roof doesn’t worry you personally, in the Venice area we have many HOAs (homeowner associations) which do require residents to clean their roof on a regular basis, in order to maintain the standards of the community. Asphalt shingle roofs are susceptible to mold and algae growth, and both of these conditions can greatly reduce the health and longevity of your roof. Therefore, if you have a roof made out of asphalt shingle and you notice the tell-tale dark spots on your roof, you may wish to consider gently washing your roof. Clay tile and terra cotta roofs present less of a problem, as these materials are not conducive to mold or algae growth. While you may find small areas in shady parts of the roof, overall cleaning your tile roof is a matter of choice. Gently Cleaning Your Roof If you decide to clean your roof, you may wish to keep a few things in mind: You should never step out onto your roof unless absolutely necessary. You may actually do damage to the roofing materials if you do so. Use a ladder, a hose with a spray nozzle, or a power washer on a low level. Remember that asphalt shingle roofs are subject to deterioration through granular loss, so you want to be very gentle with any method of cleaning. Granular loss will shorten the lifespan of the shingle. If you see loose granules running into the gutter, stop cleaning and consult a roofing contractor as how to proceed. Most dirty roofs can be cleaned utilizing only water, but your local roofing contrctor may also have suggestions as to mild cleansing solutions which are acceptable and safe for your roof. Roof maintenance is more than just waiting for a roof leak and fixing problems as they occur. By calling a roofing professional for an annual inspection; making sure gutters are clear and allowing water to flow; cleaning algae, and mold and debris off your roof on a regular basis – you can be assured that you are doing the most you can to ensure […][…]
Schedule a baseline roof inspection to determine the health of your roof in its current condition. By fixing any vulnerabilities you may find, you can ensure that small problems on your roof do not become big problems in your home.[…]
Once you have determined a short list of possible candidates to work with, here are some questions to ask to determine the best choice for you.[…]