Protect Your Roof From Fire on New Year’s Eve

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Much like the Fourth of July, New Years celebrations are commonly celebrated with fireworks. Although fun and pretty to look at, fireworks can be extremely dangerous and can pose hazard for your home and roof. This year, Gulf Western Roofing, a trusted local roofer, is offering the following suggestions to protect your home from damage caused by fireworks:

First and foremost, fireworks CAN set a roof on fire. Certain fireworks still burn once they hit the ground, and roofing materials made of wood are easily combustible. It is still equally possible for a roof to catch on fire even if it is not made of wood. If the roof is already damaged and there are missing shingles, the roof felt paper, which is easily combustible, becomes exposed.

When preparing for your New Year’s celebration, make sure to cut back tree branches. A tree branch that is hanging too low on your roof could quickly start a serious fire that will easily spread to the rest of your home. It is a good idea to remove these limbs anyway in order to avoid damage during a storm. Other debris, such as pine needles and leaves are also flammable, which is why it is good to get into the habit of keeping your gutters clean and free of this dry matter.

And finally, as fun and exciting as it may seem in movies, Gulf Western Roofing suggests that you not attempt to climb on your roof to watch the neighborhood fireworks. For starters, climbing onto your roof is dangerous. It is too easy to slip and fall. Not to mention, when you climb onto your roof you always run the risk of causing damage to the materials.

As always, if you have any concerns about the current state of your roof, call the professionals at Gulf Western Roofing. In addition to being licensed and insured, Gulf Western Roofing is locally owned and operated, doing business for over 17 years. We’ll always tell you the truth about your roof.

Happy New Years from our family to yours!

Holiday Do’s and Don’ts

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During the holidays, the more lights and decorations on a home, the more memorable and awe-worthy it is. But what most homeowners don’t realize is that these decorations can actually compromise the integrity of their home and roof if not installed correctly. However, you don’t have to let the fear of harming your home make you miss out on the holiday fun; Gulf Western Roofing is here to offer a few tips to help you deck the halls without causing damage.

I’m sure many of us have seen the movie National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and laughed along at the snowball of problems that Clark Griswold faces. Today Clark will be our shining example of what not to do when decorating your home for the holidays. Continue reading “Holiday Do’s and Don’ts” →

What to Do When Your Roof Leaks

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Imagine waking up on any normal weekday and starting your morning routine. Just then, you see it- a puddle of water in the middle of the hallway. You start going through the checks, not wanting to admit that your roof may be leaking. “The dog? Spilt water?” But then, a drop of water falls from the ceiling and lands right in the center of this puddle. Continue reading “What to Do When Your Roof Leaks” →

Top Ten Mistakes in Purchasing a New Roof

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A roof that’s installed with modern materials and methods and then properly maintained will give you many years of hassle-free service. However, if you live in an older home or one that has been damaged by storm or neglect, it may be time to consider installing an entirely new roof.

But as with so many other large purchases, buying a new roof can be a costly and frustrating experience- especially if you don’t avoid making some of the missteps as so many other homeowners have. To help you avoid doing that, we’ve compiled this list of the ten most common mistakes made when purchasing a new roof.

  1. Shopping price only

The price of a new roof will vary depending on the size and location of your home. If you shop around for prices and find that a particular company is well below the average, there may be a reason. In short, cost alone doesn’t determine value; professionalism and quality workmanship should weigh just as heavily in any roof-buying decision.

  1. Buying from the company that can start the soonest

A company that is too quick to respond may not yet have enough business. There’s nothing wrong with being new to an area, but there may be other reasons the company is idle.

  1. Falling for any high-pressure tactics

As with any large purchase, buying under pressure is a bad idea. No matter how good the deal if you ’just sign now,’ don’t buy a roof from a company that insists you sign a contract before you’re ready. You should always demand the right to examine the contract at your leisure.

  1. Signing the contract just because you like the salesperson

Even though you may feel a certain comfort level with a certain salesperson, that shouldn’t drive your roof-buying decision. Remember, sales people are hired for their people skills; most of the time their job is to say to you whatever they need in order to get you to buy.

  1. Forgetting that a deal seemingly too good to be true probably is

While there are legitimate reasons a roofing contractor might offer steep discounts, be wary of those who are too inexpensive. If you’re offered a super bargain, make sure the contractor is using certified, code-approved, and legally obtained materials. Be sure there’s a warranty offered. Ask about hidden costs such as removal of your existing roof, etc. And be sure to ask about references.

  1. Purchasing based on warranty alone

The length of a roof warranty should not be the sole criterion for selecting a roofing contractor. The warranty alone does not necessarily provide assurance of satisfactory roof performance.

  1. Using contractors with no office staff

There’s nothing wrong with using a small mom-and-pop contractor, of course. But roofing properly is a large undertaking, so all other things being equal, a large support staff makes the process that much smoother.

  1. Mistaking advertising for quality

While it may be impressive that a contractor has put down money for an expensive and slick ad campaign, it’s more important that they can perform the work in a quality and professional manner.

  1. Hiring a friend to do the work

Unless your friend is a licensed and insured roofing contractor, this is a really bad idea. Even if your friend is known as a ‘handyman,’ has he ever installed a complete roof? Does he know which areas of the roof are prone to leaks? Does he know how to properly vent a roof? And most importantly, does he offer a warranty?

  1. Doing the work yourself

In spite of the fact that the big-box home improvement centers will try to convince you this is a snap, don’t believe them. On top of the issues we’ve already discussed, there are the obvious safety concerns; ask yourself whether saving a few thousand dollars is worth risking your health or your life. Professional roof contractors are trained in all aspects of installation and safety; even if cutting costs is very important to you, this is the one area in which you should absolutely never skimp.

 

If your home is ready for a new roof, or even if you suspect it may be, don’t fall victim to these, or any other mistakes. Instead, give one of Gulf Western Roofing’s knowledgeable representatives a call. We’ll always tell you the truth about your roof!

Hurricane Checklist

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HURRICANE KIT

Make sure your hurricane kit includes:

  • Flashlights & extra bulbs
  • Battery-operated radio
  • Battery-operated lanterns
  • Batteries (in different sizes!)
  • Matches
  • First aid kit
  • Duct tape
  • Rain gear
  • Clock (wind-up or battery-powered)
  • Plastic garbage bags
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Scissors
  • Can Opener
  • Clean clothes
  • Extra blankets
  • Heavy gloves

FOOD AND WATER

Pack non-perishable food for each person for 3-7 days.

  • Bottled water (1 gallon/person/day)
  • Bottled juice
  • Two coolers:
    One for drinks & one for food
  • Canned foods
  • Manual can opener
  • Dry pet food

HOUSE CHECKLIST

  • Remove outdoor items
  • Trim dead branches from trees
  • Board up windows
  • Fill gas tanks and extra containers
  • Get extra cash
  • Move furniture away from windows
  • Store important documents in waterproof containers
  • Extra supply of medicines

 MEDICAL NEEDS

  • Medic-alert tags
  • Insect-repellent sprays
  • Feminine hygiene items
  • Sunscreen
  • Soap
  • First aid kit
  • Prescription medication
  • Over-the-counter medication
  • Children’s medicine
  • Bandages
  • Adhesive tape
  • Antiseptic solution
  • Thermometer
  • Tweezers

Hurricane Matthew

Posted by Gulf Western Roofing on

October 7th, 2016

As of the 11AM update from the National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Matthew was still moving up Florida’s northern east coast as a Category Three hurricane. The storm is expected to continue moving up the coast before weakening and turning out to sea near the Carolinas over the weekend. A Hurricane Warning is still in effect for the Atlantic coast from Melbourne north to North Carolina. All other watches and warnings for our coverage area have been discontinued.

Matthew’s remnants are expected to loop back to the south and west and eventually affect South Florida by the middle or end of next week. At this time, it’s uncertain just how much if any of a threat there will be; more on that later in the weekend.

Our Central Florida office is currently closed until 7:30 AM on Monday, October 10th. All phone calls directed to the Central Florida office will still be answered throughout the weekend.

Our Southwest Florida division is continuing business as usual.

We will continue to monitor the storm and update you with any changes that are made.

The Gulf Western Roofing supervisor overseeing your project will contact you as each phase of the Hurricane Response Plan is initiated. However, please feel free to call that supervisor with any questions you may have. If you are having difficulty reaching your supervisor, please call our main office at (800) 277-0647. You can also reach us at customerservice@lambcon.com or storm@lambcon.com.

Please find our Hurricane Response Plan Here
Please find our Hurricane Supply Check-list Here

October 6th, 2016

As of 11AM, Hurricane Matthew was located near Nassau in the Bahamas, where it has restrengthened to Category Four.

Matthew is headed toward Florida’s east coast, where it is expected to either make landfall this evening, or stay just off the coast until Saturday. Damage is expected to be severe and widespread; for this reason the National Hurricane Center has coastal and inland Hurricane Warnings in effect from Miami northward into South Carolina, an area that includes the Florida cities of Melbourne, Orlando, Daytona Beach, St. Augustine, and Jacksonville. Tropical Storm Watches and Warnings are strill in effect for most of Florida’s southern tip and west coast.

Our Central Florida division is currently in Phase III of the Hurricane Response Plan.
Our Southwest Florida division is still suspending all loads and deliveries but is otherwise continuing business as usual.

We will continue to monitor the storm and update you with any changes that are made.

The Gulf Western Roofing supervisor overseeing your project will contact you as each phase of the Hurricane Response Plan is initiated. However, please feel free to call that supervisor with any questions you may have. If you are having difficulty reaching your supervisor, please call our main office at (800) 277-0647. You can also reach us at customerservice@lambcon.com or storm@lambcon.com.

Please find our Hurricane Response Plan Here
Please find our Hurricane Supply Check-list Here

October 5th, 2016

As of 5 PM, the National Hurricane Center has placed counties along Florida’s East Coast from North Miami-Dade northward through Volusia under a Hurricane Warning, and counties up to the Georgia/South Carolina state line under a Hurricane Watch. A tropical storm warning remains in effect for the Upper Keys, as well as the southern tip of Florida from Miami west to around Marco Island, while the west coast of Florida from Marco Island to Cedar Key has been placed under a Tropical Storm Watch.

Our Central Florida division will be in Phase III of the Hurricane Response Plan by this afternoon. This means all in-progress installations will cease, all roof-loaded but uninstalled tile will be securely bundled or wrapped, all other remaining roof components (insulation, rolled goods, etc.) will be secured to the roof, any materials stored outdoors will be secured, and all jobsites will be cleared of any remaining roof debris.

Our Southwest Florida division has currently suspended all loads and deliveries but will otherwise continue business as usual. As usual, we will continue to monitor the storm and update you with any changes that are made.

The Gulf Western Roofing supervisor overseeing your project will contact you as each phase of the Hurricane Response Plan is initiated. However, please feel free to call that supervisor with any questions you may have. If you are having difficulty reaching your supervisor, please call our main office at (800) 277-0647. You can also reach us at customerservice@lambcon.com or storm@lambcon.com.

Please find our Hurricane Response Plan Here
Please find our Hurricane Supply Check-list Here

October 4th, 2016

At their 11:00 AM update, the National Hurricane Center issued a Tropical Storm Watch for Florida’s east coast from the Middle Keys north to the Broward County/Palm Beach County line, and a Hurricane Watch for the east coast from the Broward / Palm Beach line north to the Volusia County / Brevard County line.

Due to the change in trajectory of Hurricane Matthew our Central Florida division is currently in Phase I of the Hurricane Response Plan. This means all jobsite and rooftop deliveries will be suspended except as needed to complete key areas, roof installation will continue so that as much roof-loaded material as possible is secured, and our customers will be notified of the suspension of deliveries. We expect to be in Phase II of the Hurricane Response Plan by tomorrow and we will continue to keep our customers updated throughout the course of the storm.

Because the Southwest Florida area will remain largely unaffected, we will continue doing business as usual in those areas.

The Gulf Western Roofing supervisor overseeing your project will contact you as each phase of the Hurricane Response Plan is initiated. However, please feel free to call that supervisor with any questions you may have. If you are having difficulty reaching your supervisor, please call our main office at (800) 277-0647. You can also reach us at customerservice@lambcon.com or storm@lambcon.com.

Please find our Hurricane Response Plan here.

October 3rd, 2016

Florida Governor Rick Scott has declared a state of Emergency for the entire state of Florida due to the change in trajectory of Hurricane Matthew. Gov. Scott’s emergency declaration notes that, “based on the current forecast, the state’s entire east coast from Monroe to Nassau counties could experience tropical storm force winds, beach erosion, rip currents and heavy rain. This is a slow moving storm and could impact Florida as early as Wednesday and last through Saturday“. Our plan is to conduct business as usual tomorrow. However, we will be sending you regular updates throughout the day beginning early in the morning.

In the event that the storm becomes a greater threat, the Gulf Western Roofing supervisor overseeing your project will contact you as each phase of the Hurricane Response Plan is initiated. However, please feel free to call that supervisor with any questions you may have. If you are having difficulty reaching your supervisor, please call our main office at (800) 277-0647. You can also reach us at customerservice@lambcon.com or storm@lambcon.com.

Please find our Hurricane Response Plan here.

September 30th, 2016

Gulf Western Roofing is continuously monitoring Hurricane Matthew. At this time, the storm is forecast by the National Hurricane Center to remain off the coast of Florida. As a result of the current storm trajectory, Gulf Western Roofing will continue doing business as usual.

We will continue to monitor the storm closely and notify you if any changes in trajectory occur.

In the event of an approaching storm, the Gulf Western Roofing supervisor overseeing your project will contact you as each phase of the 2016 HurricaneResponse Plan is initiated. However, please feel free to call that supervisor with any questions you may have. If you are having difficulty reaching your supervisor, please call our main office at (800) 277-0647. You can also reach us at customerservice@lambcon.com or storm@lambcon.com.

Gutter Cleaning and Maintenance

Posted by Gulf Western Roofing on

Leaves and debris have a tendency to build up in your gutters and downspouts. When not cleaned out, this debris prevents water from flowing freely and can cause damages to your roof and fascia board.

So how often should you clean out your gutters and downspouts? AT LEAST once every year, but it would be a good preventative maintenance habit to do so during the spring and then again in the fall. Because fall is here, we’ve offered some helpful tips for tackling your gutter clean out:

  1. First things first- safety is the most important. Make sure that your ladder is the right size and that you and the ladder are properly tied off.
  2. Start with the areas near a downspout.
  3. Remove the large debris first
  4. Flush out the gutters by running a hose at the end opposite of the downspout.
  5. If water is not draining, the downspout may be clogged. Try using a hose attachment with more pressure or use a plumbers snake tool to clear the blockage.

We understand that cleaning your gutters is a daunting task. It can also be very dangerous if you’re not comfortable on a ladder. To avoid the risk, call your premier Florida roofer, Gulf Western Roofing. In fact, our Roof Assurance Maintenance Program (RAMP) includes a gutter and valley clean out with the purchase of our white or blue key levels. We’ll be able to clean your rain gutters quickly and safely, keeping your roof protected from rainwater.

What’s That Stuff Growing on My Roof?

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Most people think it is black or dark green mold, but actually, it is a prehistoric bacterium called Gleocapsa Magma. Gleocapsa Magma is the cyanobacteria responsible for the black and dark green stains often seen on roofs. It is transported to roofs primarily by wind, rain, insects, and animals.

In addition to causing unsightly streaks and stains, these bacteria can also wreck havoc on your roof. The growth of Gleocapsa Magma is most accurately described as colonization. These bacteria grow on and within tiles and shingles, dissolving and extracting the mineral components. Overtime, Gleocapsa Magma begins to break down the contents of your tiles or shingles by feeding off the minerals embedded in them. This negatively impacts the structural integrity of your roof and has also been known to increase air conditioning bills and lead to more frequent roof repair and reconstruction. Continue reading “What’s That Stuff Growing on My Roof?” →

Importance of Roof Maintenance

Posted by Gulf Western Roofing on

Home ownership is one of the most expensive investments you will make in your lifetime. Why not take care of your home so that it lasts you longer? Your roof protects your family and most of your other assets.

In order to restore your roofing system to its optimal performance, it’s necessary to have a maintenance strategy in place. Studies have shown that a roof that is not regularly maintained will only last about half of its expected service life. Gulf Western Roofing and Sheet Metal’s Roof Assurance Maintenance Program (RAMP) was developed to help thousands of homeowners extend the life of their roof while preventing costly repairs or re-roofs. Having a scheduled maintenance plan in place to inspect the condition of your roof and act at the first sign of deterioration is vital to extending the life of your roof and saving money. Continue reading “Importance of Roof Maintenance” →

Preparing Your Roof for a Hurricane

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During a hurricane your roof can be exposed to winds in excess of 155 mph. These winds have the potential to pull off roof shingles, tiles, or even the underlying roof deck. This is why we suggest checking the condition of your roof BEFORE a storm happens as well as after. A well-maintained roof is your best bet against hurricane winds.

Have Your Roof Inspected
Gulf Western Roofing does not recommend that any homeowner attempt to get on their roof. With our years of roofing excellence in Florida, Gulf Western Roofing is uniquely qualified to check the condition of your roof. From this inspection, we’ll be able to tell if there are any damages that must be attended to before the storm.

Fix Any Loose Shingles or Tiles
To reduce the chances of losing shingles or tiles by high winds, it is best to give attention to any missing, damaged, or loose shingles or tiles as these will increase the likelihood of water penetrating deeper into the roof.

Secure Any Yard Furniture
Your furniture and yard decorations can easily become flying projectiles that could damage your roof. We suggest tying them down or moving them indoors to the so they don’t get loose and damage the roof.

Survey Fascia and Soffit Boards
Take the time to walk the perimeter of your property and survey the fascia boards and the soffit boards. Fascia boards are located just below the metal trim of the roof and soffit boards are located below the roof overhang areas. Any signs of rotten wood in this area may indicate a potential problem during a hurricane. Making sure these roof areas are repaired will help secure the structure from possible wind damage at the eaves.

Trim Any Trees That Overhang the Roof and Trim Dead Branches off All Trees
High winds can break even the largest of tree limbs as easily as snapping a toothpick in half. It may seem obvious to trim the trees that overhang your roof, but it is also a good idea to have all off the trees surrounding your home trimmed just in case.

Purchase a Tarp and Store as Needed
After a storm, roofers run into a major supply shortage. Tarps are a rare find during this time and unfortunately they are a major necessity. Your best bet is to purchase tarps before the storm that way you are prepared.

Clean Debris From Valley and Gutters
Clearing all leaves and debris from roof areas and gutters will allow rainwater to flow them and prevent water from backing up and entering your home.