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
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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?
- 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!
Gutter Cleaning and Maintenance
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:
- 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.
- Start with the areas near a downspout.
- Remove the large debris first
- Flush out the gutters by running a hose at the end opposite of the downspout.
- 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’d that Roofer Say? Roofing Terminology Defined
Have you ever wondered what a roofer meant by a ‘hip’ or ‘valley’? Are you confused by the difference between a ‘rake’ and a ‘ridge’? Have you always been curious as to what a ‘gable’ is?
As with specialists in most industries, roofing contractors have developed their own lingo over the years for ease of communication. Doctors, artists, lawyers, and even diner workers use words and phrases that are unique to their line of work simply because it makes things go faster. Continue reading “What’d that Roofer Say? Roofing Terminology Defined”
Gulf Western Roofing: Our Story, Our Commitment
Who is the go-to contractor of choice for Florida’s leading homebuilders? The answer is simple: Gulf Western Roofing.
Since 1999, Gulf Western Roofing has been providing high-quality residential and commercial roofs in tile, metal, shingle, EPDM, and TPO. From flat roof assessments and repairs to installation of virtually every type of commercial roof, Gulf Western Roofing is committed to excellence, superior customer service, and exceptional results. Gulf Western Roofing is a full-service roofing contractor.
So what is our story?
Gulf Western Roofing, Inc. was founded in Naples, Florida, in 1999 by Joseph K. Lamb Jr. Sensing a need for a contractor who was both familiar with high-quality roofing and also based in the local area, Mr. Lamb forged to make Gulf Western Roofing and its superior standards the leader in the fast-growing Southwest area for contract roofing. Mr. Lamb made it his mission to become the most respected roofing contractor in the area.
Fast forward 16 years later, Mr. Lamb’s vision has allowed Gulf Western Roofing to fulfill its promise and build its reputation, providing quality professionalism, service, and support in a manner seldom seen anywhere.
But why choose Gulf Western Roofing?
Gulf Western Roofing is all about creating lasting relationships. Many of the largest and most prestigious builders in the state — and the nation — have entrusted their work to Gulf Western Roofing. Our commitment and agreements with builders is all built on trust and collaboration. From major residential homebuilders such as Pulte/Cenex, Stock Development, and Del Webb, to commercial contractors such as T.W. Friers, Owens-Ames-Kimball, DeAngelis Diamond, and the Henning Group, Gulf Western Roofing continues to build an impressive roster of clients.
Whether you’re a residential home owner looking to replace a weathered roof or a commercial builder in need of roofing repairs, Gulf Western Roofing is committed to uploading their promise of high-quality practices, core values, and standards of excellence. We provide unbiased, customized solutions based on your specific needs, bringing years of experience with every possible roofing situation. When you work with Gulf Western Roofing, you can expect extensive surveys, life expectancy models, repair Return on Investment (ROI) analysis and repair versus re-roofing evaluations.
If you are in need of a roof replacement, Gulf Western Roofing provides detailed information for each type of roof, while assisting you in deciding which commercial roofing solution is best for your facility. You can expect prompt and proficient customer service, dedicated service crews, and extensive before and after documentation. Gulf Western Roofing installs approximately 2000 roofs per year. Each roof we install receives a five-year warranty with an optional upgrade to our amazing 20-point assurance maintenance program (RAMP).
So that’s our story.
It’s a simple one and that’s for a reason. Gulf Western Roofing is about providing excellence through simplicity. We love residential and commercial roofing. It’s that passion and dedication to our clients that have made Gulf Western Roofing an industry leader in contractor roofing within the state of Florida.
We will have more information to share in our blog space and on our social media sites including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest in the coming weeks and months. The Marketing team at Gulf Western Roofing is committed to bringing our story to everyone who will listen. We are proud of the company Gulf Western Roofing has become and want to extend our mission to the entire industry. There will be helpful hints about roofing, more insight into the quality standards upheld by each and every member of the Gulf Western Roofing family, and other little goodies and nuggets that will have the entire industry talking. We look forward to your continued support and as always, we appreciate your service!
