Show your roof some LOVE!

Show your roof some loveHere are some ways you can show your Roof some love!

  • Inspect your roof twice a year. This includes the singles, tile, gutters, flashing or any loose materials.
  • Keep it clean and trim back trees.
  • Make sure you are covered by your homeowners Insurance policy.

Spring!

Spring cleaning tipsSpring is almost here. This is the perfect time to inspect and clean the exterior of your home to get it ready for summer. This is the ideal time to inspect your roof. Look for broken tiles, missing shingles, leaks etc. Always use caution when on your roof and if you don’t feel comfortable, call a professional. Gutters are crucial to your homes protection too. They endure a lot and need to be cleaned out at least once a year. Gutters protect your homes siding and foundation from water run off. Don’t put these things off.

Should you replace your roof before you sell your home?

roof replacementShould you replace your roof before you sell your home? According to realtor.com one of the biggest expenses people worry about is the roof. Having an inspector inspect it will help you know if you need to replace it or repair it. Look at the competition in your area. A new roof could be a big incentive to buyers. If the roof is causing damage, it may be necessary to replace it so the buyer can get a mortgage. Remodeling Magazine’s cost vs. Value Report for 2013 found that a roofing replacement recouped 62.9% of the cost.

Mold

Moldy roof tipsIn Florida, our wet, hot, humid climate is ideal for mold to begin growing on your roof. It doesn’t cause harm to your roof but it doesn’t look good either. If it’s time for a re-roof, the good news is that most shingles come mold resistant. If your roof is still in good shape and  just looks dirty here are some tips for getting it cleaned. We recommend a chemical clean. Don’t use a pressure cleaner. This could damage your roof. Use a 50% mix of bleach and water and spray onto your roof. Make sure you take precautions to protect your landscaping. You can spray clean water on the plants to protect them from the chemical runoff.

Skylights

skylightsLet’s talk skylights. There are bright sides to them but they also bring a dark side when they are discussed with roofs. Even if installed skillfully, they are more than likely going to cause you trouble with leaking. Think twice and talk to your roofer to see if they are right for you.

How to Choose a Roofing Contractor

When it comes to choosing a roofing contractor, you have many options. Here are some things to consider when choosing someone to do your roof.

  • Experience. Embick Enterprises has been locally operated since 1978. That’s over 40 years of experience. Always ask for referrals and ask the contractor if they have done the specific type of work before.
  • Financially Responsible. Sometimes you may want to go with the cheapest proposal. A company doing a job for too cheap could be a red flag. Chose a contractor who puts the effort in their proposals so you don’t end up paying more in the end.
  • Communication. Make sure your contractor communicates with you throughout the process and one who can help you get what you want.
  • Crew. We use the best supplies and our crews have worked with us for many years. They know we demand excellence for our customers. Embick Enterprises employs over 25 people. We have the staff to get the job done without any headaches for you.

How long does a roof last?

There are several factors that can determine how long a roof lasts in Florida. The materials, maintenance and climate all effect roofs. The Florida elements play a big role in our roof’s longevity. Our roofs are exposed to more UV light due to our beautiful sunny days than most areas. The coastal area sea spray can also effect the roofs. And don’t forget about our Summer storms and Hurricane wind damage. Here is a general breakdown of how long your roof will last: Shingles 18-25 years, Tile 20-30 years and Metal 40 -70 years. No matter which style you choose you will have a variety of color options! Come see us today.

 

   embick-enterprises  flat-shingle-roof

gable-end-bracing

Gable End Bracing

Your house has a gable end if you have a sloped roof with a vertical wall that forms a triangle under the end of the roof.

Gable end walls and the roof sheathing at the gable end can take a tremendous beating during a hurricane, and if not properly attached and braced, they fail and cause catastrophic damage to your home. However, of all the possible structural retrofits, gable end walls can be the easiest to strengthen and should be a high priority on your retrofit list.

 

Areas of concern:

  • The number one issue with gable ends is the attachment of the roof sheathing at the gable end. If you have re-roofed and re-nailed the rood deck, you have gone a long way towards reducing damage at gable ends. If you have not strengthened the roof sheathing attachment, you can use adhesives to temporarily strengthen the sheathing attachment.
  • Most gable end walls of older houses are weaker than they should be to withstand a hurricane and are poorly connected and braced.

The following actions are recommended to strengthen and properly brace a gable end wall.

  1. Anchor and brace the bottom of the gable end's triangular wall to the ceiling joists or ceiling framing.
  2. Strengthen the gable end wall studs.
  3. Brace the top of the gable end wall by tying it to the rafters or tops of the trusses.
hurricane-strap-retrofit

Hurricane Straps

Hurricane Straps

The most important precaution you can take to reduce damage to your home and property is to protect the areas where wind can enter. According to recent wind technology research, it’s important to strengthen the exterior of your house so wind and debris do not tear large openings in it. You can do this by protecting and reinforcing these four critical areas:

  • roof
  • windows
  • doors
  • garage doors

A great time to start securing — or retrofitting — your house is when you are making other improvements or adding an addition. In both cases, your local building code will require that your work conform to certain requirements. And, although you may not need to comply with current code requirements on the rest of your house, this may be a good opportunity to do so. Remember: building codes reflect the lessons experts have learned from past catastrophes. Contact your local building code official to find out what requirements are necessary for your home improvement projects.

Solatube_index

Solatube Lighting Systems

Solatube tubular daylighting devices, or TDDs for short, are affordable, high-performance lighting solutions that bring daylight into interior spaces where traditional skylights and windows simply can’t reach. Sometimes called “tubular skylights,” “light tubes,” “sun pipes,” and even “light tunnels,” TDDs have become the ideal solution for lighting interiors in a cost-effective, energy-efficient and eco-friendly way because they significantly reduce the need for electricity while keeping people connected to the outdoor environment.

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