3 Reasons You Need an Annual Roof Inspection in Florida

If you live in Florida, you already know how unpredictable the weather can be. The forecast says no rain, so you cancel your plans to go to the beach on Saturday and make other plans. Saturday comes; the sun is out and it doesn’t rain at all. Sound familiar? Florida is also known for severe weather from tropical storms to hurricanes. Due to Florida’s unique and unpredictable weather patterns, it is especially important to make sure your roof is in excellent condition. Making sure your roof is secure will ensure your family’s safety.

Checking for weaknesses and problem areas on your roof can help you catch them early on and potentially save you hundreds if not thousands of dollars in the long run. Don’t wait until something drastic happens. You want to prevent minor problems from becoming major. Yearly inspections will also help extend the life of your roof. The National Roofing Contractors Association recommends inspecting all roofs at least twice a year: once after the coldest weather (January), and once after the hottest weather(July/Aug). It is also recommended to do an inspection after any major weather events. At the bare minimum, we recommend an annual inspection. Although there are various reasons to have an annual roof inspection in Florida, as one of the best Tampa roofing contractors, we will go over the top three.

Before we get into the reasons you should have an annual roof inspection here are some tips on what you can do to prevent damage to your roof.

● Keep trees well-trimmed around the house and get rid of any overhanging trees.

● Keep the yard free of large debris including dead branches.

● Keep gutters free of debris to keep them from getting clogged. Clogged gutters will prevent water from draining properly.

● Avoid pressure washing your roof. Chemicals used during pressure washing can be harsh, abrasive, and lower your roof’s lifespan.

Now, on to the top three reasons you should have an annual roof inspection.

Discover potential warranty issues. It is important to have a trained and licensed roofing specialist to inspect your roof to identify any manufacturer defects. These defects can affect the performance of your roof. They can shorten the life-span of your shingles and can cause them to deteriorate more quickly. These defects may include: Degranulation- This is the early breaking down of the shingles mostly due to weather. Granules will begin to fall out of the shingles. Granules are important because they add extra weight to the shingle and protect shingles from UV rays. Granules essentially provide waterproofing, so degranulation can cause your roof to leak. Blistering- This is when moisture is caught in the roofing shingle when it is being produced. When it gets hot, the heat causes the moisture to rise up and cause blisters in the shingles. The heat can also cause these blisters to pop like pimples. It is also possible that strong gusts of wind can catch larger blisters and cause the roof to uplift. Cupping- This is when the shingles begin to lift up on the bottom corners. It’s called cupping since the middle of the shingle can become concave and form a cup shape. Checking for shingle damage is important since shingles serve as the armor for your roof.

Check for weather damage. In Florida, there are over 100 days in the year in which significant weather events occur. These include thunderstorms, strong winds that can cause wind-driven debris, and potential hail. All of these weather conditions can cause significant damage to your roof. Therefore, it is imperative to check if your roof has suffered from any storm damage. The most common damage that storms cause are missing shingles, lifted shingles and pitted shingles (which is tearing of the shingles). A roof inspection will also check for wind-driven debris like fallen branches. Branches often cause holes in your roof which can lead to potential leaks. Although repairs from weather damage may sound quite costly, it is important to remember that most storm damage can be covered by your insurance. When looking for a roofing company to inspect your roof, it is helpful to choose one that has extensive experience dealing with insurance claims so that they can get you the services that are covered by your annual insurance premiums.

Check for damage caused by the exposure of ultraviolet rays from the sun. Florida’s environment causes roofs to go through constant heating and cooling changes. These changes in temperature cause the degradation of shingles to accelerate. The breaking down of shingles makes roofs more susceptible to potential storm damage and puts your home at risk for more leaks. Exposure to UV rays may also call delamination. Delamination is when the membrane of the roof is separated from the insulation. It can cause water and/or wind damage to your roof.

In conclusion, annual inspections can spot any issues whether they are caused by manufacturer defects, storm damage, or damage due to Florida’s increased exposure to ultraviolet rays. It is important to check for any damages so that you may catch them early on and prevent them from getting worse. Ignoring them could lead to more costly repairs in the future, like having to replace your whole roof. Having annual roof inspections will give you peace of mind and will make sure you and your family are properly protected for Florida’s inevitable storms.

What to Look for in a Roofing Inspection Company or Roofing Company

● They offer free inspections. Most reputable roofing companies offer this as a complimentary service.

● Roofing company has experience, is knowledgeable, and will help you in the process of filing a claim with your insurance.

● They have great reviews and testimonials.

At Greentek Roofing and Solar we meet the above expectations and more. Here are a few testimonials from satisfied customers:

“The sales rep Adam was very helpful and knowledgeable and communicated directly with our insurance company with filing the claim on our behalf. Due to the holidays, we had to assist with contacting the insurance company to expedite the claim. Once our claim was approved the roof was scheduled for replacement and the work was completed in 1 day. The work has been completed for 1 month and we are completing the closeout process with the insurance company and PHMC/Greentek Roofing and Solar.” – Bryan McCreary

“Highly recommend Greentek Property solutions. Worked with Adam who was very knowledgeable and a pleasure to work with start to finish. Installation crew was quick and professional and the took great care not to damage surrounding plants and shrubs. This team is top notch.” -David Dumas

“From the beginning, they are courteous, friendly. James Casey is the one who came out when we called was great. Chris Riley came out during the job and introduced himself to us, and was awesome, friendly and very knowledgeable. The crew was friendly and quick. When they were done they cleaned up it is was like they were never here. I walked around because we have dogs and could not find one nail. Love my new roof. Thank you all.” -Denise Woodring At Greentek, your family’s safety is what is most important to us so we treat our roof inspections seriously. We want you to have the most secure roof possible, so we will have your roof inspected in a complete fashion. You can depend on our roofing experts to give you the most comprehensive report on any damages or problem areas. If you’d like to schedule a roof inspection, you can contact Tampa roofing contractor GreenTek at 877-389-0632.