Miami Roofing

One of the most common questions we are asked is if one can roof of there current roofing system. While it may save you a few dollars in the beginning, many times this is not always the best options for the longevity of your home. A roof is made of multiple layers. First, there is plywood laid on top of the roof joists, then roofing felts, followed by either shingle or tile or layered asphalt and tar (for some flat roofs). There is also flashing and caulking, which seals edges around areas such as the chimney and roof vents. Eventually, these various points in the system can begin to fail. Flashing can come loose or the shingles can begin to degrade, allowing water to penetrate under the shingles, under the roofing felt, and eventually causing rot and damage to the plywood, even the joists. Leaks of various degree can occur as a result of any of these compromised areas.

Sometimes, problems like these are isolated to only a small section of the roof, and can be repaired. Other times, the entire roof needs to be redone. This leads many building owners to wonder if simply adding more roofing material (new shingles, more asphalt and tar, or metal roofing) on top of their existing roof is a viable option.

Usually, building codes allow for up to two layers of shingles. Certainly, overlaying new roofing over a previous layer reduces labor and disposal costs, and is faster. This is an option, but only if the roof is being replaced as a precautionary measure, due to roof age. If the roof already has leaks, spongy areas, or flashing issues, then recovering with a new layer will only temporarily bandage these problems, leaving them to recur in the near future. In fact, many roofing professionals believe that recovering an existing roof, even one in good shape, decreases the life expectancy of the new shingles by up to twenty percent.

When a new roof is needed, the best option is to tear off the old system before installing a new one. This allows the miami roofing contractor to inspect the roof structure thoroughly, replacing known, as well as hidden damage such as rotten wood and truss work. As with most things in life, a roof is only as good as its foundation. To get the most for the money, it is best to tear off and start anew; you can then rest sure in the knowledge that your roof is in good shape, top to bottom, and ready to protect your building for the next 10, 20, even 30 years.

Foam roofing has been around for quite some time, but it is still comes across as relatively unknown in South Florida. There are many misconceptions about it that make some people wary of selecting this option. However, these misconceptions are simply that and there are numerous advantages to foam roofing that make it a superior alternative to traditional methods.

Foam roofs are one of the most environmentally sensitive option available today. If you are looking to go green, most roofing systems will not provide you with the eco-friendly advantages you can obtain going in this direction. Besides the large amount of waste created by conventional methods, there is an enormous amount of energy required during the manufacturing and installation process. Foam roofs on the other hand offer an abundance of benefits minus the negative effects on mother nature. Unlike standard built-up designs that consist of multiple layers hot mopped to replicate a single, undivided system. Foam roofing is applied as one complete roof that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also offers superior protection that can only be achieved when seams are not present. There are no connecting parts that allow for eventual breakdown. This is true regardless of the size of the property you are applying it to.

Foam is up to ten times lighter than conventional roofs. This allows for applying the material over existing Miami roofing systems in most instances. This not only makes the entire process more efficient, it also saves on hauling and depositing the waste materials into a landfill. The elasticity of foam roofs allows the material to conform to just about any building design which in turns helps prevents spaces and gaps that could allow for potential water intrusion. While the light design and elastic qualities might lead one to believe the material is weak, that is simply not the case. There have been numerous studies that have proven the durability and strength of this material. However, perhaps the most impressive side to foam roofing is it’s incredible insulating supremacy. There is no other roofing system on the market today that can match the cooling benefits one can obtain with foam. In fact, on average this method saves thirty five to forty percent more energy than any of it’s competitors.

Whether you are looking for a new roof for your house or business, foam roofing is an excellent alternative. There are many advantages and the ones listed here are only a handful. Proven to be easy to care for, durable and strong, if you are considering foam contact Miami Roof Tech and we’ll show you why it may be the right choice for your property.

Everybody wants to do their part to protect the environment but sometimes the cost is great and the benefits are not. Start a new trend in southern Florida by installing a roofing system that is not only good for the environment but will also save you money. Living in sunny Miami, a typical roof will not only radiate heat because of its dark surface, but its impermeability will also let storm and rain water flow off, thus wasting two potentially useful and reusable resources, the sun and the rain. The average roof is not at all energy efficient and has no effect on the amount of energy required to keep your home cool during the hot summer months. The solution to this problem: installing a green roof on your home.

Definition:
A green system is a type of roof covering that can grow vegetation such as plants, flowers, and shrubs. A root-safe, waterproof membrane protects your home from any downward growth of the roots. A drainage system is built in to catch rainwater, which in turn is used to water the plants that are being grown. This cuts down on the amount of drain water that is being wasted.

Purposes:
It may be installed simply for aesthetic reasons to provide a break from asphalt and a retreat into nature. Green roofs are a great alternative to dealing with runoff storm water and can help keep your home cooler under the hot Florida sun.

Advantages:
Green roofs usually last a long time and need less maintenance and repair than traditional systems. It can reduce your energy bill by providing natural insulation that keeps the cool air in and the warm air out. The fruits, vegetables, and flowers grown can improve air quality by giving off more oxygen and taking in carbon dioxide. Able to withstand heat, sun, and wind, it is perfect for the unpredictable Miami weather.

Miami Roofing is committed to giving back to the environment by building quality green roofing systems. Installing one on your home is a great way to not only save money but also help the environment which is a win-win situation for everyone.

If you are looking to do roof repairs or a entire replacement, you will need to get quotes. Always request at least three detailed estimates in writing so that you can make an informed decision when deciding which company will ultimately by responsible for the longevity of your roof. When collecting information from contractors it is important to check references as well. The more information you have at your fingertips, the easier your search will be. Once you have all of your requested information from potential contractors, the hard work begins on comparing the roof estimates you’ve been given. When considering the information before you, remember you should never base your decision on cost to you alone. While your bottom line is important, more important is knowing that the expenditure you make will not have to be made again soon due to an unforeseen problem. Some questions to keep in mind when comparing Miami roofing estimates include:

1. What types of materials are involved? Is the contractor using a lower quality product in their estimate?
2. Has the contractor properly accounted for labor and transportation of materials in their estimate?
3. Is there anything in the estimate to provide solutions for any potential problems?
4. What is the contractor’s reputation? Did you check references?

Comparing roofing quotes is not an easy job. There is much to consider when looking at the information in front of you. Materials are a crucial factor in the overall cost of the job. You want a fair price, but you also want materials that will stand the test of time. Some contractors may opt for cheaper quality products to make their quote look more appealing, but in the long run the job isn’t cheaper if within a few years you have to spend thousands of dollars to do additional repairs. Pay close attention to labor and transportation costs. Some contractors use this area to increase their profit margin without providing adequate service. Keep in mind that lower bids sometimes have higher labor costs for this very reason. References are imperative. If the contractor doesn’t have the reputation to back their claim for service, you may be putting yourself in position for potential problems in the future. We all want the best for our money, when comparing roof estimates make sure you do your research to get a quality job and the peace of mind that comes with one.

A lack of maintenance is one of the leading causes of roof deterioration. Most people tend to overlook the maintenance of their roofs when they find leaks, preferring to simply fix the leak instead of finding the problem. Most causes of deterioration can be attributed to problems that can be prevented through the proper design/inspection of the roof. Many leaky areas can actually be attributed to the flashing, whether it was installed incorrectly, poor construction was a factor, or because age has caused various contractions and or expansions to loosen the seals or separate the flashing from their base flashing. Another common cause of roof deterioration is the atmosphere surrounding your home. Organic-based roofing materials are more susceptible to the weather than inorganic, while some roofing materials are effected largely by air pollutants and industrial or salt-laden atmospheres. Another factor that is involved is the overall weather conditions. It’s important after storms to inspect for damage. It’s also a good chance to see if there are any building deficiencies when it comes to proper drainage of your roof. Any standing pools are clues as to where the deficiencies are, and what type of action should be taken to prevent any further damage because of standing pools of water. Seemingly harmless things can cause sections to deteriorate as well, such as seeds or twigs on or around it. Some seedpods release toxic substances that can eat away at your roof, leaving pocket marks, while twigs can poke through certain areas, i. e. shingles, causing further deterioration and leaks, as well as causing your pocket to suffer for having to pay the repairs. Nobody really looks forward to replacing their roof because of some twigs that would have taken the most minimal effort to remove. Improper perimeter detail can also become problematic because of the potential for strong winds to cause fasteners to loosen and break the adhesion, not to mention the added duress put on the roof structures. Strong winds also bring a lot of potential harmful debris, yet another good reason to check your Miami roofing system after storms of any kind, when you’re able.

The most important investment a person makes in his or her lifetime is the purchase of a new home. With the lagging economy and a flood of vacant properties hitting the streets, the deals are better than ever and more and more people in Miami are giving up renting for the American dream. One of the most popular property types these days are foreclosures, the rock bottom pricing and bank fire sales are getting a lot of attention from perspective home buyers. However these seemingly to good to be true deals also come with quite a bit of risk, especially when it comes to roofing issues. Whenever anyone is about to make an offer on a home, foreclosure or otherwise, it is crucial that you also obtain a thorough home inspection by a licensed professional prior to purchasing the property. Vacant and abandoned homes are often left unattended, and small roof leaks can snow ball into major property damage when not dealt with in a timely manner. Many times you may think you are getting a great deal, but once you move into the property you may soon discover a plethora of problems that can end up costing much more than you bargained for. All sellers are trying to get the biggest bang for there buck, and having to replace an entire roof is a huge expense that even though often needed, they will try to mask while selling the property to avoid footing the bill. The best way to protect yourself is by having the home inspector search for any recent roof repairs done to the property. If there is evidence of numerous patches and mismatching tile or shingle, this may be a sign that there was recent repair work done and there are serious underlying roofing issues that the owner is trying to conceal. Also, have the inspector take a look in the attic space and check the roof deck for water staining, many times you can not see the water damage from inside the home because the ceiling’s were repainted to try and cover up water spots that were caused by a substandard roofing system. Roof-Tech wants to make sure your first home has a roofing system that will protect you and your family against everything mother nature has in store, contact our Miami Roofing firm for a free comprehensive analysis of your roof today!

There are two words in Miami that South Floridians never like to hear and that is “Hurricane Season”. The official start of this dreaded time of year is June 1st and it last all the way through November 30th. We typically see the most action in the month of August but as we all now weather is anything but predictable and a strong storm can pop up on the radar at any time. If you’ve lived in South Florida for a few years then by now you are most likely accustomed to the drill, which usually goes something like this. Return home after a hard days work and turn on the news, wait ever so patiently for the weather report and cross your fingers that there isn’t even a strong gust of wind in the forecast. If you learn that there is something forming out at sea, the next 4-5 days are usually pretty nerve racking. Will this moderately strong disturbance turn into a tropical storm? Will this tropical storm intensify and become a hurricane? But most importantly is this newly developed hurricane heading for my neighborhood? If the answer is yes then it’s time to take action. If you own your own home it’s time to shutter up and lay low, of course you’ll need to stock up on can goods and store enough water to stay comfortable for several days in case the inevitable does happen. Once it has gotten to that point it is generally to late to deal with any major roof issues you may be having but it is still important to take a few precautions. If you have a tile roof do a quick check for any loose or broken tile, this is especially important because heavy winds can easily swoop them up turning an ordinary roof tile into a flying safety hazard. Do the same for shingle roofs, if you spot any loose material, nail it back down to help secure it in place during the storm. Flat roofs generally pose the smallest threat as it is much harder for strong winds to affect a lower sloped system especially if a parapet wall borders the roof. This Miami roofing company takes extreme pride in building roof systems that can withstand even the strongest weather conditions, give us a ring today for a no obligation, free consultation.

In most cases if you own your home long enough, you will eventually have to go through the process of replacing your roof. While this is no small task, dealing with your homes re-roof construction does not have to be a stressful situation. Once you go though the initial steps and ultimately hire a contractor, there are several things you can do to ready yourself and make the process as easy as possible for your family. The most disruptive and messiest part of re-roofing a property are the “tear off” days, this is when your existing roof is being torn down to the deck so the initial felts can be fastened down. In this part of the process, you want to make sure if you have any valuable or fragile items in your home that you either cover them with plastic or place them in storage. This is especially important if you have an exposed ceiling where there is no drywall between the interior spaces of your home and the roof deck. It is nearly impossible in these situations for at least some dirt and debris not to slip through the plywood and into your home. Make sure your contractor goes through the entire property to determine which sections are exposed so there is no confusion later on. If you don’t have an exposed ceiling then it is generally a much simpler task, any debris that fall though will most likely not make it’s way down to your interior space and will usually be caught in the attic areas. Once the “tear down” days are complete , it is usually smooth sailing from then on. For shingle roofs, the only other step is to nail down the shingle which for the average home doesn’t usually take more than one day. For tile it is slightly more labor intensive, next a 90 pound felt will be hot mopped over the 30 pound felt and once that is complete the tile will be attached to the roof using either an adhesive tile bond or polyfoam pro. For flat roofing, the first layer put on is a 75 pound felt, after that the most common flat roofs will then receive two plies of Fiberglass which are hot mopped and then a Mineral Surface Cap Sheet on top of that. Roof-Tech always takes extreme care when re-roofing any home, when the time comes and you need to replace your Miami roof, we will guide you through every part of the project and keep your life as stress free as possible.

Proper ventilation in a roof is key to ensuring you get the longest possible lifespan out of your roofing system. Appropriate air flow in your attic is essential because it reduces the temperature differential between your interior and the outdoor spaces. The most common types of available roof ventilation are ridge, vent and turbine mechanisms and why they are effective is really quite easy to explain. We all know that heat rises, and because of this it will exit out of the upper ventilation sections of a roof, the hot air that has just escaped then gets substituted by colder air creating a less humid environment in your home. There is no where this is more important than in Miami, we experience some of the hottest, most humid temperatures in the country and along with that come overpriced electric bills. If you make certain your roof is adequately ventilated you can save a substantial amount on your cooling costs while also elongating the length of time your roof will last before requiring replacement. Commonly seen scenarios that occur with incorrectly vented attic areas include rapidly deteriorating wood on your roofs decking, complications with air conditioning systems because of over usage, potential mold problems and ultimately needing to re-roof your home earlier than necessary to account for the lackluster roof venting. Luckily, rectifying this situation is a rather straight forward task and adding much needed air flow to a homes attic space is not a difficult assignment. The best to time to do this is when your roof is being redone, simply request your roofing contractor add additional air ventilation where he or she deems appropriate which should not be expensive at all, in fact most companies will usually do this at no extra cost if asked before the project begins. Miami Roof-Tech can help design and install the perfect roof ventilation required by any home, inquire with us today and see what your property’s been missing all along.

Living in Miami, there is one thing that we can expect to encounter everyday, the heat! It’s great for beach days and picnics, but sometimes it can just be a little to much to handle, especially on one’s electric bill. Thankfully the roofing industry has introduced some new and exciting methods to help keep your home cooler and reduce the amount of energy consumption required. The basic idea of cool roofing is to provide a high reflective property to your roof thereby minimizing the amount of heat that can make it’s way down to the home’s interior spaces. The ideal time to install these systems is during roof replacements, many of the most popular roofing manufacturer’s now feature energy saving products which provide the same aesthetics of normal roofing systems. However, if you are looking for an immediate solution and can not accommodate a complete re-roof, there are many products available that you can use to help keep your home cool. If your property has a flat roof, there are numerous reflective coatings that will provide an instant impact to your FPL bill. For about the cost of a 5 gallon can of paint, you can purchase a variety of reflective roof coatings from your local home improvement store and apply them to your property, it’s as easy as painting a wall. However, this is only recommended for low sloped roofing systems, for tile and shingle there are coatings available but since these system types are pitched and generally visible from the ground, you may want to think twice before applying something that will alter your roofs appearance in a negative way. The energy saving, reflective properties are already infused into the new tile and shingle products which is why it may be beneficial to incorporate these the next time you decide to re-roof your home instead of trying to add them later on. Roof-Tech, South Florida’s top rated Miami Roofing company is always up to date on the latest, cutting edge roofing products, give is a ring today for more information about “The coolest roofs around”.