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The Importance of a Sound Gutter System

Your home is one of your biggest assets, so it’s no surprise that you want to do all you can to protect it from damage! One of the best ways to do this for the exterior of your home is to install a sound gutter system. 

What do gutters do?

Gutters ensure proper and adequate drainage of rainwater off of your roof. Gutters also route this water away from your home’s foundation and into an appropriate area. Since a new roof can cost tens of thousands of dollars, installing a high-quality gutter system is imperative to protect your investment. (more…)

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The Advantages of Having a Flat Roof

Flat roofs are common here in Florida, for good reason. In addition to giving our homes a unique appearance, flat roofs have several advantages over their traditional sloped, shingled counterparts:

Lower construction cost

Flat roofs are less expensive to install than pitched roofs because they use fewer materials and labor. They don’t take up as much vertical space and are useful in commercial projects where controlling costs is a priority. (more…)

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How Long Does a Metal Roof Last?

When deciding which type of roofing material to go with for your home, you have plenty of options! While most people go with traditional asphalt shingles, the modern homeowner has many more options to choose from to complement their home’s style.

Some of these alternative roofing options provide advantages that traditional shingles can’t match. One particularly strong contender in the roofing material world is metal. While metal roofs don’t fit the traditional coastal aesthetic, prudent homeowners are wise to consider metal as a roofing option. (more…)

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Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Delay Roofing Repairs

Your roof is by far the most expensive part of your home, and for good reason! Your roof protects the inside of your home from the weather, leaf accumulation, and sometimes, even falling trees or flying projectiles. In addition, the space created between your house’s top floor and the roof provides necessary ventilation for your entire home.

Since the roof is the most expensive part of the home, it makes sense that it is also one of the most expensive parts to repair or replace. This fact pushes some homeowners to put off roof repairs out of fear that they cannot afford them or that they will experience negative consequences from filing a claim with their insurance company. (more…)

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How Often Should My Roof Be Inspected?

No matter what type of roof you own, it is recommended that you have your roof inspected formally twice each year, then again informally after each incident of strong wind or heavy rain, such as a tropical storm or hurricane.

You may want to do the informal inspections and one of the yearly inspections yourself to save some cash, but at least once each year, you need to hire a professional roofing contractor to conduct a full, comprehensive inspection of your roof and structure.

What will a qualified roofing contractor, like Shon Boswell Contracting Services in Tampa Bay, look for during a roofing inspection? Well, the following items will be assessed: (more…)

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Maintaining a Metal Roof

If you’ve made the choice to go with a metal roof for your home or business, you’ll want to do everything you can to keep your investment in great shape! Metal roofs are some of the most expensive roofs out there, but luckily, maintenance is fairly easy. The old saying “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is very true with metal roofs; preventative maintenance tasks are much easier to handle than repairing a roof that’s already damaged.

At least once each year, you’ll need to hire a professional to climb up onto your roof and do an inspection. While you can do this inspection yourself, many people fall off of their roofs each year, causing injuries and even death! Don’t risk seriously hurting yourself when you have qualified metal roofers like those at Shon Boswell Contracting Services in Tampa Bay available to help out. (more…)

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The Best Roofs for Florida Homes

Being one of the first things people see when they look at your home, your roof is an important factor in your home’s curb appeal. An old, dilapidated roof can decrease your home’s value by thousands of dollars. Even worse, an improperly installed or ill-maintained roof can leave your home open to infiltration of water, and if not repaired even structural damage.

Roofs in Florida have the extra requirement of being algae-resistant. Officials added this requirement due to the frequent occurrence of algae buildup on roofs, especially those near coastal areas, and the extensive damage this causes. (more…)

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How to Budget for a Roof

Your roof is one of the most expensive (and important) parts of your home. It protects you, your family, and all your belongings from the Earth’s harsh elements. So, it’s no wonder that roof damage is considered an urgent situation that requires immediate repair.

A new roof can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $15,000 on average. The two biggest factors are the cost of your new roof is your home’s square footage and the roofing material you choose. If you have a very large home and choose an expensive roofing material, you could spend over $20,000 for a new roof.

Budgeting for your new roof can seem difficult since it’s such a large amount of money, but we have a few tips to make saving more manageable: (more…)

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How to Maintain Your Roof Shingles

Roof ShinglesAsphalt shingles are the most popular and affordable roofing material available today. Asphalt shingles are durable, come in a rainbow of colors, and fit the aesthetic of most architectural styles. They are also great insulators and make homes more energy-efficient.

Although asphalt shingles are low maintenance, they still require some care to keep them in their best condition. 

Inspect your roof

Do a visual inspection of your shingles and roofing structure at least monthly, if not more often . Pay special attention to any areas that look discolored or sunken in, or where shingles are missing. These are signs of water damage and may indicate the location of a leak inside your home. (more…)

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How to Prepare Your Roof for Hurricane Season

Hurricane SeasonHurricane season is in full swing, and we’ve already had over 10 named storms in the Atlantic this year. When a hurricane is headed your way (and they always are in Florida) it’s important to prepare for possible roof damage. Follow these tips to minimize damage and get a head start on repairs to your roof during a hurricane:

  • Check your insurance policy

Before a storm hits, discover how much insurance coverage you have for hurricane damage. If you don’t understand your policy documents, call your insurance agent right away and they should be able to explain everything to you. One of the most important pieces of information to gather is your deductible for storm damage since that’s the amount that you will have to pay out of pocket before your insurance coverage picks up the tab.
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