When it comes to our homes, we all know some issues don’t need to be resolved right away. For example, if one of the light bulbs in your chandelier is out, you probably don’t need to drop everything you’re doing to replace it. However, when it comes to areas of your home like your roof or attic, some issues can be a high priority. When it comes to roof and attic emergencies, there are a few common signs. Certain emergencies require immediate attention. Read on to learn what they are and why they’re important to resolve in a timely manner.

Look for These Signs

This isn’t an exhaustive list of all the signs of a roof or attic emergency. However, the following are certainly the major ones.

• Water leaks
• Missing shingles
• Rotting wood
• Animal intrusions

Water Leaks

Water leaks are one of the most significant signs of roof or attic emergencies. In North Florida, we are prone to torrential downpours. There are times when we can receive as much as a few inches of rain in only an hour.

For this reason, any small puncture or tear in your roof can allow a significant amount of water to enter your home, damaging trusses and insulation in your attic, and the drywall and flooring in your home’s interior. Water not only damages materials but also causes mold growth.

Mold growth presents many challenges through secondary damages and its threat to human health — dealing quickly with a leaky roof is paramount in preventing these. You may notice mold growing in your attic following a roof leak before you’ll see it spread to the rest of your home. Anywhere you notice rotten/wet wood or insulation in your attic is a sign that you have a serious roof emergency. Be sure to call a roofing professional immediately. We’ll discuss rotting wood more in a moment.

Missing Shingles

Missing shingles are another sign of a roof emergency. Obviously, the purpose of shingles is to protect our homes from the elements. Due to events like thunderstorms which cause high winds, shingles can sometimes be ripped off the decking.

Older roofs are more prone to losing shingles during high wind events. When a shingle is missing, you may not notice the negative effects right away, but you will likely see your roof begin to leak because of our climate.

You must address this issue quickly and get your roof repaired. It’s not something you can put off for weeks or months. Leaving a missing shingle unchecked will undoubtedly lead to more damage. Again, the damage will start in the attic and then spread to other parts of your home.

Many attics are home to wiring, HVAC ductwork, insulation, and the structural support of the entire roof system. If this part of the home is compromised, it can not only lead to interior damage but can also threaten the structural integrity and strength of the entire home. Left unchecked, damaged roofs and attic systems can collapse.

Rotting Wood

Rotting wood is something that happens slowly. Common areas of rot on a roof system include the decking and the fascia board. Decking is the wood underneath the shingles and serves as the barrier between your shingles and the attic or trusses.

Another sign of roofing emergencies related to rotting wood is when the decking develops soft spots, or the fascia board begins to splinter and fall away. The roof’s structural integrity is compromised at this point, and these materials must be replaced. If homeowners wait too long, they’re likely to see leaks, roof collapses, or animal intrusion into their attic space.

Again, attic damage creates a new list of problems that affect the entire home. The attic serves as an added barrier between the elements and the inside of your home. Much of your home’s energy efficiency is dictated by the health of your attic. If you begin noticing a musty smell in your home but can’t determine a source in your home’s interior, a great place to check first is your attic. This is where you will see the first signs of water damage, mold, and wood rot as a result of a leaky roof.

Animal Intrusions

Another sign of a roof or attic emergency is an animal intrusion. If you’re seeing bats, birds, squirrels, rats, or raccoons in your attic, it means that your roof system is compromised. Although a roof system and attic aren’t air-tight (you want them to breathe), they should be sealed enough to prevent animals from getting in the space.

If there are holes in your roof or the fascia is lifting away, it will provide an opportunity for animals to seek shelter – especially during cool Florida winter nights or during frequent rain events. Although replacing or resecuring fascia is an easy fix, failing to leave this type of damage unchecked can create numerous and costly repairs down the road.

Animals like raccoons and rats are very destructive. They can eat or chew through insulation and electrical wires, and defecate on your attic’s building materials. Rats also build nests that are highly unsanitary. Making sure to repair or close up any open areas of your roof system is integral to preventing these animals from getting into your home.

Trust Mcfall Roofing for Your Roof and Attic Emergency in Gainesville, FL

At McFall Residential Roofing, we specialize in installing and repairing roofs in Gainesville, FL. We can repair all aspects of your roof system including the trusses and decking. The benefit of working with a local roofing contractor like McFall is that you receive the utmost knowledge and expertise needed to make the best decisions for your home. We follow industry best practices and use high-quality roofing materials to give our customers beautiful roofs that will last.

Contact us today to get started on your residential roofing project.

Metal roofing is an increasingly popular roofing material here in Gainesville, FL, and the surrounding area. As a result of its growing popularity over the last decade, there are now more colors and designs available than ever. Read on to learn why metal roofing has become more popular and what advantages it provides over other roofing materials.

How Many Different Types of Metal Roofs Exist and Why Are They Popular?

There are at least 7 different types of metal roofs that are made. Some roofs are made from aluminum, copper, galvanized steel, or zinc. The most popular metal roofs are composed of a steel and aluminum blend. Not only are there many types of metal roofing materials, but there are also a variety of colors, designs, shapes, and styles–each manufactured and installed slightly differently.

Metal roofs are popular here in Florida because of their durability. They can withstand high winds, heavy rain, and extreme temperatures. Many Floridians choose them over asphalt shingle roofs because they can last twice as long in our harsh climate and sustain less damage during hurricanes or other strong storm events.

Additionally, they add a more “modern” look to homes or businesses and are easier to maintain.
Lastly, they have many applications. For example, they work well both for residential and commercial structures. Historically, they’ve been used more frequently for commercial roofing projects but are still widely used for residential projects.

What Types of Metal Roofing Are Most Common in North Central Florida?

The two most common types of metal roofing here in North Central Florida are the following.

1. Standing Seam Metal Roofing
2. Exposed Fastener Metal Roofing

1. Standing Seam Metal Roofing (SSMR)

SSMR is a common type of roofing here in Florida. It gets its name from what looks like raised or “standing” seams on its surface. When people picture or refer to metal roofing, they’re usually referring to SSMR. These seams are approximately 1-inch in height and are easily visible.

Although durable and easy to maintain, these roofs are generally more expensive than asphalt shingle roofs. However, their lifespan makes up for their cost. Even with little to no maintenance, SSMRs will not need to be replaced as often as shingle roofs.

2. Exposed Fastener Metal Roofing (EFMR)

Another type of metal roofing you could likely recognize is EFMR. This is a very popular type of metal roof because it’s cheaper than SSMR. However, one of the drawbacks compared to an SSMR is that it requires more maintenance. Since the screws or “fasteners” are exposed, they will need to be changed out about every 10-15 years.

Although different from SSMR, EFMR still packs a ton of durability. Using this type of metal roofing on your home depends on your budget.

Is a Metal Roof Ideal for Every Home?

The short answer is not necessarily. Metal roofs will best serve homeowners who live in open fields away from trees or other areas where there’s high sun exposure. One of the main benefits of metal roofs is increased energy efficiency. However, this benefit is nullified if your home is located in a well-shaded area. Also, trees will cause the metal roof to stain – requiring more frequent maintenance.

In this case, unless you’re wanting a metal roof simply for design or architectural purposes, the added cost of a metal roof versus an asphalt shingle roof may not make sense for you.

Mcfall’s Residential Metal Roofing Installation in Gainesville, FL

At McFall Residential Roofing, we specialize in installing metal roofs for your home. These roofs are ideal for the Gainesville, FL climate and are easiest to install and maintain. We can help you with any color or style of seam metal roofing.

The benefit of working with a local roofing contractor like McFall is that you get the knowledge and expertise you need to make the best decisions for your home. We will assess your specific situation and help you determine if a metal roof is best for your unique home. At McFall, we follow industry best practices and use high-quality roofing materials to give our customers beautiful roofs that will last.

Contact us today to get started on your residential roofing project.

Gainesville’s warm, humid climate makes many asphalt shingle roofs in our area prone to growing roof algae, a “junk drawer” term for a vast group of diverse photosynthetic organisms. They’re common in nature and we often see them thriving in warm, wet locations. Although they’re perfectly fine in their natural habitat, you don’t want algae growing on your home’s roof surface. Read on to learn how to get rid of roof algae and why it’s important.

What Is Roof Algae?

In North Central Florida, it’s common to see black or dark-colored algae stains on residential asphalt shingle roofs. They may appear as long or short streaks, making your roof look much older than its actual age. There are a number of factors contributing to the growth of this roof algae. In Gainesville, clogged gutters, clumps of pine needles, overhanging branches, or poor roof ventilation are often the culprit of roof algal build-up. Further, frequent rains, intense sunlight, and excessive humidity provide the perfect growing conditions for algae, which is spread via airborne spores.

Why Should I Get Rid of Roof Algae?

Roof algae affect roofs differently. Depending on the color of your roof, algae may have little or profound effects on its health. For example, darker-colored shingles will be less susceptible to damage caused by excess heating as a result of the algae. The following are the main reasons you should get rid of roof algae.

Enhance Your Roof Appearance and Lifespan

Thinking back to high school science class, darker-colored materials absorb more heat than lighter-colored ones, which is why you want to wear a white shirt on a hot day vs. a black one. When algae grow on lighter-colored shingles they cause the roof’s surface temperature to get hotter than it would in their absence.

Excess heat damages the roof’s granules and compromises the roof’s overall strength, shortening its effectiveness and lifespan. Maybe your roof is made of darker-colored shingles. In this case, appearance is more of a factor than damage since the roof is already less reflective because of its color.

Often, a roof can look like it’s damaged or much older than it actually is simply because it is dirty from algal growth. This can be important if you’re planning on selling or simply want to increase your home’s curb appeal.

Increase Your Home’s Energy-Efficiency

Again, a darker-colored roof surface is going to absorb more solar and infrared energy from the sun and the surrounding environment. As a result, it will increase your home’s cooling load during the summer months in Florida. Heating begins from the top down into your attic — forcing your home’s cooling unit to work double-time during especially hot, sunny days.

By getting rid of roof algae, you can save money on your energy bills and boost the overall appearance of your home!

How Do I Get Rid of Roof Algae?

In many cases, if you’re a DIYer, you can clean your home’s roof using a standard garden hose and a simple chlorine bleach water solution. All you have to do is apply the solution to your roof from the top down using a gentle spray. After letting the solution sit for about 20-30 minutes, you can gently rinse the roof with a low-pressure nozzle on your standard garden hose.

It’s important that you don’t use a high-pressure washer to rinse your asphalt shingle roof because it will damage the surface by removing the granules. Granules are an important part of the roof system because they give the shingles their water-repelling properties.

However, there are times when simply cleaning your roof is not possible. In this case, it’s best to hire a professional roofing contractor to replace your old roof system with a new one.

Consider McFall Roofing in Gainesville, FL For Roof Replacement

If your roof has aged and succumbed to wear and tear, it’s best to call a residential roofing professional like McFall Residential Roofing. The benefit of working with a local roofing contractor like McFall is that you get the knowledge and expertise you need to make the best decisions for your home. We follow industry best practices and use high-quality roofing materials to give our customers beautiful roofs that will last.

Contact us today to get started on your residential roof replacement.

Can you remember when there were fewer options for consumers than today? Technology, innovation, and opportunity drive change across every industry and commodity — roofing is no exception. Read on to learn how roofing has changed in the last decade and what the changes mean for homeowners.

How Roofing Has Changed

Roofing has changed significantly throughout the US in the last decade. However, we’re going to focus on the most noteworthy changes that have occurred relative to North Central Florida. The most significant changes include the following.

Increased Asphalt Shingle Roof Options

Just like the beverage selection at the convenience store, homeowners now have an array of options when it comes to asphalt shingles. Not only are there hundreds of color and texture options, but there’s also a growing trend of “designer” roofs. Designer roofs transcend the normal consensus regarding roofs – that roofs are not beautiful and are only practical.

Now, roofs can add aesthetic value and curb appeal to homes. Not only do homebuyers want roofs that are newer and built-to-last, but they also desire roofs that are beautiful and add to the overall appearance of the home. This trend continues here in 2022.

More Insurance Scrutiny Regarding Roof Age

In North Central Florida, we see a new trend with insurance carriers regarding roof age. These changes result from rising insurance scams over the last decade, which have cost insurance companies millions of dollars in lawsuits and attorney fees. The added burden of replacement costs due to frequent hurricanes in the last few years is another driving force. We see insurance carriers cancel policies for homeowners whose roofs are only 15 years or older.

In some cases, insurance companies refuse to write homeowner’s policies for homebuyers purchasing a home with roofs 8-10 years of age or older. As a result of insurance carriers tightening their guidelines, homeowners sometimes must decide to purchase a new roof out-of-pocket or lose their insurance coverage. We expect this trend to continue.

Increased Use of Metal Roofing

There’s a growing trend in the usage of metal roofing. Metal roofing has not only become trendy, but it’s also extremely durable and resilient in the harsh Florida climate. Frequent hurricanes, heat, and humidity punish asphalt shingle roofs. Metal roofs, on the other hand, last much longer than asphalt shingle roofs and add great character to a home’s exterior. Growing demand has also led to more color options for metal roofs than before.

The McFall Difference

At McFall Roofing, we pride ourselves on providing high-quality work in Gainesville, Florida. Since our inception, our goal has been to fill a need for a reputable roofing company in Alachua county that uses premium materials and industry best practices. Although roofing has changed, McFall’s commitment to quality is unchanging. If you need residential roof repairs or installation, contact us or request an estimate today to get started on your roofing project!

Gutters may be the unsung heroes of your new roof for various reasons. And while they may seem inconsequential, if they are improperly cared for, they can cause more harm than good to your home.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to keep them working properly and protect your new roof installed by McFall Residential Roofing. Read on to learn more about what makes gutters so important for your roof and home.

Why Gutters Matter

The main purpose of gutters is to divert water that hits your roof away from your home. In North Central Florida, we see a large amount of rain, so it’s essential that your gutters are able to do their job. Without them, water runoff can hang around and absorb into your foundation, leading to water damage. They control this water runoff and prevent erosion.

How Gutters Threaten Your Roof

Having clogged gutters prevents them from working as they should. Dirty gutters are almost worse than having none at all because water backs up and can damage the fascia and allow your structure to rot.

Seepage

Water seepage occurs when water that gets stuck in your gutters leaks into gaps on the outside of your home. This water may begin to migrate from there into the roof, leading to ceiling leaks inside your home.

Mold Growth

Stagnant water is a fertile breeding ground for mold growth that can spread to your roof and through any vulnerable openings to the interior of your home’s surfaces. This causes damage to your home and your health.

Structural Damage

When gutters are inadequately cleared out, especially after heavy rain, the excess weight causes them to pull away from your soffits and fascia, which can lead to significant home damage.

How to Maintain Your Gutters

There are steps to take to keep your gutters in working condition so they can do their job properly for your roof.

• Clean them often to remove any leaves or yard debris that accumulates and clogs them.
• Secure them using gutter screws when they begin to sag or loosen.
• Regularly check for joint and seam leaks and apply silicone caulk as needed.
• Repair your downspouts as needed and ensure the joints fit correctly.
• Use splash blocks, an irrigation pipe, or an extension to divert downspouts away from the house.

Of course, the best way to maintain your roof is to rely on professionals!

Keep Your McFall Roof Safe With Clean, Functional Gutters

Gutters do an essential job of keeping your roof protected from harmful water runoff and erosion. But they have to be kept clean, or they can actually harm rather than help your roof. When you have a new roof from McFall Residential Roofing, protect it through our expert roof maintenance services. We perform thorough roof inspections and professional debris removal to fix minor issues early to avoid more extensive, costlier problems. Contact us today to enjoy the peace of mind that comes from trusting your roof to McFall.

Repairing vs. Replacing Your Roof: Which Is Better for Your Home?

Spotting signs that your roof is not in great condition is easy — you may notice water spots on your interior walls and ceilings or loose shingles in your yard. Knowing whether your roof can be repaired or should be replaced entirely is a little bit harder. Read on to learn the benefits of repairing vs. replacing your roof and how to know when it may be time to say hello to a brand-new roof. 

When to Repair

Repair is an easy way to restore functionality to your roof while keeping in mind the following factors.

Money

One of the most obvious benefits of repairing aging or damaged roofs is the cost savings, as it is much cheaper to repair parts of your roof rather than the entire thing. In addition, if your roof only shows minor signs of wear or damage and is not near its expiration date, it is less expensive to repair it. 

However, if your roof needs continual repair over the course of a few years, you may spend more trying to keep the same roof than you would to get a new one. 

Convenience 

Repairing your existing roof adds life to it. Your roofing contractor will just repair the parts of your roof that need it. And replacing a few shingles or roofing sections is much easier than replacing, as your roofer will attempt to match your existing shingles rather than you having to worry about choosing a new color or style of material.  

When to Replace

Sometimes, your roof is in such poor shape that it only makes sense to replace it. There are a few factors to consider when thinking about why it may be smarter to get a new roof than to keep your existing one. 

Age

Depending on the material you chose for your roof, it can last around 10-15 years for flat or rolled roofing while typical shingle roofs should last 20-25 years. So, if your roof has been on your home for close to that period, it would make more sense to replace it. This helps you avoid sinking money into a repair and then having to pay for a new roof shortly after. 

Style

If your aesthetic style has changed since you had your roof put on and the roof no longer matches what you have done to update the exterior of your home, you can use this opportunity to get a new roof that better matches how you want your home to look. This may even be choosing a completely different material than you had before.  

Value

Replacing your home’s roof and investing in a new one not only adds to your home’s curb apparel but also increases its resale value. Buyers want to know they will have peace of mind in their potential home’s roof for years to come without having to worry about incurring the damage and headache associated with a deteriorating roof. 

Water Damage

If you notice the aforementioned water damage inside your home through visible water spots or mold, or if your home has just been through a significant storm, replacement is likely your best option. This is particularly true if there may be damage to areas of your roof that you don’t generally see.

McFall Will Help You Decide Which Is Better When It Comes to Repairing vs. Replacing Your Roof

When considering whether to repair or replace your roof, rely on experts who can give you knowledgeable, reliable guidance. At McFall Residential Roofing in Gainesville, FL, we will recommend the best course of action for your roof and complete the work with the utmost dedication to quality. Giving you peace of mind through a dependable roof is our passion. Reach out to us today for an estimate or to schedule an inspection and get back to enjoying life without worrying about your roof. 

Your Florida home’s roof is one of the most significant investments you will make throughout your ownership and one that has a substantial impact on its resale value. If you aren’t in the roofing industry, you will need to rely on what you are told, and unfortunately, some dishonest people will attempt to make you commit insurance fraud when it comes to your roof. Read on to learn some of the most common roofing insurance scams currently on the rise so you can protect yourself.

How to Recognize a Scam

Roofing insurance fraud is more than an annoyance — it can be a felony. Defined as misrepresentation for the purpose of receiving money from an insurance company, instead of the fraudulent contractor being held responsible, the homeowner often is, risking community service, probation, or even jail time. These charlatans entice unwitting homeowners with the promise of a free or “no money out of pocket” roof. 

Storm Chasing

Storm chasers are contractors who go where there has just been a major storm. They leave door hangers or speak to homeowners to convince homeowners to file an insurance claim that the contractor then intercepts for their own use. 

Free Inspections

Beware if someone knocks on your door stating they notice damage on your roof and will inspect it for free — naturally, they will find damage and will picket the money you give them to fix. Or, they will begin but not finish the work and tell you while it’s underway that more money is needed. 

Down Payment Requirement

In this scenario, a scammer will say that they need a down payment to pay for materials. They will pressure you into signing the first insurance check over to them but will keep the money for themselves and disappear. Unfortunately, senior citizens are often targeted by this type of scammer.

How to Protect Yourself and Your Wallet 

With scammers so prevalent and new scams being thought of all the time, it can feel overwhelming. Luckily, there are a few easily actionable steps you can take to keep from being tricked. 

Ask for Proof

When engaging the services of any construction professional, you should ask for their permanent place of business as well as a tax id number and business license, if required in your area. You should also request proof that they hold liability and worker’s compensation insurance coverage and verify their licensing status. 

Check for References

Word of mouth can be an effective way to root out scammers. Ask for a list of references and contact these for their reviews or check with other homeowners in your neighborhood who have replaced their roofs for recommendations. Also, be sure to check online review forums such as Yelp and the business’s social media accounts and Google listing. 

Get a Written Proposal

Ask for a detailed breakdown of all costs associated with your new roof, including the following.

• Accurate description of the work to be performed
• Specifics about the materials that will be used
• Start and completion date estimates
• Payment procedures

McFall in Gainesville, FL Helps You Not Fall For Scams

The bottom line is this — if an unfamiliar roofing contractor offers you a deal that sounds too good to be true, it likely is. So the best way to avoid being scammed out of your money and a new roof is to use a trusted roofer. When you choose the team at McFall Residential Roofing in Gainesville, FL, you have peace of mind that we are here for you over the life of your roof through installation, maintenance, and repair by a company with decades in business. We deliver what we say we will, and you get to enjoy a headache-free experience over the life of your roof. Contact us or request an estimate today so we can get started on your roofing project!

The holiday season offers some of the happiest times of the year, from decorating the house to spending time with family and friends. But, if you’re not careful, keeping your home comfortable and stringing up Christmas lights on your roof can quickly become a headache and costly. To make sure everything goes off without a hitch over your winter, we’ve outlined some helpful holiday season roofing tips to keep you and your roof safe from start to finish. 

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Winter

When winter weather comes in, many homes struggle to efficiently maintain the comfort your heating system provides. This inefficiency can easily drive your utility costs up throughout the colder months. To keep the cold outside and your family inside warm, we recommend two main roofing practices as a start. 

Ensure Proper Roof Ventilation

The purpose of roof ventilation is to manage the temperature and airflow within your attic and ensure that your conditioned air isn’t losing its comfort by coming into contact with a hot or cold roof. Further, a properly ventilated roof helps to minimize hot and cold spots throughout your attic, eliminating the potential for frost. Ventilation also helps to do this for your home, making a warm upstairs and frigid downstairs a thing of the past. 

To learn more about roof ventilation and why it’s significant for your roof, read our blog designated to discuss proprietary ventilation benefits. 

Evaluate Your Insulation

Just like you pull out your oversized, insulated jackets in the winter, your home is looking to do the same. Especially in older homes, inadequate insulation makes it difficult to keep your home warm throughout the colder months. While your ceiling should be insulated rather than your roof, this critical step works with your roof ventilation to regulate indoor temperatures to keep your attic and roof from bearing temperature extremes. 

Stringing Up Lights Without Racking Up Damages

Christmas lights are a holiday staple, strung up along the roofs of residential homes across the country. Unfortunately, damaged roofs are commonly a New Year’s staple once the lights come down. Ensuring that you’re decorating your home for the holidays the right way can save you both repair costs and headaches come January. 

Select Decor Thoughtfully

When planning your holiday rooftop extravaganza, consider your roof’s structure. To decorate your roof safely, you might need to pass on the full-size sled and reindeer. Heavy decorations can often put more weight on your roof than it can bear. The average home may not be equipped with the proper weight-bearing structures to allow for such heavy decor. Over time, this unsupported weight will damage your roof, leading to roof repairs and re-roofing needs down the road.

Use Plastic Clips 

There is no more critical tip for decorating your roof than to advise against using nails or staples to secure decor. Using these may seem like a simple, fast way to hang up Christmas decorations and lights, but you’ll be leaving behind roof damage. The safest way to hang lights is by stringing them through plastic clips attached to your gutters, eaves, and shingles. If you have a non-traditional home with a flat roof that lacks gutters and eaves, use parrot clips to secure decorations.

Patience and Care Go A Long Way

While putting these clips and lights on your roof, try to avoid doing so at peak hours of sunlight and heat. Walking on your shingles while they’re heated makes them more vulnerable to damage. When you get on top of your house to decorate, make sure to wear smooth, non-abrasive shoes, like sneakers. Further, once your lights are up, make sure to practice proper cord safety. Never coil cords tightly around themselves while in use or place them under rugs. 

When it comes to taking down holiday decorations, most homeowners can hurry through this process, letting any mishaps be “next year’s problem.” However, when it comes to your roof, avoiding damages that can incur by hastily yanking down holiday lights is worth the extra patience. When removing your holiday lights, be sure to remove them from the clips without pulling on the clips themselves, as doing so can damage the attached shingle, eave, or gutter. 

Step Into Christmas With Clean Gutters

The laborious chores of owning a home can often persuade homeowners to put off their regularly scheduled maintenance. After all, isn’t that the purpose of the year’s annual lump sum of spring cleaning? However, procrastination is no friend of your home, especially when it comes to preserving your roof. 

When leaves and debris clog your gutters, the path that rainwater typically takes to run off your home’s roof is blocked. As water overflows from your gutters, it can damage both the exterior and interior of your home. This still water causes roof rot and leaks. Especially in Florida, where heavy winds and storms pass through regularly, gutters may need cleaning more frequently. At a minimum, ensure that your gutters are cleared at least twice a year. 

It’s the Most Wonderful Time Of The Year For Roof Inspections

Especially in Florida, where roofs are subjected to heavy rain and harsh sunlight, the home’s structure can be quickly damaged if a roof is not safe and secure. Structural repairs are some of the costliest unexpected expenses homeowners can face.  

Once problems with your roof become obvious to the untrained eye, it’s often too late to avoid costly repairs. Unwrap the situation early to keep your roof healthy with a professional roof inspection. When roofing concerns are addressed before they become serious problems, you help your roof last longer. If you notice any signs of developing roof problems while up on your housetop, call for service sooner rather than later. 

Don’t Let a Roofing Issue Be the Grinch That Ruins Your Christmas

At McFall Residential Roofing, we know that your home is the heartbeat of your family, making it ever so important to have a lasting, quality roof to protect it. Whether your roof needs an inspection, repairs, or a new installation, McFall Residential Roofing is here to help. Reach out to our team if you have any questions about how to keep your roof safe and schedule your roofing service today!

To get the most out of Florida’s sunshine, homeowners throughout the state find relief from the summer heat in their backyards with swimming pools. However, some of Florida’s natural elements can make your dips in the pool less relaxing than you might have hoped. This is where pool cages come into play, protecting your pool from unwanted nuisances like leaves and bugs.

What is a Pool Cage?

Pool cages fully enclose a pool in a protective screen. The screen is held in place by a metal frame that can be designed to match your home’s aesthetic and withstand the extreme weather conditions that homes often face in Florida. The benefits of having a pool cage in Florida make the investment a likely choice for most homeowners, providing:

• UV protection from the sunlight
• Easier maintenance
• Additional security
• Pest and wildlife control
• Limited algae growth
• Reduced heating energy costs

As pool cages help homeowners meet safety regulations and increase the resale value of homes, you’re bound to see quite a few in any residential community here in Florida. 

How Your Pool Cage Fits into Re-Roofing

While not all pool cages have to be built directly against the side of a home, most are. This junction requires a careful team to make repairs or replacements to either the enclosure or to the roof of your home to ensure that it is properly maintained. By working around your pool cage and restoring any connections between the two structures once your re-roofing project is complete, McFall Roofing ensures that your pool cage will be protected throughout the roofing process.

Potential Pool Cage Problems

Constructing a pool cage against the side of a home can often lead to fascia and soffit repairs in the future as the buttress often prevents water from properly draining off of the roof. If your roof isn’t able to adequately channel water, this still water collecting on your roof may damage the roofing materials that lie underneath and the support framework. This ponding water often causes mold and mildew growth where it collects, leading to rotted areas of your roofing structure. 

To combat this, many screen enclosures are paired with a Super gutter to help water flow off of the roof. Super gutters are heavy gauge aluminum gutters that are specifically designed to support screen and pool enclosures. While these gutters protect your roof from bearing significant risks of water damage, any point at which water can collect on the roofing structure will be prone to rot. In particular, during re-roofing projects, we often uncover rotted fascia where the pool cage’s Super gutter ties into the roof. 

If your roof has sustained water damage, there is no need to sound an alarm. Our roofing experts will bring in our carpentry crew to provide temporary cage support and replace the damaged roofing components, leaving you with a healthy, sturdy roof ready to protect your home for years to come. 

Trust McFall Roofing for Quality Service

Completing a roofing project while working around home features, like pool cages, can pose challenges. However, McFall Roofing has served North Central Florida for over 20 years, equipping our roofing experts with the skill and expertise necessary to work around any challenges and never need to compromise between efficiency and quality. 

Reach out to our team today or request a free roofing estimate to get started on your project!

Your roof is one of the first lines of defense your home has against the weather. It should be engineered to withstand heavy amounts of rain, wind, and sun exposure. But aging roofs or poorly constructed roofing systems fall victim to these natural elements.

The Effects of Extreme Weather

Florida has many extremes, from relentless heat in the summer to devastating storms that can pop up half of the year. Your roof needs to be ready to protect you from these unpredictable elements.

Rain

It’s no surprise that rain threatens the integrity of your roof all year long. During the summers here in North Central Florida, heavy thunderstorms can be expected in the afternoons. These can last 15 minutes or occur for many days. Regardless, your roof will experience a great deal of water. While this may not seem like a big deal, a short storm can turn into a big problem if your roof has any underlying damage.

Improper flashing, missing shingles, or an opening in your roof can become an issue when water finds its way through the roof and into your home. This will lead to leaks that threaten the interior of your home. If your roof isn’t designed to properly channel water, you can end up with ponding water sitting on top of your roof that will then harm your shingles and the roofing materials that lie underneath.

Heat

Here in the sunshine state, we receive our fair share of exposed sunlight and extreme temperatures. Heat is problematic for asphalt shingles because UV exposure actually causes the shingles to shrink, expand, and crack. When shingles expand and contract from sunlight, blistering occurs which causes your shingles to have a bubbling texture.

Additionally, sunshine can cause your roof to age faster. Choosing lighter color shingles over darker ones can help avoid this sun damage as it reflects sunlight. This can even help to keep your attic cool. If your roof has improper ventilation, hot air will be trapped in your attic and can actually cook your shingles from below!

Humidity

What happens when you combine hot Florida air with a high moisture index? You get humidity. Humidity is more than an uncomfortable consequence of living in Florida. Increased humidity can wreak havoc on your roof if it’s already susceptible to damage. This could lead to leaks from condensation or mold growth on your roof. You can’t avoid the humidity in Florida, so it’s important to keep your roof maintained and ready to protect against moisture.

Wind

Big storms produce heavy amounts of rain, but also wind gusts. Wind can loosen or blow off your shingles, exposing integral parts of your roof. If your roof wasn’t installed properly with high-quality underlayment, your roof deck can be threatened by any water that follows the wind.

Not only can you lose shingles, but wind can also stir up debris or branches around your home. If strong enough, these items can become projectiles and damage your home and your roof.

Hail

While not as common, hail can still occur in North Central Florida and threaten your roof. Hail can’t be prevented nor is there much protection from these projectiles. When there is a hail storm, hail can range in sizes, as small as a penny or as large as a baseball. The larger the hail, the more likely damage to your shingles and structure is bound to happen. Even metal roofs can crack or dent from hail. The best thing to do after a hail storm is to schedule a roof inspection to ensure no damage occurred and if it did, you can correct the issue quickly.

Protect, Maintain, and Repair Your Roof with McFall Residential Roofing

Extreme weather is an expected challenge when living in Florida. Whether it’s water damage or intense storms that threaten the security of your roof, our team of roofing professionals is ready to protect, repair, and maintain your roof to give you peace of mind all year long.

Call us or request a free roofing estimate to get started!