Gainesville Residential Roofing Blog

More Than Just Another Roofing Company: the McFall Difference

Installing or repairing a roof sometimes feels like a necessary evil. But a high-quality roof keeps you and your family protected and ensures that your home is more than just four walls.

That’s why at McFall Roofing we make your experience the best it can be. You deserve the best roof and the best service before, during, and after installation, because it is a necessity.

Quality Materials and Quality Service

At McFall, we pride ourselves in using only quality materials to ensure that your roof looks good and protects your home for years to come. We support the North Central FLorida community that we call home and purchase a majority of our materials locally.

Employees

We hold our team to the same standards to ensure that every job is done correctly, timely, and with excellence. We even have one of our executive level superintendents go to each site every single day we are working on your roof. Accountability is important to us and that’s why we are constantly supervising every single one of our job sites.

We’re a Family

The McFall family has been working on homes in the Gainesville, FL area for over 20 years. Our unique climate is tough on roofs and you need the local experts you can count on. Marty McFall founded McFall roofing over 20 years ago when he saw a need for high-quality residential roofing that stands up to intense weather conditions. Today, his two sons operate McFall Residential Roofing with the same commitment too quality, durability, and attention to detail.

Qualifications

With over 20 years of experience, McFall Roofing is more than qualified to tackle your roofing problems. We hold three active state licenses: General Contracting (License CGC026008), CBC 1257446, and Roofing (License CCC056862).

We have also earned CertainTEED Shingle Master Select status, the highest echelon of roofing certifications. Having your roof installed by a CertainTEED Shingle Master Select certified company means:

We are uniquely qualified to offer a 25-year warranty on labor, protecting your home for the life of the roof.
We have successfully completed a series of specialized training courses and programs.
McFall Roofing contractors hold unparalleled knowledge and expertise in residential roofing.

Emphasis on the Customer

Replacing your roof is a big job that you want to be prepared for. McFall Roofing goes to great lengths to make sure that you are comfortable during installation and to minimize the impact on your home.

While replacing your roof is a big deal, our experts have done it a hundred times and know how to help prepare your home so you do not experience any discomfort during the job. We conduct a detailed walk-through of each home before any work is started. At this stage, our team members will advise you about measures to protect your belongings during installation, such as removing pictures from the walls.

Additionally, our job sites are always clean and we use preventative practices to make sure no harm comes to your home or your property. All of our dumpsters are on scissor lifts which minimizes the impact on your lawn. We also clean up the outside of your home each and every day to protect your landscaping.

Our promise to you is that we will not receive final payment until you are satisfied. We pride ourselves in being Gainesville’s top choice in roofing.

Choose McFall Residential Roofing for All Your Roofing Needs

As you can see, McFall Roofing is not just another roofing company. We are a family serving the Gainesville community. We take every step possible to make the process of replacing your roof the best it can be.

Contact us today to get started on repairing your current roof or installing a new one. We are here to help and here to serve you.

How to Prepare Your Roof For Hurricane Season

Living in Florida requires homeowners to deal with many different things: hot summers, intense humidity, pop-up thunderstorms, and many months of hurricane season. Hurricanes threaten the safety of your home and your family so preparing for these storms is essential.

Hurricanes Effect on Your Roof

Your roof is the first line of protection against the effects of a hurricane. It keeps you dry and safe from rain, wind, and debris. Preparing your roof is crucial to keeping your home and your family safe during storm season.

Prepare Your Roof for Storm Season

The best time to start preparing your roof is now! The sooner you take preventive steps, the less stress you’ll have when a hurricane approaches.

Roof Inspection

The best and easiest way to prepare your roof for hurricane season is having it inspected. You can take some binoculars and inspect your roof yourself, but to really determine if your roof has damage, leave it to roofing professionals. Diagnosing problems and fixing them months before will ensure that you won’t have leaks when the storm actually hits. Having your roof professionally inspected with save you money and fix problems before they become bigger issues during a storm.

Roof Maintenance

A well-maintained roof will give your home the best defense against these storms. Roof maintenance is easier than ever with the McFall Roofing Maintenance Plan. Some benefits of this plan include:

All inspections are carried out by licensed and insured roofing contractors
Seasonal inspections to save you time and worry
Identify loose shingles, nails, and debris that require attention
Early warnings of any issues around skylights, pipes, and vents
Receive notification of soft spots or unusual wear on individual shingles
Recommend inspection times throughout the year
You’ll get detailed inspection notes and recommendations via email
Landscaping and AC unit will be covered for protection
Debris removal and bags of debris will be taken straight out to the curb

Clean Up Around Your Home

Keeping an eye on the trees around your home will help to decrease the chance of debris damaging your roof. Trimming limbs and discarding debris ensures that high winds can’t cause these items to become projectiles during the storm. It’s a good idea to start trimming back trees and plants well before the storm arrives. In the midst of hurricane preparation, you don’t want worry about disposing of branches and limbs.

Another important part of hurricane preparation is gutter cleaning. It’s vital that your gutters are clean and clear of debris. Blocked gutters prevent water from draining from your roof. Hurricanes bring a lot of water and if it has nowhere to go, the water will sit on your roof and cause even more damage.

Every Roof is Different

Keep in mind all roofs are different. If you have a roof made up of asphalt shingles, you should make sure to identify curled, loose, or missing shingles and get those fixed before hurricanes start arriving. Metal roofs are one of the best types of roofs due to their durability, but still require inspection before storms.

After the Hurricane

After any storm, make sure you call a roofing professional to do a thorough roofing inspection once more. There could be underlying issues that the naked eye can’t detect. If there is any damage to the home, it’s crucial to get it fixed before water damage can find its way into your home!

If you have any damage to your roof, it’s best to get it repaired as soon as possible! During a hurricane your home can experience winds up to 155 mph. Damage to your roof could be from wind, rain, debris, or all three. McFall Roofing is qualified and trained to deal with repairs ranging from missing shingles, water leaks, or even discoloration!

Roof Maintenance with McFall Residential Roofing

The best preventative step for preparing your roof for hurricane season is having regular maintenance. Just like a regular check-up with your doctor, having a professional roofing contractor inspect, maintain, and diagnose problems with your roof will give you the best chance of having little to no damage from hurricanes. Contact McFall Residential Roofing today to schedule a roofing inspection or learn more about our Maintenance Plan!

Seven Advantages of a Metal Roof

When choosing to add a new roof to your home, it’s important to consider what type of roof you want. Metal roofs are a great option and offer many advantages.

Types of Metal Roofs

First, let’s discuss what types of metal roofs you can have. Metal roofs can be made with aluminum, galvanized steel, copper, tin, or zinc. The two most popular types of metal roofs are made using either aluminum or galvanized steel. Aluminum is lightweight, resistant to corrosion, and ideal for coastal locations. Galvanized steel comes in any style and is a strong, cost efficient option. You can choose from many different colors when it comes to metal roofs, allowing for even more customization.

The Advantages

Now that you know what types of metal roofs are available, you should know what benefits metal roofs can provide for you and your home.

Longer Lifespan

Metal roofs are known for their long lifespan. While many roofs using asphalt shingles last 12-20 years, metal roofs can last between 40-70 years. This can mean you’ll only need one roof in your lifetime, which saves money and reduces stress on you to replace your roof.

Durability

Metal roofs are known to be extremely durable. These roofs can withstand up to 140 mph winds, which is important to Floridians during hurricane season. Metal roofs won’t corrode or crack in most environments. If you live in a coastal area where salt is prominent, consider looking into a rust resistant metal roof like aluminum. Metal roofs can also resist impact from debris.

Less Maintenance

Compared to roofs with shingles, metal roofs require less frequent maintenance. You may need to have them pressure washed and inspected, but you won’t need to replace loose and fallen shingles.

Fire Resistant

Sleep with peace of mind knowing that metal roofs are fire resistant. This means you don’t need to worry about lightening igniting your roof in the middle of a Florida thunderstorm!

Energy Efficient

Another advantage of metal roofs is that they are energy efficient. Metal panels reflect solar heat instead of absorbing it like many asphalt roofs, meaning that you save money on air conditioning costs. You can save up to 40% in air conditioning costs with metal roofs, which is a relief in the middle of a Florida summer!

Environmentally Friendly

Metal roofs are also extremely environmentally friendly. Most metal roofs contain anywhere from 25% to 95% recycled materials. And here’s the best part: metal roofs are 100% recyclable! You are helping the environment and making your house look its best!

Speedy & Easy Installation

Lastly, metal roofs don’t require a long and drawn-out installation process. If you are looking for a quick turnaround time for your new roof, metal roofing is the best option. Metal roofs require lightweight panels that can be quickly and easily inserted by roofing contractors.

A New Metal Roof with McFall Residential Roofing

A metal roof offers many different benefits. While there are many considerations when deciding on a new roof, metal roofs can save you money and reduce stress down the road. If you are interested, contact McFall Residential Roofing for a consultation. Our team of experienced roofing contractors will help you decide on the perfect roof for your home.

Spring Cleaning: How to Prep Your Roof for Spring

Spring is around the corner here in North Central Florida. As the weather turns warmer, spring cleaning is on everyone’s mind. While it’s important to ensure the inside of your home is in order, don’t forget to take care of the outside, too. Your roof is a key area of your home that may not be getting enough attention. Read below to learn a few ways to ensure your roof is as safe and strong as possible this spring.

Spring Cleaning Checklist for Your Roof

Clean Out Gutters

If you have trees around your home, throughout the fall and winter they will shed their leaves and those leaves will likely end up in your gutters along with other sludge that builds up overtime. Spring cleaning is the perfect time to clean out the built-up debris that can be a hazard to the structure of your roof.

Clogged gutters may not sound like a serious threat to your home, but they are actually one of the most common causes of leaks in your roof. It’s important to take steps towards protecting your home, and cleaning out your gutters a few times each year is a great way to do that.

Be sure to practice caution whenever you’re working with and around your roof. If you’re using a ladder, always double check that it is locked and secured before climbing up. If you would rather keep your feet on the ground, there are some great tools that allow you to clean your gutters without a ladder at all.

Trim Nearby Branches

If nearby trees have begun to cast a shadow over your house, it’s probably time to trim back some branches. A hanging branch over your home can be an accident waiting to happen. This spring, take thoughtful steps towards preserving your investment in your roof and trim back branches that threaten your home’s safety. You can either call a tree cutting professional, or you can do it yourself. Whenever you’re on a roof, though, always err on the side of caution and take the necessary safety measures.

Check Your Home for Signs of Water

Water is a major threat to the safety of your home. Leaks can lead to mold, mildew, and even structural damage. While there are other possible causes for signs of water in your home such as burst pipes, a damaged roof is a major concern if you’ve noticed dark water stains on the ceilings around your house. Another sign of concern is black spots on your walls or ceilings. These are likely an indicator of mold or mildew, meaning there is excess moisture within your home that definitely needs to be addressed.

If you’ve noticed signs of water in around your home, it may be the time to call a roofing specialist to inspect your roof for damage and leaks. Don’t wait until it’s too late. If there are damages on your roof that allow water to enter your home and you don’t have them repaired, it could lead to long-term effects like compromising the safety of your home and shortening the lifespan of your roof.

Schedule a Roof Inspection

This spring, the best way to ensure that your roof is as safe as possible is to have it inspected by a licensed professional. Regular inspections can preserve your roof’s lifetime as repairs and maintenance can be performed routinely

With a roofing inspection provided by McFall Residential Roofing, you can expect:

Licensed and insured contractors
Quality products and materials from local businesses
Ten-year warranty guaranteed on labor
Job cleanliness both pre and post-job inspection

Let McFall Residential Roofing Help You Prepare for Spring

When it comes to your home, your roof, and your safety it’s in your best interest to trust the experts that know roofing inside and out. At McFall Residential Roofing, with more than 20 years experience, we are those experts. If you have questions or concerns about the state of your roof, fill out a contact form or give us a call today!

Five Ways to Increase Your Roof and Attic’s Efficiency

Tips & Tricks to Keeping Your Florida Home Cool

Are you tired of paying high costs for your electric bills? Are you tired of Googling, “Ways to cool down my home?” Or, are you just looking to make your home more efficient? Having an energy efficient roof and attic may help solve some of these problems. Not only could you see a decrease in energy costs, but you could also expect your roof to last longer when it’s cooler and efficient. So, how do you keep your home efficient and cool? We recommend five techniques to increase your roof and attic’s efficiency.

(more…)

North Central Florida : Hurricane and Storm Season Survival Guide

florida-hurricane-preparation

Florida Hurricanes

If you’ve lived in Florida long enough, then you know that hurricanes are the mother storm in comparison to all the storms we Floridians face. Hurricane season officially begins June 1^st so I hope you have your hurricane survival plan laid out already! If you’re new to Florida it’s possible you’ve never experienced the devastation that hurricanes leave in their paths. Trust us, it can be brutal, even for inland cities like Orlando, Lakeland, Ocala, or Gainesville, FL.

Did you know, in Florida, that you can get a tax break on hurricane survival supplies if you purchased any of the items below (or view full list) between May 31st and June 8th?!

(more…)

Hail Damage Repair to Condominium Community in Gainesville, FL

Many Gainesville residents have found themselves in need of roof repair since the hailstorms that passed through last spring. In Florida as of May 2011, insurers must pay to replace an entire roof if more than 25 percent of the existing roof is damaged. If you suspect your roof is damaged you should call McFall Roofing for a free at home estimate. If there is indeed enough damage you can then call your home insurance company and place a claim repair the hail damage to your roof.

McFall Builders is beginning work on Timberway Village condominiums in northwest Gainesville to repair roof damage due to hailstorms that passed through the area last spring. McFall Roofing obtains all of the necessary permits prior to the beginning work. The job will begin by removing all of the old asphalt roof shingles, underlying felt paper, roofing nails and staples. Once the old roof covering has been removed the underlying plywood decking can be inspected for structural damage. Any damaged plywood will be removed and new plywood decking along with the existing decking will be re-nailed in with 8d galvanized ring shank nails per Florida Building Code.

In order to increase the lifetime of the roof, a synthetic underlayment will be applied to the decking instead of the previously used felt paper. Synthetic underlayments have a manufacturers warranty, providing additional coverage that traditional felt roofing paper lacks. In addition, a peel and stick underlayment will be applied to all penetrations, valleys and transitions. Once the basement layer of the roof is done a lifetime, architectural algae-resistant shingle will be installed. These shingles offer a 70 mph wind resistant warranty. All labor that is done to repair the hail damage to the roof is backed by a 10-year warranty and the shingles are backed by a lifetime-limited warranty.

As work continues with this project we will provide updates and pictures showing the progress of the work. If you need any additional information about how to repair hail damage to a roof, fill out our free estimate form.

Hail Damage in Lake City & Gainesville, FL

Hail Damage

Rough weather bringing hail damage swept through the Gulf Coast region from eastern Texas to Florida throughout Saturday March 24, 2013 and on into Sunday. Large hail, damaging winds and tornadoes were reported throughout the area.

The storm brought hail sweeping across Florida from Lake City to St.Augustine Beach. An estimated 22,300 house were hit by the hailstorm. The maximum hail stone measured was 2.75”

If you suspect your home may have been damaged in Lake City or Gainesville, FL by hail. For an inspection of hail damage to your home call McFall Residential Roofing. Also read over our post What to do if Your Roof has Wind or Hail Damage.

Does Your Roof have Wind Damage or Hail Damage?

Wind Damage & Haile Damage

It is common for large storms to sweep across the Ocala, Gainesville, & Lake City area. These large storms bring heavy rains, strong winds and even hail. Wind damage and hail damage to your roof is covered under your homeowners and business owner’s property insurance policy.

If you were around during the hailstorm and have an idea of the size that fell, it will give you a basis for what kind of roof hail or wind damage to expect.

Less Than 1 Inch: Hail smaller than an inch, or about the size of a quarter, may inflict damage to asphalt roofing. Most often though a hail damaged roof at this size can be more difficult to identify. You may require the assistance of a trained roofing inspector to accurately identify any hail damage.

1 Inch – 2 Inch: Hail size between 1 and 2 inches, or between quarter and egg size, usually damage will be more easily found on the asphalt shingles themselves as well as any soft metal on the roof.

Greater Than 2 Inches: Hail greater than 2 inches will almost guarantee some level of hail damage to an asphalt roof. If this is the case, contact your preferred roofing contractor for a full assessment of damages and notify your insurance company.

Roofs & Insurance

Most of the time insurance companies do the right thing. Some times they don’t.

Common strategies to deny claims have include:

Sending out an engineer who writes a report that says there is no or little damage.
Agreeing to pay for only a portion of the roof. Florida law requires that if 25% or more of the roof is damaged, then the insurance company must pay to replace the entire roof.
Saying that the roof has deteriorated because of age when, in fact, the roof never leaked until a severe wind or hail storm. Most shingle roofs in Florida should last at least 20 years.
Saying that the problems are due to installation, design or construction errors.

Don’t be afraid to consider litigating these issues, even against some of the largest of insurance companies. After a storm has passed through, it’s always a good idea to get a trusted, licensed, and reputable roofing company out to your home to assess your roof for wind damage, hail damage, or any other storm damage.