Being a homeowner in Florida comes with its own set of challenges. One of the biggest threats to your home and roof’s security is a hurricane. In Florida, hurricane season starts on June 1st and lasts until November 30th. One of the best ways to prepare for these storms is to have a wind mitigation inspection.

What is a Wind Mitigation Inspection?

A wind mitigation inspection, also known as uniform mitigation verification inspection (UMVI), is an extremely thorough examination of your home and your roof. It determines how likely damage is to happen to your home and roof in the event of a hurricane or heavy storm with high levels of wind. While the state of Florida does not require you to have a UMVI, it’s is extremely beneficial to have your home and roof inspected before a storm comes.

Benefits of Mitigation Inspections

Being proactive and having a UMVI done in preparation for storm season has multiple benefits including saving you money and giving you peace of mind every storm season.

Receive Discounts on Insurance

When you pass a wind mitigation inspection, you can receive discounts on your insurance and in turn, save a ton of money. By proving your home and roof are both ready to protect you, a UMVI can save you money on your premium.

There is No Risk in Getting an Inspection

There’s absolutely no risk in getting an inspection which is all the more reason to schedule one. With McFall Roofing, we include the cost of a UMVI inspection in our roofing bid, meaning you won’t have to worry about paying for one yourself. By getting an inspection, You reap benefits without compromising your home’s safety. The small investment in an inspection pays for itself and you can only gain more knowledge about the health of your home and roof.

Learn What Improvements You Can Make

If you didn’t pass your inspection, you gain knowledge on pain points in your home and roof’s ability to protect you. It’s better to know and have the problem corrected before heavy wind and rain could ruin your home. Preventative maintenance and repairs cost far less than losing your home or having it ruined by water or wind damage.

What to Expect with an Inspection

When you schedule a UMVI, a certified home inspector will come out to your home and inspect various aspects of your home. attic, and roof. Not only are they looking at the condition of these aspects, but they are also looking closely at the construction of your home and roof.

Requirements to Pass a Wind Mitigation Inspection

Your inspector will record the condition and quality of the following things:

• Doors and windows: Your home’s doors and windows should be able to withstand heavy wind and protect against the threat of projectiles. This includes your garage door as well as any skylights your home may have.
• Storm shutters: If you don’t have storm shutters already installed, you should show your inspector panels that you have in the event of a hurricane or heavy storm.
• Roof: There are many aspects of your roof that will need to pass inspection to receive any benefits. The condition of your roof, the materials used, how it was constructed, and the shape of the roof are considerations that your inspector will inspect. Your roof should be able to withstand heavy wind gusts and increased amounts of rain.
• Wall and roof attachments: The places where your roof meets your home’s structure should be properly constructed to ensure that your home is protected against the threat of your roof being blown off.
• Home structure: Your home should be designed and engineered to be protected during the storm. Like the roof, it should be properly constructed and use materials that are built to last.
• Year home was built: Building standards have changed in the last 15 years, ensuring that homes built after 2002 are properly constructed. If your home was built before 2002, you may need to make adjustments to clear inspection.
• Roof deck: The underlayment located beneath shingles (if you have an asphalt shingle roof) should protect your home from moisture in the event that shingles are blown off. This is referred to as secondary water resistance. McFall Roofing nails down the roof deck in all of our reroof projects, which is one of the biggest requirements for wind mitigation.

Helpful UMVI Reminders

It’s a lot to take in, we know, but you can take some extra steps to ensure that your inspection process is a smooth one.

Before the Inspection

To save time during the actual inspection, be sure to give your inspector any documents about product specifications of your home and roof’s materials, invoices or work orders, and applicable roofing permits. In doing so, you have documentation to back up your home’s ability to protect you.

Importance of Roof Inspections

If you haven’t had your roof inspected before or can’t remember the last time it got checked on, be sure to schedule a roof inspection with one of our roofing contractors. Our team is trained to spot potential problems, offer solutions, and give you peace of mind during the UMVI as well as storm season.

When to Get a UMVI

A wind mitigation inspection is only good for 5 years, so be sure to schedule one every 4 years to ensure you reap the benefits and maintain your home’s ability to protect you. It’s also crucial to schedule your UMVI during winter or spring to make necessary adjustments before hurricane season begins in summer.

Roof Inspections and Improvements with McFall Residential Roofing

A wind mitigation inspection can produce two results. You can either pass the inspection and save money on your insurance. Or, you could learn how to improve both your home and your roof to protect your family during hurricane season. If you are looking to repair, replace, or maintain your roof to meet UMVI requirements, call us today to schedule an inspection! The McFall family wants you and your home to be ready for hurricane season and anything else Florida throws your way!

Your roof protects your home and your family. When it comes to installing a new roof or maintaining your current roof, you can’t cut corners on quality, especially for Florida homeowners. Roofs in Florida have to be engineered to withstand a number of elements in order for them to last their entire useful life.

Florida Wreaks Havoc on Roofs

Your roof has to combat three major enemies in Florida: heat, moisture, and wind.

These “big three” factors give your roof a hard time year-round. It’s important that when your roof is being installed or repaired, you trust the right roofing contractors to carry out the job, ensuring the safety and quality of your roof.

Six Ways Quality Roofing Can Extend a Florida Roof’s Life

Give your Florida roof it’s best chance by ensuring that every aspect of your roof is installed and maintained correctly.

Quality Roofing Contractors

To begin, hiring quality and insured roofing contractors will save you money in the long run and you’ll rest easy knowing that your roof is properly constructed. So when spells of bad weather occur, your roof can withstand the elements.

From the labor needed during installation of a roof to the materials used, quality is essential for a roof that is built to last. With McFall Residential Roofing, we are more than just another roofing company. We take the time to thoroughly and properly install any roof to make sure that your investment lasts its entire useful life.

Engineered for Storm Season

When your roof is installed and repaired by quality roofing contractors, you can be prepared for storm season that plagues Florida. We use shingles engineered to withstand high-speed winds. For asphalt shingle roofs, this is essential because the loss of shingles is a common problem after a storm.

Also, having a high-quality roof during the rainy season is crucial to avoid water leaks. Your roof should be engineered to promote proper water drainage because you can bet that Florida will deliver some serious downpours. Pooling water on your roof will only give you more problems and increase the risk of damaging the interior of your home.

Correct Venting to Protect Your Home

When installing a roof, it’s imperative that proper ventilation takes place in your home. Outside air needs to be able to be cycled through your attic and then back into the outdoors. Quality roofing contractors don’t cut corners when it comes to venting. Faulting venting could lead to moisture problems in your home or incorrect air flow. Not all roofs require venting in cases where there is not a lot of roof ridge line to work with or spray foam is utilized. In those instances, we offer other energy efficient options to make sure your roof is engineered to suit your home.

With McFall Roofing, we only use the best on-ridge shingle over venting to ensure your roof works for you and not against you.

Proper Installation Promotes Longer Roof Life

From the time your new roof is installed until its last useable day, your roof should be able to carry out its job. If the beginning of its life is compromised by poor installation or a quick fix, it only creates more issues for you and your home in the future. We use the highest quality underlayment that is reflective and energy efficient. Our competitors can’t say the same!

From installing a protective underlayment to using stainless steel nails we use to install shingles, your roof should be properly installed to protect you and your family in all kinds of weather. Only a quality roofing company can deliver on that promise with proper installation.

Protecting Against Prolonged Sun Exposure

Florida is affectionately known as the sunshine state. Your roof will definitely feel the effects of this prolonged sunshine. The most popular roofing choice in Florida is asphalt shingle roofs for their price point and their flexibility.

With these shingles, sunlight will heat the shingle and cause it to warp. If your home doesn’t receive a lot of shade, it’s important to consider a lighter shingle color. Not only will the lighter colored shingles reflect sunlight better, but they can also promote cooler temps in your home and save you money on energy bills! One of our roofing contractors would be happy to help you decide on which roofing option is suited best for your home and budget.

Thorough Roof Inspections

Finally, Florida weather is unpredictable and can give your roof problems throughout the year. Having routine roof inspections by the right roofing company will save you money, prolong your roof’s life, and better protect your family.

Our roofing contractors know what to look for and can pinpoint problem areas that may be unseen by the naked eye. By understanding your roof and your needs, we’ll be able to help your roof serve you best, any time of the year.

Roof Installation, Repair, and Maintenance with McFall Roofing

Whatever your roofing needs may be, trusting McFall Roofing to carry them out will save you time and stress. We have been installing roofs in Florida for over 20 years and we understand how difficult our climate can be on roofs.

Call us today to receive a free roofing estimate or to learn more about our thorough process!

The most common and most affordable option for roofing is asphalt shingle roofs. This reliable and cost-efficient option has been around for a long time. Over time, asphalt shingle roofs have had modifications, so your roof can withstand more of what nature throws your way. Installing an asphalt shingle roof will keep you and your family protected for years to come.

Asphalt Shingle Roofs

When choosing to replace or install a new roof, asphalt shingle roofs are the popular choice. These roofs have many benefits, but most of all, the materials are readily available so your roofing project can begin as soon as possible. With low maintenance and a variety of colors, it’s no wonder why so many homeowners choose to install asphalt shingle roofs.

What It’s Made Of

Each shingle is made up more than just asphalt. The shingles are designed for functionality and protection. An asphalt shingle is made up of the following:

• Fiberglass mat: At the base of every shingle is a mat made up of lightweight fiberglass.
• Asphalt: As the name states, asphalt is then poured over top the fiberglass and is responsible for protecting your roof from moisture, especially in rainy North Central Florida.
• Mineral Granules: Mineral granules are then added on top of the asphalt. These granules give each shingle a desired look and color.

Benefits

Asphalt roofs are the most popular choice and for good reason! These roofs:

• Allow for endless customization with a variety of colors and styles to fit your tastes.
• Are the most affordable option when choosing a new roof.
• Provide flexibility when it comes to installation, maintenance, and repair.

Installation Process

The installation process can be a tad invasive, but our team takes precautions to ensure that your home is safe during the installation and to minimize stress on you. Our team of roofing contractors will remove your old shingles and roofing materials, lay down protective underlayment, install new shingles, dispose of all debris, and perform post roofing inspections. Depending on the size of your roof, the process can take up to 4 days to complete.

Asphalt shingles feature a sealant strip on the shingles. When installation occurs, another shingle will be attached by the sealant strip on the edge, creating an overlap. The sun will then heat these strips, making them into the glue that bonds the adjacent shingle to each other.

Components of the Roof

Your roof contains many different components, making each project different than the last. When we install your roof, we are doing more than just installing shingles. We must also install ridge caps to each of the peaks in your roofing line. Your roof will also be covered in underlayment, that protects your home’s structure and interior from the outside heat, water, and wind.

North Central Florida Roofing

Roofing in Florida is extremely crucial, due to our extended sunshine and risk of storms. Shingles tend to have a shorter lifespan in Florida compared to other parts of the country because of our sunshine. Lighter colored shingles help to extend your roof’s life because they reflect sunlight, rather than absorb.

McFall Roofing understands that your roof will be put through a lot just by being in Florida. That is why we use shingles with 130 mph wind warranty and use stainless steel nails, making sure that your roof is prepared for all kinds of weather. We also use algae resistant shingles to preserve the brilliance and color of your new roof.

Asphalt Roof Maintenance

It’s important that you have routine maintenance done to your roof to ensure its health and extend its lifetime. We recommend that you have a roof inspection twice a year, especially after an intense tropical storm or hurricane. Damage is not always seen by the naked eye.

Another great way to prolong the life of your roof is to sign up for the McFall Roofing Maintenance Plan. In this way, you can trust that your roof is protected all year long. With roof maintenance from McFall Roofing, our team removes all of the tree debris from the roof surface and gutters at least three times a year. We will also inspect your roof each time we remove debris.

When Should I Replace My Asphalt Shingle Roof?

An asphalt shingle roof’s average lifespan is 15-20 years. If your roof is approaching that 20-year mark, it’s time to start considering installing a new roof. You can also look at your roof to determine if it’s time for new. Look for the following things to know if it’s time to replace:

• Curling shingles
• Visible cracks on shingles
• Leaks inside your home
• Roof is dull or discolored

Roof Installation, Maintenance, and Repair with McFall Roofing

McFall Residential Roofing has over 20 years of experience in the roofing industry. We handle the installation of new roofs, maintenance of your roof, and repairs in times of need. Interested in replacing your roof with an asphalt shingle roof? Contact us today to get started!

Your roof’s main purpose is to protect you, your family, and your home. A roof is a necessity, but it’s an investment. You can take precautions to ensure that this investment is protected and it lasts for the entirety of its useful life.

The Importance of a Well-Maintained Roof

A well-maintained roof saves you money over the course of its life because you’ll be able to know the health of your roof, no matter its age. A new roof can fall victim to common roofing problems just like an older roof. Just like with regular check-ups at the doctor or getting your car routinely serviced, your roof will receive the attention it needs with regular maintenance and will be healthy and ready to protect you and your family.

How to Extend Your Roof’s Life

Whether you just installed a new roof or it’s nearing the end of its useful life, being proactive by carrying out these small tasks will save you money, and avoid headaches, down the road.

Clean Out Your Gutters

First, you should make sure your gutters are clear and free from any build up. Clogged gutters can lead to a multitude of problems for your roof, especially roof leaks. Water doesn’t have a proper way to drain when your gutters are clogged, causing the water to sit on top of your roof. This increase of moisture finds its way underneath your shingles, where they are unprotected, and can cause them to curl. Extra moisture can also lead to foundational problems for your roof, like plywood rot, that will ultimately lead to roof leaks and catastrophic roof damage.

Clear Debris From Your Roof

Clearing debris is important for homeowners that have a lot of trees near their home. Loose branches should be removed near your home, especially during storm season, to avoid damage to your roof or your home. But, you should also be aware of the accumulation of leaves on the top of your roof. If leaves pile up, they can retain moisture from rainfall and trap the water on top of your roof. This can lead to damage to your shingles, making them less efficient, and can cause roof leaks.

Be Aware of Moss or Algae Growth

If your roof experiences a lot of shade, you are more prone to dealing with algae growth on your roof. Algae doesn’t necessarily harm your roof, but it will cause discoloration. You should avoid trying to clean your shingles yourself because you could damage the shingles, leading to more repairs. It’s best to get your roof cleaned by professionals.

Moss, on the other hand, can be damaging to your roof. Moss contains microorganisms that can cause mold growth or bacteria. This, in turn, causes your shingles to break down, meaning replacement or repairs for you. A good way to combat this is to remove the moss before it builds up.

Get a Roof Inspection

The best way to stay on top of your roof’s health is to get a roof inspection by one of our roofing professionals at least once a year. This way, you can have knowledge of problems before they become costly repairs. Some problems can go unseen by the naked eye and spread to more than one part of your roof.

Having a professional roof inspection is crucial after a storm. While physical damage is easy to spot, underlying water damage can go unnoticed. Being in North Central Florida, roofs are more susceptible to damage from hurricanes, but also the routine thunderstorms we experience year round.

Handle Problems As Soon As Possible

The best advice to extend your roof’s life is to tackle problems as quickly as possible. The biggest roofing mistake is ignoring a small problem and then it becomes a much larger problem in the future. Making small repairs or taking the time to be proactive will save you time and money down the roof. Your roof will thank you!

McFall Residential Roofing Maintenance Plan

A well-maintained roof is a roof that is ready to protect you and your family for years after it’s installed. There are steps you can take to ensure the longevity of your roof, but you can make sure that your efforts are not wasted. Signing up for McFall Residential Roofing’s Maintenance Plan will make sure that your roof is protected all year long, and for many years after that.

Some benefits include:

• Inspections by our licensed and insured roofing contractors
• Seasonal inspections, especially before hurricane season
• Identify loose shingles, nails, and debris that require attention
• Early warning of any issues around skylights, pipes, and vents
• Receive notification of soft spots or unusual wear on individual shingles
• Recommended inspection times throughout the year
• Removal of seasonal debris and we’ll take it straight out to the curb

Interested in signing up? Contact us today to learn more.

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.