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Clay Tile Installation Tip #1: Spanish S Tile. It’s better to strike horizontal and vertical chalk lines to keep the tile straight. Lines to be set 15 ‘’ apart horizontally, except for the first line which is 16’’ from the bottom of the eve line. Vertical lines to be set 10’’ apart for 1 tile setting or 30’’ apart for the more experience tile setter.

HURRICANE SEASON HAS OFFICIALLY STARTED :

Hurricanes

Hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico seen from space.

A hurricane is a type of tropical cyclone or severe tropical storm that forms in the southern Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and in the eastern Pacific Ocean. A typical cyclone is accompanied by thunderstorms, and in the Northern Hemisphere, a counterclockwise circulation of wind

s near the earth’s surface.

All Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coastal areas are subject to hurricanes. Parts of the Southwest United States and the Pacific Coast also experience heavy rains and floods each year from hurricanes spawned off Mexico. The Atlantic hurricane season lasts from June to November, with the peak season from mid-August to late October. The Eastern Pacific hurricane season begins May 15 and ends November 30.

Hurricanes can cause catastrophic damage to coastlines and several hundred miles inland. Hurricane can produce winds exceeding 155 miles per hour as well as tornadoes and mircrobursts. Additionally, hurricanes can create storm surges along the coast and cause extensive damage from heavy rainfall. Floods and flying debris from the excessive winds are often the deadly and destructive results of these weather events. Slow moving hurricanes traveling into mountainous regions tend to produce especially heavy rain. Excessive rain can trigger landslides or mud slides. Flash flooding can occur due to intense rainfall.

A roof is one of the biggest investments a homeowner can make. By repairing first, a homeowner can budget and save for the large replacement expenditure down the road. However, there is also great comfort in replacing the roof, from the increased aesthetic appeal as well as the security in knowing that your home and possessions are safe from water intrusion and its ill effects.

The goal of the good quality contractor is to help educate and advise potential clients so they can make the best decision possible, based on their roofing needs. If you are considering a repair or replacement, we recommend the following list of considerations and questions to ask your roofing contractor prior to deciding which decision is best for you.

1. How long do you plan to keep the home?

2. How long can you expect the current roof and flashings to last?

3. What are the signs of deterioration the contractor is seeing?

4. If you are selling the home in 1-5 years from now:

5. Has the roofing estimator inspected the entire roof to address potential leaks/deficiencies, or just the current leak area or obvious deficiency? The roofer should always inspect the entire roof.

6. What is the likelihood of additional leaks manifesting? If there are more what would it cost to fix any interior damage weighed against the cost of doing preventative repairs now?

7. If the repair is performed will it be visible and will it match, or be a potential eyesore? This matters more if selling the home(most visible repairs do not match due to weathering and organic growth on the existing roof covering ; some repairs do weather-in after a few months)

8. Will potential leaking be on your mind if you do not replace the roof? Has this leak been hard to find? Would you have more peace of mind with replacing the roof and its age and condition supports this decision?

Finally, seek referrals. Angie’s List, friends, family and roofing supply stores are great places to seek advice and recommendations. Precise, detailed estimates, quality service and materials, expert advice and guidance, balanced intake and exhaust ventilation, fair pricing, excellent workmanship, attention to safety and first class customer service, these are things you should expect from your roofing contractor.

10 Things to check after high winds

Certain parts of the country face regular high wind events. Ranging from moderate gusts to sustained winds, any high winds can bring havoc to your home’s roof.

Most roof systems, if installed properly, are built to easily withstand common wind events, sustaining little to no damage. However, it’s usually the less obvious cracked, missing or damaged roof tile or shingle that causes homeowners the biggest problems with the next rainstorm. Poor workmanship from a previous roofing contractor and flying debris are the two leading causes of roof, skylight and gutter damage in a high wind event.

Once winds have passed, we encourage every homeowner to safely walk their property front to back and inspect their roof, ensuring that nothing is out of place and there is no visible damage to be seen on the roof or gutter systems.

Pay attention to the details and keep a lookout for anything that seems amiss. In particular, we recommend looking for these 10 things:

1. Missing or loose roofing tiles or roofing shingles

2. Missing or loose ridge caps and vents

3. Dislodged, loose or clogged gutters

4. Debris that has been blown onto the roof or damaged tree limbs that could possibly fall on the roof and cause future damage

5. Check vent covers to ensure that nothing has been blown off or damaged

6. Inspect skylights and/or solar tubes to ensure they’re not cracked from falling or blown debris

7. Check the attic space for any telltale signs of roof damage, such as daylight shining through

8. Inspect any roof-mounted AC units to ensure no damage was done to the unit or its water lines from flying debris

9. If you have solar panels mounted on your roof, check them for damage and remove any accumulated debris that may shade them, diminishing power output

10. If your home features a flat roof, make sure all your roof drains are free and clear of any debris that may have blown into them.

We always recommend that you hire a licensed, qualified roofing company to complete any roof repair work, particularly if you are uncomfortable with the dangers associated with working on a sloped roof or unfamiliar with roofing materials.