Your gutters require a thorough cleaning at least two times a year, as any build-up that isn’t cleaned off from your roof can easily lead to rotting and decay that may cause leaks or damages to your property. If you’re thinking of a do-it-yourself gutter cleaning chore, then understand that this isn’t a simple task. So, before you start, you need to make sure you’ve got the basics down.

Prepare Your Gutter Cleaning Tools

You’ll need a long, extendable and sturdy ladder for this do-it-yourself project. If possible, prepare a ladder with a stabilizer to guarantee your safety. You should also notify the people in your house or your neighbors that you’re going to be going up the ladder and cleaning your gutters that day. Never attempt to do this chore unless you have someone else with you.

Apart from the ladder, you will also need the following items:

• Bucket – to collect the debris you’re going to take out of the gutter. Clip and hang it on the ladder.
• Tarp – to lay down under your workspace to keep your lawn and landscaping free of debris
• Garden trowel – to make it easier to scoop out the debris
• Thick rubber gloves – to protect your hands from sharp debris
• Dust mask – to ensure that you will not inhale too much dust since clogged and dried gutters will definitely be filled with it
• Safety goggles – to protect your eyes from the debris
• Garden hose – to spray the gutters clean

As much as possible, also dress appropriately for this type of work. You need to wear work pants and a long-sleeved shirt since you will be out in the sun for a while. Wear a wide hat if you need to and apply sunscreen on your face, neck, and arms before you head out.

Slowly Work Your Way Around The Gutter

Begin by scooping up the chunk of leaves or debris from one part of the gutter using your gloved hand and place those on the bucket. Dump the contents of the bucket on the ground when it’s full and create a compost pile. Expect to do this many times, depending on how much gunk is in your gutters and as you work your way all around the roofing.

Some debris might be stuck or hard to remove, especially around the opening of the downspout. Carefully pick those off with the garden trowel. Make sure, however, that you won’t damage the gutter as you work.

Once the gutter is cleared of debris, you can use a garden hose to give it a good cleaning, especially if it’s muddy and have mineral build up. Spray against the opposite end of the downspout opening to properly wash everything down.

Flushing and spraying will also help clear any clogging inside the gutter. But take care not to damage any metal screws. Inspect for loose parts, and if necessary, replace the screws. Badly-designed screws can cause gutter blockage and build up.

Consider Installing Gutter Screens

After you’ve successfully cleaned the gutter, it might be a good idea to install a gutter cover or gutter screen to lessen the chances of dirt and debris building up again. But this could be another job for a different day, and you should carefully weigh your options since there are different types of gutter screens and covers in the market.

Gutter cleaning requires hard work. Trying to balance yourself on top of a ladder, as you scrape out the debris from your gutters, can definitely be quite a chore. It might be easier to hire a professional for this job than a do-it-yourself project. Call Aastro Roofing for a quote at (561) 409-3280.

Here’s Why Winter is the Best Time to Get Your Roof Fixed in South Florida

Getting your roof fixed in South Florida poses a different kind of challenge. Unlike in other parts of the United States, it’s harder to plan this kind of job here because the roof repairman will need to deal with a host of extreme weather problems that can affect the quality of his work.

If it’s not scorching hot outside during the summer season, South Florida roof repair may also be put on hold because of the number or rains and hurricanes that pass by the state during spring or fall. This leaves a winter roof repair as the best option since this season is usually the calmest when it comes to the weather.

Challenges of Roof Repair in South Florida

The biggest obstacle when repairing, fixing or replacing the roof during the springtime is rain. A drizzle can easily delay the job you were expecting to be finished in less than a week.

Any work done on the roof during the rainy days can get dampened with moisture, which may damage the membranes of the roofing materials. It’s going to be impractical to work during this time since the roofing construction might not adhere and come out well.

It’s also quite dangerous on the part of the roof repairman to tackle a roofing job in the spring as the rainy weather causes wet surfaces that may lead to accidents. On the other hand, the high summer temperature may also be too much to endure for roof laborers who may get dehydrated.

When it’s too hot, it might also be challenging to work with roofing shingles since these could soften up under high temperatures. The summer season may be very ideal for roofing jobs in other states in America, but it’s just not the right time in South Florida.

South Florida Roof Repair During Hurricane Season

Contrary to popular belief, it’s at least easier to schedule a roof repair job during the hurricane season. This is because the storms can be predicted so the repairmen can plan and prepare beforehand.

However, what can make their job harder may happen after the storm has passed. The hurricanes can bring in more problems that can extend and delays the project’s completion. So, unless it’s an emergency, it’s best to wait to get the roof fixed for a few more weeks.

Winter Roof Repair in South Florida

The weather in South Florida during the winter is usually so mild and at least above 40 degree Fahrenheit. The roof repairman won’t have to contend with wetness, extreme heat, wind and storm during this time. Because it hardly snows in South Florida, the roofing work can also go smoothly and without any incident. The mild temperature will also ideal for the thermal sealing process that’s necessary for keeping the roof’s barriers watertight.

Planning to get your roof fixed or replaced? Get in touch with the experts at Aastro Roofing for a quote. Email aastroroofing@gmail.com or call 561-409-3280 and speak with one of our friendly representatives.

Home building materials have been evolving over the years, and more materials are quickly becoming available for use. Metal roofs, in particular, have been getting a lot of attention as they are very resilient, sturdy, accessible, and can be lovely to look at.

The quality and performance of a roof largely depend on what kind of maters are used for construction. The same goes for metal roofs, as there are many different types of metal roofing. Some are more suited for commercial spaces, while others are great as residential metal roofing. Being diverse, metal roofs can also work as a residential roof.

The Best Metal Roof for Residential Purposes: 4 Types of Metal Roofing

The type of metal roof you pick for your home will affect how well your roof performs. Metal roofs are sturdy, but what else can the different types of residential metal roofing do? If you are wondering about which types of metal roofing can go great with your residential roofing styles in mind, here are four of the best metal roofs for residential purposes with their pros and cons.

Steel

Steel metal roofing is one of the most common. It’s sturdy, cheaper, and very resilient.

Pros

·       heavy but sturdy;

·       can be coated to protect against the elements;

·       can be coated to look nice but still performs exceptionally;

·       more cost-effective compared to other types of metal roofing.

Cons

·       weight may not be suitable for some homes;

·       installation cost may be high, depending on the preferences of the homeowner. 

Copper

Copper metal roofing has been used for a long time and is again regaining popularity as it’s sturdy and elegant.

Pros

·       very workable, as copper as a metal is soft enough;

·       does not rust;

·       elegant coloration even after being weathered.

Cons

·       a lot more expensive compared to other materials;

·       the coloration may not be preferred by everyone.

Alloys

Alloys and mixed metal products can also be used as roofing materials. They metals are carefully chosen to give the final product the best qualities that the formulator decides on.

Pros

·       very sturdy and resilient;

·       weathering effect varies based on the types of metals used;

·       generally rust-proof for most metal types.

Cons

·       price varies based on the metals used;

Aluminum

Aluminum is commonly seen in industrial settings, but having an aluminum metal roof is not unheard of for a residential building. It’s lighter than steel and is still durable.

Pros

·       lightweight;

·       never rusts;

·       metallic finish.

Cons

·       the metallic finish may be off-putting for some, but it can be painted over;

·       enough impact can dent the aluminum, as it isn’t as sturdy as steel.

Get Your Metal Roof Installed Today

For all your residential roof installation and maintenance needs in Boca Raton, FL, we highly recommend that you work only with experienced roofing professionals like Aastro Roofing. Whether it be installation, repair, or maintenance, you can rely on us to attend to all your roofing needs. Contact us at 561-409-3280 or email aastroroofing@gmail.com for inquiries.