As South Florida natives, we learned early on that hurricanes can be extremely dangerous. As such, it’s important to know how to prepare for hurricane season. Here’s how you can protect your home.

Get the House Hurricane Ready

During a hurricane, anything can become a projectile. Imagine a 200 mile per hour wind picking up a coconut and hurling it against a wall. At such speeds, the coconut might as well be a cannonball.

The first thing to do if you are expecting hurricane level winds is to get rid of all debris that can be picked up by the wind and flown into the house. Once the yard is free of possible projectiles, it is time for some tree trimming. Branches can break off and become a major hazard during a storm, so make sure you trim all branches within twenty feet of the house or roof. You should also clear your gutters and make sure the drainage system is working.

The roof should be thoroughly inspected for any possible damage, holes or shingles in need of repair.  Check the shingle bonding to see if the adhesive is still strong. If it has weakened, perhaps it is time to have it checked by a professional.

Check all doors and windows, and make sure your shutters are working properly and ready to be installed at a moment’s notice. Ideally, your hurricane planning includes a professional inspection.

Stock Up

Sometimes a hurricane can leave you without power or water for days or even weeks. It is almost impossible to determine ahead of time whether a hurricane will be devastating or not, therefore the best course of action is to have a plan in place. Ensure you have the basics, along with canned food and water to last several weeks.  At the very least, you should have supplies to last you and your family for a week. Batteries can be a lifesaver, as well as camping lights. For the upcoming hurricane season 2019, make sure your first aid kit is up-to-date and stocked.

Have a Plan

Sometimes we realize that the storm is too big to ride out or a mandatory evacuation is issued. When this happens, if you do not have a plan, things can spiral out of control and you may find yourself sitting in traffic for precious hours. Plan ahead of time, know your destination and the best route to get there. Also, a grab bag is paramount. You should always keep a small bag ready during hurricane season with all the essentials in case you have to evacuate quickly. Grab bags should include your credentials, passport, and other important paperwork, as well as cash, change of clothes, raincoat, torch, first aid kit, and radio. If you take any medication you should include that too.

Choose Aastro Roofing for Your Hurricane Preparation

At Aastro Roofing, we’re the third-generation of roofers and offer high quality, from our family to yours. For help with your hurricane planning and roofing preparations, give us a call at (561) 623-3710 or visit our website at aastroroofing.com.

It is time to wipe the winter away with some spring cleaning? In South Florida especially, it is very important to take the time to make sure your roof is in great condition before the hurricane season starts and the winds start shaking things up. So here are our spring cleaning tips.

Remove the Branches Over the Roof

Start the roof cleaning process with pruning any nearby branches that may be shedding leaves all over the roof and clogging up gutters.  There is a simple reason to start with pruning. If you start with the gutters and then prune you will end up having to clean the gutters a second time as debris is likely to find its way to the gutters while pruning.  The rule of thumb is to keep branches about 10 feet away from your roof.

Moss, Leaves, and Dirt

Next on the list is an overview of the roof. Over time, moss, dirt, and debris can compromise or weaken your roof. It is a good idea to clean it up, but when cleaning your roof, avoid power washing as you may do more damage than good. There are plenty of regular cleaning methods that can help with this. The reason you want to do this as your second step is that whatever water you use to clean the roof will probably end up in the gutter and if you clean the gutter before the roof, well you get the idea.  While you are up there watch out for any loose or broken shingles, check any pipes, vents or chimneys you may have and make sure everything is undamaged. If you find any sign of damage, now is the time to fix it.

Clean Those Gutters

Now we can finally get to cleaning the gutters without worrying about having to circle back to it. Look for any weak spots and address accordingly. Clean up any clogs you may find in order to avoid future water damage, but avoid using a hose as you may cause a leak or compromise the drainage system.  Make sure they are attached properly and that there are no visible gaps or signs of damage that you need to address. Also, ensure that you take a look at the flashing and determine nothing is compromised.

You Can also Contact Aastro Roofing

South Florida’s sun can be tough to deal with; even spring temperatures can reach very uncomfortable digits. If like most people you do not relish the idea of climbing on a roof in the heat, then you are in luck. As South Florida natives with over 30 years of experience, our friendly staff at Aastro Roofing will be happy to make sure your roof is in tip-top shape and ready to handle whatever nature wants to throw at it. Give us a call anytime at (561) 623-3710 or to schedule a free estimate today.

Grass roofing is something you may picture in Scandinavia, but it is increasingly becoming a popular addition to homes across the world – including the United States. These roofs are attractive, eco-friendly, and a great conversation starter in the neighborhood. But do they really work in Florida? Is the grass roofing trend right for you?

The Benefits of a Grass Roof

Grass roofing, also known as green roofing, certainly has its benefits. Having a living, breathing ecosystem on your roof is a great way to make maximum use of your home’s spaces. After all, what better place to enjoy a sunny South Florida day than lounging with a blanket and a cool drink on your lush, grass roof, right?

Beyond the aesthetic appeal, grass roofs are great for adding insulation to a home. The grass, as well as the topsoil underneath it, are great at absorbing the ambient heat from the sun, meaning, a grass roof may help you reduce your home’s energy costs. Like the insulating properties of grass and soil, a grass roof provides an effective buffer from sudden changes in temperatures. Admittedly, in South Florida, we don’t experience drastic and sudden variations in temperatures, but in colder climes, this can be a real plus.

Grass roofing also allows for the planting of plants on the roof, which can be useful for gardening. In addition, the plants may help retain excess rainwater and return some of it back to the atmosphere through evaporation.

The Downsides of a Grass Roof

So, a grass roof is a great insulator and has a real rustic charm to it. But, is it practical in Florida? That depends on how much you are willing to accept in terms of a downside. Grass roofing, for example, requires its own separate drainage system apart from your typical home drainage. That’s because the water which would normally simply drain out of the gutters will filter through the turf differently, which could lead to leaks in the roof if not properly maintained.

Having a rooftop grass patch also needs constant maintenance. This is especially true in a place like Florida, where grasses can grow extremely quickly, meaning you would need to constantly lug your lawn mower up and down from the roof or hire a contractor to do it for you.

One of the biggest issues with a grass roof, however, is the damage they might cause to your home. Beyond the risk of water seeping in if not maintained correctly, grass on the roof acts a micro-ecosystem, meaning a whole host of creepy crawlies and other pests may take up residence on your roof and possibly invade your home.

Call Aastro Roofing for Your Perfect Roof Today

While grass roofing may have its benefits, in South Florida they may prove a bigger burden than a blessing. If you are looking for a roof that works perfectly no matter the season, call Aastro Roofing today! The roofing experts at Aastro Roofing have over 30 years of experience repairing, installing and maintaining roofs in South Florida. You can feel secure contacting us today at (561) 409-3280 for a free estimate.

Roof coatings are applied directly on the top of your existing roofing material to provide additional protection against leaks, damage, and weather conditions.

While all roof coatings may appear similar at the outset, they are quite different in terms of their functions and benefits. If you are thinking about getting a roof coating this season, you should know the vital distinctions between these three types of coatings which are commonly used.

Here are some key insights about the three major types of roof coatings, and how to choose the best roof coating in Florida for your home.

Asphalt Emulsion Roof Coating

This roof coating is made from emulsified asphalt. As the name suggests, the asphalt emulsion roof coating contains water-dispersed particles of asphalt and uses bentonite clay as the emulsifying agent.

The organic, as well as inorganic fillers and fibers in these coatings, make them one of the strongest roof coating options in the market. Emulsion coatings install across three layers, unlike the other types of roof coatings in Florida. This makes sure that they provide waterproof protection to your roof that will last for years.

Acrylic Roof Coating

Acrylic roof coatings are the most inexpensive and easy-to-install out of all the other types of roof coatings. Since these roof coatings are water-based, the roof coating application can be easily done with a sprayer or another similar tool.

If you are looking for a roof coating in Florida that provides maximum UV protection, choose the acrylic coating. They keep roofing material from UV damage as well as other gradual deterioration that can happen over extended periods of time.

In addition, the acrylic roof coatings help the building stay cool during the brutal summer months in Florida, thanks to their reflective property. These coatings derive their name from certain kinds of acrylic polymer that’s used in the formulation of this coating. The acrylic polymer is considered to be highly durable, thus extending the life of roof coating.

If you’re on a budget, but don’t want to compromise on the durability of the roof coating, acrylic roof coating could be a wise choice.

Silicone Roof Coating

Silicone roof coating is the best for residential roofs, designed to offer extreme protection to your roof. Silicone is an ideal material to sustain water exposure without getting degraded over extended periods of time. That’s why silicone roof coatings are considered the most durable and resilient.

Silicone coating is also designed to endure the extreme rigors of nature (hail storm, hurricane, wind, debris, etc.) without getting damaged. In addition, silicone is a natural material, which means these solvent-based roof coatings are eco-friendly.

The coating is applied to the roofing in different ways, such as rolling or spraying. If you need a roller for a silicone roof coating application, make sure to choose a medium-nap roller. Depending on the substrate, silicone coatings may be applied anywhere from 2 to 3.5 gallons per 100 sq. ft. You can also choose any color you like since silicone roof coatings come in a variety of color options.

Why is Silicone Roof Coating the Best One for Your Home?

These roofing coatings offer two big advantages compared to other options:

• It doesn’t need a primer to adhere to most substrates
• It can repel ponding water for long periods of time.

These distinguishing features make silicone roof coatings affordable and a superior quality option for your roof coating needs.

Call Aastro Roofing for Your Coating Needs

The roofing experts at Aastro Roofing have over 30 years of experience repairing, installing and maintaining roofs in South Florida. To schedule a roof coating application, contact us online or call us at 561-409-3280 today. We have more options than anyone else!