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professional roof inspection

When Should I Get a Professional Roof Inspection?

The roof is one of the most essential parts of your home. That’s why it’s always necessary to make sure that your roof is in good shape, so it does not give you any trouble. Roof inspections are a great way to ensure this. A roof inspection will make sure that your roof does not start to accumulate damage that can lead to trouble in the future.

There are many things that you need to watch out for concerning your roof. You can always do a roof inspection whenever you want to, but getting a roof specialist to look at your roof wouldn’t hurt. If you have no idea how to inspect a roof or make a roof inspection checklist, getting a pro is your best bet.

When Should I Get a Professional Roof Inspection?

Roof inspection costs are a lot lower than what you would spend if your roof gets damaged due to neglect. Don’t mind the cost of roof inspection too much, as it will be well worth it. Here’s are the best times to get a professional roof inspection.

After a significant natural event

Depending on your area, these may come often or never come at all. What’s important is that you make sure that your roof gets inspected after a storm, earthquake, or any event that can potentially shake up your home. You wouldn’t want damage accumulating without you knowing.

If there are any signs of leaks

Water damage has the potential to cause a lot of trouble in your home, especially if the leaks have been going on for a long time. A big mistake that many people have is underestimating the damage that water can do. Many types of water damage can come from leaks on the roof. When you find signs of water damage, make sure that you get the help of a professional as soon as possible.

Aside from the apparent water dripping, your roof inspection checklist for water damage should include some of the following:

  • Discoloration on walls and ceilings
  • Dried deposits on furniture or floors
  • Mold and mildew

Signs of damage or crumbling

More severe water damage can lead to more obvious damage, like weakened walls and ceilings. If you see signs of physical damage or crumbling, it could be a sign that the damage is a tad more severe. Get your roof, ceilings, and walls checked.

Finally, even if none of the above happens to your home, an annual roof inspection is still necessary. Make sure that you get your roof professionally checked. After all, you and your family’s safety is a top priority.

Get Your Roof Professionally Checked

Remember, inspection costs are much lower than constantly repairing damages in the future. There is no price high enough for peace of mind, so make sure that your roof is always in good health. Looking for a Boca Raton roofing contractor that you can trust? Contact Aastro Roofing for your professional roofing inspection needs at (561) 409-3280 or send an email to aastroroofing@gmail.com for inquiries.

best way to clean gutters

Three Tips on the Best Way to Clean Gutters

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.

What to Do If There’s A Crack in My Ceiling

Spotting a crack on your ceiling can be a harrowing experience. If you aren’t a roofing expert, you may think your whole house may be at risk of collapsing upon you. Fortunately, this is usually not the case – but how can you tell if a crack is a cause for concern, or something minor? At Aastro Roofing, we strive to provide our customers with as much knowledge on the subjects that concern them as possible. Here is our helpful guide on what to do if you notice,”there’s a crack in my ceiling.”

Moisture 

Moisture is the number one cause of cracking in homes. Moisture cracking is caused by an overhead leak, either from a faulty roof, water pipe, drain or another such source. As water seeps into the drywall, it can cause the tape between the joints to loosen, creating cracking and discoloration on the ceiling. When repairing moisture cracks, you must first determine the source of the leak and fix it. After this, you can easily repair the moisture damage with a drywall repair kit, or tape and drywall joint compound.

Spiderweb Cracks and What They Mean  Moisture 

Paint issues

The appearance of spiderweb cracks on the ceiling may indicate paint issues, rather than structural ones. When repeated coats of paint are applied over old ones, cracks may appear over a period of years. This is caused by thermal changes to the paint layers und

er the topcoat, causing them to become brittle and crack. Over time, these cracks work their way to the top coat of paint. This creates the spiderweb cracks which appear on the ceiling.

Drywall issuesCauses of cracks in ceiling

When drywall is installed, the joints are sealed first with tape and then with a compound commonly referred to as “drywall mud.” If this mud coating was applied too thick, it can shrink upon drying. This will lead to hairline cracking along the joints. These cracks may also occur if too much water is added to the mud compound to thin it out. In both instances, any cracking is a result of poor workmanship by the drywall installers, not structural damage.

Spiderweb cracking caused by drywall or paint issues are essentially superficial in nature, and many homeowners simply choose to ignore them as they pose no structural danger. However, if you wish to repair, it is a fairly straightforward process of removing the offending paint, tape or drywall compound and reapplying the paint or tape correctly.

House Settling

The appearance of cracking along the edges of walls is usually associated with the house settling. These are normal, so there is no need for alarm. It is recommended that you mark where the cracks begin and end. This is so you can monitor their progress over time – just in case.

Structural Damage

Cracks wider than one-eighth of an inch, or those which run across the length of the ceiling and continue down the walls, are signs of structural damage and should be of great concern. Usually, these cracks are the sign of a wall-stud failure, either through settling, or being jarred loose somehow. Cracks accompanied by bowing in the ceiling should also raise alarm bells, as they are typically the result of too much weight on the ceiling and indicate structural weakness.

If you believe that cracking in your ceiling may be the result of a structural defect, it is essential that you contact a qualified repair company immediately. The roofing experts at Aastro Roofing have over 30 years’ experience repairing, installing and maintaining roofs in South Florida. You can feel secure contacting us today at (561) 409-3280 for a free estimate.

National Roofing Week 2018

National Roofing Week 2018

Extremely necessary but seldom thought of, roofs are one of the main health factors of a home. A roof should be regularly treated and maintained with care yet are often neglected until they fall into disrepair. To rectify the disconnect, the National Roofing Week was born.

This week-long event takes place every summer during the first full week of June. Each day features different activities designed to raise awareness and celebrate the roofing industry. Keep reading for more on National Roofing Week 2018 (June 3rd – June 9th.).

The Significance of Your Home’s RoofMaintaining Your Roof

The primary focus of National Roofing Week: to increase awareness regarding the significance of your home or business’ roof. The National Roofing Contractors Association organized the celebration as an effort to emphasize roof maintenance around the nation and promote being proactive. Home and business owners will often completely neglect their roof until it is damaged or causing issues. The key to preventing these issues is maintaining your roof’s structure.

The Good Deeds of The Industry

This industry holiday also seeks to recognize the contributions made by the roofing industry. Whether it’s superb customer service, pro bono roof repairs after a devastating storm, or roofing work that is actually done correctly, the NRCA seeks to shine a light on the good deeds done in the roofing industry. There are many roofing companies and many of them being family owned – like ours! When a family works together, good things happen.

Professional Roofing ContractorProfessional Roofing Contractors

The NRCA also sought to establish National Roofing Week to highlight the importance of hiring professional roofing contractors. These professionals are trained to make practical and informed decisions about roof repair, maintenance, and replacement. If you want an opinion you can trust, professional roofing contractors are who to go to.

Social Media Themes

For this year’s National Roofing Week, the NRCA has put together a social media schedule you can either participate in as a contractor or keep track of as a home/business owner.

Here is what they have in store for 2018:

  • June 3: National Roofing Week Kick Off/Intro Video
  • June 4: Employee Appreciation
  • June 5: Employee Training
  • June 6: Charity
  • June 7: Showcase of signature residential and commercial projects
  • June 8: How NRCA Members celebrated/Announcement of Children’s Art Contest winners
  • June 9: National Roofing Week Wrap-up

Children’s Art Contest

To celebrate National Roofing Week, the NRCA is hosting an annual Children’s Art Contest. NRCA members and their employees can participate in the competition. Sons, daughters, step-children, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren of NRCA members can all enter their artwork into the competition. Children entering the contest are asked to imagine what roofs will look like in the future.

Winners from each age group win gift certificates and other kinds of fun prizes along with having their artwork on display throughout National Roofing Week and other roofing events throughout the year. Additionally, the roofing industry relative of the winner will receive two free tickets to the 2019 International Roofing Expo®.

National Roofing Week is near and dear to our hearts and we hope you are as excited as we are. We can’t stress enough the importance of properly maintaining your roof and treating its system with professional care. The Aastro family is one you can trust for all your roofing needs. Call us today for a free estimate and expert advice. (561) 623-3710

 

Monthly Home Maintenance Check list

Monthly Home Maintenance Checklist

For most Americans, our home and property is our biggest investment. We spend long hours working so we can pay our mortgage, maintain our homes, and pay off other bills. If you spend a couple days a month doing some maintenance around your home, you will have fewer problems all around. To keep your home value high, here is our monthly home maintenance checklist:

Rid Your Home of Moisture

Water impacts the integrity of your home more than any other element. If you don’t have rain gutters on your home, you need to install them as soon as possible. Gutters direct water off of your roof which helps prevent fungus and mold growth. They also direct water away from your home’s foundation. If you already have gutters, make sure to clean out all of the leaves and buildup. Otherwise, your gutters can’t do their job.

Rid House of Moisture

Check your roof for leaks every month to prevent serious damages. The quicker you discover a leak, the easier it will be to fix. Going up in your attic is a great way to see entryways for water. It’s also a good idea to sand around your yard in areas where it’s beginning to collect water. This will prolong the life and look of your grass.

Prep Your Pool

Winter has passed! This past winter Florida actually experienced some cool weather. But not for long. Spring is here and summer is on the way. Which means It’s time to prep your pool!! If you have children, you want to check on a monthly basis that the pool and surrounding area is safe for them to use. You’ll need to treat the water, check and replace valves and filters, and inspect all the equipment. This maintenance should be done monthly, whether you are using your pool or not. Keep your pool healthy and happy all year round, and you’ll have less work to do.

Prep Pool

Scrub a Dub Dub

It might sound strange to give your house a bath but believe us, it’s not! It’s very beneficial. Cleaning your homes outside walls, windows, and roof prevents heavy soiling from happening. This helps with your home’s appeal and strength. You’ll want to scrub your patio or deck, as well. You can use a pressure cleaner on your driveway and sidewalks.

Replace Filters

You should replace your A/C Filter(s) every one to two months. How often you should replace your A/C Filter depends on a few things:

  • the type of air filter you are using
  • the overall indoor air quality
  • how many pets are in the home
  • the number of people occupying the home
  • the level of air pollution and construction around the home

Take these factors into consideration so you get the most efficiency out of your A/C filters. Check for any other filters in your home, like your laundry room or kitchen.  

Clean Your Floors

Cleaning your floors should obviously be done more than once a month. But a nice deep cleaning is what I’m talking about. Carpets, especially if you have pets, should be vacuumed and scrubbed with carpet cleaner. You can even throw smaller rugs into your washing machine. If you have hardwood floors, vacuum and then clean them with hardwood floor cleaner. The trick to keeping your hardwood floors shiny is buffing them dry afterward. Otherwise, you’re bound to get streaks.

Clean Your Floors

There you have it! A few tips you can use when creating your monthly home maintenance checklist. In order to keep your home happy and healthy, maintain it properly! You can even gather the family together and take care of everything in one shot. If you have any issues or need help with a roof inspection give Aastro Roofing a call at (561) 409-3280.