1) Clean Off Debris

Cleaning your roof about every year can decrease the likelihood of bacteria buildup. Make sure to clear your gutters of debris and anything else that can get stuck and restrict the flow of water.

2) Observe Any Changes

We recommend making frequent inspections and observations of your roof in order to not miss any defects that could compromise the integrity of your roof in fully protecting your home. Notice when you see any missing or damaged areas of your roof, and call the professionals at Hercules Roofing to assess the damage and potential threat.

3) Upkeep Surrounding Area

Many homeowners in South Florida have trees and other large plants in the surrounding yard of their homes. The low hanging branches can pose a potential threat when storms strike the area. Lessen the likelihood of roof damage from falling branches and debris, by cutting back the surrounding vegetation.

4) Prevent Roof Breakdown

Check for rust buildup on any areas of your roof that are metal. Rust can lead to roof breakdown and to more frequent repairs if not cared for. If you do notice your roof appears to have small areas with rust, you can use a wire-brush to easily remove it.

5) Prepare For The Future

Hercules Roofing can service all your roofing needs; we offer a variety of services including roof repair, maintenance, replacement, as well as leak detection. We are committed to maintaining your roof to ensure your safety and security inside the home. If you notice damaged areas of your roof, don’t wait to call so we can assess the damage and prevent further breakdown of your roof.

Scrutinize Roof Shingles

The shingles that line your roof are the first line of defense for your roof. Damaged or missing shingles mean a leaky roof. If those shingles are lifting up, it is easier for water to get into the underlayment and into the house. Over time, water and wind from storms beat down on the roof and wear away the grit of the asphalt shingles diminishing their effectiveness.

Not all damaged shingles will be visibly lifting up, but that’s not the only sign they need to be replaced. Torn shingles and shingle creases are two other common signs that those shingles need to be replaced. Hercules Roofing believes that not all roofs need a replacement. Instead, many problems, like shingle replacement, can and should be repaired before the problem turns into a leak.

Inspect Roof Flashing

Roof flashing is usually made from rust-resistant metal, and it is placed around skylights, chimneys, and vents to create a barrier between the roof and the inside. It also runs along the valleys and crevices of the roof to direct water. Caulk is used to create a seal, and this caulk could wear over time.

Monitoring the points of contact on your roof with flashing is another way to take spot problems before they start. Summer heat can cause the caulk to swell and contract over time which wears it away. If you do notice worn-out caulking or leaks, call Hercules Roofing as soon as possible. We offer 24/7 emergency roof repair and inspections. Taking care of the problem before it gets worse could save you a lot of money in repair bills.

Check Your Drains And Gutters

Clogged drains and gutters can create a multitude of problems. Water overflow could accumulate around your home causing erosion at the foundation. Also, leaves and debris in the gutter are great places for pests to hide, and these pests will eventually find their way into your home. But for your roof, it could cause the shingles to rot and leaks inside your home leading to even bigger problems like mold.

As the old saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” That couldn’t be more accurate when it comes to your residential or commercial roof; maintenance is important. Replacing a roof can be a costly and time-consuming process, so it is critical to inspect your roof at least twice a year – once in spring and once in fall. A well-maintained roof will go a long way to prevent it from damage and can catch simple repairs early which can increase the life of your roof. So this spring, follow these suggestions from Hercules Roofing!

Remove Debris

Debris on your roof causes two problems. First off, it just doesn’t look good. Second, debris traps moisture, and moisture is the prime condition for mildew, mold, and moss. These things can cause your tiles to rot which causes them to need to be replaced. To clean debris, you can use your hand to pick up the big pieces. A soft broom, or a leaf blower if you have one, can remove the rest of the debris that is left over. Be careful with a broom – too much pressure can scrape off the granules or damage tiles which will reduce the life of your roof.

Do Not Pressure Wash

This point is serious enough to include in its own section. Let’s just say you saw your neighbor on his roof pressure washing last weekend, and now it looks brand new. You’ve got a pressure cleaner that you use on your driveway, so why not just haul it up to the roof and get that debris, mold, and moss in one shot? Besides being dangerous, a pressure washer does more harm than good, and you’ll end up replacing the roof sooner than you had planned. The water from the pressure washer damages the tiles by scraping off the granules, and it causes debris and moisture to get lodged between tiles, causing your roof to rot.

Check for Leaks

The best time to check for a roof leak is when it’s raining because that’s when the leaks will be easiest to see. Bring a flashlight into the attic and check for the tell-tale signs: wet insulation, water stain on the wall, puddles on the floor, or mold and mildew growth. Unfortunately, the leak’s origin may not be obvious. Either way, you should always call in a professional as soon as you suspect a leak. At Hercules Roofing, we know the tricks water can play to get through even the best roofing systems. We can replace your shingles and make the other necessary repairs to your leaky roof. We even provide 24-hour, emergency service to stop the leak right away!

Clean the Gutters

You should regularly check your gutters, especially after a big storm. You may think that your gutters hang off your roof, so they don’t affect the roof. However, if your gutters aren’t clean, the water and debris that should be draining through them will be trapped on the roof. At this point in the article, you should be well aware of the dangers of moisture and debris! Cleaning your gutters can be easy with the right tools and a little time, but the reward is not having to replace your roof.

Effectively Maintaining a Commercial Roof

There are many factors/variables to take into consideration that can affect a roof. Natural influences like temperature, moisture, and age can all take a toll over time. Heavy rain and winds (especially the hurricane-force winds found in South Florida) can drastically affect the structural integrity of any roof or building, regardless of how it seems at face value. The necessity for a comprehensive assessment of the condition of a roof is one that shouldn’t be ignored. It’s recommended that commercial roofs be inspected by a professional company a minimum of twice a year. Letting these tasks slip by and shirking off responsibilities can be a drastic mistake, and can possibly lead to a roof deteriorating at a faster rate.

Regular Inspections are the Key to Success

Inspections are an important part of the process of maintaining any roof or commercial building. Staying up-to-date with inspections can make sure that you avoid any expensive problems, such as leaks, the building’s insulation becoming ineffective, or even structural damage. On the inside of the building, you might notice water stains on the ceilings or walls, indicating that there’s an external leak somewhere that needs to be taken care of immediately.

Hercules Roofing Does the Job Right

Preventative maintenance is important to the longevity of any commercial building or residential home. Our maintenance plans are the best way to make sure your roof is cared for. Our licensed contractors are dedicated to providing our clients with top-of-the-line work and care. Your satisfaction is our priority and we know we’ll exceed any and all expectations. Call us today at (561)220-9998 or contact us online today for a free estimate.

You finally decide to throw a family get together after not seeing your in-laws for a few years. Things have been tense but now there’s a new hope of easing relations and letting the past be the past. That fateful Sunday brunch finally comes and your worst, and unexpected, nightmares come true. As soon as your in-laws get out of the car they see the unsightly black stains on your shingled roof and begin to tear apart all the hard work that went into this gathering. If only you had thought ahead! Avoid this and any other hypothetical disaster by learning how to get those shingles clean today!

Bring Your Roof From Drab to Fab

If you live in a more humid area of the country, you are probably familiar with the black streaks that eventually plague the shingles of any home. But what you didn’t know is that those streaks are caused by a common type of algae: gloeocapsa magma. Given enough time, even rooftops treated with algaecide will eventually fall victim to the effects of nature. Algae, common as it may be, isn’t the only factor in the equation to make a roof look old and unsightly; there’s always mold, vegetation, and just simple dirt to take into account.

Drop That Pressure Washer

Contrary to what you might think, pressure washing your roof is a terrible mistake. “But what about my neighbor, Dominic? I’ve seen him get his roof looking great in just an hour with his pressure washer,” you might ask us. Sure, it will likely clean your roof, but what you are really doing is severely cutting down the life of your shingles. The granules in shingles are what enable them to protect your home from the elements; pressure washing will strip granules from your shingles, effectively making them weaker and more susceptible to the aging process.

Let’s Get Started

So now that you’re ready to clean those shingles, here’s what you’ll need: a standard garden pump sprayer, a cleaning solution that is non-corrosive and bleach-free (bleach products will damage your roof and possibly your yard due to runoff), a garden hose, and of course a ladder. Safety protection is imperative so we suggest you get some slip-resistant shoes and goggles before starting.

Rinse your roof with water before applying the cleaning solution. This will ensure that the solution doesn’t dry out quickly and you have time to let it soak.
Spray your roof with the cleaning solution and make sure you get those heavily affected spots. Do your best to cover every part of your roof or you’ll end up with spotty looking results.
After letting the solution sit for approximately 15-20 minutes, use the garden hose to rinse the solution off your shingles.