Roof Talk-101  When It Starts Getting Cooler Critters Are Going To Start Moving Into Your Attic

1. What are the most common animals that you're asked to remove from attics or walls?Throughout the year the frequency of each animal changes, but the majority of the calls we receive come from rat, raccoon or squirrel problems.

2. What warning signs should alert a homeowner that they have an animal in their attic or crawl space? It's important to always pay attention to your home. Many homeowners never pay attention to the exterior of their houses.  If they did they could catch loose siding or soffit before their critter problems get out of control. I often hear clients say something to the effect of, "I never come to this side of my house," when I'm performing an exterior inspection and find a very obvious hole or opening. Aside from that, animals are likely to make noise inside the attic, scratching, scurrying, scampering, gnawing, etc. It's not a good idea to ignore these noises or to assume they'll simply go away.

3. Is there one time of year more than others when animals will enter your home? Cold temperatures are always going to push more animals into homes. Even in south Texas, where our winters are both mild and short, it still gets cold enough to send animals into attics and walls looking for a warm place to hide. The mating season, and birthing season directly following, tends to keep animals inside until the blistering heat of the summer months.

4. How are animals entering the home? What can homeowners do to seal up entry points?Every home has vents and construction gaps that can be pushed and manipulated by animals trying to make their way inside. In many cases, it only takes a little bit of space for a rodent to gnaw a hole in wooden soffit or siding that's large enough to squeeze through. Aluminum or vinyl soffit and siding aren't always fastened into corners and can be pushed or pulled, opening doorways directly into the attic. Worse, rats and mice can squeeze through holes as small as a 1/2”, so it's easy to miss these possible entryways. We use a number of materials including 1/4" hardware cloth, sheet metal, expanding foam, and surface bonding cement to close up any openings we can find to keep critters out.

5. What damage can be done by animals in your attic or inside your walls? The scariest part of having animals in your attic or walls is that the electrical wiring, heating and cooling, and plumbing systems typically run through these areas as well. Rats, mice and squirrels all suffer from constantly-growing teeth. Because of this, they have to gnaw on whatever they can find to file their teeth down. When they move into the attic or walls all of those internal systems may become the targets of errant chewing. This can lead to fire, leaking or contaminated air conditioning, and flooding. Furthermore, these animals carry fleas, parasites, and diseases on their bodies and in their waste that can be transmitted to anyone inside the home.

6. What methods do you use to catch and remove animals? The most effective method to catch and remove animals is to seal off all of the entry points, down to the primary opening, and use live traps to trap the remaining animals inside. These methods allow us to solve the problem permanently as opposed to possibly catching the animal and leaving the home open for re-entry in the future.

7. What qualities do you look for in a dependable and durable animal trap? To get rid of animals in your attic or walls, use a live-catch cage trap with thick wire gauge, a heavy-duty door and a small amount of moving parts. Havahart 1079 traps are easy to set and maintain, and work for a wide variety of animals. The smaller squirrel traps work just as well.

ROOFGUARD-LLC has been installing commercial roofing systems for over 30 years. We have the solutions you are looking for if you desire a new commercial roof or need a re-roof. ROOFGUARD -LLC only uses the best products and installation practices to insure you have a worry free commercial roof. For more information ROOFGUARD-LLC visit us at. www.roofguardtexas.com and we also invite you to Like Us on our Roofguardtexas Facebook Page .

Roof Talk-101 4 Steps To Preparing Your Roof For Fall And Winter

Roof Talk-101  4 Steps To Preparing Your Roof For Fall And                                Winter

The summer days are cooling off, the kids are starting a new school year and we are reminded that the long rainy season is about to return. Fall is a magical season, and it’s the time of year when we should button up our homes as well as our jackets. Between now and the first freeze of winter, there are four things you can do to prepare your roof for bad weather.

CLEAN THE GUTTERS

When leaves and debris collect in your gutter system, eventually, it will create a clog in the downspouts. Rain water will overflow the gutters, damaging your roof, trim and siding. The added weight of the wet leaves and water could also cause your gutters to pull loose from the anchor point or collapse.

To prevent these problems and unforeseen repair costs, make sure to keep your gutters relatively clear through the fall. And, once the trees around your home are bare, do a thorough cleaning. You can also get out ahead of the fall season and have gutter screens or guards installed to prevent the collection of debris in the first place. We recommend Master Shield gutter protection system.

Clear Off Debris

It’s important to remove leaves, pine needles, and other debris from the surface of your roof as well as your gutters. Even small bits of debris will hold moisture and possibly rot or mold, which will break down your roofing material.

If you’re confident and experienced in walking on your roof, get up there and broom or blow off the debris that has collected on your roof, paying special attention to the valleys, which are most vulnerable to water damage. Make sure they are free and clear of debris so as to allow water to flow.

As part of our roof evaluation and maintenance services, we also treat roofs for moss, which is certainly not a bad idea in our moist climate.

CHECK FOR DAMAGES AND DETERIORATION

With a clean roof, scan the surface for missing shingles or ones that have cracked curled or frayed edges. You can use binoculars to inspect from the ground or climb up to the roof to have a look.

Also check for damaged flashing around vent stacks, chimneys, and skylights. These areas are the usual suspects when you have a leak. Repairing flashing yourself may not always provide the results you expect, so give us a call and we’ll make sure everything is sealed properly before the rain hits.

ATTIC INSULATION AND VENTILATION

Without adequate airflow in your attic, you could be looking at higher-that-necessary energy bills and roof leaks emerging in a snowstorm. During the day, sunlight hits your roof and heats up the air in your attic. Without vents located at the soffits, ridges, and/or gables of your roof, the hot air condensates, causing moisture damage and possible mold or rot in your roof’s supports.

This heat can also cause ice dams in higher elevations, inviting leaks when snow accumulates on your roof.

Additionally, when that hot air has nowhere else to go, it will seep into and overheat your living space, asking you to use your AC more than you have to. This is one of the reasons why insulation is so critical to an energy efficient home.

ROOFGUARD-LLC has been installing commercial roofing systems for over 30 years. We have the solutions you are looking for if you desire a new commercial roof or need a re-roof. ROOFGUARD -LLC only uses the best products and installation practices to insure you have a worry free commercial roof. For more information ROOFGUARD-LLC visit us at. www.roofguardtexas.com and we also invite you to Like Us on our Roofguardtexas Facebook Page .

ROOF TALK-101 5 KEY WAYS BUSINESSES ARE IMPACTED BY FLOODS

Roof Talk-101  5 KEY WAYS BUSINESSES ARE IMPACTED BY FLOODS

Often when we suffer severe flooding the focus is on homes that have been damaged and the residents that suffer as a result. What can get overlooked are the devastating effects that floods can have on businesses too.

Many businesses are directly and indirectly impacted and in some cases never recover from the damage caused as a result of flooding. Although insurance can cover some of the cost there are also the costs that can’t be reclaimed. Unfortunately not all businesses take necessary precautions and are often underinsured.

Here are just 5 of the ways that businesses can be affected by flood damage.

LOSS OF STOCK AND ASSETS

Floods can cause huge losses of stock and assets. Company vehicles, fixtures and fittings and saleable stock can all be damaged beyond repair. Whilst many of these items can be replaced the costs can be huge and the claims process can drag on. Businesses may not have the immediate funds to replace these items which results in a loss of business and customers seeking alternative suppliers.

Farmers can lose livestock and crops along with essential equipment. Restaurants have to dispose of food that is contaminated and unusable. Retailers need to get rid of water damaged goods that can no longer be sold. Plant machinery and equipment damaged beyond repair can cause manufacturing to come to a halt. The examples go on and on.

If there is significant warning that floods and storms could occur, then there are preventative measures that can be taken to minimise damage; unfortunately this isn’t always possible. Businesses must ensure that they have adequate insurance and, if they are in a flood risk area, make sure they take precautions to protect their stock and assets.

CLOSURE OF BUSINESS PREMISES

Where flood water has entered a business premises there may be a need to close the business. In some cases staff can work from a temporary location but for some businesses this just isn’t an option. A restaurant or retailer may have to close for an indefinite length of time and customers will be forced to shop elsewhere.

It can take months to dry out and restore a property after a flood. Being forced to evacuate during this period can devastate a business. Wages and bills still have to be paid but if no money is coming in then reserve funds get depleted pretty quickly. Unfortunately many smaller businesses cannot survive loss of business to this level.

Depending on the type of business it can be possible to find alternative measures whilst the flood damaged premises is under repair. If the company has proper insurance then the costs should be covered. Keeping clients, suppliers and employees informed after a flood is vital in keeping a business running.

LOSS OF POWER AND DATA

Water and electrics don’t mix and even if a business isn’t directly hit by the flood, surrounding power and telephone lines could be affected. Whilst power and communication lines tend to get restored relatively quickly, there are occasions where delays are experienced. Not having power can have a big impact on a business. Fridges and freezers defrosting in restaurants and shops can cause massive stock loss. Manufacturing equipment and tools can’t be used without power. Computers that can’t be switched on can cause businesses to grind to a halt.

In some instances power surges, or water getting into electrics, can cause damage to server systems and businesses can lose all their data. Businesses that rely heavily on telephony systems can lose hundreds of pounds worth of business if telephone lines are down.

Businesses at risk of flood that rely heavily on electrical equipment should consider back up power or emergency generators as a contingency measure. It is also worth investing in good back up for data in case any servers are affected.

INDIRECT EFFECTS

Whilst a business may have survived physical flooding they may still be affected. Subcontractors and suppliers may have been hit and this can have a knock on effect.

Road closures from floods may also affect trade. People can’t buy from shops and restaurants if they can’t get to them. It can also restrict getting deliveries in and out. Staff can also be affected by road closures as they may not be able to physically get to work if access is limited. This could mean the business doesn’t open at all until the roads are open again.

Although a business premises may have survived floods there could be employees that have been directly affected. They may need time off work or even be unable to get to work if their homes or the area around them has been flooded. Being displaced due to flooding and losing belongings can be an extremely difficult time and employees may have to take long periods of time off. Loss of manpower can invariably translate into reduced efficiency of a business.

Flooding can have a negative effect on the local economy. Even if a business wasn’t directly affected they may still see a drop in revenue. Repairing infrastructure, loss of lives and destruction of properties all impact on the local community and recovering can take a long time.

LONG TERM EFFECTS

Even after a business has recovered from the short term effects of flooding it can still continue to incur cost as a result. The time spent clearing up debris, compiling an inventory of lost stock, completing paperwork for insurance claims and dealing with the immediate issues will have taken time away from usual operations. Add to that the back log of orders or the appointments that need rescheduling and trying to recoup the business lost. It can take many months to get business back on track.

There are also potential issues with mould, damp, rot and mildew that the increased humidity and unwanted water may have caused. If this hasn’t been detected and treated then it could result in bigger problems and more cost along the line.

Businesses that are forced to evacuate for long periods can really struggle to win back customers. During closure those customers have had to shop elsewhere and they may be reluctant to switch back again. Just getting the word out that a business is back up and running can take time and customers may be cautious at first.

Flooded businesses will also have to contend with the inevitable increase in insurance premiums which will certainly have an impact on the budget.

WHAT CAN BUSINESSES DO?

Unfortunately it isn’t always possible to protect against flooding. Businesses should make sure they understand the level of risk to them and the steps being taken by local authorities to defend against flood. They must invest in adequate insurance and keep the policies in a safe, watertight place.

Taking precautions such as investing in sand bags, keeping stock off the floors and out of basement areas and keeping drains clear and gutters free from debris, can help. Doing risk assessments is a worthwhile task. It won’t prevent floods but at least it can help identify what a business would be up against should the worst happen and what contingencies can be put in place.

ROOFGUARD-LLC has been installing commercial roofing systems for over 30 years. We have the solutions you are looking for if you desire a new commercial roof or need a re-roof. ROOFGUARD -LLC only uses the best products and installation practices to insure you have a worry free commercial roof. For more information ROOFGUARD-LLC visit us at. www.roofguardtexas.com and we also invite you to Like Us on our Roofguardtexas Facebook Page .

Roof Talk-101  6 Things You Should Do After Your House Floods

Erin Doman

One of the most damaging and devastating things you can ever experience as a homeowner is a flood. There are many causes of household flooding including:

• Heavy rains
• Sewer back-up
• Malfunctioning sump-pump
• Burst pipes

No matter what the cause, you should still know what you should do if your house floods. Taking care of the problem earlier will help reduce the amount of damage after and will make clean-up and repair easier.

1. Safety First

The first step in any major home disaster is to remain safe. You may be forced to leave your home if the flooding is bad enough. Make sure you are also safe when you return to your home to begin dealing with the aftermath. This may include turning off the power, as water and electricity obviously do not mix. Be sure to wear protective clothing–such as rubber boots and gloves–when you reenter your home. Not only will you be dealing with the water itself, but also whatever else the water has been in contact with, namely debris or even sewage. It is best to protect yourself against whatever harmful chemicals and items the flooding may have washed in.

Be sure to never eat food that has been contaminated by flood waters, or even in close proximity to the water for an extended period of time. If the water was high enough to reach your refrigerator or any of your pantry cabinets, it is safest practice to go ahead and throw the food away and just buy more. Be sure to thoroughly wash any dinnerware, glasses, and flatware that might have been caught in the house flood before you use it again.

2. Stopping and Removing Water

One of the first things you should do when your house floods is stop the source of water coming in if at all possible. If your sump-pump is broken or malfunctioning, replacing it will help keep up with any continuing rains and may prevent further damage to your basement, garage, crawl space, or main floor. Calling the city to remove debris from storm drains may also be necessary in order to help stop flooding.

If your flooded home was caused by a burst pipe, fix the plumbing as soon as possible to lessen water damage. The sooner you stop the water from coming in, the sooner you can get to cleaning up and repairing any damages.

After that, it’s time to remove the water. Depending on the level of flooding you have experienced or even the rooms in your home that have been affected, your process might change. You may need to bail water out using buckets and bins or use hoses to drain large amounts of water from your basement. As the water begins receding, you can use a wet vacuum to suck remaining bits of water and moisture from carpets and floors. If you’re lucky and the damage is minimal, you might be able to simply mop the mess up.

Even if you are successful in removing all of the standing water from your home, everything will remain damp and wet, especially if heavy rains have increased the humidity in your area. If you have power, use your air conditioning and portable fans to help dry the wet areas of your home.

3. Drying Out Your Home

Dehumidifiers are also a big help, especially in closed off spaces such as basements or crawl spaces. Dehumidifiers work by removing excess moisture from the air. This is the easiest way to dry out your home and minimize the potential water damage you might be dealing with, as it does not require you to actively clean. However, in the case of a house flood, dehumidifiers are only supplemental and you are likely to need multiple methods of action. Dehumidifiers are recommended for anyone who lives in a damp climate or an area that experiences longer rainy seasons, as they can prevent some of the problems associated with this type of weather, both for you and your home.

4. Calling the Insurance Company

Your homeowners’ insurance will vary depending on what policies you have, but many insurance companies cover flooding due to storms, backed-up city sewers and storm drains, broken sump-pumps or burst pipes. The insurance company will send an adjuster to look at and assess the damage and determine if it is a covered loss. If your losses and damages are covered, the sooner you call the insurance company, the sooner they will pay out. Repairs can become costly, but the insurance money will help get your home back in order quicker with less of a financial burden on you.

Your insurance company may not be able to send an adjuster right away, especially if your flooding is part of a larger weather event. Document values of everything and take as many photos as possible before, during, and after clean-up. This will help the adjuster when he or she is able to come assess the damage.

5. Clean-Up

Once the water is gone and you have called your insurance company, it’s time to begin post-flood care. You can call in a professional clean-up crew or else begin work yourself. This may involve determining what is salvageable and throwing away anything that is too damaged or no longer safe to use. If the flooding in your home was widespread, you may have to bring in a roll-off dumpster for easy disposal of larger damaged items, as you will find your trash bags filling quickly.

Be aware that you may need to remove flooring, drywall, and insulation to prevent mold and mildew from spreading in your home. Furniture may also need to be dried out, cleaned or thrown away depending on the level of water damage. Unless you are exceptionally handy, it is probably best to call in a professional company that specializes in mold removal. Mold can begin developing within the first 24 hours after a flood, and once it has started growing it can be difficult to fully remove. The quicker you remove items from water and begin drying them, the less likely they are to be lost to mold, but it’s always best to err on the side of caution and have a professional assess the situation.

6. Repairs

The aftermath of a house flood can typically take the longest amount of time. You may have broken windows from the water rushing in, flooring that may need to be replaced, and broken possessions in need of repair. After your insurance company pays out for qualified damages, you can hire a contractor if one is needed. Be sure to board up any broken windows and remove any harmful debris from flooded areas.

If you have electronics that were submerged in water or were damaged in the flood, make sure to have them checked out by a professional before plugging them back in to a power source. This includes your television sets, stereos, game consoles, computers, and appliances.

If you are unsure about what your first steps for home repairs should be when your house floods, then hiring a construction company that specializes in flood or natural disaster repairs can be helpful. They can determine if walls need replaced or if your floors have been compromised by the flood waters. A professional construction company can help you safely enjoy your home once again failure to completely clean up your home after a house flood can lead to severe and costly damage that can affect the hidden corners of your home without you even realizing it. Not only can this damage the structural integrity of your home, but it can lead to costly repairs for your electrical system, HVAC, etc.

What Happens if You Don’t Clean Your Home After a Flood?

Above all, failure to clean up after your house floods can create perfect conditions for mold to grow, which can lead to illness. Mold can be unpleasant–even dangerous, for some people. Mold can cause severe allergy symptoms as well as lead to asthma, which is particularly dangerous for children and the elderly. However, there are things you can do to prevent the growth of mold after a house flood, including the use of special equipment, chemicals, and utilizing a professional company.

It is a smart idea to invest in an air purifier to prevent the growth and spreading of mold spores.Air purifiers can help keep your indoor air free of more than just mold spores. These appliances can also remove unpleasant odors, pollen, pet dander and more from your air, which helps promote a healthy home. It is recommended that anyone who experiences allergies or asthma symptoms invests in an air purifier.

ROOFGUARD-LLC has been installing commercial roofing systems for over 30 years. We have the solutions you are looking for if you desire a new commercial roof or need a re-roof. ROOFGUARD -LLC only uses the best products and installation practices to insure you have a worry free commercial roof. For more information ROOFGUARD-LLC visit us at. www.roofguardtexas.com and we also invite you to Like Us on our Roofguardtexas Facebook Page .