A reliable Florida roofing contractor can educate you and steer you in the right direction. A roofing contractor is an expert and can help you understand different roofing materials, their lifespans and installation costs. Every three years, the Fidus Group recommends a thorough roof inspection to make sure your roofing material is standing up to the elements.  Options of roof materials seen in Florida include:

• composite shingles
• clay
• terracotta
• concrete tile
• slate
• metal

Composite shingles – Composite shingles made of asphalt, fiberglass or other materials, are the most common roofing material in America. This roofing material offers durability with an affordable price tag. You can find composite shingles in a variety of brands, colors, and sizes and are installed easily. They require low maintenance and provide Class A fire protection. Shingles warranties range from 15-40 years depending on the type and thickness. On the negative side, composite shingles can blow off easily in high winds and can in some cases scar with heat.

Clay, terracotta, and concrete roofing tile – Very common in Florida, tile roofing offers a great architectural look and a lifespan around 50 years. Tiles, although a more expensive choice, wont rot or burn, cannot be damaged by insects, and require little maintenance. Tiles come in many colors, types and styles to give your house a unique look. The biggest negative of roofing tiles is their weight. Roofing tiles can be very heavy, sometimes much to heavy for a roof to bear requiring the need for extra support. Also, tiles can break when walked on making maintenance difficult.

Slate – slate roofs are made up of shingle-like slivers of rock. Slate is one of the most expensive roofing choices but offers an upscale look with a lifespan of 45-60 years. Benefits are similar to those of roofing tile. Slate offers great fire protection, low maintenance and invulnerability to rot and insects. Downsides, also similar to roofing tile, slate shingles are very heavy requiring extra support and is also breakable when walked on.

Metal roofing – Standing-seam steel metal roofing is the most popular residential metal roofing used today. The term standing-seam refers to the upturned edge where the metal sheets meet but metal roofing is also seen in the form of shingles or tiles. Metal roofs are durable, fire retardant, and almost maintenance free and can last from 75-100 years. They also are very energy efficient as they reflect heat and block the transfer of heat into the attic. Research by the Florida Solar Energy Center has shown that metal roofing absorbs 34% less heat than asphalt shingles and can save a household up to 20% in energy costs. Metal roofing can also carry a very high price tag, especially premium metals such as copper. Also, the installation process can be very intricate increasing the initial cost of the roof.

Full roof replacement can be an expensive and stressful process. It is important to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of all the different roofing materials. Although some materials have higher price tags, their lifespan can last for up to a century.

The state of Florida requires a licensed Florida contractor to do all residential and commercial roofing work. For this reason it is important to consult with a roofing expert such as Jacksonville Roofer, the Fidus Group, a GAF certified roofing contractor, when making this big decision.

These events can cause great damage to your roof and therefore your home leading to costly and time consuming roof replacement and repair. Hiring a professional Florida roofing contractor for annual or semi annual roof maintenance can prevent damage and prolong the durability and life span of your roof.

By using a local roofing contractor who knows Florida’s conditions, roofing materials that work best, and common roofing issues that occur, you can have an effective roof maintenance program. A maintenance program helps avoid the following types of damages that plague homes all over Florida.

Loss of support – Florida’s heavy rains, winds, hurricanes, and tornadoes can cause serious damage to your roof’s structure and cause a serious safety concern for your family and home. Enough damage from the extreme weather can lead to the loss of support and eventually complete roof collapse.

Flashing Damage – Flashing is the metal part of your roof that covers the gaps where your roofing material meets with your home, chimney, pipes etc. to deflect water from seams and joints. When your flashing fails, water is able to leak into your home causing major issues such as mold and water damage.

Extreme Weather Damage- your roof is designed to withstand severe weather related events but roofing materials have different levels of durability and life times.  In Florida however we often see severe hurricanes that can cause serious damage or even demolish our roofs despite their durability. It is important to get them checked by a professional after any type of severe weather incident to make sure they are still protecting our home.

After choosing the right material and installing a roof, it is important that you are proactive and keep up with its maintenance. A roof can last over 30 years but if you ignore its maintenance, it can quickly fail.  A roofing maintenance program with a professional Florida roofing contractor can ensure that your roof is in top shape and that your home and family are being protected.

A roof leak can be hard to find and once found, can be hard to repair. Here are some tips from the Fidus Group that will help you find the leak and will let you know what type of roofing repairs need to be made.

Popular Spots for Leaks
One problem with locating a leak is that it often starts at a different spot than where you see the water on the interior of your house. The way water flows along your roof will help you find the source of the water that has breached the roof materials. When water gets through a crack or gap in the roof material, it won’t generally drip into the home at the spot it entered. If there are cracks or gaps in existing shingles or places where shingles are missing, water can seep in through the roof materials at these locations. Also, if there are bad or damaged seals on the roof, water can also seep in there. Once water gets in through the gaps or cracks, it usually flows along the underside of the roof or along the rafters in the attic before it comes into the living space.

Finding the Leak
The only time you should look for a leak in your roof is during daylight hours. You need to be able to see the details of the roof and the roof materials. The best place to begin is in the attic. Look for signs that water has flowed into the space either along the ceiling or along the rafters. You may be able to see marks where the water flowed onto the wood or along the rafters or ceiling. Once you locate water marks they should lead you to the point in the ceiling or roof where the water was able to leak in. Just follow the water mark back up to the highest point where the water marks are visible.

Roof Leak Repairs
Sometimes roof leak repairs can be as simple as replacing a missing or damaged shingle. However, it can often be of great benefit to consult a roofing contractor for repairing any roofing repairs or roof maintenance. A roofing contractor can also check the rest of the roof and the shingles for damage. If you’re able to locate one area where damage created a leak, it’s likely there are other areas that also need attention or repair. Florida’s weather is a challenge for any roof. The Fidus Group best understands the danger that Florida’s heavy rain and winds can bring and addresses the entire roofing system when pinpointing problems and constructs roofs to withstand the toughest weather conditions.

Call The Fidus Group today at 904-758-6000 to schedule a FREE in-home consultation and estimate for your next home improvement project. We’re the smart choice in roofing contractors Jacksonville FL.

Take advantage of your local community by searching for a home service-roofing contractor who is licensed to work in your area. Local businesses thrive on local residents because they are the consumers who keep them up and running by enlisting their businesses to fulfill their needs.

Selecting a professional, reliable roofing contractor can be simple by going local. So, why should you hire a local contractor for your roof? Here are the top 3 reason you should start looking in your local area:

1. One-On-One Interaction. Smaller, local companies cater to homeowners’ needs because of their ability to give you their undivided attention. The bigger the business, the less likely you are to experience the kind of one-on-one, personal interaction that makes you feel like your project is the only one on their schedule.
2. Cost-Effective. Local home service contractors are cost-effective because they are local. Your local area-roofing contractor is located near you, minimizing travel time and maximizing work hours. Locally based contractors can tailor prices for products, materials and services to meet your budget.
3. Credible Referrals. Word of mouth travels fast. Good contractors carefully maintain a great reputation within their community by treating customers with care and completing quality jobs. Talk to the homeowners in your local community and ask them about their experiences and recommendations.

Take the plunge and ask around about recommended roofing contractors in your local, Jacksonville community.