Handling Door-to-Door Roofing Salespeople

Posted by Texas Traditions on January 18, 2019

Anytime someone knocks on your door to sell you something it’s best to be cautious and even more so in the case of your roof. While there are many legitimate, licensed, local contractors offering roof repair and replacements following hail storms, there are some that are not to be trusted. Protect yourself by asking the following:

Are they a licensed member of Roofing Contractors Association of Texas (RCAT)?

Texas does not require roofing contractors to be licensed but the RCAT allows contractors to self-regulate by becoming licensed through the association.

Where is their physical address and how long have they been at that location?

If they recently moved into that location, what was their previous address? In the roofing industry, there are contractors known as ‘stormers.’ They follow hail storms around the country, set up shop in a rented office front, work for a few weeks and then take off to chase the next storm. You want to be sure the person you choose to work with is truly local and will be around months later should any issues arise.

What insurance do they carry?

You’ll want to find out if they are insured for umbrella, workers compensation, and general liability. Roofing can be dangerous, and an insured contractor protects you in case there is an accident.

Are they certified to install a manufacturer’s product and offer a warranty?

Shingle manufacturers will recognize contractors as certified to install their system after they meet certain requirements as a business and in experience and training. Remember, your roof is made up of a system of products (underlayment, vents, pipe collars, etc.) that protect your home – it’s not just the shingle that matters.

Will they offer a workmanship warranty or guarantee?

Many roofing system warranties only protect against manufacturer’s defects. If there is a problem due to poor workmanship you could be left hanging.
If you suspect your home might have storm, contact us for a free assessment today.

Winter is coming! Is your home ready?

Posted by Texas Traditions on December 12, 2018

This month brings the official arrival of winter. While we don’t see the snow and ice that other parts of the country experience, we do get some pretty chilly nights with temperatures reaching the freezing mark. It’s important to make sure that your home is ready for the change in seasons.

Let’s start with the roof. As the main protection for your home, you want to be certain it can do its job this winter. After that, you’ll want to move inside and perform a few simple tasks to ensure that you stay warm this season. Here are some tips to get you started:

Gutters

You want to be sure that your gutters are not clogged with leaves or debris as any standing water in the gutter has the potential to freeze and can lead to damage to your roof or home. Remember that safety comes first! Avoid leaning your ladder against the gutter as you could risk damaging them and always follow the OSHA recommended safety guidelines.

Missing or damaged shingles

Scan the roof the see if you notice missing, cracked or damaged shingles. These can lead to leaks and interior damage to your property and should be repaired as soon as possible. Consider signing up for our Roof Maintenance Program and we’ll take care of the inspections for you.

Tree limbs

Now is the time to notice if any tree limbs have grown toward the roof surface. Wind and falling twigs, branches can cause damage to your roof’s shingles. Trim all branches back or consider hiring a landscaping company to handle this for you.

Caulk and weather stripping

Take a close look at your doors and windows. If you see gaps or detect light shining through, you’ll need to caulk those cracks and/or install weather stripping. If light is getting through, so will the rain and the cold, winter air.

Furnace

Simply replacing your furnace’s filter can keep it operating more efficiently and help keep heating costs at bay. This is easy to do, and filters only cost a few dollars. Some electric providers even offer discounted filters – call yours to ask.
Taking the few minutes now to inspect and seal your home means warmer, more comfortable nights for your home and your family.

Don’t underestimate the importance of semi-annual roof maintenance

Posted by Texas Traditions on August 30, 2018

Don’t underestimate the importance of semi-annual roof maintenance
We just can’t say enough about the importance of performing regular maintenance on your roof. Every day, your roof is working hard to protect your home, fighting against the sun, wind, rain, hail, leaves, twigs and other debris that builds up over time. All of these things can lead to granule loss, shingle damage, leaks and eventually failure. One of the main reasons for roof failures, aside from storm damage it due to poor or no maintenance.

Similar to visiting the dentist twice a year, your roof system should be inspected by a professional and licensed roofing contractor. We feel so strongly about this that we’ve started a Roof Maintenance Program for our customers. By implementing a roof maintenance and inspection program, you can get ahead of trouble before it starts and ensure that your roof system is properly shedding water and delivering the optimal performance that your home deserves.
Our Roof Maintenance Program offers two roof cleanups per year consisting of debris removal from valleys and other collection points, gutter clean out, and one thorough roof inspection with a full, detailed report provided to you annually.

Cleanings take place during or after high debris times of the year, typically in the November-January and April-June timeframe.
If your roof needs to be replaced within the first year of signing up for the program, your first-year fees will be credited toward your replacement when Texas Traditions Roofing replaces your roof.
Rewards program capped at $1,500 total. Transferable once.*

Pricing ranges anywhere from $450 – $700 per year with two story homes starting at $550. Contact us today to learn more about enrolling in this valuable program.

It’s the Dog Days of Summer – Here are 4 Ways to Keep Cool without Breaking the Bank

Posted by Texas Traditions on July 24, 2018

With triple digit temperatures outside, it can be hard to keep your house cool without cranking the air conditioner and driving your utility bills through the roof.

NBC News recently spoke to Lauren Urbanek, a senior program advocate, Center for Energy Efficiency Standards, Climate & Clean Energy Program at the Natural Resources Defense Council to learn tips for keeping cool. Here are a few recommendations from her and some of our own when it comes to beating the heat.

Block the sun

Urbanek told NBC that it might seem simple, but your window coverings play an important role in keeping the sun’s heat at bay during the day. “If sun comes in through your windows it’s going to make your house warm. Using things like window coverings to their full advantage in the middle of the day [can] keep your house cooler by keeping that sunlight from coming in, particularly if you are gone during day, and in rooms that face west or south.” Urbanek recommended using thermal curtains that are designed to keep the light and the heat from coming through.

Consider an energy audit

She also told NBC News that hot air is coming from more than just the windows. All the cracks and gaps around your windows, door frames, etc. can add up to a lot of warm air intrusion. A good way to find out where your hot air is sneaking in is to check with your utility company. Many will provide a home energy audit and may have rebate programs in place should you make improvements.

Upgrade your thermostat

Programmable thermostats can offer a nice solution that allow you to raise the temperature when you are not home and cool it down prior to your arrival home from work or school. Wifi-enabled thermostats allow you to adjust your cooling system temperature right from your smart phone.

Insulation and ventilation

Have a properly insulated attic can keep the hot air from entering your home through the ceiling, but don’t forget about proper ventilation. It’s great to keep that hot air out of your home but it needs to be exhausted outside or can be very harmful to your home. We recommend and install the Attic Breeze solar fan to help your home stay cooler by exhausting the hot air out of your attic. Attic Breeze solar attic fans offer the perfect solution to this ventilation problem by continuously removing attic heat and moisture throughout the day and do so for absolutely no cost of operation.
If you want to learn more about this innovative cooling solution or need other roofing service in the Greater Austin area, we are happy to provide you with a free inspection. Request yours today.

Experts predicting up to 16 named storms for 2018 hurricane season – here is what you need to know to prepare.

Posted by Texas Traditions on June 22, 2018

While it may sound comforting that forecasters are predicting a 40 percent chance of a normal hurricane season, don’t relax too much. Experts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) say that we will likely see 10 – 16 named storms, 5 – 9 hurricanes and 1 – 4 major hurricanes.

We live in a part of the state that doesn’t sustain direct hits like the coastal areas do, but we can be affected by the tremendous amounts of rain and the high winds from storms that strike the Gulf coast, as we saw last year when Harvey made landfall and stalled. Hurricanes can also generate tornados. The National Weather Service reports tornadoes associated with Hurricane Allen, 1980, caused $100 million dollars in damages to the Austin, Texas area.
PropertyCasualty360, an insurance industry website provided the following tips to prepare your property for potential flooding:

Review your property insurance policy, especially the “declarations” page, and check whether your policy pays replacement costs or actual cash value for a covered loss.
Inventory your household items, and photograph or videotape them for further documentation. Keep this information and your insurance policies in a safe place.
Keep the name, address and claims-reporting telephone number of your insurer and agent in a safe and easily accessible place.
Protect your property by covering all windows with plywood or shutters, moving vehicles into the garage when possible and placing grills and patio furniture indoors.
Keep all receipts for any repairs so your insurance company can reimburse you.
Check with your insurance adjuster for referrals to professional restoration, cleaning and salvage companies if additional assistance is needed.

Lastly and most importantly is to do your research now, before the storm hits, to identify a trusted, licensed contractor now. Once a storm has moved through, time is of the essence in repairing damage to your home.
We’re ready to provide you with a free inspection and repair or replacement recommendations. Request your free inspection today.

Texas Traditions Roofing Blog