Roof-A-Cide®: Roof Cleaning & Maintenance Information for Community Board Members & Managers

Sunday, December 20, 2015

How Can Your HOA Save Money?

If your Homeowner Association is mandating that you and your neighbors keep your roofs clean, but they are not hiring a Professional to service the whole community at the same time, your community is more than likely spending much more than it needs to. 

Group discounts and standardization of services are extremely important in effective management of a community, maintaining property values, and maximizing limited resources.

Example: An HOA with 300 homes that can secure a $100 discount for each of its Residents by coordinating services for the Community has effectively saved its Residents $30,000. This is money that can be better used to offset other expenses or to keep Assessment Increases down.

Many HOA Board Members and Property Managers are reluctant to deal with this issue because they assume that if the Community hires a company to do the work, the Community is then responsible for ANY problems that might be perceived to be related to that work. This is not the case.  
Board Members and Property Managers can help maintain the aesthetics of the community and do their residents a great service, while saving the community significant expense, by hiring a company with the following verifiable qualifications:

  • Licensing
  • Insurance, both Liability and Workers Comp
  • Experience with processes and/or solutions that are safe for the roof and surrounding property 
  • References from properties of similar size and structure 
  • Approval from Manufacturers

Communities can also save significant expense by eliminating the Roof Cleaning altogether. Roof-A-Cide offers the ONLY stain prevention process that has a 20+ year proven track record, is Safe for the Roof and Landscaping, EPA Approved, and Approved by every major Roof Manufacturer.

Links:


Friday, December 11, 2015

2015 South Florida Cooperator Expo


We'd like to thank all of you who stopped by our booth at the South Florida Cooperator Expo in Fort Lauderdale! 

We'd also like to thank our trade partners that were there at the show as well - Best Roofing & Coastal Painting Company. These are two of the companies that provide critical services for our South Florida HOA, Condo & Apartment communities & we're all looking forward to working with the many new managers & Board Members that we met!






Tuesday, November 10, 2015

You Have to Take Care of Your Roof if You Want Your Roof to Take Care of You.

Your roof is one of your home’s most important lines of defense against the elements and it should be inspected regularly to identify & correct problems while they are still relatively minor. Roof inspections are especially important if you live in a location that tends to experience weather extremes, or after a particularly harsh season.

The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) recommends your roof be inspected twice a year—once during fall months, and again in the late spring – to ensure optimal performance and maximum lifespan. Regular roof inspections include looking at interior walls, ceilings and fireplace flues, evaluation of downspout/gutter systems and an examination of roofing materials (shingles, shakes, tiles, etc.).

What Causes Damage or Deterioration?

  • Sun: Heat and UV rays can be destructive to roofing materials, causing them to break down over time.
  • Wind: High winds can pull shingles away from the roof’s underlayment, allowing dirt and water to collect between the layers. Over time, this debris and moisture can lead to structural deterioration.
  • Rain and Snow: Frequent moisture penetration can be detrimental to your roof’s structure, causing mildew, wood rot and even damage to insulation and electrical infrastructure. Ice dams can be especially damaging to the integrity of your roofing structure.
  • Algae, Moss, & Lichen: These organic materials discolor your roof and hold in excess water—which leads to wood rot and structural damage over time. 
  • Trees: If your landscaping becomes overgrown, tree limbs and leaf buildup may become a problem. Long, heavy branches can puncture or scratch your roof, and leaves may block downspout systems.
  • Pests: Insects & Animals sometimes move in to make your home theirs as well. Trees that are close to the roof line increase the likelihood of this happening.


Quick Inspection Checklist:

  1. Gutters: Properly functioning gutters are an integral part of the roofing system because they divert water away from the structure. Clogged gutters can back up, rot the fascia and allow water to penetrate into attic and walls. 
  2. Trees: Trim overhanging branches away from the roof line.  
  3. Flashings: Look for loose material, wear, or missing metal or chimneys and wall penetrations. Caulk and adhesives should be addressed if they show cracks or gaps.
  4. Fascia: Look for signs of wearing or cracking paint. Also check for wood rot.
  5. Shingle Roofs: Shingle roofs can be visually inspected from the ground and binoculars would be helpful. Look for: - Discoloration from algae, moss, or lichen - Missing dislodged shingles - Protruding nails - Pest / Animal damage - Granule loss  
  6. Tile or Metal Roofs: Tile and metal roofs can be visually inspected from the ground and binoculars would be helpful. Look for: - Discoloration from algae, moss, or lichen - Missing, cracked, or broken tiles - Pest / Animal damage

Most Homeowners find it easier and more thorough to hire a Roofing Professional to address these issues. Roof-A-Cide works with some of the industry’s top professionals that provide Homeowners, Communities, and Businesses with comprehensive service that includes inspections, cleaning, stain prevention, repairs, maintenance, and replacement. Visit our website to locate an Authorized Roof-A-Cide® Applicator near you.


Thursday, November 5, 2015

Roof Cleaning and Maintenance in Orlando & Central Florida

Why do experienced Contractors and Community Managers choose Roof-A-Cide®? Safety, Proven Effectiveness, and GUARANTEED Results!


Example: Coastal Painting Company was contracted to perform the Painting along with the Roof Cleaning & Roof-A-Cide® treatment of the concrete tile roofs of this upscale Orlando community, with 18 large multi-family buildings and a clubhouse in June of 2014.

Work was completed on schedule by Coastal Painting's professionally trained and equipped staff with minimal disruption to the Resort Guests and Staff.

As with all Roof-A-Cide® Treatments, these roofs were GUARANTEED to stay clean for AT LEAST 2 Full Years. And if the property chooses to have the Roof-A-Cide® reapplied every couple of years, these roofs will STAY clean and they'll NEVER need cleaning again!

One year later, in June of 2015, as part of the Roof-A-Cide® inspection & quality control, we inspected and documented the property - which is recorded below.




Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Professional Roof Cleaning for HOA and Condo Communities

Protect Your Property by learning about your choices in different cleaning methods.

Most Roof Cleaning contractors here in Florida are using high-strength Chlorine Bleach (Pool Chlorine) for Roof Cleaning because it is cheap, fast, and easy. And while some roofing manufacturers recommend using some bleach when cleaning a roof, NONE of them recommend the extremely high strength concentrations that are commonly used throughout Florida and increasingly throughout the US.  There are much safer and more effective ways to maintain your roof.  

Extremely High-Strength Chlorine Bleach solutions usually will not do noticeable damage to actual asphalt roof shingles or concrete roof tiles, but they will do irreversible damage to almost everything else that comprises a roof system – fixtures, flashings, fasteners, gutters, and most importantly the underlayment that covers the roof and serves as the actual waterproofing. This damage usually goes unnoticed for years before the problem is discovered.

This is why you do not see reputable Roofing Professionals using or advocating this dangerous method – but you will find them using other methods that are safer for the roof, safer for the environment, and APPROVED by Roofing Manufacturers.
  • FACT: Both Bleach and TSP will corrode metal (even in weak concentrations) and High-Strength Chlorine Bleach (Pool Chlorine) will accelerate the damage – especially when the roof is not rinsed properly.
  • FACT: Not One Roofing Manufacturer in the US recommends the High-Strength Chlorine Bleach solutions that are being used all over Florida and increasingly throughout the US.
  • FACT: Roofing Manufacturers have approved safer alternatives to Chlorine Bleach for cleaning roofs.
  • Roof-A-Cide® has been approved by the largest manufacturers of Asphalt Shingles, Concrete Tiles, Clay Tiles, Stone-Coated Metal and Slate.
  • Roof-A-Cide® has over 20 years of PROVEN results in HOA & Condo Communities.

Protect yourself and your property by learning why knowledgeable Roofing Professionals, Property Maintenance Professionals, and Community Management Professionals choose Roof-A-Cide® to eliminate the need for Roof Cleaning.

Links:




Sunday, October 11, 2015

The South Florida Condo, HOA, Co-op & Apt. Expo

Tuesday, December 8, 2015 from 10:00AM to 4:30PM at the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center, Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Trusted by thousands, The South Florida Condo, HOA, Co-op & Apt. Expo is the leading real estate trade show in South Florida. 

Join board and association members, property managers, apartment building owners and homeowners, meet building service companies, attend educational seminars and get your questions answered by the industry's Top Professionals.

  • Join board and association members, homeowners, property managers and apartment building owners of 1,000 buildings.
  • Communicate with building service professionals.
  • Attend educational seminars.
  • Discover what’s new in the residential housing community.
  • Learn about services benefiting your board and homeowners.


Friday, October 2, 2015

Vote for Roof-A-Cide in the 2015 FLCAJ Readers' Choice Awards

Roof-A-Cide has been nominated again for Florida Community Association Journal’s Annual Readers’ Choice Awards.

The awards are presented to service providers that demonstrate through their commitment to the community associations they serve an exemplary level of proficiency, reliability, fairness, and integrity.

We would appreciate your vote!

Monday, August 10, 2015

Roof Cleaning & Maintenance in Vero Beach


Proactive Roof Maintenance: This is a community of 300+ homes being cleaned & treated with Roof-A-Cide® by Coastal Painting Company. Some of these roofs will need to be cleaned, but the majority of them won't.

By adopting a proactive approach to roof cleaning & maintenance, this community's board and management are helping their residents eliminate any unnecessary wear & tear on the roofs while saving the community more than $30,000 over what it would cost to clean the roofs once they had become an eyesore.


As long as this community continues to be proactive, we'll monitor & record their progress annually. With Roof-A-Cide® applied every few years, these roofs will never get dirty again and they'll NEVER need to be cleaned again.

If your community is ready to eliminate the wear & tear, the disruption throughout the community, and water consumption associated with traditional roof cleaning, it's time to find out how Roof-A-Cide® can help you!



Additional Info:


Sunday, July 26, 2015

Roof Cleaning on the Treasure Coast



This is an example of what Professional Roof Cleaning can do for a community. This upscale Treasure Coast community was cleaned and treated with Roof-A-Cide® by Coastal Painting Company.

We'll continue to monitor & post their progress. And if they're like most Roof-A-Cide® customers, they'll have these roofs treated every few years, the roofs will look great year after year, they'll NEVER need to be cleaned again, and Roof Cleaning will no longer be the contentious issue it is in many other communities!

No More Roof Cleaning - What does this mean for the Community?
  • Aesthetics - The roofs will look great year after year
  • Costs - Coordinating maintenance lowers overall costs to individual Homeowners
  • Less Disruption - Keeping the roofs clean will only require 2 days every couple of years
  • Water Conservation - Preventing the roofs from getting dirty will require a small fraction of the water needed to clean them
  • Environmentally Safe - Roof-A-Cide® is EPA Approved, safe for the roof, and safe for the environment. It does not contain harsh chemicals like Chlorine Bleach.
  • Longevity - Eliminating any unnecessary wear & tear will help to maximize the life of these roofs


Roof-A-Cide®: "The Treatment is the Cure!"


Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Native Roofing Enterprises, Davie FL

I recently had a chance to speak with Rick Burton, a partner with Jim Anderson in Native Roofing Enterprises, to discuss his business and what he sees as the challenges and opportunities for homeowners and communities in Southeast Florida.



To start off with, here’s a little background information on Native Roofing Enterprises: 
Native Roofing is a licensed Florida Roofing Contractor based in Davie, FL. The company was started in 1996 by Jim Anderson, who began roofing with his father before he was legally able to drive. They are a full-service Roofing Company offering everything Homeowners and Communities might need to install and maintain a quality shingle, tile, or flat roof that will last as long as it was designed to.


What separates Native Roofing Enterprises from other Roofing Contractors in your area?
Aside from being able to offer everything a customer might need with regards to their roof, we strive to develop honest, long-lasting relationships with our customers – we want to be their Contractor For Life. When we assess a roofing project, we tell people the truth – which might not be exactly what they want to hear. And while our prices are very competitive, we earn our customers based on Competence, Quality, and Service. 

Our ideal customer is one that expects quality products and services at a fair price. So we’re not the type of company you’ll see advertising that “We’ll Beat Any Price”. The structural integrity and performance of a roof that protects someone’s family or business here in South Florida is too important to make decisions based solely on the lowest price.


What do you see as your biggest challenges in bringing your services to the people you're trying to serve? 
Getting people to understand the benefits of regular inspection / preventive maintenance and making sure that the roof is in good condition prior to storms. A lot of people don’t seem to want to spend money on these things. But what they don’t realize is that many problems can be detected (and corrected) while they’re relatively minor. If they wait until an issue becomes a Problem, then it’s usually a lot more inconvenient and expensive to fix.


What are the most common problems you see when you’re inspecting roofs?
When people have problems with their roofs, the most common problems they have are with the valleys, flashings, vents, and fascia. Most of these can be avoided with proper installation, which includes using the right products, and a lot more can be avoided with proper maintenance. 

Why are these areas more of a problem?
A lot of these problems are “built in”. When we deal with roofs in planned communities, a lot of times, these roofs were not installed by the developer. They were installed by a subcontractor that was competing on price. And since these subcontractors know that MOST of these roofs will never be properly inspected, shortcuts are taken with the quality of the materials used and the way they’re installed. FYI – When these larger communities are being developed, typically only one out of ten homes are actually inspected properly. 
The other main reason is lack of maintenance or improper maintenance. If you’re not going to maintain your roof at all, you should expect it to fail and need major repairs or replacement up to 10 years earlier than the typical life expectancy of a roof in South Florida - which is 20-25 years. And if you are doing maintenance, but you’re not doing it properly, you could be doing more harm than good. 


Roof cleaning is an example. We see a lot of roofs that are damaged because
the contractors hired to clean them really don’t know how to clean a roof properly. Many use way too much pressure or they use very high-strength chemicals. Both of these methods can be destructive to the very areas of the roof that are already at risk. Note: Roof Cleaning should only be done by Contractors that are licensed, trained, and equipped to do it properly.

What inspection schedule would you recommend for homeowners and community managers?
The National Roofing Contractors Association recommends yearly inspections and in some cases the manufacturer’s warranty requires this as well. But most roofs in South Florida are fine for the first five years. So we recommend an inspection after the first five and then yearly after that.

What areas does your company serve? 
Native Roofing Enterprises currently focuses on Broward and Palm Beach Counties. But we also have customers in Martin and St. Lucie Counties and plan to expand our services in these areas as well.

How is the best way for a customer to reach you?
Our office number is 954-236-9986, our website is NativeRoofing.com, and our customer service email address is CS@NativeRoofing.com. Customers can find a lot more about us and our services on our website as well as on Facebook and LinkedIn.






Native Roofing Enterprises is an Authorized Roof-A-Cide® Applicator serving Palm Beach & Broward Counties in South Florida. They are a Full-Service Roofing Contractor helping Homeowners and Communities maximize the life of their roofs.

Contact info: 

Native Roofing Enterprises
2041 SW 70th Ave., Ste. D-22
Davie, Florida 33317 
(954) 236-9986 phone | (954) 236-6585 fax 
http://www.nativeroofing.com/

Monday, May 4, 2015

Roof-A-Cide helps Homeowners, Communities, and Contractors

Roof-A-Cide helps Homeowners, Communities, & Contractors clean & maintain roofs safely and more effectively in order to minimize environmental impacts and overall costs - while maximizing the life of the roofs.


We work with some of the most established Roofing, Painting, and Property Maintenance Contractors in Florida and they cover every major market throughout the state. These are companies that are licensed, trained, & equipped by us. 

This year, we’re also expanding into Georgia and The Carolinas to show communities in these states how better management and control over Roof Maintenance can have significant benefits to any property.

In addition to the actual physical work, we also focus on education for the groups that we work with. We have a Florida Certified CE course for Community Leaders and Managers as well as numerous articles that help to educate and inform.

If you're not familiar with us yet, here are a couple links that outline what we do:  

If there's anything we can do for you or any questions you might have about Painting, Roof Cleaning, or Roof Maintenance for Communities, please let us know. We'd be happy to help: Info@Roof-A-Cide.com





Saturday, May 2, 2015

Is Living in Your HOA or Condo Association More Expensive than it Should Be?

If your Homeowner Association is mandating that you and your neighbors keep your roofs clean, but they are not hiring a Professional to service the whole community at the same time, your community is more than likely spending much more than it needs to. 

Group discounts and standardization of services are extremely important to the effective management of a community, maintaining property values, and maximizing the impact of limited resources.

Example: 
An HOA with 300 homes that can secure a $100 discount for each of its Residents by coordinating services for the Community has effectively saved its Residents $30,000. This is money that can be better used to either offset other expenses or to keep Association Fees down.


Many HOA Board Members and Property Managers are reluctant to deal with this issue because they assume that if the Community hires a company to do the work, the Community is then responsible for ANY problems that might be perceived to be related to that work. This is not the case.  

Board Members and Property Managers can help maintain the aesthetics of the community and do their residents a great service, while saving the community significant expense, by hiring a company with the following verifiable qualifications:

  • Licensing
  • Insurance
  • Experience with processes and/or solutions that are safe for the roof and surrounding property
  • References from properties of similar size and structure
Communities can also save significant expense by eliminating the Roof Cleaning altogether. Roof-A-Cide offers the ONLY stain prevention process that has a 20+ year proven track record, is Safe for the Roof and Landscaping, EPA Approved, and Approved by every major Roof Manufacturer.





Sunday, April 26, 2015

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Happy Earth Day 2015

Roof-A-Cide® is the Environmentally Safe and Sustainable Alternative to Traditional Roof Cleaning for Property Managers and Communities that are concerned about the following:

  • Reducing Wear & Tear on Their Roofs
  • Maximizing the Useful Life of Their Roofs
  • Reducing the Environmental Impact of Premature Roof Replacement
  • Reducing the Use of Toxic Chemicals
  • Reducing Maintenance Costs
  • Water Conservation & Reducing Water Consumption
In honor of Earth Day, we'd like to point out that by eliminating the need for Roof Cleaning, we're also eliminating the need for pressure cleaning and the use of toxic chemicals like chlorine bleach.


And by eliminating pressure cleaning for the Homeowners and Communities we're working with, we save Floridians over 200,000 gallons of water each month and over 2.4 million gallons of water each year.

We have Authorized Roof-A-Cide® Applicators serving every major market in Florida – if your Community or Communities would like to eliminate Roof Cleaning, we can help!

Would you like a proposal for your community? Here's a link that will allow you to request one quickly & easily:



Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Roof-A-Cide at Local Palm Beach and Treasure Coast CAM Meetings


Roof-A-Cide is pleased to be a part of a couple of continuing education programs in Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast for Community Managers and Board Members. 

These are groups of 30-40 Managers and Board Members that meet for breakfast in addition to education, discussion, and CEU credits for topics related to HOA and Condo Management. 

In Palm Beach County, we're working with the LCAM Seminar group that meets in North Palm Beach. 

This month's topic will be "Contracting Security Officer Services"

On the Treasure Coast, we're working with the MBA Productions group that meets in Port St. Lucie.

This month's topic will be "Everything You Wanted To Know About Being a Condo Board Member, But Were Afraid To Ask" 

Look for us at these venues in the coming months when we'll be presenting our course, "Steep Slope Roofing Basics for Board members and Community Managers".

   

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Four Roof Maintenance Tips for Property Managers

If your Property Management responsibilities include roofs, here are some tips that will make your job much easier, help you avoid as many “surprises” as possible, and keep your Repair & Maintenance costs to a minimum.


  1. Trim Back Your Trees Allowing trees to grow near the building or over the roof creates several potential problems. Falling branches & debris can damage the roof. Branches that are constantly brushing an asphalt shingle roof will accelerate granule loss. Branches that are close to the roof also make it easier for animals like squirrels, raccoons, and opossums to reach the roof and start nesting.

    And if the property is located in a storm-prone area, having trees close to the structure drastically increases the odds of one of them landing on the roof.

  2. Clear Out Valleys and Gutters
     
    Clogged valleys and gutters are a major source of leaks and damage to the roof. These features are designed to quickly shed water & take it away from the property, but when they are backed up, they can’t function properly. This is when water intrusion starts, gutters become much heavier and start to pull out from the fascia, and valley rot begins as the debris starts to decay.
  3. Keep the Roof Clean 
    Algae growth on the roofs causes black streaks & stains that are common in most of the US. While they are not necessarily damaging in and of themselves, they are an eyesore and if they’re left unchecked, they can make it harder to see other issues.

    Moss growth on roofs is also a common problem in many areas of the US. And unlike algae, moss can damage the roof.

    Keeping trees trimmed back from the property makes the roof surface less conducive to both algae and moss growth.
  4. Schedule Roof Inspections on a Regular Basis
     
    The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) recommends yearly inspections and most roof warranties require them as well. Regular inspections will help you catch damage early – when it’s easier and less expensive to repair. It also reduces the chance of leaks and resulting damage to the inside of the building.

    During the roof inspection, particular attention should be paid to the most common areas of roof leaks, deterioration, and damage from pests. Getting potential problems fixed before they develop into major problems will save unnecessary inconvenience, repair costs, and property damage.





Sunday, March 1, 2015

Roof-A-Cide will be at the PM Expo in WPB


Roof-A-Cide will be at the PM Expo at The South Florida Fairgrounds on
March 3, 2015.


Check us out in booths 432 and 433 where we will be answering your questions on Roof Cleaning and Maintenance - what to do and what NOT to do to best serve  your community!


PM-EXPO is the premier trade show for Condo Associations and HOA's. Whether you are a community association volunteer, a CAM or a property manager, PM-EXPO is committed to address your needs as well as the vendors that serve you.







Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Steep Slope Roofing Basics for Board Members and Community Managers

We’re pleased to announce that our state certified CEU course, "Steep Slope Roofing Basics", is now available for Board Members and Community Managers.


This course is designed to help Florida Community Association, HOA, and Condo Association Board Members and Managers maximize the expected life of their roofing systems, while minimizing their costs, by understanding how their roofs are constructed and what steps are necessary to keep roofing systems functioning properly for as long as possible.

Board Members and Managers completing this course will earn CEU credit while gaining an understanding of the following:

  • Common roof designs: Gable vs Hip vs Mansard, etc.
  • Design elements of a roofing system: Ridge, Hip, Valleys, etc.
  • Roof components: Underlayment, flashings, vents, etc.
  • Common roof materials: Tile, shingle, stone-coated metal, membrane, etc.
  • Roof warranties: Manufacturer vs Workmanship
  • Roof maintenance: Common roof inspection & maintenance requirements
  • Roof repairs: Most common areas of roof failure / leaks
  • Roof cleaning: What to do & what NOT to do
  • Life expectancy: Understand the lifecycle of different roofing systems and how maintenance, or lack of it impacts the life expectancy & costs

The better you understand your roofs and the maintenance requirements,
the better you're able to control costs
This course will be made available to Board Members and Managers through the following venues:
  • CAI functions
  • CAM educational groups & events
  • Trade shows
  • Staff training at your location for Property Management companies

If you would like to have this course presented for your group, community, or staff, please contact us at 800-806-6727 or via Info@Roof-A-Cide.com.