Our Blog

Update the Way You Insulate

Posted on August 19, 2011 by Matthew Housh

Newcomers and long-time residents along Florida’s Gulf Coast recognize the tremendous beauty of the Bay Area. Many homeowners further enhance the look of the area with improvements to their own properties, adding curb appeal to a home and more personality to neighborhoods like Seminole Heights and Carrollwood in Tampa and Driftwood and Bahama Shores in St. Petersburg. Yet homeowners focused on visual improvements to a home may neglect one critical area that largely remains unseen.

It’s not an attractive part of the home, but attic insulation provides an important function as it controls energy loss in your home, year round. It can mean the difference between feeling cool and comfortable during a Florida summer and feeling miserable—or paying higher-than-necessary utility bills due to an air conditioner or furnace consuming more energy. One factor is the age of your insulation. Attic insulation that’s ten years old or older is likely no longer functioning at 100% and should be replaced immediately. If you’ve purchased a home in the Bay Area in the last few years and don’t know the age of your home’s attic insulation, don’t assume the insulation is sufficient.

Even homes with new construction are not necessarily adequately insulated. One variable is the type of insulation used in your attic. While most homeowners are acquainted with rolls of insulation, they may not be aware of the added benefits of blown-in insulation, such as the kind offered by Owens Corning. According to www.energystar.gov, 15.5 inches of Owens Corning AttiCat Expanding Blown-In PINK FIBERGLAS Insulation can save a homeowner up to 20% on heating and cooling costs.

Whether you’re unsure about the efficiency of your insulation or already planning to replace it, Arry’s Roofing can help. We’ve worked with many of your Gulf Coast neighbors and we’d love to with you. Learn more about our services by clicking on the link below.

Replace Your Inadequate Attic Insulation

Roof Safety Starts on the Ground

Posted on August 11, 2011 by Matthew Housh

Imagine tying two flat ladders together to create a makeshift extension ladder. Or placing a ladder in the bucket of a backhoe for extra reach. Or placing a flat ladder against a flagpole when nothing else was available. These scenarios may seem absurd but they’ve all happened in real life. You may have driven by them, or perhaps you’re the one who’s made those choices.

As an experienced roofing contractor, Arry’s Roofing always encourages our Bay Area customers to use a licensed professional for roof repair and maintenance jobs. Yet we realize that some homeowners, in an effort to pinch pennies, may attempt to handle the work themselves. What many of them don’t know is that seemingly simple tasks—such as cleaning the gutters or removing moist leaves that can lead to shingle rot—can lead to personal injuries and property damage. Working on (or near) the roof requires carefully planning the work and ensuring one’s safety from the ground up. If you absolutely must do any roof maintenance on your own, take note of some helpful hints that could save you time and money by sparing you the agony of an accident.

According to ladder safety guidelines published by the Department of Environmental Health and Safety at Stanford University, inspecting a ladder prior to each use will reveal any cracks, splits or corrosion. A fiberglass ladder is preferable for most uses, and is less sensitive to heat and moisture than a wood ladder. While strong and lightweight, aluminum ladders cannot be used near electricity or exposed electrical equipment. It’s also essential to keep all ladders away from mud, materials or debris—or any place they could get accidentally struck.

Once the ladder is properly positioned against your home—extending three feet beyond the roof—ensure your shoes are clean and dry and begin climbing. Refrain from standing or working on the three top rungs, and always keep three points of body contact with the ladder, such as two feet and one hand or two feet and your chest. The Belt Buckle Rule, which involves keeping your belt buckle between the ladder’s side rails to stay centered, is another safe practice to remember.

Ultimately, keeping that ladder in storage and letting the licensed and insured team take care of your roof maintenance is the safest practice. But you’ve still got a job to do: regularly inspecting your roof—even from ground level—will give you top-of-mind awareness of your home’s best protection. Then, if a problem does develop, you’ll be on top of it right away and able to call in the Bay Area’s most trusted roofing professionals to take care of the business we do best.

The Contractor On Your Right

Posted on August 5, 2011 by Matthew Housh

Two contractors appear before you, one on your left and one on your right. The one on the right speaks comprehensively about providing the right solution for your home needs. The one on the left emphasizes his low rate. Because price matters, you pick the contractor that will cost you less money. Simple, right? But before you open your checkbook, here are just a few things to keep in mind when hiring a roofing contractor.

First, not all roofers are made equal. It takes more than a ladder and knowledge of building codes to provide quality roofing service. Superior roofing companies pass strict certification requirements, such as the ones necessary to become a GAF Master Elite Roofing Contractor. Superior roofing companies also develop new ways to become more productive and enhance the industry in which they operate.

Second, a “one-size-fit-all” approach to material rarely works. A roofer who knows his shingles but cannot explain the advantages of upgrading to metal or tile roofing systems may not be right for you. Knowing how to select an appropriate roofing system for each home is an essential part of a superior roofer’s job.

Third, beware cost cutting due to cheap materials. Some homeowners in the Bay Area are unaware that the contractor they hired has used recalled shingles. Unfortunately, these shingles may crack, curl, become warped or deteriorate prematurely. The results may include leaking and lead to other damage to the home.

Finally, the need for proper ventilation is crucial. A home’s energy bills can be directly impacted by the proper installation of a ventilation system to control heat in the summer and moisture in the winter. The effects can be felt immediately after installation, and not only can it lower cooling and heating costs, it also sustains a longer life of the roofing materials.

Now take another look at the contractors on your left and right. One places a ladder against your roof, while the other places a value on enhancing and protecting your home. The sensible choice is the one whose work you can live with long after he’s left the building.

Welcome to Arry’s!

Posted on July 6, 2011 by Matthew Housh

Welcome to the new Arry’s blog. We’re very excited to debut our new website, which is easier to read, better-designed, and full of great information. Our blog will enable us to update our customers and friends about new roofing products and services, how to prolong the life of your roof, and how to know when your roof needs a repair.

We’ve been part of the Tampa – St. Petersburg area for more than 25 years. When we started Arry’s Roofing, we wanted to become the most trusted roofing contractor in our entire metropolitan area. We knew it wouldn’t be easy — not everyone has had a great experience with contractors. But we knew that we needed to prove ourselves with delivering the highest quality products together with the most skillful and dedicated installers, every day. Thankfully through the years, our customers have seen our work as well as our commitment to quality, and they’ve recommended us to their friends and relatives. We’re proud of the quality operation we’ve built. And we’re proud that we’ve been able to give back to the community in many ways.

We always will strive to be the best — to earn your trust and your business. You can count on it!

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