Wood is a beautiful building material, there is no question about that. The variety available makes for exciting aesthetic options. But the beauty of wood can easily be marred by the presence of termites. These insects feast on wood, leading to the material being weakened. Their feasting habits might even lead to the collapse of any part of the roof that makes use of lumber. This is a situation you clearly want to avoid, so the question is how can you spot a termite infestation and what can you do about it?

Signs of Termite Infestation

The best way from preventing a worst case scenario from happening is to know the initial signs so the problem can be addressed as soon as possible. Spring is the time you should be paying the most attention when it comes to termites. Keep in mind that they can’t stay away from wood and can cause significant property damage when left unchecked.

So how to you check for possible termite infestations?

• Look for the obvious signs. Termites are flying insects and as such, seeing wings or dead insects themselves in areas where wood is used around your home might point to them having made a home in your own home. Other visible signs include sags, in the roof line or the ceilings. Shingles or roof tiles that have come loose can also mean an infestation.
• Check for the presence of frass. Frass is this powdery substance produced by boring insects like termites. Basically, it’s their feces and it looks like dust. If you see such a substance, termites have most definitely feasted on wood in your home.
• Inspect for signs of chewing activity. Termites will eat through wood and the damage is visible if it’s quite significant. Check framing members to see signs of such activity. You can also check for the presence of mud tubes, usually found on the exterior wall surface.
• Pay attention to sound and smell. An infestation is present when you hear a hollow sound when tapping on a framing member. Another sign of termite presence is the smell of mold or mildew in places where wood is present in the home.

Why Do Termites Love Wood?

 It’s quite simple: it is a source of food. They love cellulose and wood is pretty rich in that substance. Two kinds of termites are responsible for roof damage: drywood termites and subterranean termites.

Drywood termites like to chew on wood used for constructing roofs. On the other hand, subterranean termites prefer munching on softer fibers.

Can a Termite-Infested Roof Be Repaired?

 Once you’ve noticed the signs, it’s best to call in a termite control specialist to get the situation under control. After making sure that everything is fine, it’s time to call in a roofing company that specializes in construction and roof wood termite repairs to restore your roof’s structural integrity.

There are different ways to approach the problem. One is to replace the damaged wood in its entirely. Another is to just work on the sections that have been damaged. Since termites can also cause damage to sheathing that too needs to be replaced. Plus, other affected areas need to be replaced as well. Doing so ensures that you have properly functioning roof that won’t collapse due to damage.

Orange County Roof

For most Orange County, California homeowners it is more beneficial to hire a professional roofer, than to take on the challenge yourself. Some people take on things on their own thinking they will be able to save money, but what they forget to factor in is time, safety, risk, cost of materials, and skill. To help you make an easy decision, we are offering you a few reasons why you should consider hiring a professional roofer to do roof maintenance, rather than taking on the task yourself.

Material – It is very hard for the novice to estimate the material will be required, and what material would be most advantageous for your roof. In addition, you will have to buy the material at retail rates, meaning it will cost you more. So rather than hiring a professional later to fix your mistakes, you can hire one now; and save yourself the trouble.

Experience – Watching a few “how to maintain your roof” videos will not offer you any experience, and in some cases you might end up damaging your roof more. Which is why you should consider a professional who has helped maintained hundreds of roofs and can help you maintain yours. Taking on the task is not an easy step, and is not like nailing a few pieces of shingle together. Roofs are much more complex and maintenance should be handled by professionals. This way you will not have to deal with complications such as leaking roofs or pest issues in the future.

Inspection – Most people are not trained to look at roof issues like a professional, so chances are you will miss out on many details that are not obvious. Only a professional roofer will be able to offer you a thorough inspection and tell you exactly what needs to be done. As they will not only take on the current issues but they will also take on the task keeping the future of the roof in mind.

Safety – One of the most common causes of accidents at home are related to roofs, as it is easy to slip and hurt yourself during the process. This is why many homeowners will rely on a trained professional roofer who comes with the right gear that is required to get the job done in a safe manner. This will help ensure that there is no harm done to you or any other family member.

So if you are looking to get roof maintenance in Orange County, CA, then you should seriously consider hiring Gary Fox Roofing, who can help you get the job done right the first time.

Whether you’re a homeowner or a commercial landlord, you need to pay attention to your property’s roof. It might not be as noticeable as the other parts of your structure, but it plays a huge role in keeping your building in good condition and ensuring it can last for a long time.

Because of this, you have to make it a point to take care of your roof and repair it when needed. If you’re not sure where to begin, you can start by keeping these do’s and don’ts in mind:

DO’s:

Do assess your roofing materials

Take the time to visually inspect your roof and assess its condition. Are the materials still in good shape or do they look worse for the wear? Check for cracks, tears, leaks, and other signs of damage, and inspect the gutters and pipes to see if they’re still in good condition.

Do evaluate your roof’s needs

Your roof inspection should tell you what has to be done to keep your roof in excellent shape. If it only has minimal defects, you can hire someone who’ll fix these issues and have roof recovering done to protect the roof from further weather damage. However, if extensive damage is present, doing recovering isn’t a viable option since it won’t fix the underlying structural problems. In this case, tearing off the old roof and installing a new one might be the only solution.

Do ensure your roof meets building codes

Ignorance of the law isn’t an excuse. So, as early as possible, familiarize yourself with your local building codes and ensure that your roof and the rest of your property adhere to them. This way, you can avoid getting into legal troubles and stay away from the costs and headaches that they bring.

Do consider the future

When doing roof replacement, repairs, or new installation, it can be tempting to stick to the cheapest possible solutions to keep your expenses low. But remember: cheap materials often have low quality and can’t last for a long time. So, while you might save more today, you might end up spending more in the coming months and years.

DON’Ts:

Don’t say no to alternative materials

Asphalt roofing is one of the most common materials used in roof recovering since it’s budget-friendly and easy to install and maintain. But this doesn’t mean that you should limit yourself to asphalt. There are many other options out there such as liquid rubber, spray foam, and PVC, so it’s sensible to find out which option best suits your needs and budget.

Don’t let problems go unfixed

Once you notice roofing issues (no matter how minor they may seem), take steps to fix them ASAP. Don’t wait until they snowball into bigger problems, which can be difficult to repair and can result into bigger costs.

Don’t hesitate to hire a professional

Roof repairs, recovering, tear-offs, and installations require special skills and knowledge. Because of this, it makes sense to get the help of professional and experienced roofers. This way, you have the assurance that your roof problems are being taken care of by experts who know the correct solutions and will finish everything within the shortest possible time.

Remember these do’s and don’ts to keep your roof in great shape and help it last for years.

You probably aren’t going to hire a Southern California contractor to repair your roof without first receiving an estimate of the damage on the interior and exterior of the home. If you don’t want to be surprised by the numbers you are quoted, you should familiarize yourself with the factors that can affect the cost of roof repair.

Roof Type

There are a variety of roof types, including flat, sloped, high or low pitch, metal, tiled and shingled. Depending on the type of roof you have, materials can greatly affect the cost of the repair. Materials vary significantly, and can range from asphalt to slate, to metal and tile. Asphalt shingles are typically the cheapest, and cost an average of $120 per 100 square feet. On the other hand, metal shingles are generally the most expensive type of roofing material, which can set you back as much as $1,500 per 100 square feet. It’s important to research the type of roof you have, as well as comparative prices of materials and labor before accepting a quote.

Required Permits

It’s possible that the city or locality in which your property is located requires special permits for roof repairs. If so, these permits can also affect the general cost of the project. Some areas assess a flat fee for permits, while others use the home’s value to determine the cost of obtaining a permit. If your property is located along the coast, requirements to protect your roof from storm damage can also add to the total cost of the project, as some localities require a separate fee for permits to add hurricane braces and straps. A roof repair that spans 1,350 sq. feet can assess a permit fee ranging from $145 to $400 depending on location of the property.

Damage Assessment

As with any home improvement project, the size of the job and the scope of the repair is the biggest factor on the price. Contractors typically assess the price of a roof repair based on the square footage of the damaged area. It’s important to remember that shingles come in 100 square feet “1 square”, so even if your repair is smaller, you will still need to pay for that size in order to get the required materials. Typically, a contractor will leave any remaining materials with you, to use in the future, if needed.

Also, once the shingles have been removed from the area to be repaired, a contractor may find existing water damage to the structure. The damage may not be apparent in the initial assessment, but if you suspect there may be damage, you should expect to pay more for the repair. Also, ignoring water damage is not recommended, as it can eventually require you to have the entire roof replaced in the near future.

Chimney and Skylights

If you need to repair flashing around chimneys or skylights, your repair costs may rise between $200 and $2,500 dollars. This type of work is more detailed and requires extra labor, which is generally where the additional costs are incurred.

Who to Call

If you have a home or business within the region of Orange County, California, then call Gary Fox Roofing toll free for a free estimate at (800) 427-9369.

Roof maintenance is an important part of home ownership. If your roof is damaged or in need of repair, you might have to consider re-roofing. If your roof has been repaired in the past, and can no longer handle simple patchwork, you’ll need to replace your existing roof. While undertaking a major roof replacement may seem overwhelming, knowing what to expect during the process can make it go smoothly.

Find a Contractor:

Before you start your project, you’ll have to find a reputable contractor, such as Gary Fox Roofing that can perform the installation of a new roof and give you a free estimate. Estimates can have a wide margin when it comes to re-roofing, so you’ll want to make sure to compare similar products and quality of craftsmanship. Additionally, Gary Fox Roofing offers free roof inspections.

Understand the Estimate

There are a variety of things that can influence the price of a roofing project. Things like the size and slope, type of materials, and the climate can all impact how much re-roofing will cost. Roofs that are more expensive to replace include those on two-story homes, as well as those that are steep. Contractors can access those closer to the ground more easily, which can reduce the price.

Different Types of Materials

The different types of roofs that can be installed can range in price, and are usually based off roofing squares (1 roofing square = 100 square feet). Asphalt shingles are the most common type of roofing material. They are available in a variety of colors to complement your home’s décor. Other roofing materials include wood shake, which requires a regular maintenance, metal roofs, or concrete or clay tiles. Tile roofs are popular in Orange County, California and are extremely durable. Slate tiles are another option as well.

The Process

The roofers will remove the old shingles or other materials, and replace old damaged wood in the base of the roof. Next, they lay down the base or felt paper, followed by the actual roofing materials you’ve chosen. The whole replacement can take a few days to a few weeks, depending on the scope of the project and the size of the roof. Any areas where the old roof has been removed should be tarped for protection against rain that may happen during non-work hours. Most of the time, Gary Fox Roofing Inc. lays down the felt paper that same day to keep the roof leak free.

With a little bit of preparation, your re-roofing project can be simple and fairly easy for the homeowner. If you are in need of roofing repair or a new roof, call Gary Fox Roofing for a free estimate and / or a free roof inspection.