You're in business to make money. You're good at what you do. You try and minimize costs and maximize profits. After all, you wouldn't be a good businessperson if you didn't. While cutting costs is part of your job, doing so in the wrong places can ultimately lead to disaster. It may be tempting to forgo preventative roofing maintenance. It's a cost that doesn't yield immediate results and it can seem pointless at times. Hey...if there's no water coming through the roof when it rains, what's the point?

While roofing maintenance projects may not seem like an important expenditure, failure to properly maintain your commercial building's roof can have a terribly detrimental impact on your budget in the future. This is especially true for roof maintenance in central Florida, where storms can cause severe damage to commercial roofs. Having a plan for preventative roof maintenance is not only necessary from a safety standpoint, it WILL save you money in the long run!

In a recent interview with Buildings Magazine, Cushman and Wakefield's Senior Director of Reliability Engineering David Auton was quoted as saying:

“Run to fail or repair easily costs somewhere between three and 10 times as much as a good maintenance program. When the equipment does fail, the actual repair costs are exorbitant, and you typically didn’t plan for them so there’s a financial issue." 

You may have heard of commercial property company Cushman and Wakefield. They did over 8 billion dollars worth of business last year.

Auton went on to say:

“The equipment also usually doesn’t live to its expected life, so you’re having to do capital replacement sooner than if you had maintained it well to begin with. You’re also not getting productivity. If a piece of critical equipment fails, are you just going to send everybody home for a few days while you find the parts to fix it? You’re not helping your company by having all these unexpected severe events.”

That's an excellent point...

You depend on your car and it needs to be reliable. Regular maintenance services like oil changes and tire rotations are absolutely vital to keep your car running smoothly. Think about what would happen to your car if you didn't change your oil for example. Your engine would cease to function and you would be stranded without a ride! The roof of your building is similar. If you devise and abide by a regular preventative maintenance plan, you will keep your roof intact and your employees dry when it rains. 

In 2005, the United States Department of Energy (DoE) enacted a roof maintenance program for multiple buildings that they occupy around the country. As of the date of this writing, the DoE has saved over $7 million in construction costs, increased the average remaining life of their roofs by 25 percent, and eliminated $46 million in deferred maintenance costs. I would say that's a resounding success!

If you are looking for a commercial roofing contractor who can help you develop a preventative maintenance plan for your building, look no further than Nations Roofing. We would be happy to speak with you about your needs as soon as possible. Please give us a call today at  (813) 485-4440 and let us know how we can help!

Just about every homeowner who has experienced storm damage in central Florida can tell you how terrible it is. Weathering storms can be a scary ordeal, and damage to your home is something no one wants to deal with. To make matters worse, heavy storms also seem to bring scam artists out of the woodwork. We here at Nations Roofing would hate to see anyone get taken for a ride by these unsavory characters. In an effort to help you avoid being swindled, today we take a look at how you can identify and avoid scam artists looking to make a quick and dirty buck.

Never, and we mean never, hire a roofing contractor who is not licensed and insured. Always ask for a copy of their most recent Certificate of Insurance and review this document to ensure that it provides enough coverage if claims are made or other issues occur.

All roofs are different. While some may appear fairly similar, every roof has its own unique characteristics and idiosyncrasies. A reputable roofer would not dare to give you a quote for fixing storm damage without thoroughly inspecting it and analyzing it first. If you are contacted by someone who tells you that they can provide you an accurate quote without physically inspecting your roof first, chances are they intend to try and raise their prices during, or after, the job is finished. 

A dishonorable contractor may tell you that they can finish the job in a timely manner, but subsequently lack the time, materials, and workers to do so. A quick Internet search will certainly yield testimonials from past clients. Be careful if you see any reviews that mention taking a lot longer than expected to finish the job.  It's a good idea to state in no uncertain terms that you want the work to your house finished by a certain date, and insist that this date be placed into your contract. The last thing you want is to hire a contractor who can't complete their work on time.

Finding the right contractor after a storm can be stressful. The process can be even more stressful if you don't find the right contractor and end up hiring a scam artist. By doing a bit of research and asking the right questions, you can avoid disaster and hire the right company for the job.

If you're looking for a solid and dependable roofing company, look no further than Nations Roofing. Give us a call today at (813) 485-4440 and let us know what we can do for you!

Everyone enjoys watching squirrels scamper and scurry around the yard. After all, what's not to like? Squirrels are cute and entertaining to observe going about their business.  While it may be fun to have them around, squirrels can also cause major damage to the various parts of your roof. Since a squirrel's teeth and claws are constantly growing, they need to chew on wood and other materials to keep them from getting too long. Your house and roof are perfect for completing this task, and any damage done may necessitate the need for a professional roofing contractor to make repairs. In addition to damage caused by biting and scratching, squirrels may leave urine and feces in your attic or other parts of the house if they are able to make a hole big enough to get through and gain access...yuck!

So...what can we do to stop our furry little friends from damaging our roofs in a humane and responsible way? First and foremost, we recommend that you have your trees trimmed on a regular basis. Squirrels are excellent jumpers and can cover incredible distances between tree branches and structures. Branches should be trimmed back so that they are at least ten feet away from your roof. We also recommend that you keep any bird feeders as far as possible from your roof. Bird feeders are an easy source of food for squirrels and will attract several if you aren't careful about proper placement.

If you've noticed that squirrels have already taken a liking to your roof, you can apply a repellent such as capsaicin to the areas that the squirrels are frequenting. Capsaicin is the active ingredient in pepper spray and is sold in the form of an animal repellent in most hardware stores. The pungent and unpleasant odor from this spray may be enough to drive away any unwanted guests. Another option is to use a sonic repellent device that emits a high-pitched sound to keep squirrels away. Fortunately for us, these noise that these devices make are too high in pitch for humans to hear so you will not be annoyed as well.

It is a good idea to check your roof and walls periodically for holes that squirrels could potentially use to get into your home. It is also a good idea to go into your attic from time to time and look for any bite or claw marks, missing insulation, or other damage that may have been caused by squirrels. Always remember to take a flashlight and a dust mask with you when doing so.

Too late for prevention? Squirrels have chewed and scratched up your roof and made your attic their new home. What should you do? First and foremost, call an exterminator or other animal specialist and have them removed from inside your house. Any repair work will be accomplished for nothing if there are squirrels living inside your actual home. Once this is done, give us a call at (813) 485-4440 to set up an free roof inspection. We will be happy to come out and let you know how we can help repair the damage, and what can be done to prevent additional damage in the future. Don't let your furry friends become your worst enemies!

A new roof will add new life to your home. Whether damaged by nature or just worn out over time, your old roof can be much more than just an eyesore. In addition to making your house susceptible to leaks and water damage, your old roof is probably costing you money in wasted energy. Today we take a look at some of the advantages of installing new roofing, and how hiring a licensed and responsible roofing contractor can add major value to your home.

If you're thinking about selling your home, a new roof can be a tremendous asset. Put yourself in the shoes of a potential buyer. Would you be more likely to buy a home with a brand new roof or a home in need of a roof replacement within the next few years? A new roof can also add a great deal of "curb appeal" to your home and thus increase its potential sales price. Take a look at this shake shingle roof installation in Hernando County that Nations Roofing recently completed. Can you imagine the difference in seeing a roof like this versus an old roof could potentially make with a prospective buyer?

A new roof can also save you the massive headache of dealing with building inspection issues. A home's roof is one of the most visible components of the structure, and is likely to be heavily scrutinized during the inspection process. Installing a new roof on your home can help you avoid potential roadblocks when selling.

In addition to the added value to your home, a new roof installation will save you money and help to alleviate stress in other ways. As we mentioned previously, your old roof may be costing you big money in wasted energy. The asphalt roof shingles featured in the photo above are designed with "cool roof technology" and even have an ENERGY STAR® rating. These shingles reflect heat from the sun instead of absorbing it. The end result is less heat being trapped in your home...and a reduction in your energy bill.

​You will have to pay for a new roof. While I realize this is a shocking revelation, it is the truth and it is important to understand what your costs will be going into any project. According to this survey conducted by HomeAdvisor.com, most homeowners in the United States can expect to pay between $5,347 and $10,539 for a brand new roof. This number can fluctuate of course, depending on the pitch of the roof and the materials used. We here at Nations Roofing realize that this is no small chunk of change, which is why we do our best to provide you with the highest quality materials and craftsmanship in the business.

​Without doubt, having a new roof installed is a major investment, but it will increase the value of your house dramatically. It can also save you money on your energy bill and a great deal of stress when going through the inspection process. We at Nations Roofing realize that you have a choice when it comes to roofing companies. We would like the chance to provide you with the best possible service at the best possible price. Please reach out to us today at (813) 485-4440 and let us know what we can do for you!