Universal Contracting of Florida

If your roof is damaged or leaking and is less than 15 years old, a roof repair can be more practical than full replacement. Common repairs include replacement of shingles and/or fascia boards, patching leaks, and fixing improperly installed flashing.

During new roof installation, your home gets a new underlayment and shingles over the roof decking. You can choose between 3-tab and architectural shingles, which can be made of asphalt, wood, composite, metal, or another material. New roofs last 20-30 years for less expensive materials, while slate, copper, or tile can last 50 years or longer.

The shingles on your home are both protective and decorative. These overlapping pieces of asphalt, wood, clay, slate, metal, or composite materials create a waterproof barrier that protects your home from the elements. They are available in multiple colors and include 3-tab, architecural, or luxury varieties. Asphalt shingles are the most common and budget-friendly, while clay, wooden, or composite shingles can add character and style to your home.

Metal roofing can be made of aluminum, copper, corrugated metal, or stone-coated steel. It's very long-lasting, durable, and energy efficient, making it a popular roofing material for both residential and commercial buildings.

Tile roofing is attractive, durable, and environmentally friendly. Tiles are made from slate, clay, or concrete, and are an excellent choice for buildings in hot areas or those exposed to salt air near the ocean. However, tile is a more expensive roof material and is also very heavy.

A roof inspection may be required by your homeowner's insurance, or you may get an inspection to check for damage before deciding on roof repair or replacement. During a roof inspection, a professional will look at the shingles, flashing, gutters, and more to determine the condition of the roof and provide an estimate on how long it may be until you need replacement. Some inspectors will climb on the roof for a physical inspection, while others will make an assessment from the ground. Others will use more advanced drone or infrared technologies. Regular inspections may be included in the homeowner's routine roof maintenance.

Skylights can bring in natural light, improve ventilation, and add architectural interest to your home. However, if your skylight is leaking, cracked, fogging over, or showing signs of water damage, it's important to contact a professional to schedule skylight repair. Roofers can replace skylight flashing and seals, broken or damaged glass, or open/close mechanisms that no longer work.

During gutter installation, professional roofers will remove the old gutters and downspouts from the eaves and brackets and check for damage such as rotted or failing boards and facia. From there, they will measure for new gutters, install them, and put on new downspouts and elbows. Finally, they'll clean the area and leave your home ready for the next rainstorm!

Roof waterproofing can provide an extra layer of protection against leaks in case shingles or other parts of the roof get damaged. Professional roofers will lay a base sheet or membrane under the usual underlayment and shingles. They'll also check the flashing around the vents, chimney, and skylights. If you have a flat roof, liquid membranes can be applied to improve waterproofing.

When you hire professionals for gutter cleaning, they can remove debris from your roof, clear debris and obstructions from the gutters by hand, and then use blowers or water to get rid of smaller waste. They can also test downspouts to ensure they aren't blocked, and clear them if there's an issue. From there, they'll clean up and you'll be ready for the next rain.