Thanksgiving is right around the corner, with Christmas close behind, and we know many of you are gearing up for holiday preparations. While there's always your "standard" list of things to get done (like pulling the Christmas wreaths from the attic or hunting for your grandmother's famous pie recipes) each year brings its own unique to-do list. This year is certainly no exception, with 2020 bringing new elements into our holiday traditions. Maybe you're adding hand sanitizer by the door, or doing "virtual" Thanksgiving dinner with faraway relatives who can't travel. No matter how you plan to celebrate, everyone can agree that holidays go better when your home is ready.

Unfortunately, one major part of your home tends to get overlooked when it comes to maintenance and care. Your roof plays an important part in keeping your home's structure intact, and keeping the inside safe and dry, yet homeowners forget about it for years at a time. Until, that is, a problem comes up. It's important to understand though that there are things you can do all year long to keep your roof at its best and prevent major issues (and expensive repairs) from coming your way.

Three of our most recommended tips are:

1. Save the experiments for the kitchen. The holidays are a time of enjoying the smells and flavors of the season, and the kitchen is a great place to experiment with new dishes and flavor combinations. Your roof, on the other hand, is NOT the place to experiment. If you notice a small problem like a shingle coming loose or a tiny leak over your patio, "rigging" it with spray sealant, outdoor caulk, or some other bonding agent is NOT the answer. Not only are many of these materials not intended for use on your roof, but they could actually cause more damage in the long run. Before a small problem turns into a big catastrophe, call in the pros.

2. Don't let Santa be the only one up on the rooftop each year. An annual roof inspection by a licensed and insured roof contractor is the ideal way to keep your roof's structure and condition under watch, meaning any problems can be caught early and repaired easily. This can protect you from extensive water damage, warranting a full roof replacement, and will usually save you money in the long run.

3. Show your home you care...maintain your space! Not only does your roof need regular maintenance, but the trees and space around it do too. Failing to prune back trees, remove leaf litter, or let extensive algae build up can actually cause damage to your shingles and roofing materials over time. Trim back trees so they stay several feet from the surface of your roof, and have leaves and buildup removed professionally. Good news! EZ Roofing Systems now offers a cleaning service that does this for you, so you can get your inspection and your cleaning done all at one time!

We hope your Thanksgiving preparations go smoothly and you can look forward to the holidays with anticipation and joy after a hard year. EZ Roofing Systems is here to make it a little easier with our top-of-the-line customer service and attention to ethics and detail. We make roofing issues less stressful and easier to manage. When something goes wrong with your roof, call Bob the Roofer!

Hurricane season has officially kicked off here in Florida, and with Cristobal leaving remnants of rain and humidity here in Polk County, we are all reminded that a hit from a storm of our own could be lurking around the corner. When it comes to preparing for hurricanes, many Florida residents focus on stocking up on supplies, purchasing shutters for doors and windows, and making sure their generator is up and running. Protecting your home from damage is another important aspect of preparation though, and if you don't know the threats to watch out for, your roof could pay the price. 

Hurricanes are a unique challenge for your roof with their heavy, sustained winds, and torrential rain. When you add in debris, you could end up with major damage from even a "minor" hurricane. Keep these things in mind when you are preparing this year: 

Remove all debris from around your home.

That harmless pile of stakes from your fence project, or your row of flower pots lined up along the back wall of your home could turn into missiles during hurricane-force winds. Once of these objects when picked up and hurled at your roof could not only damage the surface roofing, but could end up penetrating your home and causing water leaks and extensive damage. When you know a storm is coming, bring everything you can inside. Make an effort to keep your property clear of most debris even when a storm isn't on the horizon, so you won't be scrambling when the clouds start to gather. 

Look up. 

Are your trees looking like something prehistoric? While large, mature trees are a blessing for their shade and their erosion control, they can be dangerous when it comes to storms if they aren't properly maintained. Have your older, mature trees evaluated routinely by professionals and invest in having limbs and dead wood removed as needed. This will not only keep your tree healthier, but will make it less likely to send deadly branches onto your roof during a storm. If the tree shows signs of sickness, it's time to have it removed. A direct hit from a fallen tree will not only destroy your roof, but likely your house underneath as well. 

Have water management in place. 

We know most Florida homes in residential neighborhoods aren't built with gutters nowadays, but that doesn't mean you don't need them! A good drainage and water management system is key to protecting your roof and your home, especially during heavy rain like that seen during hurricanes and tropical systems. Gutters, french drains, and plenty of healthy grass are great ways to keep your roof and the land around your home draining well and free from water retention. 

The best preparation for your roof is routine inspection. Before you are facing down a major storm system, having professionals at EZ Roofing Systems evaluate your roof's condition and make repairs as needed is a smart way to make your roof last longer. If a replacement is needed, they can help you plan for it carefully to make it as seamless as possible. When it comes to roofing in Florida, we make it EZ! 

Summers in Florida are known to be hot, but the temps don't necessarily fall off once that calendar switches seasons. Our year-round warm weather and excessive sunshine means we deal with some unique issues that our northern neighbors probably don't face, including the astronomical costs of running your AC year round and trying to keep your home at least moderately comfortable. While keeping your HVAC system in good shape and investing in routine repairs and maintenance is important, your house itself can actually play a big part in temperature control as well.

Try investing some thought into these options if you're struggling to keep your home cool (while staying within your budget) this year:

• Insulate! Insulation is a big part of keeping your home's temperature steady. In cooler weather, that means it's job is to keep heat in, but during the warm months (or all year long here in our area) it helps keep hot air out. Doing this so your AC won't be competing with the high outdoor temperatures creeping in and minimizing the cool air it's working hard to produce. If you're building a home, consider putting the money in for additional insulation (your contractor can help you with this) but if you're in an older home, you have options too! Professionals can spray foam insulation into existing walls, and can help you improve your home's temp management without ripping apart your home's interior.

• Watch those windows. In this case, it's a GOOD thing to throw shade...as long as it's at your windows. Sunlight translates to heat, and that is coming into your home for hours each day. While natural light is a good thing, direct light streaming into your home could be doing more harm than good. Watch the pattern of when the sun is hitting certain windows directly, and take time to close your blinds during those times so you're minimizing the heat transfer into your house. Even better? Purchasing light and heat blocking curtains can lower overall temps in your home, so your AC unit will be working less (and saving you $$$).

• Get a cool roof. No, we aren't talking about style (although, we do recommend keeping up curb appeal by choosing your roofing materials wisely). We literally mean a cool roof, aka, one designed to reflect heat and keep your home's interior cooler during the day. On average your roof's temperature can be 50-90 degrees hotter than the air around it! Imagine that heat working its way into your home. New "cool" roof options that use materials like reflective paint, reflective sheeting, or even specialized shingles are a great way to keep your home's temp comfortable and your energy costs lower.

EZ Roofing Systems can help you with that! If you have questions about upgrades for your home's roof, are facing a roof replacement, or simply need routine inspections and occasional repairs, we're Winter Haven's choice! We serve the greater Polk County area with quality customer service and are licensed and insured so you know you're protected and can trust us to give you the very best in the business. Give us a cal!