Over the years, I can’t recall how many times I’ve been called to help or fix a situation where the client has hired and, in most cases, paid someone else to do work on their home or building that was left incomplete or done so poorly that it posed a life safety issue or, at the least, failed to meet their expectations.

And in almost every case, the client either didn’t check licensure status or knowingly hired an unlicensed person to do the work. So many times we hear the stories from friends, neighbors, and even relatives talking about the “CONTRACTOR” who did poor work or took their money and never returned.

The keyword here is CONTRACTOR.  It’s a pet peeve of mine since those of us who are licensed contractors, know what that actually means. It means never-ending and continuing education.  It means experience.  It means licensing.  It means having expensive insurance policies and overhead.  And it also means having a legitimate business that is held accountable. 

So often we hear the word “contractor” or “unlicensed contractor” used by the media and others, when, in fact, what they should say an individual is “posing as a contractor,” since they are really not anything at all!  Especially NOT a contractor.

​Every year there are stories where someone has posed as a doctor or health specialist. They are almost always arrested and no one ever calls them “illegal doctors.”  They are always referred to as “posing as a doctor.” 
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So today’s tip is:  If you need a contractor, make sure they are licensed and have up-to-date insurance.  Be sure to check their background.  This can easily be done online!

You wouldn’t hire a doctor off of Craigslist so why would you do that for your business or home?

Dos and Don’ts for Homeowners
If your shingles are no longer looking new and attractive or if your roof appears dark and discolored in some areas, it's time to break out the ladder and get this spring-cleaning job taken care of.  Climbing on your roof frequently to clean off growth CAN damage your roof and shorten its lifespan by loosening the granules on your shingles. So, it’s best to know how to clean your roof properly so that you ensure you don’t have to do it too often.

So what are the best ways to clean your roof?  We've got you covered (like a rooftop!)!

Don’t: Clean your roof on a sunny day!!  The sun will cause the bleach solution to evaporate too quickly and will limit its cleansing effects.
Do: Clean your roof on a cloudy, calm day when the wind isn’t blowing and there’s no threat of rain or thunderstorms.

Don’t: Clean your roof without taking proper safety precautions!
Do: Clean your roof only after determining that you can safely walk its surface. If you do get up on your roof, wear comfortable shoes with slip-resistant rubber soles.  Also, wear eye and skin protection.

Don’t: Ignore your landscape and shrubbery which can be harmed by the bleach solution!  
Do: Wet plants and flowers thoroughly with plain water.  Then cover them with plastic while you spray the roof with the bleach solution.  Finally, rinse them again!

Don’t: Use a pressure washer!  This device can loosen shingles and seriously damage your roof.
Do: Use a sprayer attached to garden hose!  Prefill a sprayer that’s filled with equal parts laundry strength chlorine bleach and water. This is the best way to clean a roof if you have asphalt shingles. After spraying the roof with the mixture, allow it to sit on the surface for 15 to 20 minutes before rinsing thoroughly with clean water.

Don’t: Assume the solution will immediately remove all growth from your roof and apply the solution again.  
Do: Have patience. Sometimes the algae will wash away during subsequent rainstorms and if you're dealing with moss growth, it will eventually loosen to the point where it can be removed with a leaf blower.
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Don’t: Wait until your roof is completely stained or discolored to take action.
Do: Trim back overhanging branches in order to expose the roof to sunlight.  Use this opportunity to clear away branches and leaves.

Please note these roof-cleaning tips only apply for asphalt shingles.  If you have another type of roof, it’s important to check with your manufacturer to find out how to clean your roof. In fact, it’s wise to consult your manufacturer for roof-cleaning tips regardless of what type of shingles you have in order to avoid inadvertent damage.  We recommend these steps be taken approximately every 3-5 years, depending on your roof.  

And if you're tired of that old roof and interested in a NEW modular home, we can help!