Above & Beyond Roofing Lake of the Ozarks

One tradition many people partake in each year for the 4th of July is shooting off fireworks! While fireworks can provide great enjoyment, they also bring an increased risk of damage to your roof. Quality roofing material has been treated to be fire resistant, but some conditions can still lead to fires. We see it happen year after year. Today's blog from your favorite Lake of the Ozarks roofing company offers a few tips on how to stay safe while lighting fireworks this weekend. 1. Clear Your Roof of Any Debris.  Before shooting off any fireworks near your home, be sure there's no debris sitting on your roof. Dry leaves, sticks and other debris tend to gather in roof valleys and gutters. These types of material can quickly turn a small spark from a firework into a blazing fire. By clearing your roof ahead of time, you'll decrease the risk of a house fire if a firework does accidentally land on your roof. Regular cleaning of your gutters, not just around the 4th o...

Temperatures are now starting to get cooler and winter is quickly approaching. Along with winter comes an increase in utility bills and a struggle to keep them as low as possible without freezing. In today's blog, Above & Beyond offers a few energy efficiency tips to help you keep your home warm and your electric bill low this winter. 1. Dress Warm.  One of the simplest ways to save money on your electric bill is to just turn down the heat. Rather than walking around the house in shorts and a tank top, find a nice warm pair of sweat pants and a sweatshirt. Keep blankets on the couch and you can even add an area rug for extra insulation on the floor. For every degree you lower your heat in the 60°-70° range, you can save up to 5% on energy costs. 2. Let the Sunshine In.  When the sun is shining, you can take advantage of free heat! Open the curtains on your south-facing windows to allow the rays to come in and heat your home. Now we're not saying you can turn y...

If you notice your roof is losing granules, there's a chance your roof is nearing the end of it's life. These mineral granules serve as extra protection from the elements. Without those granules, you could experience leaks and other roof damage. In today's blog, your Lake of the Ozarks roofing company explains both the causes and effects of the loss of protective mineral granules on your asphalt roof. Spotting Granule Loss  Besides checking the actual shingle surface for granule loss, which can be difficult without climbing on the roof, you can look for granules in the gutters. As the granules fall off the roof, they can collect in the gutters and downspouts. You could also see them collecting on the ground where the downspout sends the water, as the rain can wash the granules down and away from the house. Causes of Granule Loss Let's take a look at a few of the common causes of granule loss on asphalt roofs: 1. Your Roof is Old. - In most cases, granule...

We live in a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) world. Now more than ever, people are trying to do everything themselves to save money. While some things can be done without much experience, roofing should be done by a professional. Keep reading for 5 reasons you should hire a Lake of the Ozarks roofing professional to install your new roof or repair your current one. 1. You'll Probably Save Money in the Long Run.  The main reason people take on DIY projects is to save money. However, when it comes to something as important as your roof, you may end up spending more in the long run. Hiring a professional will make sure you get the job done right the first time. If you mess up your DIY roofing project and end up having to hire a professional to fix it, you're going to end up spending way more than if you would have just hired a professional in the first place. 2. The Project Will Get Done A Lot Faster.  The purpose of a roof is to protect your home and all its contents. When you...

As we enter storm season, our roofs should be of top concern. Your roof protects you, your home and it's contents from the elements. While the summer season brings the possibility of tornadoes and flash floods, hail can be far more devastating to property. The #1 roofing company at the Lake of the Ozarks wants to make sure you're prepared for hail season and your roof is able to properly protect you throughout the stormy season. Hail Season While hail season in Missouri runs from March to October, we see the majority of hail storms between May and August. In Missouri, hail storms primarily occur in the afternoon or evening. The most severe hail storms typically occur between 1 pm and 9 pm. Hail storms rarely last for more than 15 minutes, with the median duration falling at just 6 minutes. Hail Safety Tips If you find yourself caught in a hail storm, seek shelter immediately. If you can't get inside a building, at least find something to protect your head. Try to ...

Investing in a new roof is a major undertaking. Like with any new project, you're going to have roofing questions. The best roofing company at the Lake of the Ozarks has the answers to several of the most common roofing questions you might have. If you don't find the answers here, feel free to give us a call at 573-302-0354 with any other questions we can help you with. 1. How do I know if my roof needs to be replaced?  More often than not, homeowners don't recognize a problem until the roof starts leaking or other serious damage has occurred. By getting a free roof inspection at the Lake of the Ozarks twice a year, issues can be discovered before the damage gets bad enough for costly repairs. Cracked, warped or missing shingles, loose seams and deteriorated flashings, excessive surface granules accumulating in the gutters or downspouts are all signs that your roof could need replaced or at the least repaired. In the interior of your home, you can look for cracked ...

When fixing up your home, animal proofing should be at the top of the list. Animals can do a lot of damage once inside your home, so it's best to just prevent them from entering in the first place. During the colder months, animals like to find shelter in warm places such as your home. The best roofing company at the Lake of the Ozarks wants to make sure your roof and the rest of your home are properly maintained to keep these critters out. Here are a few common things to look for and tips you can use to keep wildlife out of your home! Common Wildlife Problems A few simple and inexpensive preventative measures can go a long way in avoiding conflict with animals in your home. Inspecting your home at least twice a year is a good place to start. Here are a few solutions to common wildlife issues you could experience: Proper Gutter, Soffit and Fascia Board Installation Window Well Covers Approved Vent Covers Chimney Cap  Mesh Covered Attic Vents Animal Stopper Garbage Ca...

Shingles are designed to protect against the weather, but they aren't impervious to storm damage. The wind, rain and hail that often accompany winter storms can take their toll on your roof. While we recommend that you hire a Lake of the Ozarks roofing professional to actually climb up on your roof, there are a few things you can look for from ground level. It's important however, that you understand not all damage is obvious and hidden damage can cause problems weeks or even months after a storm. Observable Storm Damage High winds can tear and remove shingles, leaving your roof deck, underlayment or old shingles from a previous roof exposed to the elements. Wind can also lift and curl shingles by breaking the seal that bonds them together, leaving your roof vulnerable to wind-driven rain. In addition to wind damage, storms involving hail can make problems even worse. Hail can leave dents or pockmarks in shingles, dislodging the protective granules that protect against ...

The weather here in mid-Missouri is quite unpredictable. While we've been having snow and below freezing temperatures this week, the forecast shows temperatures are expect to rise back up into the 50s next weekend. While you may enjoy the warmer temperatures, you're roof doesn't deal with the temperature fluctuations quite as well. Our Lake of the Ozarks roofing company wants to educate you on how fluctuating temperatures affect your roof. Fluctuating Temperatures & Your Roof Think of your roof like a rubber band. While extremely hot weather causes your roof to expand, the colder weather causes it to contract. This "thermal shock" causes your roof to stretch quite a bit to accommodate the changes in temperature. Most roofs are designed to handle this expansion and contraction, but older roofs don't take the movement as well. Damage Caused By Fluctuating Temperatures One of the most common forms of damage caused by fluctuating temperatures ...

The year is winding down and the holiday season is upon us - Thanksgiving is just one day away! If you're looking for something to pass the time while you wait for that turkey to cook, try testing your knowledge of Thanksgiving with these fun trivia questions! 1. According to the Butterball Association, how long should you let your turkey thaw in the refrigerator? A. 8 hours for every 4 lbs. B. 12 hours for every 4 lbs. C. 4 hours for every 4 lbs. D. 24 hours for every 4 lbs. 2. What was the first department store to hold a Thanksgiving Day parade? A. J.C. Penny's B. Gimbel's C. Macy's D. Montgomery Wards 3. Which president was the first to establish Thanksgiving as a legal national holiday to be held the 4th Thursday of November? A. Abraham Lincoln B. Franklin D. Roosevelt C. Thomas Jefferson D. James Madison 4. In what year did the first Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade take place? A. 1894 B. 1904 C. 1914 D. 1924 5. Which president ...

Here in the Midwest, thunderstorms are often accompanied by hail. Many Lake of the Ozarks roofs and homes are damaged by hail each year. Hailstones that are 0.75 inches (the diameter of a penny) or greater are large enough to cause substantial damage to not only homes, but also vehicles and other property. Sometimes hail damage is difficult to detect. Just because there's no visible damage and your roof isn't leaking, doesn't mean that the hail damage isn't there. Many homeowners don't discover major roofing damage until years down the road. Roof Hail Damage     When it comes to hail damage, your roof is the most susceptible part of your home. Damaged shingles may allow water to seep through the roof causing additional damage to the roof deck, support structure, interior walls or windows. Leaking roofs can lead to costly damages, especially because insurance companies have strict time limits on submitting claims after hailstorms. If you suspect hail damage t...

Labor Day Weekend has arrived! While Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer, that's not the reason we celebrate it. Labor Day celebrates the contributions and achievements of the U.S. work force. How many of these Labor Day Trivia questions do you know the answer to? Labor Day Trivia 1. On which date was the first Labor Day celebrated?  A. September 1, 1882 B. September 2, 1886 C. September 5, 1882 D. September 4, 1886 2. Who is widely believed to be the father of Labor Day?  A. Peter McGuire   B. Matthew Maguire C. Leslie Smith D. Samuel Gompers 3. Which state had the first Labor Day law passed on Feb. 21, 1887? A. New Jersey B. Oregon C. Colorado D. New York 4. Originally, Labor Day began as __________.  A. a demonstration demanding rights for workers.  B. a way to let hard workers have an extra day off work.  C. a way for employers to reward their employees.  ...

While many of us are concerned for our roofs during the winter weather, summer can take it's toll on our roofs as well. It's important to maintain your roof year round, not just when you experience severe weather. As your Lake of the Ozarks roofing company , we've put together this summer maintenance to-do list for you: Summer Maintenance To-Do List 1. From the safety of the ground, check your roof for any cracked/loose shingles, debris or mold and algae growth. Binoculars can come in handy for this step. Mold damage happens quickly, especially in the summer, and can be a real hassle if not addressed immediately. Be sure to clear any debris or fungal growth that you may find. 2. Examine all items that protrude from your roof, including chimneys, skylights and plumbing vents, to make sure they are properly sealed. If you have skylights, be sure to clean around them regularly. Debris and water could pool on top of a skylight and cause major problems if not dealt wi...

The 4th of July holiday is filled with, family, fun, fireworks and of course...food! Having a BBQ is one of the most popular activities people participate in for the 4th of July. From hot dogs to hamburgers, watermelon to popcicles, this holiday weekend is quite the celebration. Your Lake of the Ozarks roofer has put togther a list of red, white and blue treats for you to try out at your 4th of July BBQ celebration this weekend! Red, White & Blue Chex Mix   Recipe From: www.TableSpoon.com Ingredients:  3 tablespoons butter or margarine 1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce 3/4 teaspoon seasoned salt 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 1/4 teaspoon onion powder 4 1/2 cups Corn Chex cereal 2 cup pretzels 2 cups mini marshmallows 1 cup red and blue chocolate candies 1 pound white almond bark Red and blue gel food coloring Directions:  1.  In a large microwavable bowl, microwave the butter uncovered until melted (about 30 seconds on high). Stir in the seas...