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The Florida Legislature just passed a 191-page bill that brings major changes for condo associations—especially when it comes to reserve funding.

The Florida Legislature just passed a 191-page bill that brings major changes for condo associations—especially when it comes to reserve funding.

FLORIDA LEGISLATURE GOES OUT WITH ONE BIG BILL FOR CONDOS

by Eric M. Glazer

The Florida Legislature ended in a real blockbuster way in regards to new condo legislation.  In the end The Florida House and The Florida Senate agreed on ONE BIG BILL that is 191 pages long.  It passed the Senate unanimously and in the House there were only 2 opposed.  Obviously, we can’t talk about the entire contents of the bill in one blog.  It will take several, but today let’s discuss the big RESERVE FUND CHANGES.

As we know………….In 2021, The Champlain Towers collapsed in Surfside, killing 98 innocent men, women and children.  After that collapse The Florida Legislature did the right thing and for the first time, mandated that Florida condominium owners contribute toward funding a reserve account each year.  The vote was 110-0. 

Well…..that vote didn’t hold up to some extent.  Now, you can pay reserve funds by taking out loans, and in some circumstances you don’t have to pay reserves at all.  Let’s explain.

RESERVES BEING PAID BY LINES OF CREDIT

The Bill will allow funding reserves by using lines of credit. 

So year one you take out a line of credit to fund reserves.  You have to start paying it back with interest immediately, over a few years.

Year two you take out another line of credit to fund reserves……NOW YOU HAVE 2 LOANS WITH INTEREST

Year three you take out another line of credit to fund reserves…….NOW YOU HAVE 3 LOANS WITH INTEREST.

And this would now be allowed to go on year after year after year. 

As I previously wrote,  THIS IS LIKE PAYING YOUR MONTHLY CONDOMINIUM ASSESSMENTS BY USING A CREDIT CARD. 

AND………………….The money in reserves will eventually be used to pay for repairs, but all of these lines of credit  still need to be repaid each month.  It will be a never-ending process.  A never ending loan that all of the owners will have to re-pay with interest.  Eventually, the monthly payments will far exceed what the payments would have been if everyone was simply required to pay what the reserves required in the first place.   This is playing with fire and condominium owners will forever be in debt.  Count on it.

INVESTMENT OF RESERVE FUNDS

The Florida Legislature did agree with a blog we posted two weeks ago and which would have allowed reserve funds to be invested anywhere.  But as we stated – that was a bad idea and would have required an investment committee as well.

So the new law states:

A board shall, in fulfilling its duty to manage operating and reserve funds of its association, use best efforts to make prudent investment decisions that carefully consider risk and return in an effort to maximize returns on invested  funds.

(b) an association, including a multicondominium association, may invest reserve funds in one or any combination of certificates of deposit or in depository accounts at a community bank, savings bank, commercial bank, savings and loan association, or credit union without a vote of the unit owners.

A good bill – but it does leave open the question…..Suppose you do get the vote of the owners……can the owners vote to put the reserves in the stock market?   I don’t know.

AND HERE IS THE OTHER MASSIVE SURPRISE WHEN IT COMES TO RESERVE FUNDS

The new bill states:

For a budget adopted on or before December 31, 2028, (so this includes the association’s 2029 budget) if the association has completed a milestone inspection within the previous 2 calendar years, the board, upon the approval of a majority of the total voting interests of the  association, may temporarily pause, for a period of no more than two consecutive annual budgets, reserve fund contributions or reduce the amount of reserve funding for the purpose of funding repairs recommended by the milestone inspection. An association that has paused reserve contributions under this subparagraph must have a structural integrity reserve study performed before the continuation of reserve contributions in order to determine the association’s reserve funding needs and to recommend a reserve funding plan.

SO TO BE VERY CLEAR HERE……….THIS ONLY APPLIES TO ASSOCIATIONS THAT HAVE HAD THEIR MILESTONE INSPECTION, MEANING THEIR 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 OR 50 YEAR INSPECTION) WITHIN THE PREVIOUS 2 CALENDAR YEARS.  THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT STARTING IMMEDIATELY, EVERY CONDO GETS TO PAUSE RESERVE FUND CONTRIBUTIONS FOR TWO YEARS.  THAT IS NOT WHAT THIS NEW LAW IS SAYING……. YOU ONLY GET TO PAUSE RESERVE FUND CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UP TO TWO YEARS, IF YOU HAD YOUR MILESTONE INSPECTION WITHIN THE LAST TWO YEARS.

AND THIS IS BEING ALLOWED IN ORDER THAT YOU HAVE THE FUNDS AVAILABLE TO MAKE THE REPAIRS REQUIRED BY THE MILESTONE INSPECTION.

In all honesty, this is not as bad as I originally thought it to be.  It gives owners the ability to make and pay for the necessary repairs while not simultaneously paying reserves —– but only for a two year period.

BUT I’M GOING TO GET A MILLION CALLS AND E-MAILS ASKING ME IF IT’S TRUE THAT WE DON’T HAVE TO PAY RESERVES IN OUR CONDOMIINIUM FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS…….AND MY ANSWER IS GOING TO BE………..

ONLY IF YOU HAD YOUR MILESTONE INSPECTION WITHIN THE LAST TWO YEARS.

Again, this bill is massive.  We only scratched the surface.  Over the next few weeks, we’ll let you know what else is in the bill and we’ll let you know if Governor DeSantis signs it into law.

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ASAP MAILBOX AND MORE Asks Clients & Customers to Check and Maintain Their Mailboxes During National Mailbox Awareness Week

ASAP MAILBOX AND MORE Asks Clients & Customers to Check and Maintain Their Mailboxes During National Mailbox Awareness Week

ASAP MAILBOX AND MORE Asks Clients & Customers to Check and Maintain Their Mailboxes During National Mailbox Awareness Week

With National Mailbox Improvement Week (May 18 – May 24), the U.S. Postal Service is encouraging customers to inspect, maintain, and upgrade their mailboxes to help ensure safe, secure, and efficient mail delivery.

“Customer’s mailboxes are the first point of contact for receiving birthday cards, letters, and important documents,” said Acting Postmaster and CEO Doug Tulino. “A well-maintained mailbox helps to ensure that every package and parcel makes it to its intended destination safely and efficiently.”

Each year, USPS designates the third week of May as Mailbox Improvement Week to encourage customers with box-on-post-delivery to examine and, where necessary, improve the appearance of their mailboxes. Through regular mailbox maintenance efficient mail delivery, enhanced neighborhood curb appeal, and improved postal service operations are better ensured.

ASAP Mailbox And More, Inc.

Professional mailbox installation and repair company servicing all Florida counties

Mailbox care tips

The Postal Service annually calls attention to Mailbox Awareness Week because of the wear and tear that occurs to mailboxes throughout the year. Some of the typical activities homeowners may need to do include:

  • Replacing loose hinges on a mailbox door.
  • Repainting a mailbox that may have rusted or has started to peel.
  • Remounting a loosened mailbox post.
  • Replacing or adding house numbers

Keeping security top-of-mind

USPS partners with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service to keep postal employees, the mail stream, and the American public safe, prevent incidents through education and awareness, and enforce the laws that protect our nation’s mail network.

Tips to secure your mail include:

  • Promptly pick up your mail: Try not to leave letters and packages in your mailbox or at your door for any length of time.
  • Report mailbox vandalism: If you see someone actively tampering with a mailbox, immediately report it to the police.

 

ASAP Mailbox and More, Inc. supplies and installs all types of residential curbside mailboxes and all styles of cluster box units ( CBU’s) We are a one-stop source for everything related to installing a new mailbox. From removal of the existing mailbox, to the installation of the new one in concrete, to the address numbering, we handle everything and provide our services in all Florida counties.

ASAP Mailbox And More, Inc.’s main facility is located in Cape Coral, Florida. From this main warehouse and fabrication location, we are able to sell and ship our mailboxes WITH INSTALLATION INCLUDED Nationwide in conjunction with our network of local dealers located in each county.

We take pride in living up to our name “ASAP” when it comes to handling mailbox installs and repairs for HOA’s, property managers and individual homeowners.

From providing complete Community mailbox and signage replacement to repairing a broken bracket for a homeowner, we always handle the project professionally and in a timely manner.

Jim Cahill-Owner
ASAP Mailbox And More, Inc.
Cape Coral, FL 33909
“Now Repairing and Installing Mailboxes In All Florida Counties”
Toll-Free: 877-ASAPMAILBOX  (877-272-7624)
 Local Phone: 239-262-1165

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Is Pond and Lake Algae Bloom Dangerous? by SOLitude Lake Management.

Is Pond and Lake Algae Bloom Dangerous? by SOLitude Lake Management.

Warm weather often comes with an increase in algal blooms in our waterways. Algae is a nuisance – it can grow in slimy, smelly mats, create eyesores, and entangle swimmers and fishing hooks.

Rather than creating places to connect with neighbors, watch beautiful sunsets, and host fun activities, waterbodies containing nuisance algae growth can lead to nasty comments and complaints. But in worst-case scenarios, it may pose a danger to the community. 

Although most algae aren’t dangerous to our health, we must be mindful and diligent about limiting our exposure to certain types of algal blooms. Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs), also known as blue-green algae or cyanobacteria, are a very serious issue impacting the safety of our waterways. Exposure to HABs can be life-threatening for people, pets, and wildlife due to toxins they are capable of releasing.

However, the toxicity of an algal bloom cannot be confirmed with a visual inspection. Suspected HABs must be sampled and tested at a lab to confirm the species of algae present. Once the species is confirmed, a management plan can be implemented.

What does harmful algae look like?

Harmful algal blooms can look like blue or green paint spilled into the water. It may also appear as thick, puffy blue or green foam on the surface of the water, or as swirling colors beneath the surface of the water. HABs can also have distinct smells that have been described as grassy, fishy, or septic.

What should I do if I suspect the presence of harmful algae?

Here are four things to do – or not do! – if you see anything that looks like an HAB in your waterbody:

  1. Call a professional immediately: It is impossible to tell from a visual inspection whether an algal bloom is toxic. It must be appropriately sampled and tested.
  2. Avoid it: Do not swim or wade through blue-green algal scums. Do not boat, water ski, jet ski, or fish where algal scum is present. And certainly, don’t source drinking water where algal blooms are present!
  3. Keep pets out: Do not let your pets swim in or drink from the water. Toxic algae blooms can be fatal to dogs and other animals. Even short exposures to some HABs can be fatal.
  4. Take extra precautions: If you or your family members, including pets, have been in water with any algae present, always shower off with soap and clean water after swimming.

Keep Your Water Safe and Clean with Annual Management

Keeping your community safe and happy is an utmost priority – because safe, happy residents are more engaged with each other, pleased with community leadership, and proud of where they live. An annual management program is one of the best ways to maintain the safety and aesthetics of your waterbodies. When monitored and managed on a consistent basis, it’s possible to identify and get ahead of HABs or other water quality problems before community members are affected.

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Not all Expenditures Can Be Collected from Delinquent Owners as Part of the Collection/Foreclosure Process – Why Not?

Not all Expenditures Can Be Collected from Delinquent Owners as Part of the Collection/Foreclosure Process – Why Not?

Not all Expenditures Can Be Collected from Delinquent Owners as Part of the Collection/Foreclosure Process – Why Not?

It is clear that Florida’s community association collection/foreclosure legislation allows associations to foreclose an owner’s home for nonpayment of assessments. However, not all of the monies expended by an association fit into the definition of an assessment. For example, let’s say that an association has a right to correct a deficiency on an owner’s lot, but the declaration of covenants at issue does not support converting the money spent into an assessment. In that event, the monies expended by the association would have to be recovered as part of a breach of contract action rather than as part of an assessment/foreclosure action. Sometimes, however, the declaration will provide that the monies expended can be treated as an assessment. If that is the case, then before those expenditures can be included as a part of the collection/foreclosure process, the board would need to convert the expenditure into an assessment against the noncomplying owner. (As to how that is done, you can discuss it with your community association’s attorney.) Florida’s collection/foreclosure legislation also provides for recovery of certain costs incidental to the collection/foreclosure process, but recovery of such cost must be rooted in a statute or by contract (i.e., the declaration of covenants).

Let’s look at the fee charged by a management company for sending the notice of late assessment letter, often referred as a NOLA letter, as required by Florida Statute, and determine whether it is a recoverable cost in an association’s collection/foreclosure action and whether including the NOLA fee as a part of the association’s collection/foreclosure proceedings violates the Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (the Act).

The Act was passed into law because of abundant evidence of the use of abusive, deceptive, and unfair debt collection practices. It does not matter whether a debt collector used their best efforts to comply with the Act. Only strict compliance matters when it comes to the enforceability of the Act against a debt collector. Clearly, the association is not considered a “debt collector” pursuant to the Act and, for the most part, neither are management companies, with this caveat: the pendulum may swing in the future to the notion that management companies are, in fact, debt collectors. It seems that at least for the time being they are shielded from the Act. However, what is patently clear is that an attorney who provides collection/foreclosure services to assist their association clients with delinquent assessments is certainly considered a “debt collector.” Therefore, the attorney must be vigilant when reviewing the delinquent owner’s account ledger to ensure that the items set out in the ledger can lawfully be included in the association’s collection/foreclosure action. A recent case reminds us of this fact.

On February 4, 2025, in Glover v. Ocwen Loan Servicing, Case no. 23-12578 & 12579 (11th Cir. Fla. 2025), the 11th Circuit of the Federal Court of Appeals found that Ocwen as a debt collector violated the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act when it charged consumers an optional fee when making expedited mortgage payments because the loan servicer charged an amount that was not expressly authorized by the agreement creating the debt or permitted by law. The takeaway from this case is that a debt collector can only collect debts that are authorized by law or by contract with the debtor.

It was only several years ago that the Florida legislature enacted into law the requirement that an association assessment debtor must be provided the NOLA correspondence from the association providing the debtor a final opportunity to pay their delinquent assessment debt prior to turning the matter over to the association’s legal counsel to commence collection/foreclosure proceedings where fees and costs accrue against the debtor. See S. 718.121 and S. 720.3085, Fla. Stat.

Management companies are typically tasked with preparing and sending the NOLA letter on behalf of the associations they manage before turning the file over for collections to the association’s attorney. In this regard, a management company that is charging such a fee but has not amended its contract with the association to provide for charging the fee for the notice of late assessment would be wise to consider amending its contract with the association they represent to provide for this charge. Doing so would ensure that the management company, even though it may not be considered a “debt collector,” would have a solid basis for charging the fee because it would be based on a contractual obligation charged to the association. This is important because the NOLA, as mandated by Florida Statutes, does not at all provide for the recovery of a fee in regard to sending such a letter. So, while management companies may not be considered a “debt collector” today, this could change in any new case at any time. Why take the chance?

Now, let’s analyze whether the attorney who is collecting the past due assessment debts for the association can include the management company’s NOLA fee paid by the association to the management company in the collection/foreclosure action against a delinquent owner. Keep in mind, as we go through the analysis, that the “debt collector” (in this case, the attorney) can only collect debts authorized by contract or by law, and also remember that the relevant laws governing the NOLA letter do not provide for a specific cost recovery for the management company sending of the notice of late assessment letter. Thus, at a minimum, there should at least be a contractual obligation that the association pay the management company for sending the NOLA letter. But that may not always be the case even though it is the better practice.

Part and parcel with the collection/foreclosure process is the recording of an association assessment lien. To be valid, such a claim of lien must state the description of the parcel, the name of the record owner, the name and address of the association, the assessment amount due, and the due date. The claim of lien secures all unpaid assessments that are due and that may accrue subsequent to the recording of the claim of lien and before entry of a certificate of title, as well as interest, late charges, and reasonable costs and attorneys’ fees incurred by the association incident to the collection process.

So, while the relevant statutes do not provide for the association to be able to recover a fee for the sending of the NOLA letter, it certainly should be considered a “reasonable cost incurred by the association incident to the collection process,” most especially when the fee charged for sending the NOLA letter is a contractual obligation between the association and the management company.

There even exists an argument that, even if the management contract between the association and the management company does not provide that the association is responsible to pay the management company for the preparation and sending of the notice of late assessment, it is still considered a “reasonable cost”; but when you plug in the holding of the aforementioned case, the collection of the cost associated with the NOLA letter by the debt collector (i.e., the attorney representing the association), the better practice is to ensure that the contract between the management company and the association contains a provision that the association is responsible to pay the management company a reasonable fee for each such notice of late assessment letter sent.

Perhaps now you have a better understanding of why, at times, the association’s collection/foreclosure attorney cannot include a particular line item on the delinquent owner’s account ledger in the collection/foreclosure action. If you have any questions regarding the collection/foreclosure process, most especially which charges can and cannot be included, please be sure to discuss them with your association’s attorney.

 

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What Is Dissolved Oxygen and Why Is it Important for My Waterbody? by SOLitude

What Is Dissolved Oxygen and Why Is it Important for My Waterbody? by SOLitude

What Is Dissolved Oxygen and Why Is it Important for My Waterbody?

Dissolved oxygen (DO) refers to the concentration of oxygen in water. DO is vital for healthy lakes and ponds and key to the survival of fish, other aquatic life, and beneficial bacteria. DO also helps prevent muck build-up by supporting the decomposition of organic materials like dead plants and animal waste.

Waterbodies with insufficient DO are more likely to experience water quality and nutrient imbalances that may lead to:

  • Nuisance weeds
  • Algae
  • Toxic cyanobacteria (blue-green algae)
  • Fish kills
  • Foul odors
  • Bottom sludge
  • Loss of depth and flooding

Fortunately, many solutions are available to correct DO deficiencies, promote healthy water quality, and help prevent future issues.

 

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Floating Pond Fountains

Fountains and surface aerators are some of the most recognizable tools designed to help oxygenate and circulate water. Both types of units improve water quality by creating surface movement and are most effective in waterbodies between 4-8 feet deep.

Fountains use specialized pumps to spray water into the air in decorative patterns. As it falls, it creates turbulence that facilitates the transfer of oxygen into the water column. However, the water quality benefits of fountains are often secondary to the aesthetic benefits.

Kasco Surface Aerator

Pond Surface Aerators

Surface aerators are low-profile units with strong propellers that create a boil-like flow. Though they’re less eye-catching than fountains, these systems can infuse up to 72 pounds of oxygen into the water in 24 hours, making them an excellent choice if water quality improvement is the priority.

Pond Submersed Aerator

For waterbodies greater than 6-8 feet deep, experts may recommend a submersed aerator, which uses an on-shore compressor to pump air through tubing to the bottom of a lake or pond where it is released through diffusers. The fine bubbles that are produced help oxygenate and circulate the water column as they rise. Submersed aerators can be placed directly under or near a fountain or surface aerator for maximum benefits.

Oxygenation Technologies

In addition to fountains and pond aerators, which have been used in the lake management industry for decades, there are also several new premium solutions for improving oxygen levels in waterbodies. Nanobubbles, side stream saturation, and other modern technologies help provide a more direct means of elevating DO.

Nanobubbles are microscopic bubbles that are continuously injected into the water with a compact, on-shore unit. They are negatively charged, allowing them to oxidize and degrade positively charged algal cells, toxins, and excess nutrients when they come in contact. Because they also lack natural buoyancy, they can remain in the water for months.

Side stream saturation offers comparable benefits to traditional aeration without producing bubbles. By injecting oxygen at low pressure through suction and discharge lines into specific water depths, this method achieves five to ten times the oxygenation efficiency. The oxygen-rich water is then infused into bottom sediments, where it remains for extended periods.

 

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HOUSE BILL 913 – Part Two

HOUSE BILL 913 – Part Two

HOUSE BILL 913 – Part Two by Eric Glazer

As we said last week, it should come as no surprise that Representative Vicki Lopez came right out of the gate this year and filed a massive condo bill with House Bill 913. The bill covers many categories and we’ll break the bill down over the next few issues. It already has passed one House Committee and there may be no stopping it.

BOARD MEETINGS

Board of administration meetings.—in a residential condominium association of more than 10 units, the board of administration shall meet at least once each quarter. At least four times each year, the meeting agenda must include an opportunity for members to ask questions of the board, including questions relating to the status of any construction or repair projects, the status of all revenue and expenditures during the current fiscal year, and any other issues affecting the condominium..

RIGHT TO OBTAIN A LINE OF CREDIT

For an annual budget adopted on or before December 31, 2027, the members of a unit-owner-controlled association may approve, by a majority vote of the total voting interests of the association, the provision of a secured line of credit for up to 35 percent of the amount of the reserves required to meet the reserve funding schedule recommended by a structural integrity reserve study with respect to items with an estimated remaining useful life of greater than 10 years.

So if in the 2026 budget you have to reserve $200,000 for items with an estimated useful life of greater than 10 years —- the association can take out a $70,000.00 line of credit.

POOLING RESERVES

An association’s structural integrity reserves may be pooled for two or more required components. But may only be pooled with other components in the structural integrity reserve study. 

So what do you think?

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Axela Technologies – Your Trusted HOA Collections Solution Platform 🌟

Axela Technologies – Your Trusted HOA Collections Solution Platform 🌟

Homeowners Association (HOA) collections can be a source of stress and anxiety for those who fall behind on their dues. Nobody wants to risk losing their cherished homes due to unforeseen financial challenges. But here’s some good news – there’s a better way!

🌟 Enter Axela Technologies – Your Trusted HOA Collections Solution Platform 🌟

We understand that life sometimes throws curveballs, and financial struggles can happen to anyone. That’s why we take a compassionate and understanding approach to HOA collections, unlike some attorneys who may resort to foreclosure threats.

📖 In our latest article, we dive into the stark differences between attorneys who may pursue foreclosure and Axela Technologies, your partner in HOA collections.

💡 So, what sets Axela apart?

✅ Compassion: We genuinely care about your situation and work to find solutions that fit owner’s needs.
✅ Understanding: We know that financial difficulties can be temporary, and we’re here to help owners get back on track.
✅ Communication: We believe in transparency and open dialogue to find the best resolution.
✅ Avoid Foreclosure: Our goal is to prevent foreclosure threats and help you keep people in their homes!

Learn how to ease the burden and provide peace of mind during challenging times.

We Know Community Associations

Specialized Collection Solutions for Condos & HOAs

Take Control of Your Accounts Receivables

If your community association is suffering from high delinquency rates and long recovery times for delinquent fees, it’s time to take a proactive approach to community association collections.
–
The Consequences of Poor Collection Practices

When members of your HOA or Condo association pay late or have decided not to pay their fair share, it causes problems for everyone. Legal fees and dissent between the board and community members are just the start. A long-term pattern of delinquencies can affect your community’s ability to become approved for government loans for new owners, or to get loans for capital improvements.

There is an alternative to a legal process of lien and foreclosure. A  collections process is the best alternative to foreclosure.
–

A Better Way to Manage Delinquencies

Axela-Technologies is dedicated to helping create streamlined accounts receivable and collections tools for management companies, condo and homeowners associations and others in the real estate industry. We work with you to get a jump on recovering delinquent funds quickly, painlessly and ethically.

 

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Top roofing company up in North Florida. Members of SFPMA Stonebridge. Find out how they will help your buildings roofs for years to come.

Top roofing company up in North Florida. Members of SFPMA Stonebridge. Find out how they will help your buildings roofs for years to come.

Members of SFPMA- Stonebridge is a roofing company up in North Florida. Find out how they will help your buildings roofs for years to come.

We are YOUR residential roofer for North Florida

Have Questions? / Get your FREE Roof Inspection

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🏆 Jacksonville’s Preferred Roofing Company
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7 Signs You Need A New Roof

Here in Jacksonville, roofs take a beating from salt, wind, UV radiation, and heat. Generally, roofs in northern Florida will last about 15-20 years, but any roof in the region should be inspected every year. Roof repairs should always be done by a local, professional roofing company who is licensed and insured. But how do you know when to call them? Depending on the style of roof, some will show wear better than others, so today we will suggest seven visual signs that your roof needs replacing.

Sign 1: Leaks and Stains
Visible stains on a ceiling or wall may appear to be an obvious roof problem. However, roof leaks can be tricky to locate because water can enter the attic, travel along framing like trusses, and drip somewhere unrelated to the leak. If you see a new stain along an exterior wall or ceiling you may need an emergency repair.

Crawling around in attics with no floor can lead to accidents and personal injury, so leave that task to the pros. Jacksonville roofers have experience working in hot Florida attics and can use that experience to find elusive roof leaks and their sources. Many Jacksonville roofers even wear special boots that allow them to safely walk across trusses and up steep roof angles.

Sign 2: The Roof is Old
It’s a good idea to keep maintenance records on your home like the age of your roof. Most asphalt shingle roofs will last between ten and twenty years, but if your records show it’s time for a replacement, get your roof inspected by a licensed and insured, Jacksonville roofing company. Roof repairs are critical to the health of your home because leaks can cause mold and mildew growth. Even if you see no visual problems yourself, let a pro perform a no-obligation inspection of your roof to prevent future damage.

Sign 3: Look For Debris In Your Gutters
It might seem counterintuitive to look for roof issues in your gutters, but doing so is a smart move. Most Jacksonville roofs are made from materials that wear over time, like fiberglass/asphalt shingles, tiles, and wooden shakes. As the roof wears, the material it sheds will usually collect in the gutters, as the material is too heavy to be washed away.

To perform your own inspection, look for what appears to be sand in the bottom of the gutter. Most of the debris will collect at the lowest point on the gutter, so usually the first place to look is near the downspout. If you cannot see the bottom of the gutter because the debris is blocking your view, a significant amount of the roof has eroded away. If you discover you need an emergency roof repair caused by a strong storm, get a professional inspection by a licensed and insured roofer.

Sign 4: Cracks or Gaps in Your Flashing
Jacksonville roofs can get some severe weather, so even a small crack around roof flashing (thin sheet metal) can allow precipitation to penetrate the roof. Even if the leak only occurs when the rain is blowing sideways, eventually the damage will accumulate. When it does, the roof underlayment and roof decking will begin to soften and rot.

Sign 5: Sags in the Roof
You may have seen older homes with roofs that appear to dip and sag. More often than not, the framing under these roofs has become water damaged, allowing the framing to bend under the weight of the roof. Sagging roofs can still be repaired and reroofed, but care should be taken to hire an experienced professional who is licensed and insured.

Professionals should determine which style of roof will function best in the situation. For example, an inexperienced roofer may be unaware that certain types of roofing require specific roof pitches to work as designed. Using the incorrect roof material on a sagging roof can actually cause more problems than it solves, so always consult a professional in these situations.

Sign 6: Moss and Mold On Your Roof
Moss on your roof indicates a moisture problem severe enough to cause rot. These plants require near constant moisture and limited sunlight, so if they are actively growing on your roof, the roof is never completely drying out. Roofs should be dry in a matter of hours after a rain shower, so if your roof is holding moisture, the moss and mold will be a likely indicator.

Sign 7: Small Visible Damage
Most roofing materials will degrade over time and leave debris in the gutters. A very common find are small bits of roofing material that have dry rotted and broken away. For asphalt shingles, these are often small corners of a shingle, or in the case of shakes, small splinters of wood as  these roofing materials begin to degrade with age.

Get Help Today! Contact Stonebridge Roofing
If you are unaware of the age of your roof, but begin to see small pieces of debris at the base of your downspouts, you can assume your roof is approaching its lifespan. This is a perfect time to contact a reputable Jacksonville roofing company, like Stonebridge Roofing and request a roof health report from a local expert roofer. For $150, your roof health report will include an overview of any visible damage (with photos), repair recommendations and an assessment of the lifespan left on your current roof.

Stonebridge Roofing is a licensed and insured, certified roofing installer, so they are approved by the manufacturer to provide a warranty. Stonebridge Roofing can also help with new replacement windows, vinyl siding, gutters, and painting as well. Let Stonebridge Roofing become your first choice for all things exterior. Financing Options are available! Request your free quote today.

 

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Keep Your FL Lake Clean and Problem-Free by SOLITUDE

Keep Your FL Lake Clean and Problem-Free by SOLITUDE

Addressing Major Lake Issues Before the Growing Season

The growing season refers to the time of year – typically the spring months – when aquatic weeds, algae, and toxic cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) begin to appear in the water. The timeframe can differ depending on the region of the country in which a waterbody is located and natural weather variations. But no matter where you live, nuisance growth may indicate imbalances in the aquatic ecosystem that were not addressed in the weeks and months leading up to this defining season.

Many property owners do not realize that the management of lakes and ponds shouldn’t end when winter weather arrives. In fact, it is a great time to reevaluate waterbody goals for the coming year and implement management solutions that are more difficult to apply when the water is being actively used for recreation, stormwater collection, or aesthetic purposes.

Prepare Your Lake for Spring: Here’s Where to Start

Typically, the off-season months provide a valuable window to complete long-awaited projects like shoreline restoration, mechanical hydro-raking, or dredging, and nutrient remediation. Each of these solutions can help support healthier water quality conditions and reduce the risk of major lake issues when the growing season arrives.

Prevent algae and weeds next growing season with these management tips:

Repair Shoreline Damage & Enhance Your Buffer Zone

Jagged, crumbling, exposed shorelines can endanger people working or spending time in and around the water. Degraded shorelines can also contribute to the accumulation of muck at the bottom of lakes and ponds, and even cause waterfront properties to “shrink” as earth collapses into the water. These conditions don’t occur overnight; rather, they are a result of prolonged wear and tear from recreation, wind and rainfall, nuisance wildlife activity, urban development, and poor landscaping practices.

If ignored, erosion can aggravate water quality imbalances that increase the risk of weeds, toxic algae, and other problems during the growing season. Restoring degraded shorelines well before this time will help ensure your waterbody starts off on the right foot come spring.

littoral-shelf-beneficial-buffer

Repair Erosion Damage with Bioengineered Shorelines

Cutting-edge bioengineering techniques using a durable mesh material have made it possible to safely restore the aesthetics and functionality of degraded shorelines while repurposing eroded earth. Depending on the size and scope of a project, this process may require significant downtime, so the fall and winter months are an opportune time to take advantage of this service.

Once installed, these bioengineered shorelines will provide many years of stabilization and erosion control, particularly when beneficial vegetative buffers are also maintained around the waterbody to filter pollutants from stormwater runoff known to provoke water quality imbalances.

  • Shoreline Erosion Repair Results

Remove Muck & Debris with Hydro-raking

Lakes and ponds are consistently inundated with eroded sediment and debris such as branches, leaves, lawn clippings, trash, and other detritus that create bottom muck containing highly concentrated nutrients as they decompose. Over time, muck levels can increase, reducing the overall depth and volume of the waterbody. Excessive build-up may lead to a host of problems during the growing season, including flooding, depleted dissolved oxygen levels, water murkiness, bad odors, fish kills, and increased weed and algae infestations.

It is possible to physically remove build-up using mechanical solutions like hydro-raking and dredging. Hydro-raking is often used for “spot treatments” in areas with disproportionate materials, such as stormwater pipes and dock areas. A hydro-rake is essentially a floating barge with a rake attachment that can remove up to 500 pounds of decomposing material in each scoop and deposit it on the shore for physical removal or repurposing during shoreline restoration projects.

Hydro-Raking Services

Restore Depth with Dredging

If build-up has reached more concerning levels, dredging may be required. Professionals choose from two primary types of dredging equipment based on the goals for the property – each can restore the waterbody to its original depth and volume, but may reset the ecosystem entirely. Conducting dredging far ahead of the upcoming growing season provides a window to begin implementing proactive solutions to ensure water quality is healthy and stable come spring.

The off-season is an excellent time to complete mechanical projects as they can both interfere dramatically with the use of the waterbody. Removing muck and debris that accumulated during the warmer months will also help reduce overall nutrient concentrations, providing less fuel for algae and weeds when the growing season arrives.

Balance Water Quality with Nutrient Management

Phosphorus and nitrogen are the primary nutrients responsible for the growth of excess weeds and algae and are found in both the water column and the bottom sediments. Naturally-occurring nutrient remediation products like Phoslock and Aluminum Sulfate (Alum) can be professionally applied to bind with nutrients, making them unavailable for uptake by weeds and algae. Other solutions like EutroSORB may be used to filter and physically remove undesirable nutrients from the water.

Nutrient remediation can be effective in the warmer months and, when implemented by licensed professionals, is low-risk for use around people and animals. However, conducting nutrient remediation services during the off-season can help prevent nuisance growth before it becomes a problem, allowing people to start enjoying their waterbodies sooner. It’s important to note that regions that experience more severe winters and freezing waters may not be candidates for off-season nutrient remediation services. A professional can help stakeholders determine the most effective time of year to apply nutrient remediation products.

Avoid Water Quality Issues This Growing Season

It can be confusing for stakeholders to know what their waterbodies need – and when – but it’s never too early or late to begin implementing these or other lake and pond management solutions. Ultimately, we share your goal of maximizing the use of your water resources throughout the year. By taking advantage of the cooler months to complete these impactful projects, stakeholders can avoid major water quality issues that the growing season is known for. Instead, they can focus on enjoying the water without looming threats of nuisance growth – and the complaints, safety concerns, and unexpected costs that come with it.

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