Roofing Contractors in Dallas
Roofing contractors provide consumers with a number of different services. Aside from building new roofs, roofing professionals also maintain, repair, or upgrade roofs on existing buildings. Repair and maintenance tasks include cleaning rain gutters, patching leaky roofs, replacing tar and gravel, and removing moss and algae from roofs. Specific roof maintenance depends very much on the climate of the area where buildings are located, as well as the style of building which houses the roof.
How Climate Affects Roofs in Dallas
Dallas is slightly warmer and more humid than the US average. In the summer, the average high temperatures peak in the high nineties and the average winter lows dip into the mid-thirties. Precipitation peaks in May, with an average of around 5 inches, and again in October, with an average of around 4.5 inches. The average yearly rainfall is 35.77 inches. Rain and heat are a few of the many environmental factors that cause wear to roofs.
Roofing Training Programs in Dallas
The Dallas County Community College District (DCCCD) offers several classes that train students in the repair, construction, or maintenance of roofs. These classes are part of wider training through their Construction Technology department and include training in conventional, engineered, and advanced roofing systems. Students get both hands-on and classroom education in the program. The ten colleges that make up the DCCCD are located throughout the Dallas area.
Roofing Trade Organizations in Dallas
The North Texas Roofing Contractors Association is one organization that Dallas roofers may belong to. This group advocates for roofers in the North Texas area through meetings, educational opportunities, and providing its members with information. The organization also holds fundraising efforts, such as raising money for repairs to buildings that house non-profit organizations. The NTRCA can be reached by phone at 817-480-1060.
Roofing contractors in Dallas have the option of applying for membership to the National Roofing Contractor's Association. This organization was established in 1886 to deal with all aspects of the roofing trade. They state that their mission is "to inform and assist the roofing industry, act as its principal advocate and help members in serving their customers." In addition to promoting the roofing trade, the NRCA also offers consumers a directory of its members, as well as information on how to wisely choose a roofing contractor.
Natural Disasters Affecting Roofs in Dallas
While serious tornadoes are uncommon, Dallas is more prone to tornadoes than the rest of Texas or the rest of the United States. Tornadoes, even when they don't touch down, are often accompanied by heavy winds and sometimes by rain, both of which can cause damage to roofs, tiles, and gutters.
Dallas is located 250 miles from the Gulf of Mexico and is thus prone to being hit by heavy tropical storms that have made their way inland. These can also cause much damage to roofs, including causing branches or trees to fall on roofs, sometimes creating dangerous structural damage to buildings.
The roof of the practice facility of the Dallas Cowboys sustained major damage during a storm in May of 2009. The 80-foor high roof collapsed on players and coaches during a practice session, seriously injuring twelve people. The storm that caused the collapse carried winds of around 64 miles per hour, just below tornado status.
