FAQs

There are some signs that are obvious and others that are not. Some common roofing issues you typically can see are missing shingles, water stains inside of the home, and exposed roof components that look out of place. Concerning issues such as rotting plywood, cracks in a pipe collar, flashing issues, or water penetration traveling through the attic, are a few examples of issues that most of the time, only professionals will see during a thorough inspection. Which is why, having your roof inspected periodically is crucial.

Although roof leaks are probably the single most common roofing problem, there are several initial problems that lead to leaking... Damaged Flashing or Cracks due to heat temperatures, Broken or Missing Shingles caused by high winds, Poor initial installation methods, Stagnant or Pooling Water, Freezing temperatures, Tree Damage, Hail damage, Or simple wear and tear causing aged deterioration.

It all depends on your location, the initial installation, the quality of materials, and even its ventilation. Typically, a well-constructed roof will last between 12-15 years. Depending on the type of shingles you choose, as well as the underlayment of your roof, that number can go up to 30 or more. All of this is to say your roof doesn’t encounter damage from severe weather in the meantime.

An experienced contractor should educate you on what types of roofing systems are recommended for your project. Certain slopes require particular systems, such as flat roofing materials for low slopes, in order to avoid water ponding. If you are looking at a shingle material, you have options, but your budget will most likely determine whether you use asphalt or a designer/luxury shingle. Standing-seam Metal is an option as well, as it offers unbeatable advantages to others. In addition to the actual roofing material, there’s decking, drip edge, ice and water barrier, underlayment, flashing, and ventilation. All of these components play a specific role in providing protection.

A roof inspection is a comprehensive analysis, determining the condition of your roof. A thorough inspection covers every component that makes up your roofing system. Here are just a few of the things they look for

• Problems arising from previous repairs, or initial installation
• Any signs of damage from wind, rain, or other weather conditions.
• Low hanging tree branches or anything that could cause potential future damage
• Checking the durability of flashings, pipes, and other roof accessories
• The roof’s aging capacity
• Missing fasteners
• Check each seal and rubber boot around your vent pipes in case they might have any gaps or signs of damage.
• Uneven planes and sags in the roof.
• Gutters, soffits, drip edge, and fascias
• Chimneys and chimney caps.
• Attic venting. Heat and moisture tend to build up if your venting isn’t properly working.
• Skylights and windows

The most valuable advice we can give is to have your roof inspected annually, and after severe weather events. Having a professional evaluate your roof’s condition periodically, can save you from having to deal with major damage that can cause immediate attention. When we are able to catch issues early on, we can perform minor repairs, before they become major concerns. In most cases, these issues are unbeknownst to you, until they become an obvious larger project or present health concerns from a mold issue. Our goal is for your roof to perform at its expected capacity. To ensure longevity, having it inspected periodically is definitely crucial.

A roofing contractor will come evaluate your roof, and suggest whether you’ll want to report the incident to your insurance provider. The Insurance will then appoint a claims adjuster to come to your house and do their own inspection. A qualified contractor will know what is consistent for a claim, and ensure all the damage to the property caused by the storm is covered. It is likely that the adjuster may not find everything, but a good contractor will work with the insurance claims department to determine all justifiable items. The contractor sends his proposal to the insurance company, and once everything is agreed upon, it is time to have your roof replaced. Please know that your insurance adjuster and the insurance company always have the final say if your claim actually gets approved or not.

Even if the damage may seem subtle, it is very important to have a professional evaluate the roof. There are times even experienced specialists see minor impact from ground level, but when on the roof notice much more impact. If you do not see damage after the initial storm, opt not to get an inspection, and in fact there is impact damage, over time, your roof components can deteriorate. It’s also important to remember, your insurance company requires a claim be filed in a certain amount of time in order to be covered.

Most policies that were written or renewed after 2018, state that you have one year to the date of the storm to file an insurance claim. Hail damage becomes less obvious after time, and if the roof is not attended to in a timely manner, the damage will potentially worsen.

Insurance coverages often have two different ways of evaluating how much you’ll receive for your roof. One is the replacement cost value (RCV). This is a more traditional type of coverage. The insurer will pay enough to cover the full cost of a roof replacement, minus your deductible. ACV is the actual cash value. This factors in the age of your roof and is more common in states with high wind and hailstorms. You’ll receive the amount of the roof replacement minus deductible and depreciation.