FAQ: Home Improvement Frequently Asked Questions

It may be the situation that there’s noticeable signs that you need a new roof… For instance: water leaks, detached shingles, or a visible hole in your roof. More commonly, the harm to your roof is much more understated; here are a few of the more frequent indications that you should get your roof scrutinized for damage:

• shingles are broken down, fractured, or even missing
• shingle granules are scattered on your grass, downspout, gutter, deck, or patio
• shingle granules or pieces of the roof are obstructing the gutters
• creatures are finding they’re into your attic
• mold and moss are growing on your roof
• roof flashing is detached, damaged or broken-down

the roof has 2 layers of shingles (suggesting it wasn’t appropriately replaced)

How long a roof will last will vary principally on the type of roof it is & what type of product is originally used, and type of yearly weather is normal for the area.

• Roof Type – as a good example, a traditional asphalt roof structure will last just about 15 years, although a metal roof could last an average of 15-40 years. Here are several typical life cycles for different types of roofing systems: asphalt shingled roofs (12-20 years), metal roofs (15-40 years), slate roofs (25-100 years), wood shingled/shake roofs (10-40 years), clay/concrete tile roofs (20-40 years).
• Roofing Product – Certain manufacturers absolutely produce better quality products than other manufacturers. Not all roofing products are made equal. We use exceptional roofing products made by GAF, CertainTeed, and a few other trusted specialty manufacturers.

Weather & Geography – these weather environments have a significant impact on how long a roof will last. Typically roofs in more moderate environments will last longer than those in harsher (intense cold, excessive hot, and stormy) conditions.

How often a roof ought to be changed out in contingent predominantly on the type of roof it is. Here is some of the most common place types of roofs and their typical life cycle:

• Asphalt Shingle Roof (12-20 years)
• Wood Shingle Roof (10-40 years)
• Wood Shake Roof (10-40 years)
• Clay Tile Roof (20-40 years)
• Concrete Tile Roof (20-40 years)
• Metal Roof (15-40 years)
• Slate Roof (25-100 years)

Once you establish the average lifespan of a roof centered on the roof type, there are 3 common factors that will impact the life expectancy of the roof:

• Product Class
• Geography & Weather
• Quality of Installation

In summary… Approximating how frequently a roof should be changed will vary dependent upon on what product you select, how harsh the weather in your region is (hot, cold, stormy), and the exactness of the installation.

Yes. Should you… Preferably not! The hazard of fixing your roof virtually never compensates the bonus of having somebody else examine it and install it.

If you decide to do it, one your own… you might well resolve the issues and save yourself a few bucks. On the other hand, you may be unsuccessful to repair it and run the possibility of wasting time, injury, violating the manufacturer’s warranty and possibly cause more harm than good to your roof.

Declining to correctly install or replace your roof can lead to leakages which can lead to many of other troubles and damages down the line like:

• more difficult roof-associated damages
• inside water harm to your ceilings, attic, walls, and windows. 
• water damage leading to a fractured or weakening foundation
• a missed chance to have your homeowner’s policy deal with the original damages

When deciding what type of roof is best for us… here are 3 of the most significant concerns:

• Budget – selecting the perfect roof will most likely begin with an assessment of your budget as roof products range in pricing.
• Endurance – assessing your geography will also be crucial, particularly if you live in environments that are more harshly impacted by cold, hot, or stormy weather conditions. The harsher the weather, the more significant it will be to select a roof type that can tolerate the natural elements.
• Style / Color / Curb Appeal – once you have established your financial plan and needed resilience, you will have a stronger understanding of what kind of roof type is perfect for your home. Now you can concentrate on the style and color that suits your property’s design and surroundings.

Asphalt shingles are an extremely widespread shingle due to their affordability to mount and preserve. There are 3 key types of asphalt shingles:

• 3-Tab Shingles – a 3-tab asphalt shingle (occasionally called a “strip” shingle) is the very basic kind of shingle and is made from a single layer of asphalt permitting them to lie exceedingly flat on roofs.
• Architectural Shingles – an architectural shingle (occasionally called a “dimensional” or “laminate” shingle) is a far more innovative shingle with multiple layers of asphalt fused together to give the roof a multidimensional look and feel.

Designer Shingles – a designer shingle (occasionally called a “premium” or “luxury” shingle) typically yields superior-quality multidimensional designs, enhanced safeguard from weather, and extreme energy efficiency. Our trusted manufacturers like CertainTeed  and GAF have an exceptional choice for superior, well-constructed shingles.

Like most questions associated to the cost of a service or product… The answer is “it depends”. To deliver assistance as you investigate pricing, here are a few of the common circumstances that will influence how much a new roof will cost homeowners:

Instead of responding to this question with a number range like… “Between $10K – $20K”, here is a summary of the elements that will factor into the cost of your new roof:

• Roof Type – the most essential factor that will influence cost is the “roof type”. Asphalt shingles (the most popular kind of roof) are essentially less costly than specialty roofing systems like cedar shake, slate, tile, metal, and concrete.
• Roof Product – once you ascertain the type of roof you are looking for purchase, the subsequent pricing factor to look at is the product quality and grade. For instance, there are many of asphalt shingle product lines to select from each with differing levels of value (and consequently price).
• Shape & Size – the shape and size of the roof will similarly weigh into the final cost; the larger it is, the steeper it is, and each additional peak and valley has a cost linked to it — the more costly it will be.

Roof Accessories – accessories linked to the roof like skylights, satellites, ridge vents, ridge cap shingles, flashing, chimney, drip edges, and more will add to the pricing of new roofs.

If you need to completely change your roof, its essential to think about all your budgetary possibilities. There are essentially 3 main ways you can pay for a roof for your residence:

• Full Payment / Payment Plan – the usual payment method is to purchase your roof outright… either through payment plan or a one-time payment.
• Monthly / Yearly Financing – an additional way to pay for your roof is through financing options that permit you to buy your roof through small monthly installments over a long period of time. Furthermore, you may also be eligible to postpone your 1st payment for 12-24 months. 

Homeowners Insurance – regrettably, most homeowners and property owners don’t recognize that their homeowner’s insurance or property insurance will protect for the damages to your roof and home exterior suffered from serious storms, winter weather, high winds, and hail. If there is genuine damage and your insurance claim is granted, the cost of the restoration or full replacement is covered by the insurance company… The customers only expense is the deductible.

Here’s some widespread occurrences of when your homeowner’s insurance policy will or will not cover roof damage:

• (Yes) Damage Stems from Storm / Wind / Hail – if the injury to your home or roof is the result of a storm, high winds, or hail dents then your homeowner’s insurance will may be liable cover the cost of the damage for both the repair and full replacement of your roof. (Note: you will to be expected to be accountable for paying the deductible, but this roughly means that you will be getting your roof repaired or replaced for a small percentage of what it would typically cost.)
• (Yes) Damage Stems from Fire – if the harm to your roof is the result of a fire, then your homeowner’s insurance will most likely cover the cost of the damages. (Note: once again, you will be expected to pay the deductible.)
• (No) Damage Stems from Gradual Deterioration – if the damage to your roof is the result of pure wear & tear, most homeowners insurance policies will NOT pay for repair or replacement of the roof even though you have homeowners’ insurance. (Note: Roofs that are over 20 years old frequently have reduced coverage… if any.)

To boost the likelihood of getting your claim approved, make sure to maintain documents of roof repairs, before-and-after photos are good and reports from home inspectors.

One of your most significant next steps is to call a storm repair specialist who can give you a free roof examination and report.

Most homeowners’ insurance policies will cover the price to repair or replace your roof if the damage comes from fire or unexpected acts of God & nature (i.e., natural disasters) like terrible thunderstorms, high winds, and powerful hailstorms.

If the harm caused to the roof comes from powerful wind or hail or fire, homeowners’ insurance will cover the price to repair or the cost to replacement of the roof. However, the destruction to the roof is simply due to natural worsening (i.e., natural wear & tear) or disrepair (e.g., a leak should have been restored but wasn’t) then homeowners’ insurance will possibly be exempted from compensating the homeowner for any damages.

Before you file a claim with your insurance company… find a roofer you can trust to come and execute a roof inspection to evaluate the damage to your roof and estimate whether it will be covered by your homeowner’s insurance policy.

If you have already filed an insurance claim… contact a roofing contractor who can give you a recommendation on the best next steps for moving your claim forward.

In most cases, leaky roofs are covered by homeowners’ insurance. If the leak in the roof is a result of a terrible storm, high winds, or dangerous hailstorm… then you will be very likely to receive coverage for roof repair or roof replacement.

But if the leak in your roof is the result of natural corrosion (i.e., environmental wear & tear on older roofs) or mistreatment (e.g., poor preservation, neglecting to fix a leak you were conscious of, etc) then your homeowner’s insurance may NOT cover the restoration or roof replacement.

Essentially… Every homeowner & property owner really wants a contractor who will do what they promise… and do the job well. Getting a great experience as a client… boils down to whether these two things are realized.

How do you find an exceptional roofer that will deliver what they promised! Doing the job right?

Here are 3 smart ways to assess contractors and answer those questions:

• Read What Others Say – the volume and quality of testimonials and reviews on Google, Facebook, and online business directories (BBB, HomeAdvisor, Angie’s List) can give you an assurance through social proof. 
• See What Jobs They Have Completed – the volume and quality of the projects that they have finished. This can help you envision whether they will be able to do a good job. 
• Distinguish What “Guarantees” They Can Offer – What are the warranties and guarantees they offer for the products used (e.g., product warranty) and the service (e.g., labor warranty) can go a long way in improving trust.

When the time comes to choose a roofing contractor, you will need to look for these aspects in the contract:

• Roof System Specifications – look for elements like roof type, product type, company, color, etc
• Roof-Related Materials – make sure that any essential components for the roof system are contained in the project like underlayment, starter strip, drip edge, ridge vents accessories, ice, and water shield, etc
• Scope of Work – Try to verify precisely what work will be done which should likely include tasks like eliminating existing shingles, ventilation, and flashing.
• Installation Process – make certain that the installation method used, specifically as it relates to the warranty is laid out in writing so that there are certain measures for the excellence of work whether it be for repair, limited replacement, full replacement, full tear-off, etc
• Manufacturer & Labor Warranties – roofing companies use several manufacturers and have several options related to both manufacturer warranties and labor warranties… so be sure to recognize these choices and select the one right for you
• Typical Contractual Details – make sure not to overlook a clear outline of project-related details like start & end date, payment terms, etc