Dealing With Storm Damage to Your Roof

dealing storm damage roof

The roof of any given home will naturally take the brunt of the beating during any major storm event, and in certain severe cases this can lead to damage to the roof. Such damage may in turn cause leaking, mold issues and many other concerns within your home, making storm damage repair a very important theme for any homeowner who deals with this form of damage.

At The Roof Doctor, we’re here to help with this. We provide storm damage roof repair services to clients around Utah, whether they’ve dealt with hail damage, wind damage or any other type that’s impacted their roof. We help not only with actual repairs for your roof, but also with making insurance claims to get these repair costs covered. Roof storm damage is a type that should generally be addressed immediately — if you notice it following a storm, here are some of the immediate actions you should take, including when to call our team for help.

Wait Until the Storm Has Passed

Even if you’re quite sure your roof has been damaged in some way by a storm, it’s vital for your safety and that of everyone else in your home that you not attempt to inspect or repair the damage while the storm is still going on. If you can, wait until it has passed and then take a look at your roof. If you have any questions or concerns about what you see, don’t hesitate to give our team a call for help.

Once the coast is clear and the storm has passed, you can do a bit of very basic inspection of the damage. Here are some tips and precautions to take while doing so:

  • Never go up on the roof: If you think damage has occurred, your first instinct might be to go up on the roof and see exactly what happened. But this is extremely dangerous and not something that you should ever do. If possible, view the damage from the ground or from a ladder placed against the house at a safe distance.
  • Use binoculars: If you can’t get a good view of the damage from the ground, you may be able to use a pair of binoculars to get a better look.
  • Don’t try to fix anything: Again, any repair work should only be handled by professionals. If you attempt to do it yourself, you could end up making the damage worse or even injuring yourself.
  • Estimations: If possible, try to estimate the size of the damaged area, the extent of the damage and anything else that may be relevant. This can help you when it comes to making an insurance claim later on.
  • Photographs: Once you’ve done a basic inspection of the damage, it’s also a good idea to take some photographs. These can come in handy as well and will give you something to refer back to later. If it’s possible to take some pictures, do it.

Calling the Pros

Once you’ve confirmed that there is significant damage to your roof following a storm, and have documented that damage in basic ways, it’s time to call in the professionals. Here at The Roof Doctor, we’re experienced in dealing with all sorts of storm damage and can provide you with the repairs and assistance you need to get your roof back in good shape.

Our team will come out to inspect the damage and give you a free estimate for the repairs that are needed. We’ll also help you with making an insurance claim, as this can sometimes be a difficult and confusing process. We’re here to help you every step of the way and will work diligently to get your roof back to its original condition.

Immediate Damage Mitigation Measures

While you should not attempt roof repairs on your own unless you’re a trained roofing specialist, as we mentioned above, there are a few basic things you can do to mitigate the damage while you wait for our team to arrive. These include:

  • Place buckets or garbage cans under leaks: This will help to prevent water damage to your ceilings, walls and floors while you wait for repairs to be made.
  • Remove valuables: If leaks are present and you have valuables in the area that could be damaged by water, it’s a good idea to remove them if possible.
  • Cover furniture: Again, if leaks are present, you may want to put some plastic sheeting over any furniture in the area to help protect it.
  • Turn off water and electricity: If possible, it’s also a good idea to turn off the water and electricity in the areas that have been affected by the damage. This can help to prevent further issues from arising due to conductivity.

Don’t Delay

We need to stress the importance of immediate action when it comes to dealing with any kind of roof damage. The sooner you can get repairs made, the less chance there is of further issues arising, such as leaks, water damage and mold growth. So if you think your roof has been damaged in a storm, give us a call right away and we’ll send someone out to help you.

Simply put, damage caused by a storm on your roof will not remedy itself and will only get worse with time. Don’t wait around and hope for the best, call The Roof Doctor today!

For more on this, or to learn about any of our roof repair or roof replacement services, contact our team at your nearest convenience.

Determining if Roof Repairs Are Covered by Insurance

roof repairs covered insurance

Determining if a certain issue is covered by insurance is a somewhat common theme among homeowners today, and a good example area here is the roof. Whether you’re looking at roof repairs or even a replacement for significant roof damage, you’ll likely be wondering whether insurance (typically homeowners’ insurance) will cover some or all of the costs involved.

At The Roof Doctor, we’re happy to assist with a wide range of residential roofing needs, including everything from repairs and replacements to simple inspections — and we’ve helped many clients deal with insurance companies in the past. A professional roof repair specialist will often play a significant role in this area, helping homeowners “prove” the issues with their roof so that insurance will cover them. Let’s go over everything you need to know here, from some of the factors that will likely determine whether your roof is covered to how you should approach these situations to give yourself the best chance of coverage.

Homeowners’ Insurance and Common Roof Coverage

In many situations, homeowners’ insurance will cover some or all of your roof damage — but only if such damage is part of your coverage. There are several different formats that homeowners’ insurance can take, but a common one is called an “open perils” policy. This means that your insurance covers any type of damage that’s not specifically excluded from your policy.

When it comes to roof damage, these exclusions are typically things like wear and tear, deterioration, or insect infestation. Here are some examples of roof damage causes that are typically, though not always, covered by insurance:

  • Weight-based damage: Whether due to snow, ice, wind, or other weather-related factors, a significant amount of roof damage can be caused by the elements. When these lead to heavy leaks or even the structure of the roof becoming compromised, homeowners’ insurance can often help.
  • Fire: Damage from a fire is another common reason that homeowners’ insurance covers roof repairs and replacements.
  • Hail: Hail can cause significant damage to roofs, often leaving behind dents, cracks, and other visible signs. In many cases, this damage will be covered by homeowners’ insurance.
  • Flooding: If your home is damaged as a result of flooding, your roof may be one of the areas affected. In most cases, this type of damage will be covered by insurance.
  • Natural disasters: Things like hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes can all cause damage to roofs. In most cases, this type of damage is covered by insurance. Lightning strikes are also usually covered here.

Now, depending on your specific coverage, the extent of the damage and the deductible you may need to pay, not all of these causes will be covered in full. For example, a policy may have a $1,000 deductible for roof damage. If your roof is damaged in a storm and the repairs cost $10,000, you would only receive $9,000 from the insurance company.

Age of the Roof

The age of your roof is an important factor that will often play a role here. During a home inspection, insurance adjusters make note of roof age and quality — if a roof is over a certain age, it must pass inspection in order for homeowners’ insurance to cover any damage. In many cases, roofs that are older than 10 years will not be covered.

This is because the older a roof gets, the more likely it is to experience problems like leaks and water damage. If your roof is in bad shape, even if the damage is from a covered cause, your insurance company may not pay for the repairs.

Frequency of Issues

Another area that may impact your coverage is the frequency with which certain issues take place. For instance, while hail and windstorm-related damage will usually be covered, those who live in states like Kansas or Oklahoma may have to pay more for this form of coverage — this is because these states are known for having more severe hail and windstorms.

In the same vein, if you’ve filed multiple claims in a short period of time, your insurance company may not be as likely to cover future damage. This is because they may see you as being a high-risk customer.

Damage Types Usually Not Covered

On the flip side, there are a few forms of damage where it’s rare that homeowners; insurance will cover them. These include:

  • Pest or squirrel damage: If your roof is damaged as a result of an infestation by pests or squirrels, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to file a claim.
  • Ice dams: Ice dams are a common problem in the winter, and they can often cause leaks in the roof. However, homeowners’ insurance typically doesn’t cover this type of damage.
  • Cosmetic or aesthetic issues: If your roof is in good shape but you simply don’t like the color or style, these types of damages are usually not covered.
  • General wear-and-tear: Finally, any type of damage that’s due to general wear-and-tear is usually not covered by homeowners’ insurance. This includes things like shingles that are starting to come off or rust on the metal roof.

Role of a Roofing Professional

If you plan to be looking into insurance coverage for any roofing repairs, it’s always a good idea to talk to a roofing professional. They can give you an idea of the condition of your roof and whether or not you’re likely to experience problems in the near future. They can also help you determine whether or not any damage is covered by insurance.

Furthermore, having proof of repairs or other roofing work that’s been done in the past can be helpful when filing a claim. Often, homeowners’ insurance will only cover damage if it’s been deemed necessary by a professional. Having a roofing professional’s stamp of approval may help your case.

For more on insurance coverage for any roofing issues your home is experiencing, or to learn about our roof repair or installation services, speak to the team at The Roof Doctor today.

Signs Your SLC Roof Requires Emergency Repairs

signs roof emergency repairs

There are certain parts of a given home or building where certain physical issues or wear-and-tear concerns can wait on repairs at least for a little while — but also others where they can’t, and the roof is a great example. Certain minor roofing issues, such as a single missing shingle or a small gutter problem, won’t cause major problems if you can’t get to them for a few days or weeks; others, however, are emergencies that require immediate assistance from roofing professionals.

At The Roof Doctor, we’re here to help in both these situations. Our roof repair services are offered to clients throughout Salt Lake City and other parts of Utah, and include both emergency repairs and more standard formats — both of which we cover. How can you determine whether an issue with your roof qualifies as an emergency? Here are a few of the telltale signs that this issue cannot wait, and that you should be calling our team for assistance right away.

Noticeably Sagging, Uneven Roof

If you’re viewing your roof from the outside, or even from inside your attic, and notice that it appears to be saggy or uneven, this is a major red flag. This could be caused by a number of things, such as damage from a recent storm or even wear and tear over time, but either way it needs to be addressed urgently.

A roof that’s uneven is more susceptible to water damage and other problems, so it’s important to get it fixed as soon as possible. If you don’t, you’ll be risking even more damage to your property and could end up paying far more for repairs in the future — or you may even have to replace the entire roof much earlier than you had planned.

Multiple Areas of Sunlight Coming Through

When inspecting your roof from the attic, seeing one or two minor instances of sunlight may not be too large a concern. This can happen over time, and may require a simple shingle replacement or some kind of patching job.

If, however, you’re seeing multiple areas of sunlight coming through, this is a much bigger issue and definitely qualifies as an emergency. This means that your roof is not doing its job in keeping moisture and other elements out, which could lead to serious water damage in the near future. In fact, many homeowners who see this happening to their roof will later realize that water damage has already begun to take place.

Excessive, Major Granule Loss

Granules are important roofing materials, used to protect the singles of your roof from the elements. They usually fall off gradually as your roof ages, but if you’re seeing an excessive amount of granules in your gutters or on the ground below your home, this is a sign that your roof is in bad shape.

The reason this is such a big deal is because it means that the protective layer over your roof is starting to wear away, which leaves your roof singles exposed and vulnerable to damage. If this problem isn’t fixed soon, you could be looking at a complete roof replacement in the near future, rather than just some minor repairs.

Significant Shingle Areas Missing

Again, this is an area where some context is required. Just one or two missing shingles on separate parts of the roof typically will not qualify as an emergency — this isn’t creating a major water damage risk, for one, and it’s also something that can typically be fixed in a day or two.

If, however, you’re missing several shingles in one particular area (or if they’ve been blown away by a recent storm), this is definitely an emergency. This opens your roof up to much greater water damage risk, as well as leaving it more susceptible to the elements in general. It’s important to address this as soon as possible, and our professionals can help get your roof back to its best shape in no time.

Curling or Buckling Concerns

Have you begun to notice your roof warping, curling or buckling? If so, this is another major sign that your roof needs emergency repairs. This is usually a sign that the roofing singles themselves are starting to fail, and if left untreated it could lead to even more serious damage down the road.

Major Unidentified Leaks (Especially in Upper Parts of the Home)

Finally, there may be cases where you’re having trouble identifying where a leak is coming from, or it’s in an area of the home that you can’t easily access. In these cases, it’s best to call in a professional who can help identify and fix the problem.

Roofing systems are complex, and as a homeowner you may not always be able to spot a problem right away. Just because you can’t see a leak doesn’t mean it’s not there — in fact, many leaks occur in upper parts of the home where they’re harder to detect. If you’re seeing water damage in any area of your home, it’s important to call a professional and have them take a look at your roof.

As a homeowner, it’s important to be aware of the signs that your roof needs emergency repairs. By being proactive and watching for these signs, you can avoid potentially costly and serious damage down the road.

For more on this, or to learn about any of our roof repair or roof installation services in Salt Lake City or any other part of Utah, speak to the team at The Roof Doctor today.

Long-Term Effects of Storm Damage

storm damage on roof

Salt Lake roofing contractors don’t see as much storm damage as is found in places like Colorado or Texas, but we do see storms that produce damage every couple years or so. And the result can be very costly.

One Personal Example

We recently had a call from a woman, a super nice lady who had a perplexing situation. She was getting ready to list her home for sale and had just finished meeting with an inspector. The inspection had shown that the roof appeared to have some sort of manufacturer defect. There was a pattern of small, round spots on the roof where there were no granules or asphalt. She thought surely this was a manufacturer defect, and she was hopeful that her material warranty would cover at least the cost for the materials to be replaced.

She hoped we could help confirm her suspicions.

When our residential specialist arrived at her house to take a look, we were so frustrated for her. As it turns out, the damage was not due to any problem with the material when it was made, but rather her roof had been pounded at some time in the past by hail. A quick bit of research by our team determined that this home was indeed right in the path of a major hailstorm that had occurred three years prior. Her roof had been pelted by hail the size of golf balls, but since she didn’t have any leaks, she never even thought to have it inspected.

As a result, now that she is trying to sell her house, she is stuck with having to replace the roof in order to be able to close. Had she known about her roof having storm damage, she would have been able to transfer the burden of the roof replacement cost to her insurance company via a homeowner’s insurance claim. Her cost would have been her deductible and any upgrades that may be wanted/needed.

How Respected Roofers Protect You

When it comes to storm damage, roofers generally get a bad rap because there are companies that travel the country looking specifically for work that is eligible for insurance proceeds. It’s an easy sell.
But let me tell you something – your insurance company is not going to come knocking on your door reminding you to get your roof inspected after a storm. They are not advocating for the best interest of their customers.

As a local, well-respected roofing contractor, it can be frustrating to be told that we are “just a storm chaser” simply because of the rhetoric that the insurance company puts out about roofers. Don’t get me wrong – there are indeed plenty of roofing companies that ARE storm chasers. But that doesn’t mean all roofing companies that specialize in storm restoration are unethical.

Finding the Right One

We recommend you do your homework and research local roofing contractors. Check to make sure they have a contractor’s license and liability and worker’s comp insurance for their employees. Read reviews and ask your network of family and friends for recommendations. But if you have a roof that has withstood a major storm – especially one with extreme forces of wind and/or hail – please have your roof checked out for damage so that you can file a claim in a timely manner and not be stuck with paying for a roof that should be covered by insurance.

The Roof Doctor is experienced at storm damage repair, and can help get your roof in great condition again! If you suspect damage has occurred on your roof, ask us to perform an inspection.

How to Prevent Moss Growth on Your Roof

Moss on roof

Although we do not often see this issue in Salt Lake City, roofing experts in other parts of the world are often asked what homeowners can do to prevent or stop the growth of moss on their roofs. So today we will have a brief science lesson as we lead into the topic

The Science of Moss

Moss is a type of plant known as non-vascular. This simply means that they lack the usual internal methods of transporting water and gases to all parts of the plant. These plants usually remain small, enabling them to get water and nutrients from the environment and pass them from cell to cell. Therefore, these plants thrive in moist environments. Moss spores are carried by wind or animals and can easily spread throughout a neighborhood.

Unlike algae (we will save that topic for another day!), moss can be rather detrimental to your roof. On the North American continent, moss usually is found on north-facing roof planes, where the sunlight is less direct allowing the dampness to linger than on south-facing planes. Overhanging branches not only drop debris on the roof that can be converted to food for the moss, but the shade from the sun also helps the moss thrive.

4 Tips for Prevention

So what can you do? You know we have some tips for you! Here are some things you can do to prevent the growth of moss:

  • Trim your tree branches: This both minimizes the amount of debris that can fall on the roof, and increases the exposure of the roof to sunlight, giving the moss some rough conditions in which to try to survive.
  • Remove debris from your roof: Debris should be removed routinely with a leaf blower or similar, non-abrasive method. A good way to go about this is to set up routine inspections for your roof with your trusted contractor. This will also ensure you always know how your roof is doing and if you are in any need of roof repair. Utah is prone to wind and hail, and most homeowners’ insurance policies have limits on how long you have to file a claim if you are in need of such a thing.
  • Keep your gutters clean: Make sure your gutters are draining into downspouts and not directly onto the roof.
  • Use specialty roof products: If you live in an area known to have trouble with moss on roofs, it may be worthwhile to choose a specialty roofing product made to resist moss, or to ask your contractor about adding zinc or copper strips.

Removing Existing Moss

If you already have moss growing, you can clean your roof using a 50:50 mix of laundry strength liquid chlorine bleach and water. You’ll want to apply this to the roof with a sprayer and let the solution work for 15 – 20 minutes before rinsing thoroughly with low-pressure water.

Use appropriate personal protective equipment to protect your eyes, skin and face from the bleach. The moss should loosen over time and then can be removed with a leaf blower. It could take more than one treatment to get clean if the moss is heavy. NEVER use a pressure washer to clean your shingles as it will cause granule loss and likely premature failure of your roof.

If moss is a concern, contact the Roof Doctor for expert help.

What Causes Roof Shingles to Buckle?

roof with shingles buckling

Well, that’s definitely NOT good! What’s going on here?

This is what we call buckling. Shingle buckling is one of those awful things that can happen to a roof through no fault of anyone. It is caused as a result of the movement of the wood roofing deck or wrinkling of the underlayment. And this is a serious problem because if minor buckling is not addressed, it could require a full roof replacement.
roof with shingles buckling

Common Reasons for Buckling

Most roofing companies in Salt Lake City, Utah have experience with this issue. But what causes it? Here are the most typical reasons:

  • Exposed deck: When the old roof is torn off, the wood deck is exposed. When there is a high percentage of humidity in the air, the wood can absorb some of this moisture. As the moisture content in the wood increases, it case cause the deck to shift and move.
  • Wet underlayment: As a new roof is being installed, if too much moisture is absorbed by the underlayment, it can cause the felt to wrinkle.
  • Improper venting: If your attic does not have enough vents to allow for the circulation of air through your attic space, the hot air will have no way to escape, and can make the wood shift or the underlayment wrinkle. Higher insulation levels may necessitate additional vents.
  • Roof sheathing: If your roof deck is not spaced adequately (a minimum of ⅛” between boards), the natural expansion and contraction of the wood will cause the shingles to buckle.
  • Improper materials: If wood decking has not been properly conditioned to be at moisture equilibrium with the environment in which the job is being completed, the natural expansion or contraction can cause buckling. This is a roofing manufacturer’s approval that must be met.
  • Improper installation: Failure to apply shingles as directed by the shingle manufacturer’s recommendations.

If you see anything looking off with the way your shingles are laying, give your trusted roofing contractor a call and have your roof checked out right away.

Granular Retention: How to Make Roof Shingles Last Longer

granular retention roof shingles
I’m willing to bet that you didn’t even know that granular retention was a thing you want in your life, did you? Since you didn’t know, but definitely want it, let me explain so you at least know why.

What is Granular Retention?

Granular retention is the concept that the shingles on your roof should hold on to, or retain, the granules that are embedded on them. These granules play a crucial role in the overall roofing system for three main reasons:
  1. They provide protection to the asphalt layer of the shingles from UV rays.
  2. They provide fire resistance.
  3. They provide the aesthetic appearance (color) of the roof.
Those are three pretty big reasons for wanting the granules to stay on the shingle!

Granules and Shingle Health

During the manufacturing process, producers apply up to 40% more granules to the shingles than are necessary. Because of the overload, it is estimated that 12% - 15% of the granules do not fully adhere to the shingle, which results in granular loss before the shingle ever makes it to your roof. This shows that granular loss does not always indicate damage; the presence of loose granules simply means weathering has occurred. And granules are meant to be shed over the useful life cycle of asphalt shingles. So you shouldn’t be alarmed when you see some granules in your gutters occasionally - especially right after having a new roof installed. Below the granules, the asphalt layer of the shingle will disintegrate quickly without protection from the UV rays of the sun. This will result in an accelerated rate of wear on the roof, as exposed shingle substrate will start to absorb moisture quicker than shingles with granular protection. To add value to their product, most shingle manufacturers have already or are currently developing technology to stop premature shedding of granules - a.k.a. granular retention technology. See, I told you (that you had granular retention)!

When Shedding Granules is a Problem

Despite efforts by manufacturers to slow the natural loosening of granules over time, there are some other factors that can cause a rapid, problematic release of granules. These factors would cause severe enough damage that it would warrant action by the homeowner to repair the roof - widespread issues across the entire roof could even require roof replacement. The main reasons for this would include hail damage and a defective roofing product. But the potential problems are too numerous to mention here, and none are risking if you can avoid it (which you can, by having your roof regularly inspected and maintained). Long story short: you shouldn’t be surprised to see a slow, gradual loss of the granules on your roof. But you should be alarmed if you see the white fiberglass peeking through, if you see widespread granule loss, or if you see cracking, blistering or any other obvious damage to the shingles.

What to Do If You Spot Problems

If you notice damage to shingles or a large amount of granules that have come loose, contact the Roof Doctor. We’ll come out and inspect your roof and give you a clear idea of what your options are. Our team works hard to keep your roof in its best condition!

5 Ways to Prepare Your Roof for Fall

roof maintenance tasks
End of summer is a great time to plan a regular roof maintenance schedule. Here are a few points you want to make sure to add to your fall maintenance routine:
  1. Loo for missing shingles. Keep an eye out for any missing shingles, roofing material that shows obvious damage (i.e. curling shingles, buckling shingles, flat roofing that is not fastened down), or shingles that have organic matter growing on them.
  2. Clean out your gutters.  Remove all leaves, twigs and other debris from gutters and downspouts. Gutters free of debris will drain water much more effectively and efficiently.
  3. Trim branches. Although it doesn’t seem like it would do much, tree branches dragging on your roof can cause accelerated wear and tear on the shingles and can dislodge granules prematurely. To make sure you get a full lifetime of wear out of your roof, you should do your best to keep branches trimmed back.
  4. Inspect for rust. Rust on shingles is a result of rust occurring on some piece of metal on the roof and running onto the shingles. Rust can come from any metal pipe, cap, or even nails. The most important thing to do is to find the source of the rust so you can resolve the issue.If there is a significant amount of staining to your roof, you do have some options for cleaning it. However, these all require careful effort and handling so you do not damage your shingles. There are different products you can purchase to help you clean, or you can use vinegar applied directly to the stain, gently scrub with a brush, and rinse.
  5. Prevent ice dam formation. Ice dams are continuous chunks of ice that build up along the margins of your roof during the winter. They form when melting ice and snow pool up behind the ice and then can seep back up under the shingles and can cause leaks.Preventing ice dams begins with making sure your attic is free from air leaks; this could be from gaps in drywall, or cracks around light fixtures, plumbing pipes, chimney, access hatches, etc. (Note: this will also serve to reduce your energy bills!).Next, check the depth of your attic insulation and be sure that you have 12 - 14 inches of fiberglass or cellulose insulation. Then have your vents inspected and verify that you have enough venting for the size of your home. Make sure your gutters are clean of debris so that water can flow downward as it should. Blocked gutters can cause water back up and make ice dams worse. If you continue to have issues, you may want to consider installing heat cables around the eaves to help keep ice melting.
If you find problems during your fall maintenance chores, call on the Roof Doctor to help. Our licensed professionals keep your roof in its best condition all year long.

How to Choose a Roofing Contractor

choose a roofing contractor

We know there are many roofing companies in Salt Lake City, Utah that you could invite to take on your roofing project. In fact, there are so many that some people feel completely overwhelmed when making this decision. As a company with plenty of experience roofing Utah, we thought we would offer some guidance about what you need to consider when selecting the right contractor for your project:

Licensing and Insurance

In the roofing industry, we don’t classify all roofers the same. No reputable company would dream of getting on your roof without these basic requirements, and you should take some time to verify this information.

Make sure your contractor has both a General Liability policy and a Worker’s Compensation Policy. You also want to make sure that your contractor has a contractor’s license – not just the business license – and you want to make sure they are licensed for the trade you are hiring them to practice. You can contact the Utah Insurance Department for more information about specific coverages and amounts that should be in place.

Professional Appearance/Presentation

Roofing is hard work, and there are legitimate roofing companies whose owners are up installing roofs, so you can’t always judge a book by its cover. But you absolutely should not discount the effort that a professional company will put into giving you a stellar first impression. A reputable roofer would not send someone into your home that would soil your carpet or who stinks.

Price

Let’s face it: no matter how much you love a contractor, if you’re on a budget for your roofing project, you can’t magically conjure the extra cash you need to pay your favorite contractor. You can only do so much. But here is a little insider secret: your best contractor is probably not going to be the least expensive contractor. But they probably aren’t the most expensive contractor, either. And here is something most homeowners don’t consider: although you may be able to get a roofing contractor to give you an estimate that is lower than your favorite contractor, most times if you were to do a side-by-side comparison, you would find that the lower price sacrifices a lot of quality. Items like warranty, shingle type and expected life affect the cost, as does the amount of development a company does to train and educate its team.

Reviews & Referrals

In this day of the internet, we all have a wealth of information at our investigative disposal. Spend a little time looking up your potential contractors online. See if they have any negative reports with the Better Business Bureau. Read positive and negative reviews on platforms such as Google and Home Advisor – and see if/how the contractor responded. Ask the contractor for references or pictures of jobs they have recently done. Ask your network of friends and family for their recommendations. If you have any specialty/custom details, talk to the contractor about them and vet their experience with those details. You can get a reasonably good idea of a company with just a little effort.

Consider the Roof Doctor

When you’re looking for a roofing contractor to trust with your home, call the Roof Doctor! We are licensed roofing contractors, fully insured, and we offer the best warranties on the market today.

Managing Wind and Hail Damage to Your Roof

wind hail damage roof

There are several elements that may threaten your home and its roof during a major storm, and two such elements that are often seen together are hail and wind damage. These two weather elements, while likely rare in your area, don’t need long to wreak havoc on roofing systems that are not properly secured or maintained, and can lead to significant water damage and other hazards.

At The Roof Doctor, we offer a wide range of storm damage roof repair services, including for roofs that have been damaged by wind or hail. We’re also happy to assist you with navigating the ins and outs of the insurance maze in situations where filing a claim is necessary to help you cover the cost of needed repairs. Let’s go over some tips we can offer for protecting your roof from the risks of hail and wind damage, the process of assessing such damage if it does take place, and how to handle repairs and insurance claims in these cases.

Protecting Your Roof from Hail and Wind Damage

A few general tips for protecting your roof from wind and hail damage, including several where our roof repair pros are happy to help:

  • Regular inspections: At least once a year, if not more often, ensure your roof is inspected in a detailed manner. Any damaged, missing or curled shingles should be replaced or repaired right away, and any more significant issues should be reported to your insurance company right away – waiting too long to notify them could lead to a refusal of your claim in the future.
  • Attic: Every few months, or more often during storm season, check your attic for mold, mildew, stains or any other signs of water making its way through the roof. Also look for high levels of humidity.
  • Trees: Clear your property of any dead or rotting trees, which can create major damage or even destroy the roof entirely if they fall during a wind storm. In addition, clear out any overhanging tree limbs that might fall onto the roof.

Repairs and Insurance Claims for Hail or Wind Damage

In many cases, storm damage from wind and hail won’t be easy to see. This is why a few of the areas above are so important, including checking the attic and roof inspections – they’ll help you identify the evidence of damage even if it’s mostly hidden.

If you do identify wind or hail damage on your roof, one important area to consider is filing an insurance claim using homeowners’ insurance. Within this area, it’s vital to note that not all insurance companies offer the same plans here – most landlocked states feature policies that cover both windstorm and hail damage, but not all. Meanwhile, coastal areas often see insurance companies remove this coverage and require it as a separate policy, given the high risk of such damage in these areas. Make sure you understand exactly what your policy covers before moving forward – our pros are happy to help with this and other insurance-related details.

For more on wind and storm damage and protecting your roof, or to learn about any of our emergency roof repair services, speak to the staff at The Roof Doctor today.