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The Basics of a Successful Roof Damage Insurance Claim

The Basics of a Successful Roof Damage Insurance Claim

If your roof needs repair, it is important to understand how to file a successful roof damage insurance claim.

After all, your roof is on the front lines against the elements in order to protect your home, so damages are inevitable.

Here are some tips to maximize your claim.

Find a Great Roofing Contractor

The first step you should take after noticing damage to your roof is hiring a roofing contractor. It is vital to work with a licensed, reputable contractor such as The Roof Doctor. A great contractor makes all the difference when filing a successful roof damage insurance claim.

Have Your Roof Inspected

You should have your roofing contractor inspect the damage prior to filing a claim. They will take pictures of the roofing issues as well as any other damages around your home. Capturing images of fallen tree branches, toppled chairs, or any other casualties of the storm will help strengthen your claim.

Be Prompt

Since your roof is constantly in use, time is of the essence when filing a claim to repair it. The longer it sits, the more time it has to collect dirt and debris that will make it difficult to establish the original damages.

Review Your Insurance Policy

All homeowner’s insurance policies are not created equal. You will want to make sure that the type of damage that occurred is covered by your plan. For example, if your roof was impaired in a hailstorm, you will want to verify that wind and hail damage is actually included in your policy.

Get an Estimate

Your insurance adjuster will provide an inspection in order to calculate an estimate. The Roof Doctor prefers to be on site for this process so that the adjuster is properly reviewing and noting all roof damage. Do not rely on the adjuster alone to determine the repair cost of the roof.

Keep a Log of Correspondence

Keep records all throughout the repair process. This includes photos, documented estimates, your homeowner’s insurance plan, and a record of who you spoke with and what they said. Ask a lot of questions and make sure you fully understand all the details of the job.

The Roof Doctor Way

In order to file a successful roof damage insurance claim, you need to work alongside an excellent roofing contractor. The professionals at The Roof Doctor are proud to offer excellent service and an open line of communication.

We serve Salt Lake City, Tooele, Ogden, Layton, Bountiful, Orem, Provo, and everywhere in between in Utah. Contact The Roof Doctor for your free estimate today.

 

 

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Can You Tell How Old a Roof Is?

Can You Tell How Old a Roof Is?

Determining how old your roof is isn’t always easy. This is especially true if you aren’t the first owner of your home. Knowing the age of a roof can be helpful if problems arise and when figuring out if it is sturdy enough to keep you and your family safe and sound.  

We’ve listed a few ways you can tell just how old your roof is. Keep reading below. 

Ask the Previous Owners

Don’t hesitate to reach out to the previous owner. Most people are happy to help and offer any information they may have. Contact them to see if they can tell you how old the roof is. Hopefully, they have answers for you. If they don’t know when exactly the roof was put on, they might be able to point you in the right direction. They may know the roofing company’s name or have the contact information of the people that owned the home before them.

Look Up Building Permits

Most cities in the United States require a building permit to reroof a home. Building permits are public record and is easily accessed. These records will tell you when the roof was replaced, the company’s name that did the job, and a lot of other helpful information. 

Inquire the Roofing Company

If you happen to know the roofing company that replaced the roof, ask them for a copy of the receipt. Most companies keep years and years records and will happily offer up this information. Not only will you learn the date of service, but you can also learn other information, such as how much it cost.

Hire an Inspection 

If you’ve exhausted all your resources without success, you can always hire an inspector to come check it out. A knowledgeable inspector won’t be able to give you an exact date. However, they will be able to provide you with a reliable estimate that you can trust. An inspector is trained and qualified to evaluate your roof and give you an accurate approximation of its age.

Contact the Experts at The Roof Doctor

You can always call on the professionals at The Roof Doctor if you want to know how old your roof is or need a new roof or repair. Your roof and your home are in good hands with The Roof Doctor. We are proud to provide quality roof installations and repairs and hold ourselves to the highest standard. Get your free estimate on a new roof today by calling or filling out our online form today.

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What Should I Know About Roof Maintenance?

What Should I Know About Roof Maintenance_

Your roof is an integral part of your home that protects it from weather, falling debris, and critters. You may not think about its condition until there’s damage. By then, it may be a too little too late scenario and a hefty repair bill that follows. Read about what you should know for maintaining your roof to ensure it lasts for decades.

Roof Maintenance

Since your roof can last upwards of twenty-five years with proper maintenance, it’s important you know what things you need to know about, so your roof lasts. First, it’s vital to inspect your roof twice a year and look for lifting, curling, cracked, or missing shingles, buckling, leaking, sagging or broken gutters, or a damaged drip edge—issues you don’t want to ignore. Here are some maintenance tips to ensure your roof stays in good condition.

 

Tips on Maintaining Your Roof

Clean the gutters at least a few times a year and particularly before and after a storm hits. Water can back up and rot the fascia if gutters become clogged. 

Trim high trees since one good storm can cause weak branches to crash into your roof. It’s vital that trees stay trimmed and away from your home.

Look up and check for buckling, loose, or missing flashing, as well as any missing or exposed fasteners or granules.

Re-Caulk, if needed. If a builder applied low-grade caulking at the time of installation, the flashings might not stay sealed.

Check the insulation to ensure you have proper insulation and ventilation in your attic; this helps keep your roof in good condition by preventing ice dams from forming and decreasing moisture. Also, look for any leaks in your attic or ceilings for any water stains. Some common signs of water damage include a musty odor in individual rooms, spots on your exterior walls, bulging patches of your interior walls, and water stains on ceilings.

Wash your roof. With age, your roof will start to look dirty. Long, dark streaks flow from peak to eave, which means algae is growing. Don’t leave this for too long, or it will rot your shingles. To eliminate algae, spray your roof with a 50 percent mix of water and bleach. 

Consider getting a professional roof inspection done. An expert can spot potential issues you may not see, as well as offer tips for roof maintenance you might not know about. They can also tell you the condition your roof is in and how long it will last. Getting an annual inspection increases your chances of discovering issues before they result in high repair or replacement costs. A typical roof inspection can cost from $250 to $650, depending on size.

 

The Roof Doctor Can Help

If you need expert help with your roof, contact us. Our professionals will come and inspect your roof and inform you of their findings. We’re here to ensure your roof continues to last for years to come with high-quality products and services.

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Tips For Maintaining Your Roof During The Winter

Tips For Maintaining Your Roof During The Winter

Wintertime can wreak havoc, not just on the streets, but on our roofs as well. A particularly bad winter hit in 1993, when heavy snow blanketed the area. The resulting two feet of snow landing on roofs seriously increased the risk of collapse. It was recommended that people remove as much as they could to prevent damage. While this extreme example doesn’t happen every winter, it’s an important reminder to be mindful of the roof over our heads!

Keep reading to learn about routine wintertime roof maintenance.

Ways To Maintain Your Roof During Winter

Remove Snow Quickly

It may look innocent, but as stated above, heavy snow can damage a roof, especially if the roof is old or in need of repair. Remove snow as soon as possible. It is necessary to check for ice as well, as it further contributes to the heaviness of snow on your roof. When left too long, ice melt creates what’s known as an ‘ice dam’, thick ridges of solid ice that build up along the eaves. When temps drop below freezing, the melted ice refreezes, resulting in a dam inside or around your gutters. This can back up any runoff precipitation, potentially causing loose shingles and even leakage.

Check For Wind Damage

Along with snow and ice, wind can also do major damage to roofs. Wind damage can rip off portions of your roof that may be hard to see, so you must check for broken, missing, or damaged shingles and other roofing materials. If not fixed, these vulnerable areas will do more than just cause leaks; they will increase the likelihood of bacteria, mold, and mildew.

Repair Flashing

Roof maintenance includes checking your existing flashing for problems. What is flashing? Flashing is a protective material fabricated from a rust-resistant metal that is applied around roof protrusions such as the base of chimneys and roof vents, as well as several other areas. Over time, it can warp and loosen, so it’s important to check this yearly. If it’s damaged, show and ice can enter your roof more freely. If too much water builds up, it can cause interior leaks.

Inspect Your Gutters

Gutters are especially susceptible to freezing precipitation. Check them regularly for signs of ice dams. A telltale sign they need cleaning is icicles hanging from them, which can mean your gutters are already plugged. If they’re filled with ice, they can weaken and be unable to sustain all the weight. This results in the gutters tearing away from your home, causing significant structural damage that can bite you in the wallet.

Check Your Attic

Routine roof maintenance isn’t only on your home’s exterior. When performing your roof maintenance, check to ensure your attic has enough insulation, which includes stable ventilation routes. Keeping the airflow consistent helps keep your roof protected.

Contact The Roof Doctor

Need help? If you’re in the Salt Lake City or Northern Utah area, please contact us for a free roofing estimate and let our experts come out and inspect your roof. We perform storm damage repairs In addition to our installation services. You can count on us to fix any issues so that you can rest, worry-free, this winter. Don’t wait!

 

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How Do I Know if My Roof is Bad?

How Do I Know if My Roof is Bad?

You may not know whether your roof is failing until you start seeing signs, and then, it may be too late to save it.

Read on to learn what signs you should look for to know if your roof needs repairing.

How Do I Know if My Roof is Bad?

 

Part One: How to Perform an Interior Roof Check

The fastest way to inspect your roof’s condition is to play detective. Get a flashlight and head up to your attic. Ensure your flashlight has a bright beam so you can readily see any damage. The common signs that you need a new roof include:

  • Visible Daylight through your roof boards: Before you flip on your flashlight, see if you can spot any streams of light coming through cracks or holes in your roof. If you see any light, repair or replace your roof asap. If light seeps through, so can water.
  • Dark streaks and stains: This is easy enough to identify. If you see them on the underside of your roof or running down the walls from the base of your roof, then your roof is likely leaking. Resulting moisture is damaging not only your roof but your home’s interior structure.
  • Sagging areas: Just as water will make a piece of cardboard soggy and weak, water can make the structure of your roof begin to sag. If you see visible sagging, we recommend calling a professional, rather than poking at the problem, to prevent further damage. Don’t wait- pooled water can cause serious damage if left unchecked!

Part Two: Perform an Exterior Roof Check

After performing an interior roof check, do the same on the exterior. Exterior checks are vital to prevent damage from reaching your interior roofing structure.

  • Dark streaks and stains: Just like you did with the interior, check for any noticeable dark streaks or stains that would point to water damage.
  • Leaks & water damage: Noticeable leaks, rotting tiles, or sagging spots are a clear indication of water damage. It’s wise not to ignore these signs, even if they’re minor, because they will only get worse over time.
  • Rotting: This is a common sign for wooden and asphalt roofs, so look for any rot or decay. Some of these apparent signs include rotten or missing and broken tiles or moldy buildup on groups of tiles.

A few other indications you need a roofing professional are decaying shingles, granules in the gutter, damaged chimney and roof flashing, and obvious signs of poor workmanship. Knowing your roof has reached it’s expected lifetime is an important factor as well.

The Roof Doctor Can Help

If you see any damages after your exterior and interior inspection, write them down and then contact us for help. We have experienced and well-trained technicians who can come and repair or replace your roof. Contact us today to learn more!

 

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Can I Repair My Roof in the Winter?

Can I Repair My Roof in the Winter

Homeowners may think wintertime is taboo for repairing their roof, but it’s not true if you use proper techniques and safety. The question then becomes, is it necessary to repair your roof now or can it wait?

Read about challenges you may face in repairing your roof in winter.

Repairing Roofs in Winter

With Old Man Winter firmly planted on our doorsteps in Utah, you may wonder whether it’s safe to repair your roof. If you’re missing shingles, have leaky ceilings, or other problems that probably shouldn’t wait until spring, then consider some things, so it’s done right and as safely as possible.

Learn about the challenges of repairing a roof in winter and how to minimize them.

The Best Temperature for Replacing Shingles

Ideally, temperatures should be in the range of 40 degrees and 85 degrees to replace asphalt roof shingles. In Utah, that could be December-March with our crazy weather. But, there is a reason why the temps need to be in that range; it’s mainly due to ensuring asphalt shingles can’t crack when hammered. Installing shingles in colder or hotter temperatures can result in breakage, even if the shingles are of high quality.

Top Challenges for Winter Roof Installation

Besides cracking shingles in colder temperatures below 40℉, you also have to contend with the adhesives. When the temps dip below the acceptable range, self-adhesive shingles struggle to stick correctly. If you don’t use those types of shingles, it still may be a struggle in repairing your roof. Fiberglass shingles can also splinter in the cold when close to the freezing mark.

Of course, safety is another concern, especially with snow and ice, which can impede your stability when on the roof.

Ways To Replace Your Roof

Now that we have those challenges out in the open, you can weigh them with the need of replacing your roof. If it’s a dire need, there are a few ways to still repair or replace your roof. These ways include:

  • Keeping roofing shingles warm – It may be a good idea to ask someone at a roofing repair company if they store shingles in a warm area before delivering them to you. Or, once you get them, you can store them in a warm place before installing them.
  • Sealing shingles properly – Ensure each shingle is sealed with an approved asphalt roofing cement to bond the shingles to the roof. This could be tricky in the winter, so get some good advice from an expert in this area.
  • Taking safety precautions – If you can get help, it would make the job go smoother and safer. Regardless, make sure you have the proper shoes on and don’t install if ice is present.

 

Contact The Roof Doctor

If you don’t have time or feel comfortable enough repairing your roof, give us a call. We have experts who are experienced and know the right techniques to ensure you get the best service available. Call us for an appointment.

 
 

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4 Steps to Take if Your Roof is Leaking

When your roof is leaking it can be hard to think straight. However, the way that you respond in this instance can affect your final cost.  

Don’t just wait for your trusted roof contractors to arrive. Instead, here are four things that you can do right away to minimize the total damage.  

roof leaking

Step 1: Redirect the Leak 

Most people begin to notice that their roof is leaking when a bubble starts appearing on their ceiling. This bubble is full of water. It will continue to grow and expand until it finds an entry point.  

That entry point can be a hole in the ceiling sealcoat, light fixtures or railings. The bigger your bubble grows the more damaged your ceiling will become. The best thing to do is to poke a hole in the bubble and drain the water.  

The water will continue to pass through this hole until the water supply dries out, so be sure to leave a bucket underneath to catch the remaining drops.  

Step 2: Find the Problem Point 

After ensuring that the leak is being collected, it’s time to figure out where it’s coming from. This can be tricky sometimes because where the water started pooling up on the ceiling isn’t necessarily where it originated.  

Don’t feel bad if you can’t find the leak, sometimes it’s the size of a nail. That’s where having a trusted roofing contractor comes in handy. We’ve been trained to find even the smallest entry points.   

Step 3: Stop More Water From Entering 

If you have a pretty good idea of where the leak is, the next step is to stop more water from entering. This can be completed in a couple of ways.  

First, you can put a tarp over the problem spot on your roof. If you decide to do this option, be careful. Roofs are very slick when they are wet. Only attempt this if you feel comfortable.  

The second option is to put a patch on the inside of your attic. An effective patch uses tar and extra roof shingles.  

Both of these cover-up options are temporary and should only be used while you’re waiting for the contractor to arrive. 

Step 4: Dry the Wet Area 

Once you’ve contained the problem you can start focusing on fixing your home. Set up a fan to dry the areas that were exposed to the water.  

If you skip this step you may end up with mold or permanent water damage.  

Call Us When Your Roof Is Leaking 

When your roof is leaking you need someone you can trust. Here at Roof Doctor, our team is skilled in finding and repairing leaks before too much damage can occur. 

We offer emergency service both on the weekend and when it’s late. You don’t have to wait. Call us anytime to schedule your repair. 

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3 Things to do Before Installing Solar Panels on Your Roof

Are you thinking of installing solar panels on your roof? Going solar is becoming a trend in more neighborhoods throughout the United States because this source of power can save you money on your electric bills and taxes and improve home values. However, to get the most value for your purchase, you must plan carefully.

Once you’ve got the solar panels up on your roof, you won’t want to move them. So make sure your roof is ready for your commitment to solar.

Below are the three things you should do before installing solar panels on your roof.

3 Things to Do Before Installing Solar Panels on Your Roof

Have Your Roof Inspected

Can your roof support the weight of solar panels? Trust us when we say you don’t want to guess what this answer may be. It’s much better to have your roof evaluated than risk extensive damages to your house.

Qualified roofing contractors can do a roof stress test relatively quickly. You’ll want someone experienced you can trust.

When doing an inspection, a roofing contractor should check your roof and attic for structural damage or weak spots. These can then be repaired before installing solar panels on your roof.

Replace Old Roofs

If you’re planning to replace your roof in the next couple of years, it will be easier and more cost-effective to do it before you install solar panels on your roof.

Solar panels can be removed and reattached, but that’s an extra expense.

A quality roof will last for 20 years or more. That’s about how long solar panels last as well. By replacing your roof before you add the solar panels, you won’t have to worry about moving or adjusting anything for the next couple of decades.

Move Objects in the Way

Some objects such as antennas, vents and satellite dishes may get in the way of installing solar panels on your roof. So before adding your solar panels, you’ll want to move these items. Sometimes vents are difficult to relocate or are required by building codes. Your roofing contractor can help you decide what to do.

You’ll also want to check for trees blocking the sun. You may need to have branches trimmed or trees removed.

Find More Tips for Installing Solar Panels on Your Roof

Installing solar panels on your roof is an exciting venture for any homeowner. Call the Roof Doctor for all your roofing needs, including questions about solar panels.