Toledo Roofing Blog |
Know the Basics of Storm-Damaged Roof Repair
11/19/19
This article is going to walk you through the process of repairing a roof damaged by a storm. Now, you probably are thinking that you will have no intention of repairing your roof. I understand that.
Most people don't have the skills, training, patience, or basic time to roll up their sleeves and do whatever is needed to get their roof back into shape. I get that.
But the reason why I'm sharing this information with you is that it's so easy to get ripped off by professional roofing companies that try to razzle-dazzle you with all sorts of terms and jargon.
If you go to the typical roof inspection or roof estimate meeting, it's very easy to have all these terms thrown at you. And at the end of the day, your eyes glazed over and you're in fear because they keep telling you about all sorts of worst-case scenarios.
Of course, we all know that the reason why they're saying all these things is that they want you to reach deep into your pockets and spend, spend, and spend some more. That's really how that works.
But the good news is, not all roofing companies operate at that level. They're not all dodgy and they're not all out to scam you. But with that said, if you are a complete layperson and you don't know the first thing about repairing the storm damage on your roof, you wouldn't know who to trust and the first thing about how this repair process is supposed to be carried out.
So, you are really in a bad position. You don't know who's a straight shooter and who's trying to take you over for a ride. At a certain level, it might seem that they are saying the same things because they're throwing the same terms around.
However, by knowing the basics of storm-damaged roof repair, you will know who's who. That's the bottom line.
How to Spot Storm Damages on Roofs
The first thing you need to do is a personal inspection. Look for damage in three key areas. First, if you have skylights, this is one of the most vulnerable parts of your roof. Take a look at the skylights themselves as well as the bordering areas.
Next, if you have a chimney, this is another great place to check for damage. Look at the chimney itself but most importantly, look at the roof area around or near the chimney. Finally, if you have any kind of roof vent, take a close look at them.
See if the shingles are in place and look for any sign of decay, damage, or old-age. Similarly, look at your gutters and assess whether they are straight, well-aligned, or do they show apparent signs of damage. Pay close attention to your shingles.
You have to understand that you have to look at them very closely because they're not very easy to spot. A lot of shingles show damage underneath the surface which can be tricky so you need to look up close and personal and spend a lot of time on your roof.
If you can't do this for whatever reason, maybe you don't have the time or don’t feel that you're gonna mess it up, hire a professional roof inspector who doesn't work for a roofing company. This way, there's no conflict of interest and you’re sure that they're going to give you the straight information so you can make an informed decision.
The last thing that you want is to deal with somebody who's an agent of a roofing company. You best believe that whatever assessment they give you is not going to be in your best interest.
Nine times out of 10, they're going to try to steer your account to a roofing company they know, and guess what? They're going to get a commission. So don't deal with those people.
How to Protect Your Roof From Storm Damage
Now that you are aware of the kind of damage your roof may suffer during a storm, it's always a good idea to be aware of proactive steps you can take to protect your roof from any damage, from storms in the future.
First, always, make it a point to inspect your roof at certain times of the year. The fall is the best time which is especially true if you live in Florida.
If you are going to be inspecting your roof in the summer, it’s going to be too hot and this is the case if you live in Arizona where it's just burning in the middle of the summer. So, always make a point to inspect your roof to make sure it's in good enough shape.
Also, have a checklist ready. What is your number one priority? What are the things that you really should be alarmed about when you are checking out your roof?
Generally speaking, these are obvious damage, cracks, and leaks because if you see this in advance of a storm, you best believe that the storm is going to just make the existing problems of your roof even worse.
It also helps if you keep your roof clean. Keep it free from leaves, wood, or any kind of debris. The interesting thing about leaves is if you leave a lot of stuff on your roof, this can provide the feedstock for algae, moss, and other kinds of organic life on your roof.
Now, you may be thinking of what's the big deal about moss-covered shingles? Well, you have to understand that these living plants structurally weaken the surface of your shingles.
If you’re not careful, they may weaken your roof all the way through the outer lining which can lead to more expensive repairs in the future. Another thing is, it helps if you make it a habit of cleaning your gutters.
I know it's not sexy and it's a pain in the butt for a lot of people because it takes a lot of time and a little bit of elbow grease but, you have to schedule this in or hire somebody to do it. Otherwise, when the storm hits, it might leave worse damage than if you had taken care of the action items above.
How Much Does it Cost to Repair Storm Damage on My Roof?
If your roof gets damaged, please understand that the cost of repairing it depends on your location. Different states in the USA have different labor rates. Please note that when it comes to roof repairs, most of the cost is not going to be in the materials.
While the felt paper, as well as the external “skin” on the roof and the shingles, obviously cost money, your number one cost center is the labor. So, depending on where you live in the US, roofing can be quite expensive or it could be a fairly moderate expense.
Another factor that impacts the overall price tag of storm-damaged roof repair is the extent of the damage. Obviously, the more the damage, the higher the price tag. This is why it's really important to hire an objective third-party professional to assess the damage.
Maybe hire somebody who's a professional estimator for insurance companies who will give you a nice ballpark range that you can use as a reference when looking for professional roofing companies.
Finally, pay close attention to the material that you want to replace. If you have a shingle roof or an asphalt roof, the repair costs will be moderate. However, if you have a tile roof or a concrete shingle roof, it's going to be more expensive.
Most people don't have the skills, training, patience, or basic time to roll up their sleeves and do whatever is needed to get their roof back into shape. I get that.
But the reason why I'm sharing this information with you is that it's so easy to get ripped off by professional roofing companies that try to razzle-dazzle you with all sorts of terms and jargon.
If you go to the typical roof inspection or roof estimate meeting, it's very easy to have all these terms thrown at you. And at the end of the day, your eyes glazed over and you're in fear because they keep telling you about all sorts of worst-case scenarios.
Of course, we all know that the reason why they're saying all these things is that they want you to reach deep into your pockets and spend, spend, and spend some more. That's really how that works.
But the good news is, not all roofing companies operate at that level. They're not all dodgy and they're not all out to scam you. But with that said, if you are a complete layperson and you don't know the first thing about repairing the storm damage on your roof, you wouldn't know who to trust and the first thing about how this repair process is supposed to be carried out.
So, you are really in a bad position. You don't know who's a straight shooter and who's trying to take you over for a ride. At a certain level, it might seem that they are saying the same things because they're throwing the same terms around.
However, by knowing the basics of storm-damaged roof repair, you will know who's who. That's the bottom line.
How to Spot Storm Damages on Roofs
The first thing you need to do is a personal inspection. Look for damage in three key areas. First, if you have skylights, this is one of the most vulnerable parts of your roof. Take a look at the skylights themselves as well as the bordering areas.
Next, if you have a chimney, this is another great place to check for damage. Look at the chimney itself but most importantly, look at the roof area around or near the chimney. Finally, if you have any kind of roof vent, take a close look at them.
See if the shingles are in place and look for any sign of decay, damage, or old-age. Similarly, look at your gutters and assess whether they are straight, well-aligned, or do they show apparent signs of damage. Pay close attention to your shingles.
You have to understand that you have to look at them very closely because they're not very easy to spot. A lot of shingles show damage underneath the surface which can be tricky so you need to look up close and personal and spend a lot of time on your roof.
If you can't do this for whatever reason, maybe you don't have the time or don’t feel that you're gonna mess it up, hire a professional roof inspector who doesn't work for a roofing company. This way, there's no conflict of interest and you’re sure that they're going to give you the straight information so you can make an informed decision.
The last thing that you want is to deal with somebody who's an agent of a roofing company. You best believe that whatever assessment they give you is not going to be in your best interest.
Nine times out of 10, they're going to try to steer your account to a roofing company they know, and guess what? They're going to get a commission. So don't deal with those people.
How to Protect Your Roof From Storm Damage
Now that you are aware of the kind of damage your roof may suffer during a storm, it's always a good idea to be aware of proactive steps you can take to protect your roof from any damage, from storms in the future.
First, always, make it a point to inspect your roof at certain times of the year. The fall is the best time which is especially true if you live in Florida.
If you are going to be inspecting your roof in the summer, it’s going to be too hot and this is the case if you live in Arizona where it's just burning in the middle of the summer. So, always make a point to inspect your roof to make sure it's in good enough shape.
Also, have a checklist ready. What is your number one priority? What are the things that you really should be alarmed about when you are checking out your roof?
Generally speaking, these are obvious damage, cracks, and leaks because if you see this in advance of a storm, you best believe that the storm is going to just make the existing problems of your roof even worse.
It also helps if you keep your roof clean. Keep it free from leaves, wood, or any kind of debris. The interesting thing about leaves is if you leave a lot of stuff on your roof, this can provide the feedstock for algae, moss, and other kinds of organic life on your roof.
Now, you may be thinking of what's the big deal about moss-covered shingles? Well, you have to understand that these living plants structurally weaken the surface of your shingles.
If you’re not careful, they may weaken your roof all the way through the outer lining which can lead to more expensive repairs in the future. Another thing is, it helps if you make it a habit of cleaning your gutters.
I know it's not sexy and it's a pain in the butt for a lot of people because it takes a lot of time and a little bit of elbow grease but, you have to schedule this in or hire somebody to do it. Otherwise, when the storm hits, it might leave worse damage than if you had taken care of the action items above.
How Much Does it Cost to Repair Storm Damage on My Roof?
If your roof gets damaged, please understand that the cost of repairing it depends on your location. Different states in the USA have different labor rates. Please note that when it comes to roof repairs, most of the cost is not going to be in the materials.
While the felt paper, as well as the external “skin” on the roof and the shingles, obviously cost money, your number one cost center is the labor. So, depending on where you live in the US, roofing can be quite expensive or it could be a fairly moderate expense.
Another factor that impacts the overall price tag of storm-damaged roof repair is the extent of the damage. Obviously, the more the damage, the higher the price tag. This is why it's really important to hire an objective third-party professional to assess the damage.
Maybe hire somebody who's a professional estimator for insurance companies who will give you a nice ballpark range that you can use as a reference when looking for professional roofing companies.
Finally, pay close attention to the material that you want to replace. If you have a shingle roof or an asphalt roof, the repair costs will be moderate. However, if you have a tile roof or a concrete shingle roof, it's going to be more expensive.
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