by siteadmin | Aug 2, 2019 | Roof Inspection, Roof Repair, Roof Replacement
There’s no question that preventive maintenance work on your home can save you an immense amount of effort and money later on. It’s better to catch a problem when it can be easily handled than to let it worsen with time. However, your roof may be a different story. When is it appropriate to replace the entire thing, and when can you get by with just a few repairs?
Depending on the extent of damages, you may only need a cosmetic touch up or minor repair instead of a full roof replacement. However, choosing one solution too quickly does you no favors. Before you decide on the type of work your roof needs, it’s important to assess the damage and consult an expert.
Patching Over Minor Damage
Missing shingles can result in damage to the roof itself. Fortunately, homeowners may get lucky and only end up with a minor hole or weak spot in the roof. In this case, you may be tempted to think a quick patch will take care of the problem. This may seem like an easy fix, but you should always let an expert inspect the roof first. The damage may have spread further than it first appears. Additionally, adding patching an old roof in need of repairs with brand new roofing materials may just make the whole situation worse. Never assume a patch will fix the deeper issue.
Replacing Shingles or Tiles
If only a few shingles or tiles are missing, a quick replacement is probably all you need. Once again, however, the true answer depends on the rest of your roof. Does the damage extend into the structure itself? Are the other shingles on the roof buckled or peeling? Shingles are designed to last for decades, so if you notice the other shingles starting to fall apart, that’s a sign of serious damage below the surface.
Additionally, if you see granules from your asphalt shingles showing up on the ground or in your roof’s gutters, that indicates moderate to severe roof damage. Call a roof repair service immediately.
Pro Tip: Replacing only damaged shingles or tiles while ignoring the roof structure itself runs the risk of ignoring subtler problems. Always have the roof inspected too.
A Whole New Roof
Finally, there will be times when you can’t get away with mere repairs and have to settle for an entirely new roof. If your roof has recently suffered severe storm or water damage, the materials are deteriorating, or your home is simply old and in need of renovations, you’ll find yourself having a new roof installed. Your roofing contractor will help you determine the exact extent of necessary work.
Determining the Best Course of Action
Your roof is your home’s first line of defense against wind, rain, hail, and more. Even minor damages can be catastrophic if left untreated. Before you decide on whether to replace or repair your roof, make sure to consult with an expert on the best decision to prevent your house from sustaining further damage.
Connect with us to schedule your free roof inspection today!
by siteadmin | Jul 12, 2019 | Roof Damage, Roof Repair, Severe Weather
A well-structured roof can last for years and take plenty of abuse from the weather. However, part of maintaining your roof’s lifespan is handling small incidents as they happen. If you’re beginning to notice that your roof leaks in heavy rain or even in a drizzle, it’s time for repairs.
A leaky roof is more than an inconvenience. The potential for severe water damage to the rest of your roof and to the house itself is too great to put off repairs too long. In the meantime, however, there are a few things you can do to keep the water from causing too many problems while you wait for emergency roof repairs.
Contain and Drain the Leak
If you can see a dripping spot on your ceiling, place a bucket underneath to catch the water. Once the initial dripping is contained, see if there’s a dark spot or bulge where the water is dripping from. More than likely, rainwater is pooling back there and will eventually burst out. With a little care, you can prevent this from happening. Stand on a ladder as close to the leak as you can and gently insert a screwdriver into the bulge or dark spot to drain the excess water. While you may see increased water flowing into the bucket briefly, this will prevent too much water from accumulating and causing further damage.
Temporarily Cover the Leak
Do this ONLY if you are confident you know where the leak is on your roof and if it is safe to climb on your roof. Locate the source of the leak and cover it as best you can with a waterproof tarp. If you can find the same leak inside your house, cover the interior with a tarp as well. While this is just a temporary fix, it will prevent the damage from worsening in the meantime. Even professional roofing companies can’t repair your roof in bad weather.
Pro Tip: NEVER climb on your roof during a rainstorm. Roofing material becomes slick when wet and you can easily fall.
Watch for Other Damage
Ignoring a roof leak will not make it better. Monitor your roof and the surrounding areas for any additional signs of damage. It’s probably time for a more intensive roof repair if you notice any of these warning signs:
- Dark spots or sagging on the inside ceiling
- Missing, broken, or warped shingles
- Clogged roof gutters or drains
- Missing roofing material around vents, chimneys, etc.
Emergency Houston Roof Leak Repair
Once the leak is contained temporarily, call your local roofing contractor and schedule an emergency repair as soon as you can. Once the weather is clear enough for them to work, you should get the hole patched immediately. Don’t let your roof continue leaking and letting rainwater into your house.
Connect with us to learn more about temporarily containing leaks and inspecting your roof for damages.
by siteadmin | Jun 28, 2019 | Roof Damage, Roof Repair, Severe Weather
A few short weeks ago in early May, severe rainstorms in Houston brought with them golf ball-sized hail, reaching the size of baseballs in some regions. If you were among the thousands of affected families, it may be time to have a professional inspect your roof and home for damage.
Drastic hail damage, such as smashed windows, is easy to spot and arrange repairs for. However, don’t assume you just got lucky if your home escaped severe damage. Even without knocking a hole in your roof or dislodging shingles, hail can leave subtler problems behind. A professional roof repair company can help you assess the total damage and decide whether a full replacement or a few repairs are necessary.
What is Your Woodlands Roof Made Of?
Your roofing materials will help you determine the extent of the damage and potential repair costs. For instance, a metal roof will dent when exposed to heavy, rapid-fire hail. A minor dent might cause a little trouble with water flowing off your roof, while a major dent could be an indication of more severe damage underneath in your home itself. Meanwhile, clay or wooden shingles will split or shatter in a hailstorm, allowing damage to spread quickly.
Asphalt shingles, the most common roofing material, may lose granules during a hailstorm. In a severe case, the damage will be obvious. Other times, the missing granules will be so subtle that only a professional eye can spot them. Either way, missing granules indicate a high level of force from the hail and could be a symptom of more severe damage under the tiles. At the very least, the newly formed weak spot can turn into a leak.
What Will Your Insurance Cover?
Your roofing company can help you negotiate with your insurance provider and determine your next course of action. If the damage is severe enough that a full replacement is necessary, your insurance company will pay for a new roof. However, repairs get tricky. Some insurance providers consider certain minor repairs as cosmetic and not as critical as emergency storm repair. Your best strategy is to have your roof professionally inspected and then negotiate with your insurance company with an estimate in hand.
Pro Tip: From time to time, have your roof inspected even if you aren’t sure any damage has occurred. A professional opinion can help you prevent a minor problem from becoming worse in severe weather.
Is More Damage Likely?
Is local weather projected to get even worse and potentially damage your roof further? More importantly, how long can you really wait to fix the immediate problem? A few missing granules off a shingle ultimately require a new shingle, but your roof won’t start leaking immediately. On the other hand, missing shingles or leaks require immediate attention. Talk with your roofing contractor for a long-term plan and timeline for your roof repair.
Repair or Replace the Roof
Ultimately, your decision to replace the whole roof or pay for a few repairs will depend on your roof builder’s suggestions, the extent of the damage, your insurance’s contribution, and the likelihood of things getting worse. Different circumstances call for different solutions. Find the solution that works best for your situation.
Connect with us to schedule your free roofing inspection today and have a professional assess the damage to your roof.
by siteadmin | Jun 21, 2019 | Roof Damage, Roof Repair, Severe Weather
A well-built roof is your home’s first line of defense against heavy rain, hail, and other damages from severe weather. But what happens when the roof takes damage? Depending on the severity of the storm and the extent of the damage, you will likely have to take action quickly to repair your roof.
When your roof has suffered storm damage, the best course of action is to determine how bad the damage is and contact a professional roof builder immediately. Don’t delay! The longer your roof sits unrepaired, the more likely you are to suffer further damage in the meantime.
Assess and Document the Damage
As soon as it is safe to do so, go outside and perform a self-assessment of your roof damage. Take pictures to document everything for insurance purposes later. A few missing or dislodged shingles might not need repairs quickly, but huge patches of missing shingles or cracks in the roof need immediate attention.
Contact a Professional for a Repair Estimate
Once you know the extent of the repairs you’ll likely need, contact your local roofing company for an estimate on repair cost and time. If the same company built your roof originally, talk to them about their warranties and insurance. How much of the payment will come out of your pocket? Contact your own insurance company as well to see what they will cover.
Pro Tip: If your local roofing company can’t perform repairs immediately, ask for a temporary fix or covering to prevent further problems with your roof.
Don’t Hire a Storm Chaser
Above all, don’t get scammed! After severe weather damages several local houses, “storm chasers” often appear out of the woodwork offering quick roofing repairs. However, very often these companies perform subpar repairs or none at all and just disappear with homeowners’ money. If a roofing company you’ve never heard of tries to solicit your business, ignore them. More than likely, they’re trying to scam you. Stick with a verified roofing company you can trust to actually help you.
Dealing with Severe Weather Damage
Don’t let your storm-damaged roof sit in disrepair and continue allowing the elements into your home. Get in touch with a professional roofing repair service and keep the problem from worsening. Your newly repaired roof will be able to withstand future storms.
Connect with us to learn more about the storm damage repair services we offer.
by siteadmin | Jun 7, 2019 | Roof Repair, Severe Weather
Hurricane season is coming up! Is your home ready? You’re probably stocking up on nonperishable food, checking for leaks around windows, and performing general maintenance to keep out the weather. These are absolutely important when severe weather can come at any time. But what about the roof? Your entire house needs to be prepared.
Don’t wait until the last minute to weatherproof your roof. With the proper forethought, you can have a few preventive measures and weatherproof roof features installed during the initial project. Talk to your roof builder about a few roofing materials or strategies that could save you trouble during hurricane season later on.
Reinforced Shingles
If you’re like most homeowners, you probably have shingles on your rooftop. Asphalt shingles do an excellent job of repelling rainwater, but if they blow off your roof in high winds, the rain can get inside. Ask your roofing service about adding a few extra nails to hold your shingles onto the roof and prevent potential leaks.
Pro Tip: For a tiled roof, your repair service will probably add a sealant around any cracks and edges to further repel water. Talk to your contractor for details and options.
Underlayment
When a roof is installed, the builders line the interior of the roof with a final layer of underlayment, usually tar paper. See if your roofing company offers an option for waterproof underlayment for further leak protection. The waterproof layer costs more than standard tar paper, but you don’t need to cover the entire roof, just edges and weak areas that could leak in a storm. Those few extra dollars could save you hugely expensive repairs later.
Gutter Guards
The gutters around your roof direct rainwater to flow away from vulnerable spots on your roof. In a typical rainstorm, they function just fine. But the high winds of a hurricane or severe thunderstorm could throw leaves and debris into your gutters, clogging them up and causing water to pool in dangerous areas. Installing a gutter guard, a grate over your gutters, will allow rainwater to flow out while preventing leaves from clogging them up. In addition to a reinforced roof, redirecting the rain will reduce your risk of water damage.
Metal Roofing
If you’re getting an entirely new roof ahead of hurricane season, consider switching to a metal roof. Solid metal is hands-down the most durable roofing material on the market, leaving almost no room for leaks. And don’t worry about appearances! Modern metal roofs come in as many colors as tiles or shingles. Your new roof can be both stylish and weatherproof.
Preparing for Severe Weather
As you reinforce both your home and your rooftop in anticipation of hurricane season, remember that no preparation is entirely flawless. A particularly severe storm could still cause some damage to your home. But your efforts can keep damage and leaks to a minimum. Talk to your roofing contractor about the best methods and materials to protect your home this summer.
Join the conversation to see how other homeowners reinforced their roofs to withstand severe wind and rain.
by siteadmin | May 31, 2019 | Roof Inspection, Roof Repair
When was the last time you had your roof inspected? Even if everything looks good to you, there could be damage or deterioration under the surface that a cursory glance won’t reveal. Every so often, it’s important to have a professional check out your roof and update you on any potential work needed.
Don’t underestimate the importance of roof inspections. Even if you can’t see any damage and nothing major has happened to cause any, roof maintenance is still key to a long-lasting home. Aside from natural wear and tear, consider scheduling a roof inspection if any of these circumstances apply to you.
Major Weather Events
High winds, heavy rain, or hail can give your roof a beating. Even if your roof looks intact after a severe thunderstorm, you may still need some emergency storm repair. Let a professional decide how bad the damage is.
Pro Tip: While severe weather can damage your roof quickly, normal rain and sun can still take a few years off your roof’s lifespan. Don’t assume you’re safe just because a thunderstorm missed you.
Preventive Maintenance
Think of a periodic roof inspection like a wellness visit to your doctor. There may not be any outstanding problems, but a check-up can catch bad conditions before they become severe. Routine maintenance and inspections will provide the proper maintenance your roof requires, keeping it in good shape for years to come. Inspectors will easily catch and inform you of any necessary work so they can fix the problem before it becomes a disaster.
Mold Prevention
Those dark streaks on your roof are most than just annoyances. Mold and algae on your roof, especially on shingles, can eat away at the protective coating and make your home vulnerable to leaks. Thankfully, a roof inspector can catch the problem in its infancy and help you schedule a professional cleaning to keep the mold from spreading.
Curb Appeal
Finally, a well-maintained roof just looks pleasing, particularly if you’re looking to rent or sell your home. Your roofing professionals can keep your home looking nice. Stand out from the crowd with a clean, fully repaired roof!
Avoid Roofing Problems
Even if your roof looks perfect right now, it may require some leak repair or reinforcements that you can’t easily spot. Let a professional roofing contractor take care of the inspection for you and discuss any problems to keep an eye on. Not only will this keep your roof in good condition, but it will also decrease any future roof repairs you need and save you money!
Ready to schedule your free roof inspection? Connect with us to speak with our roofing experts about what your home needs.
