Compelling Money Saving Reasons to Inspect your Roof After Storm

Storms and hurricanes cause a lot of damage to buildings and residential structures. While it is easier to spot major structural damages in the property, homeowners may miss out on the small problem areas. Ignoring these minor repair requirements cause a long-term monetary loss and also lead to safety concerns for those living in the house. A roof inspection post-storm is always a step towards securing the structure and life of family members. Even if there's no need for major roof repair, a thorough inspection provides monetary advantages to the home owners.

Roof inspection and monetary gains

1. If you spot a minute damage that might make the home vulnerable to leakage, get it repaired immediately to prevent any major damage in the future. The money spent on minor repair would always be less than what you might need to shell out for a major repair.
2. The sooner you inspect the roof after a storm, the easier it gets to collect the evidence required to claim the insurance. The signs of damage are prominent after a storm, and makes it easier to convince the insurance company that the damage was caused due to storm. Some companies have a fixed time limit within which homeowners can claim for storm insurance.
3. One of the reasons homeowners often do not consider inspecting the roof is that roofing companies offer free roof inspection to clients. Even is the roof has not suffered from any damage, there is no harm in asking a roofing expert to inspect the structure, if the service is free. Inspecting the roof gives peace of mind to homeowners that their family is safe under the roof.

Why you need an inspection expert?

Missing shingles are clear signs of a damaged roof, but there are a few things that only experts can notice. Many roofs look fine from the ground, but there are chances of them having total damage after the storm. The roof may have significant damage, even if not a single shingle is damaged. The two main reasons to go to an expert for inspection are:

1. Homeowners might not be familiar with different types of roofing materials, which makes it difficult for them to distinguish between a damage from the storm from normal wear and tear. Non-professionals may find it to figure out if cracking, shingle rash blistering, and granule loss is because of aging or storm damage.
2. A sealing strip is present between the shingles. Strong storm winds may lift the shingles, break the strip. The shingles might settle back on the roof and look normal, but it would be difficult for a homeowner to find out if the strip is missing. The roof may not show any signs of damage such as leakage for a year or two. Calling an expert is always safe on a homeowner's part to avoid expensive repairs in the future.

Taking a prompt action post-storm prevents the structure from a massive damage and could be economical on a homeowner’s pocket. All that they need to do is, call an experienced and reputable company to do the job.

Summary

Storms might cause damage to structures, but it is not always possible for homeowners to spot even minor loss to the property. The blog talks about advantages of a roof inspection and why you a professional to do the job?

5 Factors to Help You Decide When to Replace Your Roofing

Homeowners cannot do with a dysfunctional roof given the significant role that it plays in providing protection against the vagaries of nature to dwellers. Preventive maintenance is therefore, imperative to maintain the functionality of the roof. Owners ultimately have to replace their roofing if it fails to serve its purpose,  and taking steps to restore its functionality is too expensive or if it is nearing the end of its useful life. Professionals adept at providing roof inspection services can help homeowners decide the best way forward and execute the task on time within set budgets. As a homeowner, you should be absolutely sure about the necessity of the investment by looking at signs discussed in this brief blog.

1.Age of the Roof

A typical roof has a useful life of 20-25 years and needs replacement at the end of this period. Homeowners whose roofing uses multiple layers of shingles and is more than 20 years old, need a replacement to make ensure the roofing continues to serve its purpose.

2. Age of Shingles

The useful life of shingles is a factor that also impacts the roof’s structure. Homeowners should consider deformed shingles as red flags, and also look for signs of damage to slopes receiving direct sunlight. Malfunctioning shingles are one of the causes of defective roofing and you need to get professionals to address the issue on an urgent basis.

3. Malfunctioning Roof Valleys

Valleys play a crucial role in the functionality of roofing systems, as through them, snow and water slopes down into the drains. Missing roof shingles in the valley are a sign that the functionality of the valley has taken a hit. When this happens, homeowners should waste no time ordering replacements to avoid a leaking roof.

4. The Material Used in the Chimney Flashing   

Chimney flashings made of cement and tar only provide limited resistance against water damage and leakage. It is, therefore, imperative that homeowners using such flashings replace it immediately with a watertight metal flashing system.

5. Broken Granules From Shingles

Granules start detaching from shingles once the roof gets past its useful life. To be able to take corrective action on time, homeowners must keep an eye on their drains where shingles generally tend to accumulate after falling.

Periodic Inspection is a Must

Apart from watching out for the signals discussed, the homeowner should also climb the rooftop once in a while to walk on it. In case the trampoline bounces, there’s a high chance that the decking structure has sustained damage. Other signs of damage include moisture in the insulation, and daylight escaping through the boards. Homeowners should get in touch with a Texas roofing company to get a roof inspection and discuss the findings pertaining to the best way forward.