Why You Should Call a Roofer First Before Your Insurance Company

Colorado is notorious for unpredictable weather. Following a strong storm, a common mistake that many homeowners make is calling their insurance company. Being a homeowner, your goal is to maintain the appearance, value, and protective nature of your home. After a storm causes damage to your house, it only seems natural that you would call your insurance company to handle the damages. Unfortunately, that’s not the best solution for the problems you may be facing.

How Roofers Can Help

Other than fixing your roof, roofing contractors are certified and trained to professionally inspect and identify storm damage to your house that should be addressed which is why you should call a roofer first. In addition to their expertise, professional roofing contractors are also your advocates for working with insurance companies and handling all claims, repairs, losses and damages to your roof, windows and siding.

The advantage to this is that roofers are able to inspect your home first, rather than an insurance representative. This means that they can identify whether or not you even have damage, advise you in making a claim with your insurance, and work directly with your insurance to ensure that all of the required repairs are documented and accounted for.

A lot of insurance companies don’t conduct a thorough inspection like a roofer would, which leaves your roof and home vulnerable to damage that goes unnoticed. The reason why you should call a roofer first becomes clear because professional roofers are responsible for identifying damage and proposing a solution, while an insurance adjuster is responsible for documenting visible damage. The trouble with this is that most roof damage is not visible, and actually develops below the surface of your roofing materials. Only a certified roofer can safely climb on your roof and document the extent of damage sustained by a storm.

So, why should you call a roofer first before your insurance company? Well, it is the best way to remove yourself from the headache of roofing lingo, financial negotiations, and the confusion that follows a damaging storm. Professional roofing contractors are like lawyers for your storm damage. They handle your insurance company and ensure you are getting the repairs you need to effectively protect your home in the future.

3 Tips for Finding a Roofer

Roof damage from hail, wind, rain, or longevity can lead to greater damage in and around your home. Putting off a roof replacement installation only permeates the problem, so it is imperative that you have your roof inspected and repaired at the first sign of damage. When it comes to hiring a roofing contractor, there are a lot of options you have to consider. It seems like there are a million different companies to choose from, and it can be overwhelming to decide which roofer is the best choice for you. We’ve compiled our 3 tips for finding a roofer.

Here’s 3 Tips for Finding a Roofer

Keep It Local When Finding a Roofer

Support local business, and keep your town’s roofers busy during the spring and summer months, or after a large storm. Hiring local workers allows you the assurance in knowing that contacting them, communicating with them, and having follow up inspections or repairs with them can be done with ease. These roofers are your neighbors, and they’ll understand the type of damage your home has seen from storms in the area. You can also get a better gauge of their reputation based on other work the company has done in the areas they serve.

Coverage

Your roof is necessary coverage for your home. Roofers themselves also need coverage, and it’s important that you only hire a roofing contractor who is fully insured for both their protection and yours. Should there be a problem during the installation of your roof, there could be damage caused to your home, and those around you. Ensuring that your roofer has full coverage insurance simply removes all liability from you.

Referrals

Referrals are the best way to find the roofer for your job. Friends, family and neighbors are your most honest references. If they are homeowners themselves, it’s likely that they have used a roofer in the area and can either recommend you use a specific company, or stay very far away from another company. Referrals are the word of mouth business that every great roofing company works hard to earn. If you’re being referred to a roofer, they’ve earned the respect and satisfaction of the person referring you.

Finding a roofer is not as scary as you might think. Know what to look for, and who to ask, and you’re sure to be fully covered by a roof in no time.

 

 

Check a roof for hail damage

How to Check Your Roof for Damage

Following a severe storm, it’s likely that you’ll find damage from tree branches, hail, strong winds, and other harmful weather elements that may pose a threat to your home and exterior. It’s important that you especially know how to check your roof for damage, to prevent small problems from causing greater threats to your home, health and belongings. Follow these simple steps to thoroughly and safely inspect your roof.

Check a Roof for Hail Damage or Any Damage

Start Inside

Whether you inspect after a severe storm, or make it a regular practice to keep up with the condition of your roof, the best place to start is inside. Check your ceilings and walls for mysterious water stains. Fresh stains mean fresh leaks, and newer damage. Yellowed or brown-colored stains often mean the water has been sitting in that area for some time.

When moisture makes its way into your home, it can cause serious damage as well as a variety of health concerns. Standing water in your walls and insulation creates a breeding ground for mold, mildew, rust and bacteria that can become dangerous to the structure of your home, and your health.

In addition to water stains, it’s imperative that you check the interior space closest to your roof. For many this is the attic, and for others it could be a loft or just the ceiling of your home. Whatever the case may be, make sure to check for stains and moisture that may have been let in by a failure in the roof. Your attic likely has insulation that is designed to keep the elements out. If this insulation becomes wet, it is no longer able to serve its purpose, and you know you have a problem.

Inspect Outside

When it comes to inspecting your roof, one thing should be made very clear: do not climb on it. Depending on the condition of your roof, it could be dangerous and unstable for you to walk around on. Professional roofing contractors and home inspecting experts have the tools and materials necessary to safely inspect your roof up close. Leave the roof scaling to a professional, and safely check your roof for damage from the ground.

Start with the perimeter. You’ll want to take a good walk around your home and check the ground for fallen and displaced materials. During this process, it’s a good idea to look at the siding and windows to ensure all materials and stripping is still fully in tact.

Once you’ve inspected the perimeter ground of your home, take one more lap around, this time looking for visible damage to the gutters, roof, and roofing accessories. Any shingles that are loose, flapping, broken or cracked are a good indicator that there is exposed underlay materials which are vulnerable to further damage from future elements.

Read More: Can Hail Really Damage Your Roof?

Much of the damage to your roof is not usually visible to the average homeowner. It’s always a good idea to have a certified roofing contractor inspect your roof. In the meantime, it’s important that you know how to check your roof for damage, and be able to identify the best time to call a professional roofer for help.

Colorado roofing

3 Things to Know About Roofing in Colorado

Now that spring has arrived, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of longer days and warmer weather that lies ahead. It’s important to take time in the early parts of the warm season to perform general maintenance on your roof and ensure your home and belongings are protected. Colorado weather can be unpredictable, and pose various threats to the performance of your roof.

What You Need to Know About Colorado Roofing

Be Prepared

May and June typically bring heavy hail storms, gusty winds, and shifting weather patterns that can wreck havoc on your roof. Checking for damage regularly and being aware of your roof’s condition could mean the difference between minor repairs and major costs. Working with a local roofing contractor who knows the best solutions for Colorado roofs is the greatest way to ensure you’re protected. Below are 3 things to know about Colorado roofing.

Know Which Shingles are Right for Your Home?

Experienced roofers know the difference between asphalt shingles and wooden shakes. They know which roofing materials provide the best wear and tear protection throughout the year in all of Colorado’s extreme weather conditions. Depending on where you live, the surrounding elements, and the type of house you own, each type of shingle is different and serves different purposes. There’s no way for you as a homeowner to know the benefits of each shingle, so it’s important that you work with a professional roofing contractor to educate you on your options, and propose viable roofing solutions that are tailored to you.

Know How to Inspect Your Home and Roof

In order to maximize the life and efficiency of your roof, it’s imperative that you inspect for damage often. On the inside of your home, keep an eye out for mysterious water stains on the ceilings and walls. You should also check for moisture leaks in your attic. Both of these are typically indicators that something is allowing moisture into your home, which could lead to mold, mildew, rust and bacteria.

On the outside of your home, take regular walks around the perimeter, and look for loose or displaced shingles, fallen or broken material on the ground, and damaged gutters and window accessories. These small clues could lead you to discover threatening roof damage.

Stay Off the Roof

Maintaining your roof and staying on top of damage control is extremely important for the safety and protection of your home and belongings. Sometimes it’s easy to spot damage or missing materials from the ground, and other times problems are not visible. The best thing you can do to perform effective maintenance on your roof is to stay off of it and call a professional.

Roofing contractors and home inspectors alike have the knowledge, safety supplies, and insurance coverage to climb onto your roof. You do not. Climbing onto your own roof to search for problems is dangerous, and could pose even more of a threat because you are not trained in the correct ways to inspect roofs. Leave the up-close inspection to the professionals.

Read More: What to Know About Hailstorms in Colorado

Local roofers

Why Choosing Local Roofers Matter

Regardless of the size of your house, the most important part of the structure is the roof. Maintaining and repairing the condition of your roof is the first step in protecting both the value of your home, and the belongings inside of it. When weather damage, and years of wear cause problems for your roof, it’s imperative that you find a local roofing company that you can trust.

The Benefits of Uses Local Roofers

Local Roofers Save You Time and Money

When it comes to hiring a professional roofing contractor, local roofers will save you time and money. Less time means less money, and because local roofing companies live and work in your community, travel is minimal which allows more time for work to be done on your roof. Local contractors often create prices that fit every type of budget, making it simple and convenient to address repairs on your own budget schedule.

Familiar with the Area

Local roofing companies are well-rounded in their knowledge of the communities and neighborhoods where they live and work. When you hire a local roofing company, you’re receiving estimates and inspections from professionals who recognize conditions and understand the most common problems facing your area. Their regional knowledge makes them familiar with the requirements and codes in your neighborhood, ensuring that your roof repair is performed based on the city’s policies, preventing the need for expensive changes later on.

Personal Interaction

It’s easy to become lost in the shuffle of clients when you work with a large-scale roofing company. Hiring a local roofer ensures you know who you’re dealing with, have met them face-to-face, and allows you the convenience of easily contacting them for help and repairs in the future. Local roofing companies value your business and work hard to earn your satisfaction and referrals.

Local roofing matters because it promotes local small business, and stimulates the local economy. Hiring an independent roofing contractor in your community is the best way to establish a personal relationship with a professional roofer that you can trust to address all of your roofing maintenance needs for years to come.