It’s storm season and it’s a good time to remember that the roof is one of the most important components of your property. Your roof is the first line of defense against the elements, including rain, wind, hail, ice and snow. Unfortunately, the roof is often forgotten about until it falls into disrepair.
Here in the Northeast, we certainly get our share of the elements! We have hail, wind, rain, tornadoes, thunderstorms, hurricanes, oh, and winter too! That’s a lot of Mother Nature battering down on your roof. Heavy rains and winds have the potential to result in loose shingles which make it easier for them to be torn away from the property. Winter brings its share of snow and ice dams. As time goes on, consistent moisture can lead to deterioration and leaking. These leaks have the potential to lead to bacteria growth, mold, larger leaks, premature aging, structural deterioration and more. This is why it’s very important to have routine inspections on your roof – because you’ll save yourself the financial strain, devastation and disruption to your life that comes with extreme damage.
When Do You Need a Roof Inspection?
Many roofing experts agree that 20 to 25 years is the standard lifespan of a roof. But when you factor in years of consistent rain, hail, wind, snow, and a rising mean temperature, the longevity of your roof can be severely compromised up to 50%! It’s important to get routine roof inspections at least once per year or per guidelines below to ensure your home is safe and sound and protected from the elements.
Here are important times you need an inspection:
- Before Storm Season: Living in this part of the country means we get a lot of harsh weather and storms! It’s important to be proactive and get routine inspections, so you can rest assured that your roof is strong and durable.
- After A Storm: It’s imperative to get your property inspected after a heavy rain, hail storm, tornado, hurricane or blizzard and ensure there is no undetected damage. Damage from a major storm can be severe. Getting a certified inspection after any major storm is extremely important, and can save you tens of thousands of dollars.
- Purchasing A Property/ Real Estate Investment: Most lenders require that an inspection is completed when you’re purchasing a property. You should do this even if they don’t require it. If you are a prospective buyer, ask when the roof was last replaced and request documentation. You should also inquire about type of roofing issue and any interior damage that may have taken place along with it such as previous hail, wind or hurricane damage, leaks, mold, rotting walls or floorboards, etc.
Why Do You Need a Roof Inspection?
Roof inspections provide extremely important information that can save you tens of thousands of dollars and a whole lot of damage down the road! Routine inspections provide data that assesses the integrity of your roof and detects if any damage is present from heavy winds, destructive hail, extreme rainfall, hurricanes and harsh winters. The inspection gives you a solid estimate on how long your roof is expected to last and when it should be replaced. At Home Repair, we are the ‘Crime Scene Investigation (CSI)’ when it comes to the inspection. In addition to your roof, siding, and exteriors, we inspect the interior of your home, as that is often where damage is present, even in places you may not have thought to look such as crevices, floorboards, corners, ceilings, etc. If there is damage, we will find it!
Roof Repairs During Storm Season
Home Repair provides free comprehensive property inspections to homeowners throughout Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Our emergency services include dry-ins, tarping, and shrink wrap to protect your property throughout the duration of the project. Once you select Home Repair to complete your roofing repair or replacement, we help you choose the right roofing type, color, manufacturer and warranty for your project. If insurance-related damage is present, we provide expert construction scopes, documentation, and even show your insurance company what areas are needed to repair what is damaged, all to help to ensure you get all the repairs you need taken care of. Many of our clients who have storm damage may need to wait for an insurance claim specialist, property inspector and/or a public adjuster just to get approval to start on their repair process. Residential insurance projects can take anywhere from 3-6 months on average from claim filed to install. We know it can be a stressful process, and that’s why we do everything our power to provide you with the information you need for your claim. As a licensed general contractor, our expert team provides you with the essential paper trail you will need including damage assessment, scope of work, photos of damage, and documentation.
Check Your Warranty
Your roofing warranty will typically include two items – the roofing material and the workmanship. Be sure to double check the specific terms included in your warranty, as every warranty is different. To keep your warranty intact, be sure to choose a licensed roofing contractor who has references, testimonials and a stellar reputation for quality workmanship.
Damaged, Destroyed, Or Just Tired… We’ll Get It Back to Beautiful!
At Home Repair, we take pride in our work and we’re committed to providing total customer satisfaction, every step of the way. We’re a licensed general contractor with over 30 years of experience in roofing, construction, exterior repairs, storm damage restoration, and everything in between. Whether your home is damaged, destroyed, or just tired, we provide full-scope, comprehensive property inspections including photos, bids, scope of work, damage assessments, manufacturer/product options and warranty recommendations. We proudly utilize the best materials and latest technology to provide the most advanced level of service to our customers.