Contractor Tips Blog

Apr
16

Storm Damage? Why You Should Have a Professional Roof Inspection

Posted in Roofing

When snow, hail or wind storms hit, they can cause substantial damage to your home. The roof is the most vulnerable, especially when ice, hail and falling debris are hitting the shingles. Once the storm passes, you need to assess your roof and determine whether it needs repair. If you believe there may be damage to your roof, it is best to have a professional roofing company perform an inspection. Here is why it is worth calling in a pro to check for storm damage to your roof.

  • Safety. First and foremost, climbing up to your roof can be dangerous, especially after a storm. There may be slippery or weak areas that can be hazardous. Let a professional that has the training and right equipment handle this risky job for you.
  • Expertise. Roofing experts know what to look for when inspecting storm damage. What may look like just a few loose shingles to your eye may be much worse. A roofing pro knows how to assess the damage and determine what needs to be done to restore your roof. This can help prevent leaks and further damage to your home.
  • Estimates and repairs. If there is damage, you have a professional that can give you an accurate estimate on how much your roof will cost to repair. This will give you a head start on the repair process and information to provide to your homeowner insurance company.

Next time there is a major storm and you think your roof may have been damaged, pick up your phone and call a roofing professional to schedule an inspection. It is the best way to get an accurate assessment of your roof and begin repairs if needed.

Posted on behalf of:
Atwood Home Builders
227 W 8
th Ave
Homestead, PA 15120
(412) 638-1262

Feb
26

Avoid Storm Chasers When You Need Roof Repair

Posted in Roofing

It seems that in every type of natural disaster and other calamities that there are always disreputable people trying to take advantage of the victims. Storm chasers are the bottom-feeders of the contractor industry, preying on those that have had extensive roof and home damage from hail or other types of storms. They sweep into an area after a storm, offering quick and cheap repairs, but the only thing they leave behind is more damage to the victims that give them their money.

Spotting a Storm Chaser

Storm chasers are notorious for blanketing neighborhoods where storms hit and offering their services. They may show up and knock on your door, giving you a flyer or business card with a smile, claiming they can fix your roof damage right away. When storms hit an area, the legitimate roofing contractors are often swamped with calls for quotes, estimates and repairs. Having someone show up to your door can be a relief, but if it seems too good to be true, it often is.

There are a few notable differences that you can spot with storm chasers. For one, they are rarely from the area. They may have a 1-800 number or a phone number from out of state. This is your first clue to do a little more research. Check to see if they are even licensed or insured in your state by making a quick call. Check the Better Business Bureau and see if they are listed at all or have previous complaints.

Storm chasers often take a down payment for roof repairs, then disappear without doing any work. Or, they do repair the roof, but use shoddy materials and methods that do not last. When a leak occurs months down the road, they are long gone, and you are stuck with the repair bill.

Avoid storm chasers by sticking with a local roofing contractor with a solid reputation in your community. You may need to wait a little longer, but it worth the inconvenience to ensure your roof repair is done by someone you can trust.

Posted on behalf of:
Atwood Home Builders
227 W 8
th Ave
Homestead, PA 15120
(412) 638-1262

Jan
10

Inspecting Your Roof After the Storm

Posted in Roofing

It seems like every time you turn on the news, a major storm is hitting one area of the country. Hurricanes, floods, hail storms and high winds seem to be more prevalent than ever. The amount of damage these storms can do to your home is extensive – especially to your roof. Regardless of whether you have a metal, shingled or tiled roof, you should have it inspected after any major storm, even if you don’t see any significant damage.

Small Issues Can Lead to Big Problems

Obviously if you have missing shingles or major dents in your metal roof, you will want them repaired. But even the small issues can eventually lead to bigger, more expensive problems. Shingles that have the asphalt worn off or are slightly lifted should be repaired or replaced. They could eventually create a leak in your roof that will be much more expensive than a small repair.

Hire a Professional Roofer

The problem is that many homeowners do not know what to look for when inspecting for roof storm damage. Plus, it can be dangerous to go up on your roof without the right safety equipment and experience. If your home was exposed to a severe storm, call a local roofer to complete an inspection. They can determine if there is any damage. If there is, they can give you a written estimate for repair that you can turn into your homeowner’s insurance if it is covered. Make sure to hire a reputable, local roofer; “storm chasers” are on the prowl, looking to take advantage of homeowners after major storms.

Don’t assume your roof didn’t sustain damage just because there are no leaks or major issues. Call in a professional roofer to complete a thorough inspection to avoid costly repairs down the road.

Posted on behalf of:
Atwood Home Builders
227 W 8th Ave
Homestead, PA 15120
(412) 638-1262

Oct
26

Beware of Storm Chasers After a Hail Storm

Posted in Roofing

There are always criminals that are looking to take advantage of a bad situation to make money for themselves. Whether it is someone pretending to be collecting money for a charity or offering to fix damage on your home after a storm, you need to be aware of those trying to steal your money. One of the recent issues has been ‘storm chasers’ that come into towns after a big hail storm and offer fast, cheap repairs on homes with roof damage.

The problem with these ‘storm chasers’ is they rarely give homeowners what they pay for. They either do a poor job fixing the roof, then leave town, or worse, take a down payment and never do any work at all. If you have roof damage due to a hail storm, be careful who you hire to fix your roof. Here are a few tips to avoid being taken advantage of by a storm chaser.

  • Choose a local company. Don’t hire a contractor from out of town. Make sure the roofing company is locally owned and operated.
  • Check their license and insurance information. Contractors must be licensed to work in the city where you live. This should be public record.
  • Look at the permits. Pull the permits needed to do the job and make sure the company name on the permit matches the company you have working for you.
  • Never pay cash for your down payment. If possible, use a credit or debit card for your down payment. This can be easier tracked and is often protected through your bank for fraud.

The golden rule to avoid criminals is that if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. So when someone comes knocking on your door offering to repair your roof for a low price or right away after a hail storm, there is a good chance they are storm chasers. Hire a legit, local company that will do the job right and stand behind their work.

Posted on behalf of:
Atwood Home Builders
227 W 8th Ave
Homestead, PA 15120
(412) 638-1262

Sep
10

Has Your Roof Suffered Hail Damage?

Hail is a natural enemy of homeowners, especially when it comes to the roof of their home. Hail storms can leave a roof permanently damaged, to the point where it needs complete replacement. One of the most pressing issues related to hail damage is that it may not be apparent to a homeowner right after the storm, possibly not causing any leaks or problems for months, or even years. However, if the damage is not reported soon after a storm hits, many times insurance companies may refuse to pay for hail damage to a roof later down the road. 

Importance Of Roof Inspections For Hail Damage

To protect yourself from losing a battle against your insurance company for roof hail damage, it’s important to inspect your roof after any hail storm. If damage did occur, yet a claim is not submitted until later, it may be difficult to prove the damage can be attributed to a storm, rather than normal wear and tear. After a hail storm, you should inspect your roof for: 

  • Dents in your shingles
  • Loss of asphalt granules on shingles
  • Lifted shingles
  • Loose shingles 

If you are not sure if there is hail damage to your roof, or if you are unable to inspect it safely yourself, it is best to call an experienced roofing contractor. They can properly inspect your roof, often noticing damage the typical homeowner may not detect. If there is damage, a reputable roofing company can help you file a claim with your insurance company and ensure that the insurance company has all the information needed to process your claim to have your roof repaired or replaced.

Posted on behalf of Atwood Home Builders

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