Dynasty helped over 1,500 property owners get new roofs paid for by their insurance company in the Tampa, Sarasota, and Orlando areas. by Dynasty Building Solutions
Dynasty helped over 1,500 property owners get new roofs paid for by their insurance company in the Tampa, Sarasota, and Orlando areas.
by Dynasty Building Solutions
Not All Roof Damage is Obvious
There are some unmistakable signs that you need a roofer pronto. For example, if a hurricane caused a large tree branch to become lodged in your roof, you would not hesitate to call Dynasty Building Solutions immediately. Most of the time, however, the signs that you need to call your roofing company can be more subtle. Since roof damage can turn into water damage, mold, and other major problems here in the hot and humid Tampa area, it’s important to be alert for some of the following issues so you will know to call us for an inspection, a roof repair , or even a roof replacement. Here are some signs that you should get in touch as soon as feasible.
Water Stains on Your Walls or Ceilings: If you’re noticing dampness or water stains on your ceilings or interior walls, this is a clear sign that you have a leak somewhere. Of course, the leak might not be from your roof, so it pays to do a little bit of investigative work. You might have a leak caused by condensation on your central air vents, for example, or you might be dealing with a dripping pipe in an upstairs bathroom. If you can’t quickly detect where the water is coming from, however, it’s wise to get a roof inspection done promptly.
As you probably know, water damage in Southwest Florida is likely to turn into mold pretty quickly, and water stains on the ceiling are a good indication that you’ve got at least some minor water damage. If the stains have been there since you moved in and they haven’t gotten any worse, then chances are good that you don’t have an urgent problem, but if they feel damp or if they seem to be growing, that’s an issue that needs to be addressed right away.
Dripping or Leaking During Rainstorms: The downpours in this part of Florida during the rainy season can be impressive, but they should not cause any dripping or leaking in your attic. If you haven’t been in the attic in a while, try to check it during the next afternoon storm to make sure that you don’t see or hear any dripping or leaking. Shine a flashlight into the corners to check it visually; only go into the attic if you are sure you can do so safely. If you see, hear, or feel water coming in, call us right away so we can see what the problem is.
In some cases, a leak in the attic will mean that you need the roof replaced, but other times, it will only require a repair. Better to get it addressed as soon as possible to prevent further damage that can lead to a more extensive (and expensive) solution.
Missing, Torn, or Curled Shingles: If you can use a ladder safely to check your roof or if you can see parts of it from the ground, watch for missing, torn, or curled asphalt shingles. When a shingle is damaged, it can allow water to penetrate the underlayment or the wood beneath. In many cases, a simple repair is all that is needed, but you will need to have an inspection. Remember that since water flows from the peak of the roof down toward the lower elevations, torn shingles toward the top of the roof could be causing damage down below. Let one of our inspectors take a look and see whether there is any damage that needs to be addressed.
Damp or Darkened Shingles
Similarly, if you see one section of asphalt shingles that are darkened or that feel damp when the rest of the roof is dry, you’ll want to have that checked. If shingles are holding onto moisture, it could mean that the material underneath is wet, which is a problem. All of your shingles should look about the same; if one area looks different in any way, that is a sign that an inspection and possibly a repair is needed.
Tiny Black Rocks in Your Gutter: When you clean out your gutter, it’s normal to find leaves, small twigs, and some dirt. If you are seeing what looks like a lot of tiny black rocks or coarse black sand in your gutter, however, that is a sign that the granules, which is the material on asphalt shingles, is washing off. This is a sign that the roof is degrading and will likely need to be replaced soon.
Pinpoints of Light Shining Into Your Attic or Upper Level
Your roof should be creating a seal that water can’t get through. If there are parts where you can see pinpoints of light (or, worse, larger swaths of light) shining through, water might be able to get through those same spots. On a sunny day, go up into your attic access and look around in the dark, leaving the light off. Any sunlight peeking through should warrant a call for a roof inspection.
Only a Trained Professional Roof Inspector has the Knowledge to Identify All Forms of Roof Damage
Roof Inspection to Look for Damage
Some storm damage is easy to spot. If you see shingles that match your home’s roof in your front yard after a storm, you can probably assume that your roof has sustained storm damage. If strong winds blow over a tree and it crashes into your roof, you’ll be able to see it, and you’ll probably have heard it when it happened. You’ll know that you need to contact your home insurer and a roofing professional. However, often storm damage isn’t so obvious. You may have a water leak, but you can’t determine quite where it’s coming from. After a tornado or hurricane, you may have damage that you can’t see – a hole that’s too high up or located in a spot that just isn’t visible from the ground, for example. Shingles that blow off in a strong wind may not necessarily land in your own yard – they could end up far enough away that you never see them. Because hidden roof damage is a real possibility, it’s important to have your roof inspected after a severe storm. Roofing professionals are trained to find hidden roof damage. They’re also trained to inspect your roof safely. A fall from a roof can be quite serious, and a roof after a storm can be especially dangerous, as there might be spots that are slick or soft that you’re not expecting, so it’s best to let the professionals handle it. Take a look at some of the things that a roofing professional may be looking for after a storm.
Water Damage and Leaks
It’s easy to believe that if you have water damage or your roof is leaking, you’d notice it right away. However, the truth is that it’s easy for water damage and evidence of leaks to go unnoticed. The water may be pooling somewhere that’s not obvious, or the leak may be limited to the attic, garage, or some other location where it might be less noticeable. Part of the job of inspecting for damage after a storm is checking the interior of the home for signs of leaks or water damage. You may not have noticed the signs, or you may not be able to place the source of the leak if you did. But a roofing professional will know what signs to look for and will also be able to follow the leak back to its source and find out which part of the roof is letting water in.
Missing and Damaged Shingles or TilesYou might think that even if you don’t find missing shingles or tiles in your yard, you’d be able to see bare spots where they used to be if you lost some during a storm. However, that’s not necessarily the case. Depending on the design of your roof, parts of it may not be visible from the ground, and if those parts are missing shingles or tiles, you wouldn’t know it without going up there to inspect.
Tiles and shingles can also be damaged in a storm in a way that’s not visible from your position on the ground. For example, hail can leave damage that comes in the form of dimples or granules knocked off of the shingles. Chunks of hail may also be heavy enough to crack tiles. In either case, the roof may look fine to you, but this type of damage can weaken your roof. Even if it doesn’t cause leaking immediately, it may lead to leaks over time. Your roof also may not hold up as well against the next storm. For these reasons, it’s important to have a roofing professional check for shingle or tile damage that is only visible from the roof.
Damaged Gutters and Flashing
One thing that you may not think to look for is damage to your gutter system and roof flashing, Your gutter system is important for more than just your roof. Keeping your gutters clear and flowing freely protects your home’s foundation by preventing water from pooling around the house. It also protects your landscaping and siding. Clogged or damaged gutters can cost you a lot in repairs, so it’s important to have them checked following a storm. If your gutters are dented or broken in places, they may be more susceptible to clogging or they may allow water to pool in ways that cause damage to your home.
Your roof’s flashing is also vulnerable during a storm. Flashing is often made of galvanized aluminum (most common of roof to wall) or copper and it’s placed in between roof joints, where it helps protect your roof against water leaks. The places between joints are some of the most vulnerable spots in the roof, so flashing acts a reinforcement. But because it’s located in places that are at higher risk for damage, flashing itself is more likely to be damaged during a storm than other parts of the roof. Flashing can become warped or begin to crack after being exposed to severe weather. It can also be torn away entirely, especially during weather events with severe winds, like hurricanes and tornadoes. Roofing professionals understand the importance of flashing and know where to look to see if it’s been damaged.
If your roof has a warranty, you may be required to have regular roofing inspections and make timely repairs in order to keep the warranty valid.
If you let your roof fall into disrepair, such as by failing to have it inspected and repaired following a major storm, the warranty may not be honored. Your home’s insurer may have rules about roof inspection and repair as well. If you file a claim for damage and your insurer determines that the damage was exacerbated because you didn’t have an inspection or schedule a repair earlier, they could deny your claim or approve only part of it, leaving you with a higher repair bill than you planned on. Your best bet is to make sure that you have your roof inspected after serious storms and take steps to repair any minor damage right away before it can become major damage.
Choosing The Right Roofing Company Can Be Challenging
Your home is the single largest investments you will probably make in life. One of the biggest challenges many homeowners face when needing to repair, restore , or install new roofing to their property is choosing the right company for the job. In an emergency, choosing the right roofing company to repair damage from storms, fallen trees, termites or any other urgent issue can be critical in getting your home and life back to normal. Likewise, qualified experience is vital when restoring or building new roofing. Your roofing contractor should not only ensure the use of quality products and workmanship but have the expertise and qualifications for installing a range of roofing designs and materials.
6 Tips to Help You Decide
Finding a roofing contractor who meets these criteria who is also trustworthy, honest, and professional can often be difficult. You need to know that your investment is in safe and reputable hands and your home is protected along with your wallet. Here are 6 tips to help guide you when choosing the right contractor for your roofing project.
1. Local roofing services are invaluable. They are more familiar with local rules and regulations and should have a good relationship with local suppliers. There also less chance of issues and scams when choosing a contractor from your area.
2. They should have a Better Business Bureau (BBB) accreditation. BBB contractors are required to maintain satisfactory ratings with the Better Business Bureau in order to retain their certification. This means customer satisfaction.
3. Check they offer an extensive warranty. It might take months or even sometimes years for incorrect installation or damage to reveal itself. Contractors that offer extended warranties on workmanship, especially for roof restorations , are going to be worth pursuing. Also, look at the manufacturer’s warranties on the types of materials used as it important to know that a manufacturer has done their due diligence in designing a quality product.
4. Safety is vital. A contractor should provide adequate safety training program for all its staff. A team that has been properly trained in roofing installation will ensure your roofing work is completed by quality professional roofing installers with integrity to personal and property safety. Most states require safety certification and licensing for contractors.
5. A reputable contractor will be able to handle any insurance claims for you so you can take advantage of the premiums you’ve already been paying. This helps to make the whole process easier and more affordable for you to have your roofing work done. Likewise, a reputable roofing contractor should also have adequate insurance coverage to protect the homeowner from liability in the unfortunate case a roofing employee sustains an injury at the home.
6. Get to know the roofing materials available. A good contractor will be able to offer you different roofing material options available for your home. However in some areas, HOA guidelines may dictate which type of roof you can have installed. The style and color of the roof you install can also affect the value of your home. A qualified roofing contractor will be able to guide you on this.
Contact us now to see if you qualify!
Our ROOFME Program (Roof Maintenance Evaluation Program) is a FREE program for property maintenance companies which provides one free annual property inspection and discounted repair services for our members.
Victor Lupis / OwnerDynasty Building Solutions
Tags: Building Maintenance, Condo and HOA Insurance, Members Articles
