RoofCrafters Blog

Although hurricanes are seemingly a regular event in Florida, the irreversible damage and destruction that could potentially come along with them never get any less ominous. As Hurricane Ian approaches Florida’s west coast, homeowner’s across the state are feeling a looming feeling of uncertainty. For many of us, the stakes are even higher due to the non-renewal notices that have been received by homeowners left and right statewide.

You wouldn’t think that something as natural and lightweight as moss would cause roof leaks, but it absolutely can. Depending on your region, some roofs can have more moss growth than others. Certainly, if your house is near or under a lot of trees and has a wet or tropical climate, you’re at risk for abundant moss growth.

You can’t read a magazine or turn on the TV without someone telling you how important it is to go green. While some of the tips and tricks involve reducing your carbon footprint or using more eco-friendly chemicals, one of the best ways to go green is by reducing your home’s energy footprint. The easiest way to do that is to install solar panels on your residential roof, or so the story goes.

So, you finally decided it was time to replace your roof.  No doubt it took quite some time to research, interview roofers, and review your estimates.  Now that the hard part is over and you've chosen the best contractor for the job, what now? Once you decide which roofer to work with, there are a few other things you need to do before the crew arrives for work. While a roofing crew has performed the task of stripping and replacing roofs hundreds of times, for most homeowners the process can prove to be disruptive if they aren’t prepared.

 Roof tear-offs and replacements can be a pain to deal with, plain and simple. When you're unsure of what a tear-off even is, how much it's going to cost you, and when you need one, it can be difficult to see the urgency or even importance of having one done. Do you always need a tear-off before a replacement? Can you just go over the old roof? Is this going to cost you an arm and a leg? Yeah, it's a lot.     At RoofCrafters, we've been assisting homeowners like you with their own roof tear-off and replacement projects since '94, and the confusion on the process was just as prevalent back then, too. The satisfaction of providing families with a beautiful new roof to protect them is wonderful, don't get us wrong. However, being able to walk you through the process and educate you so that you feel comfortable and knowledgeable throughout the entire duration of your tear-off and replacement is the greatest gift.      If you're reading this article, you're probably considering having your roof replaced, and you're wondering what the average cost to tear off your old one prior to that is going to be. We're glad you're here because in this article you'll learn when a tear-off is necessary, what happens during the tear-off process,  the average cost to tear off and replace your roof, and whether or not your insurance can give you a helping hand.  Let's get started!

Asphalt shingles are the number 1 most common roofing material in the United States. They’re affordable, customizable, and can add major curb appeal to your home. As someone who takes pride in the appearance of their home, is there anything better than having the best-house-on-the-block street cred? Besides a really good donut, I think not. 

Choosing the color of a roof is oftentimes one of the most difficult decisions a homeowner must make when undergoing a new roof installation. One wrong color miscalculation can ruin your entire home, forcing you and your family to move into a van down by the river. Okay, maybe I’m just channeling my inner Chris Farley and being dramatic, but it is a big deal!

Florida is world-renowned for its sunny and warm climate, white sand beaches, and attractions such as Disney World, the Kennedy Space Center, and of course everyone’s favorite, Margaritaville. What Jimmy Buffett forgot to mention though was how bad hurricane season can get here in the Orange State.

Mother Nature can be cruel, especially to those of us living in the southeastern region of the United States. Down here, it’s safe to say we’ve all seen our fair share of vicious weather and the havoc it can wreak on a roof.  For those of us living in Florida, we all know this past May and June have been no walk in the park when it comes to thunderstorms.    Different types of storms cause various damages to different roofing systems. A roof damaged by hail is going to look different from a roof damaged by rain. Just as well as a roof damaged by strong winds will look different from one damaged by ice. For the past 28 years, RoofCrafters has been repairing and replacing storm-damaged roofs, and we know just how nasty these storms can be.    Okay, so, what exactly is considered storm damage to a roof, then?  Great question. If you’re reading this article, you’ve probably experienced storm damage to your roof, and for insurance or personal purposes, you’re wondering if it’s classified as storm damage. You’re in the right place! By the end of this article, you will have learned what’s considered storm damage to a roof, and even some preventative measures you can and should take to protect your roof and home this rainy season. So, let’s jump right in!    What Is Considered Storm Damage to a Roof? As we mentioned earlier, the type of storm and the type of roof can help determine what the damage to a roofing system would look like. First, let’s look at the different types of storms and how they can distort your roofing system.   1. Wind Storms   Contrary to popular belief, it’s not just strong winds that can cause damage to a roof. If the roof on your home is made with lighter materials, such as asphalt shingles, even moderate winds can cause severe damage.   In addition to forming cracks, your roof may also be missing a few shingles here and there after a strong wind storm. Unfortunately, minor damage is comparatively harder to spot after wind storms. So, you may need to look closely at the shingles for signs of creased and torn shingles. If you see loose granules from the shingles, consider calling a professional roofer for an inspection. After a significant wind storm, it’s not uncommon to see cracks and holes in your roof or even a water leakage. This is something that a professional roofing contractor can help you with.   They’ll make temporary repairs to keep the damages at bay until your insurance company agrees to pay for the repairs. If your property has a metal or slate roof, however, the chances of a wind storm causing any damage to your roof are extremely low.   2. Heavy Rains and Thunderstorms   Heavy rainfall can prove to be extremely hazardous for roofing systems. They can make the entire structure fail and, in worst-case scenarios, collapse. In addition, standing water can create holes in your roof and weaken the adhesive between shingles.   If your property’s roof doesn’t have a proper drainage system, then rainstorms can cause irreplaceable damage to the deck of the roof. So, if you reside in a city that experiences heavy rainfall, you should install a roofing system accordingly.   In addition to this, it is advisable to use asphalt shingles, metal, or Spanish tile roofing for rainy climate regions. A reputable roofing company can and will evaluate your roofing system and provide solutions according to the weather conditions.   3. Hailstorms   Hailstorms are usually shorter than wind and rainstorms; however, the damage caused by them is similar. Hailstorms are hard to miss but if you want to find out whether they caused any damage, look for these signs: Bruises or dents on shingles Round-shaped marks on the roof Missing granules Piles of granules at the bottom of the roof   If you see any visible signs of hailstorm damage, contact a professional roofing contractor who can further evaluate the condition of the roof. These experts will provide you with possible solutions depending on the damages, insurance coverage, and budget.   4. Ice Storms   If you live in a region that experiences frequent ice storms, you may need a professional to add a protective layer to the roof. Ice storms can cause structural damage to a roofing system. In addition, if you don’t get the damage repaired on time, the water from ice storms can find its way into your home.   Leakage and cracks are some of the common signs of ice storm damage. However, if you’ve built a pitched roof, that will allow the snow and water to fall off easily, there’s nothing to worry about. Usually, when an expert is installing a roof, the weather conditions are taken into consideration before choosing the style and material of the roof.   What Can I Do After Storm Damage Has Occurred?   Storm damage should be taken care of as soon as possible. Trained professionals have the experience and expertise to provide solutions for any type of storm damage. In addition to this, you should also get homeowners insurance providers involved in the process.   The insurance providers will delegate the task of investigating and evaluating the damage to an individual. After evaluation, they will provide you with the required compensation for the damage caused.   It’s always best to hire a professional roofer to inspect the roof damage first. They will help you estimate the cost of repairs or the replacement cost for a new roof. These individuals can also help in making sure all items needed to make the repairs are covered by your insurance claim.     Is My Roof Considered Storm Damaged?   Possibly! If you read through any of the examples in this article and said, “Hey, that sounds like my roof!” then you most likely have storm damage. If that’s the case, it’s crucial that you contact an expert as soon as possible to come out and conduct an inspection. In the meantime, consider contacting your insurance company as well to figure out what your policy covers.   If you’re on the opposite side of the spectrum, and you didn’t feel as though you could relate to any of the examples in the article, don’t panic! Visit our learning center and browse through our numerous resources.   If you still feel lost, are having a hard time locating the answer to your question, or want to know more about storm-damaged roofs, drop us a line on our contact page. When you fill out the form, one of our friendly experts will contact you with some assistance.