As winter approaches, many homeowners begin to worry about the condition of their roofs, especially if they’ve experienced hail damage. Hailstorms can be incredibly destructive, leaving behind a trail of dents and bruises on your roof. But IS it absolutely necessary to replace your roof before winter if it has hail damage?
Short Answer: No, no immediate replacement may be required.
The short answer is that you may not need to rush into replacing your roof immediately if it has hail damage. Hail damage can be unsightly, but it doesn’t always mean your roof will start leaking during the winter.
Here are some key factors to consider before making a decision:
If your roof is not currently leaking, it’s a good indication that it can still provide adequate protection during the winter. In many cases, hail damage won’t lead to immediate leaks, as the shingles are designed to withstand various weather conditions.
Typically, an insurance claim for hail damage is valid for one year. If you have recently experienced hail damage, your claim should still be active, and you can replace your roof in the spring. Additionally, you can often extend the claim by notifying your insurance company, giving you more flexibility in scheduling.
If you live in areas like Colorado and Wyoming, where winters can be mild or unpredictable, roofing work can be done throughout the winter months. The key is to evaluate the severity of your local winter conditions before making a decision. A milder winter may allow for roofing projects, while a harsh winter may be more challenging.
Common Winter Roofing Concerns
While it’s possible to roof during the winter, there are a few factors to consider:
Roofing during the winter, especially in open plains areas, can be tricky. Dust and dirt can blow under the shingles, preventing them from sealing down properly. This could lead to problems in the long run. Therefore, it’s important to ensure a clean and dust-free environment.
To avoid complications, ensure that your insurance claim remains active. The last thing you want is for your claim to expire before you get the necessary replacement done. Keep communication open with your insurance company to ensure you have the coverage you need.
If your roof has hail damage, there’s no immediate need to replace it before winter. The presence of hail damage doesn’t necessarily mean your roof is on the brink of failure. The decision to repair or replace your roof should be based on the extent of the damage, your current insurance claim status, and the specific weather conditions in your area.
If you end up having your roof repaired or replaced during the winter, it can be perfectly fine, provided you address the two critical concerns:
Ensure that no dust or dirt gets under the shingles during the installation to guarantee a proper seal.
Keep your insurance claim active and consider extending it if necessary.
In the end, the best course of action is to consult with your Project Manager who can assess the damage and provide expert advice tailored to your situation. They can help you determine whether a winter roof replacement is feasible or if it’s best to schedule the work for the spring. In any case, addressing hail damage promptly is essential to maintain the long-term integrity of your roof and protect your home.
What You Should Do If Your House Gets Hit With Hail
Hail season in Colorado is here. It starts in late April and goes on until September or sometimes October. Hail can be damaging to your roof and other parts of the exterior of your home. Normally if the hail stones that fall are .5” or larger this is when you can expect your property to take a beating. In this blog post, we will discuss the necessary steps you should take if your house gets hit with hail, including when to file an insurance claim, how to identify hail damage, choosing the right contractor, mitigating leaks, and the benefits of impact-resistant shingles.
When to file an insurance claim:
After a hailstorm, it is crucial to assess the damage to your property before you contact your insurance company. Most people don’t love being on the roof, if this is you call Excel Roofing to have an expert assess the damage. One of our Project Managers will take a look at the possible damage and give you an honest assessment on if you have enough damage to file an insurance claim. Insurance policies have specific time limits for filing claims after a hail event, so it is essential to act promptly to ensure coverage.
How to tell if your roof has been damaged by hail:
Determining if your roof has sustained hail damage requires a thorough inspection done by someone with trained eyes. Some signs to look for include:
Bruised shingles
Dents or divots in shingles
Missing granules in circular form
Cracked or split shingles
Choosing the correct contractor:
Use a local contractor with an established track record. A company’s track record is the best indicator of how they are going to perform.
Make sure you get a written bid specifying the materials and costs of the job. This should include all your expectations of the work to be performed.
Read the fine print and do not sign a contract with a cancellation fee. The only reason a cancellation fee is included is to hold you hostage in case you want out of the deal.
Your contactor needs to have liability and workman’s comp insurance. This will protect you if they damage your property or if one of the workers gets hurt.
Make sure your contractor pulls a building permit and has the work inspected.
Most importantly, never pay a contractor any money until the job is finished. Don’t pay for material up front. If things go wrong with the job, you will have all the money to pay someone to fix it. This is the best protection a consumer can have.
If your roof develops a leak after a hailstorm, taking immediate action is crucial to minimize further damage.
Place a bucket under the leak to collect the water and help prevent it from damaging your interior.
If you see a bubble in your drywall, poke it with a pencil to drain the water out to prevent it from collapsing.
Contact a professional roofing contractor to assess and repair the damage promptly.
Deductibles are changing, so file a claim now:
Insurance deductibles for hail damage can vary, but it’s worth noting that in recent years many policies have transitioned to a percentage-based deductible, typically around 1% of the insured value of your home. This change means that the deductible amount will increase as the value of your home does. If you’ve been hit by a hailstorm and have significant damage, it is wise to file a claim sooner rather than later to take advantage of the current deductible structure.
Impact Resistant Shingles:
To better protect your home from hail damage in the future, Excel Roofing strongly considers installing impact resistant shingles. These are specially designed shingles that are made to withstand hail impact and are often rated for their resistance to specific sizes of hailstones. Impact resistant shingles can reduce the risk of damage during severe weather events, providing greater peace of mind and lowering your insurance premiums.
Every type of shingle goes through a testing process to receive a rating. Underwriters Laboratories (UL) is a non-profit independent testing organization that provides the knowledge and expertise to help consumers make informed decisions on the best products.
UL developed a test called the UL 2218 Impact Rating to rate the strength of roofing materials. The test uses steel balls ranging from 1.25 inches to 2 inches in diameter that are dropped from various heights.
To meet the acceptance criteria of UL 2218, the roofing material, back surface, and interior layers must show no evidence or tearing, fracturing, cracking, splitting, rupture, or other evidence of opening of the roof covering layer. Based on how the roofing material performs, it will be classified as Class 1, 2, 3, or 4.
Class 4 is earned if the sample does not crack when hit twice in the same place by a 2-inch diameter steel ball. Products that receive a Class 4 rating are the most resistant to hail damage.
Excel Roofing suggests Owens Corning TruDefinition Duration Storm or Flex. These shingles come in a variety of colors. Duration Storm uses an extra backing called a scrim to achieve its rating, and Duration Flex is made with a blend of SBS polymer modified asphalt. This rubber-like material allows the shingle to be more pliable and flexible, making the shingles hail resistant. Both of these asphalt shingles are Class 4 and qualify for an insurance discount with the provided certificate. Talk to your insurance agent about the discounts they might offer. Excel Roofing always provides the Class 4 Roof Certificate if the roof qualifies.
Every year Excel Roofing gives back to the communities we serve. One of the ways that we do this is by donating roofs to families in need. In past years, Excel Roofing has donated roofs to Homes for Our Troops, Habitat for Humanity, families with disabilities, and families experiencing financial hardship.
This year Excel Roofing was contacted by Marcos Roa about his roof dilemma. Marcos and Lupe Roa are immigrants from Monterrey, Mexico and have lived in Colorado for the past 25 years. Part of Marcos and Lupe’s American dream was to purchase a home. In 2004 they proudly purchased a manufactured home. However, they did not know that this home was not designed for Colorado’s harsh climate.
Because the manufactured home was not properly ventilated, ice dams formed and damaged the roof. The bigger problem is the moisture that is trapped in the unventilated vaulted roof cavities. The moisture is caused by the OSB decking to rot and sections of the roof collapsed when they were walked on. Marcos knew he had a problem and called a roofer to get a quote to have his roof replaced. The quote was $24,000 for the roof and new decking. The first problem with this is the roofer who quoted the new roof did not address the underlying problem of inadequate ventilation. This would have caused the same problem to happen again. The biggest problem is that Marcos and Lupe do not have $24,000 to buy a new roof.
Marcos contacted J Bretz, the owner of Excel Roofing, to see if Excel could help. J Bretz contacted Owens Corning, the roof shingle manufacturer, for help as well. Because of the generosity of Owens Corning, they donated 24 squares of Owens Corning Duration Estate Gray dimensional shingles. The material was delivered by ABC Roofing Supply from Grand Junction, CO. One of Excel Roofing’s best roofing crews, Manuel Contras removed the old roof, replaced the bad plywood, installed ventilation, and the new roof.
Excel Roofing, and our business partners Owens Corning, ABC Roof Supply, and Manuel Contras are proud to have supplied the materials and labor to help this less fortunate family.
Excel Roofing believes in giving back to the community we serve. When the Lewis brothers contacted Tom Martino’s radio show, Tom Martino and his co-host, Marc Mager, recognized that these guys needed help. The home was owned by the Lewis brothers’ mom who had died 4 years earlier. After her death, the brothers did not know how to manage the home and the insurance lapsed. Hail storms caused more damage to the roof which was in such poor condition that water was literally streaming into the home every rainstorm.
In addition to the leak, the brothers knew they needed a new roof because of the door knocking roofers who told them this. When all of the other roofers found out the brothers couldn’t pay, they weren’t interested in helping them. They were at the house and wouldn’t even perform a temporary patch to stop the leak.
At this point Marc Mager contacted Excel Roofing. Excel Roofing visited the home and found a bad leaky roof and two brothers who desperately needed help. Excel contacted ABC Supply Co. and Owens Corning, a shingle manufacturer. Owens Corning agreed to donate shingles, and ABC donated the delivery and the other accessories necessary to complete the roof. Excel Roofing donated the cost of the permit and all of the labor necessary to complete the job.
Because of the partnership of the Tom Martino radio show, ABC Supply Co., Owens Corning, and Excel Roofing, two brothers who desperately needed help now have a good roof over their heads. Giving back to the community is what Excel Roofing does.
Old Asphalt shingles are easily recycled, and have proven to be a win win for the municipalities’ who have accepted their use in asphalt roads. When the old roof is being torn off, the workers must separate the asphalt shingles from the other debris, and only load the shingles into the dump truck. This requires the individual contractors to train their personnel how to separate the material so it is ready to be recycled. Then, the dump truck then delivers this “clean load” of asphalt shingles to the recycle facility. After it is dumped, the load of shingles will be will be chopped and ground into small pieces. The chopped shingles are passed over a magnet to remove any nails. The finished product, commonly referred to as RAS, is then ready to be used in Hot Mixed Asphalt.
The use of RAS in Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) pavement has shown to have a number of benefits.
Benefits Of Hot Mix Asphalt Pavement
Benefits shown from many studies include:
•Recycling thousands of tons of usable material
•Reducing the amount of asphalt shingles being put into landfills.
•Reducing the amount of miles traveled by dump trucks traveling to outlying landfills.
•Increased stiffness of asphalt roads
•Decreased road cracking
•No effect on moisture sensitivity
•Decreased susceptibility to rutting
•Decreased optimum content of virgin asphalt cement.
Studies have been conducted in which portions of highways and roads have been paved with asphalt containing recycled shingles and have been monitored over time. Many laboratory studies have been conducted and may be found on the Technical Reports and Articles pages at Shinglerecycling.org.
Because of the benefits shown by using recycled asphalt shingles in HMA pavement, a number of states allow a certain percentage of RAS to be used in HMA pavements. These states include: Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Minnesota, Illinois, Texas, and Alabama.
What Are The Costs?
The costs associated with recycling asphalt shingles are: debris segregation, which costs between $4-$8 per ton and grinding, which costs between $14-$22 per ton, depending largely on whether you contract out the grinding or do it yourself.
What Is The Value Of RAS?
RAS is worth the percent asphalt in it x price per ton asphalt. Old Asphalt shingles typically have 20-25% asphalt content. Price of asphalt varies widely. The value is off-set by the cost of the hot-mix producer having to potentially put in place new bins to add the RAS, the cost of new mix designs with the RAS (which may include need for different recipe of rocks and sand that can be more costly), and the potential cost of using softer asphalt to off-set stiffness of RAS asphalt at higher concentrations of RAS. HMA producers should consider recycled asphalt shingle as a new recycled material because of its relatively high Asphalt content. RAS becomes a partial replacement of the virgin Asphalt. In the past, HMA producers have reported savings of approximately $1 to $3 per ton of finished HMA product with the use of 5 percent RAS. The total, average cost per ton for HMA production and sale varies with the grade of pavement and geographic location. Studies have indicated a savings of up to $3 per ton of final HMA.
What Are Typical Design Specifications For Road Asphalt Using RAS?
25-40% total recycle content (replacement of asphalt which could include RAS and/or RAP) may include the use (or may require by state spec) of softer asphalt. Soft asphalts (depending on market) may not cost more or only 10-20/ton more, but typically cost $35-55/ton more (Some markets higher than that; like in the North West). Soft asphalts may also be difficult to come by in a market too if there isn’t demand, or given current refinery operating strategies. There are “rejuvenators” that are sold that are supposed to revitalize the stiff / old asphalt in RAP & RAS; I can’t say that these are widespread. These are typically hi-flash hydrocarbons.
What If The Shingles Contain Asbestos?
In reality, while asbestos was commonly used in many asphalt roofing materials, asbestos was rarely used in the shingles themselves. It is acknowledged by the asphalt shingle manufacturers that between 1963 and the mid 1970s, some manufacturers did use asbestos in the fiber mat of shingles. Manufacturer information on how many asbestos-containing shingles were sold is not available, but the amount of asbestos used in shingles was typically less than 1% [NESHAP defines ACM as any material containing more than 1% asbestos] and it was only in a small portion of the manufacturers’ production. Unfortunately, less is known about the possible presence of asbestos in imported roofing coatings.
Because of concerns raised over the possible presence of asbestos in asphalt shingles, several shingle recyclers have done extensive testing to confirm that asbestos is not a concern. The Construction & Demolition Recycling Association (CDRA) has compiled (and continues to compile) a database of test results for asbestos in asphalt shingles. These test results come from facilities that recycle asphalt shingles and from exploratory testing. Individuals interested in the raw data should contact the CDRA. In addition, individuals with additional sampling data are greatly encouraged to share the results with the CDRA so the information can be posted on the Shinglerecycling.org website.
If asbestos testing is mandatory it is possible to test each load. The loads would be segregated as they arrive at the facility and have a test facility set up on site and test each load before they are ground-up.
The aftermath of a hailstorm doesn’t always end when the clouds break.
Over the years, we have had a lot of experience talking with many homeowners who signed roofing contracts, but quickly regretted their hasty decision.
The reason for the buyer’s remorse is because after further research, the buyer discovers that the company they’re working with now sounds like a bad decision.
The contract with the “bad company” almost always contains a 15% to 20% cancellation fee and requires that the contract be cancelled within 72 hours in order to avoid the fee.
YOUR RIGHT OF RESCISSION
According to Colorado law, any roofing contract signed at a consumer’s home may be cancelled within 72 hours without any cancellation fee. This 72-hour right of rescission is supposed to be listed on every roofing contract; often times it’s not. If the homeowner is within the 72 hours, they should immediately send a cancellation letter and email to the roofing company. They should also contact the company by phone to let them know they’re canceling the contract.
According to Colorado law, there’s a number of other reasons that a consumer can cancel a roofing contract without paying cancellation fees. Click here to read more about the Colorado Roofing Law SB-12-038.
THE ISSUE WITH MONEY UP FRONT
The ability of a homeowner to get out of a contract after the 72-hour right of rescission period, without paying a cancellation fee, is determined by another external factor: whether or not the consumer paid the roofer money up front. If money has been paid up front, the homeowner is most likely stuck in the contract and unfortunately does not have very many options. On the other hand, if no money has been paid up front, we have some good advice about how the homeowner can get out of the bad contract.
3 STEPS TO GET OUT OF A BAD CONTRACT
The consumer should call the roofing company and ask to speak to the owner or manager and nicely tell them they have changed their minds and would like to cancel the deal without paying a cancellation fee. If the company agrees, put it in writing and the homeowner is out of the deal.
If the contractor refuses to cancel the deal, the homeowner should advise the contractor that they are going to hire an independent roof inspector. This inspector will inspect each and every detail of the roofing job. Then advise the contractor that they are going to be looking for perfection. Anything done wrong will be redone, and the contractor will have the independent inspector’s fee taken out of their pay.
Finally, the homeowner should advise the contractor that after a very long and painful process to get every single detail right, the homeowner will take forever to pay.
SAMPLE LETTER FOR GETTING OUT OF A BAD CONTRACT
Either download the letter as a PDF, or copy and paste the letter into an email. Next, make your personal adjustments. Lastly, send it off to your current contractor.
John Smith
12345 Main Street, Springfield Co 81073 303-123-4567
DATE: 9/30/2020
RE: Roof Contract Cancellation
Dear Roofing Contractor,
I hereby notify you that I’m cancelling the contract we engaged in. After further consideration I’ve realized that I do not want you working on my property.
I have also become aware of Colorado SB12-038, the Residential Roofing Consumer Bill of Rights. According to this Colorado Statute the contract you presented me to sign is in violation of the law and therefore invalid. Some of the specific items required by law that you failed to put in the contract are:
1. The scope of work and material to be used for the new roof
2. The cost to do the roofing job and approximate dates of when the roof will be installed
3. Your address, phone number, and insurance company information must be listed on the contract
4. My right to cancel the contract within 72 hours must be written on the contract
5. Notice that the contractor cannot pay, waive, or in any other way cover the consumer’s deductible if the roofing job is being paid from an insurance claim
6. Notice to the consumer that any money paid in advance will be held in a special trust account until the material is purchased
7. Notice to the consumer that if any part of the insurance claim is rescinded in whole or part by the insurance company that the consumer will have another 72-hour right of rescission to cancel the contract
I will also advise you that if you try to force me to use your services, I’m going to be the pickiest most difficult customer you have ever had. I will hire an Independent Roof Inspector to inspect the job in progress, and that they will be looking for perfection. If the Independent Roof inspector finds anything wrong, you will have fix any problems and will have the Fee for the Independent Roof Inspector taken out of your pay. I will also be in touch with the City Inspector, and make sure they do not pass the roof if anything is found wrong by my Independent Inspector.
Finally, after I make this long painful process for you, I’m going to take forever to pay.
I look forward to your confirmation of the cancellation of this deal.
John Smith
303-123-4567
1234 Main Street
Springfield, CO 81073
Normally at this point even a bad contractor will know when to cut his losses, cancel the deal, and move on to easier targets.
Obviously the best way to avoid this difficult situation is to use a reputable contractor that does not play any of these games. If a homeowner uses a company like Excel Roofing, they will never experience any of these problems.
Excel lets customers out of the deal at any time and never charges cancellation fees. We do ask that the homeowner pay for the permit and any restock fees on materials.
Most importantly, we never ask for any money up front. With Excel Roofing, You Don’t Pay a Cent Until You Are Content!
The roofing system consists of four vital components:
The Roof cover material
Attic ventilation
Attic Insulation
Rain gutters & Proper roof drainage
All of these components need to be chosen for the best look for the home and also value for the customer. Then the components need to be correctly installed to obtain maximum performance for the homeowner.
Asphalt Roofs
The first part of the system is the Roofing material. The type of material, color, and how the Roof is applied will impact may things such as;
What will the roof look like?
How easily is the roof damage by hail?
How much heat will the roof absorb and transfers into the home.
How fast snow slide off the roof
How much will it cost to insure the roof
When deciding on a new roof for a home, all of these factors should be considered when making the decision about the roof material. Keep in mind all roofs all have pros and cons.
The most common roofing material in America is Asphalt Shingles. Asphalt Shingles have dramatically transformed since the early 1990’s. They have changed from a low-end roof covering to multiple designs, thicknesses, and price points from low to high. Asphalt shingles are generally guaranteed from 25 years to the lifetime a Homeowner owns the home. Asphalt shingles do absorb and transfer a considerable amount of heat into the home. Inexpensive Asphalt Shingles are easily damaged by hail. The more expensive Asphalt shingles are made with a rubber like core and the hails tends to bounce off these shingles. Most insurance companies will give the Homeowner a discount for having a Class 4 Impact resistant roof.
Pros: The most options of any roof covering * The least expensive $ roofing
Available * Many types of Class 4, Impact Resistant Asphalt Shingles available
Cons: Cheap shingles are easily damaged by hail * Asphalt shingles have a short life
Expectancy * Some Asphalt shingles can be expensive $$
When deciding on a new roof for a home, all of these factors should be considered when making the decision about the roof material. Keep in mind all roofs all have pros and cons.
Concrete Tile Roofs
Concrete Tile roofs are supposed to last 50 years. It is important to understand that a high-quality underlayment system is critical to getting 50 years of service from a tile roof. Excel has replaced many tile roofs that were not installed to the quality standards, and this has caused problems for the homeowners well before 50 years. Excel installs Tile roofs designed to last the 50 years. The Tile is installed on an elevated batten system, so the tile are not in direct contact with the roof deck, the heat absorbed by the tiles does not pass directly to the roof deck and into the home. Tile roofs are long-lasting and great choice especially when replacing a Cedar Shake Roof.
Pros: High end roof covering that adds value to home
Long lasting * Hail resistant * low maintenance Roof * Easy to Repair
Cons: Heavy Weight, A structural engineer needs to evaluate the home and sometimes additional bracing is necessary to reinforce the home’s framing
Moderately expensive $$$ * Tiles can be broken by foot traffic
Metal Roofs
Residential metal roofing is divided into 2 types of styles. The First is vertical panels that are screwed on through the top or have the fasteners hidden. The second type is horizontal panels that try to mimic Shake or Tile roofs. These panels are referred to as stone coated steel. Metal roofing is lightweight and can have a thick look. Stone Coated Steel panels have granules glued on top for color. These are the same granules used on Asphalt shingles. Stone Coated Steel panels can be dented when walked on. The granules can be knocked off by hail, which may not be covered by insurance. Most Steel roofs are Class 4 Impact resistant, and qualify for insurance discounts.
Pros: Lightweight * Long Life Span * Stone coated steel roofs look thick and have a high end curb appeal * Vertical panels are moderately priced $$
Cons: Snow sliding off the vertical panels and can be dangerous* Exposed panel screws need to be re-tightened about every 5 years * Stone coated Steel panels can be dented by foot traffic * Stone coated steel roofs are expensive $$$$
Synthetic Roofs
There are two main manufacturers of synthetic residential roofing material, Da Vinci and F-Wave. Da Vinci Roofing products have been around for over 20 years. They are durable and have a thick Cedar Shake or Slate-like appearance. F-Wave roofing material is relatively new. Their patented manufacturing process produces granule free, plastic synthetic shingles that are durable, resistant to cracking and fading and have an asphalt shingle appearance. The cost of this shingle is about double the price of asphalt shingles.
Pros: Extremely Hail resistant, the most hail resistant product on the market today *Qualifies for Class 4 insurance discounts * Wide variety of profiles, can look like Asphalt shingle, Cedar Shakes, or Slate
Cons: Expensive $$$$
Cedar Shake & Shingle Roofs
Shake roofs are like Bell bottom pants. In the 1970’s it was the thing to have. Now a shake roof will get you an insurance surcharge, and when the home is sold most buyers will demand a new roof. Despite the fact that insurance companies don’t like Cedar Shake roofs they do have some good attributes. Cedar Shake roofs are the greenest roof possible; they are naturally grown. The Cedar wood absorbs minimal heat, and because they are a natural insulator, they transfer very little heat into the home. Shakes are made of Cedar Wood which is naturally bug resistant, and resists rot. These days Excel usually only installs Cedar Shake roof on historical structures where it is required to match original roof materials.
Pros: Green Roof * Natural insulator does not Transfer Heat * Bug and Rot Resistant
Cons: Many Insurance Companies will not insure this type of roof * Easily damaged by hail * Expensive $$$
Attic Ventilation
Attic ventilation is the second component of the roofing system. It is the most important factor in keeping the attic cool. The best attic ventilation is when air flow is balanced, 50% entering the lower area, 50% exiting the top. The heat in an under-ventilated attic can actually damage the asphalt shingles on your roof, causing them to “cook” and blister in the intense heat. This can void manufacturers’ warranties.
The coolness of the attic will affect the overall temperature of the house and can greatly affect the efficiency of the cooling system. In the summer when the temperature is 95 degrees an attic can reach 160 degrees if it’s not properly ventilated. This is going to cause the house to be hot, and stay hot. It also causes the air conditioner to work overtime. Proper attic ventilation is a key component of the roof system.
Attic Insulation
Attic insulation is the third component in the roofing system. Most homes built in the 70s and before had about 3.5 inches of attic insulation. This was because of lax building codes and the fact that energy was cheaper than insulation. Insulation is measured in R-value, e.g. the resistance to heat flow through a given thickness of material. The higher the R-value, the greater the resistance. Today’s Standard for our area is R-49, or about 20 inches of insulation.
An under insulated attic floor can cause up to 40% of the homes heated air to be lost through the ceiling. In the winter this escaping heat from your home will rise and gather in the top of the attic. This heat will then permeate through the roof in the absence of proper ventilation. If the home is in a snow region this will cause the snow to prematurely melt which in turn causes ice dams at the eaves. An overly heated attic can also cause water vapor to condense. If this moisture cannot escape (proper ventilation) there is a chance of water accumulation in the attic of the home. In these cases homeowners think they have a roof leak, only to find out that there is excessive moisture in the attic leaking down through the ceiling.
Insulation will keep the warm air in your home and should reduce heating costs.
Rain Gutters & Proper roof drainage
Rain Gutters & proper roof drainage are the fourth component of the roofing system. In areas with expansive soil such as Colorado & Wyoming proper water drainage away from the home is critical. If the water is allowed to accumulate next to the base of the home damage to the foundation can occur. The best practice is to direct all water at least 4 feet away from the home. Clogged gutters are one of the most common gutter problems Excel sees. Clogged gutters causes water to overflow the gutters next to the home, this can flood a basement, which is not covered by insurance. Excel has not seen a gutter protection system that work effectively.
Because of this Excel recommends cleaning the gutter at least once a year, late October after the leaves fall is the best time to do this. If the home is has lots of trees around it cleaning the gutters in both Fall & Spring is a good idea.
Conclusion
Each component of the roofing system is important. They must designed, and installed correctly for the system to function as a whole. At Excel, we specialize in entire roofing systems from choosing the right roofing material, making sure the attic ventilation is correct, we can help evaluate the insulation, and make sure the gutter system works properly. We make sure every element of your roofing system is installed correctly and works effectively. Whatever your roofing needs are Excel Roofing can help you. Whether you need a leak repaired or a complete roof replacement contact Excel Roofing today!
Fall is the best time of year for roofing, roof replacement, or any type of roof repair.
Cooler days and less rain are the ideal conditions to replace a roof. Working on top of a home where there is no shade is much more comfortable in fall. The dryer days make it easier to schedule jobs and keep projects running smoothly and on time.
Fall is also the busiest time of year for roofing. Homeowners that need a new roof will want one before winter sets in. Others may have an old insurance claim with a chance of losing depreciation on the claim. Or perhaps the homeowner simply put off the roofing for the better part of the year. All these factors add up to roofing’s busy season.
Chances are any good roofer is going to have a backlog at this time of year. That’s normal. In fact if a roofer says he can get to the job right away, this is a red flag. Because all the good roofers have a wait list, your job may be done after the frost has arrived.
What About Roofing In Spring?
If your home was damaged by late-summer hailstorms, unless there is immediate damage such as a leak, hole, exposed decking, etc, you may be better off waiting until the spring. This is due to roofers busyness in the fall, and the challenge of roofing during winter. An asphalt roof that has been damaged, but not severe enough to cause immediate problems, will hold up until the warm weather returns. The damage to an asphalt roof becomes more apparent as time goes by.
Waiting until spring will allow the roofer to see any other potential problems your roof may have.
If you have a damaged shake roof, however, you should start the claims process as soon as possible. The marks and split wood on freshly damaged shakes will age in a month or so, and hail damage will be harder to see and prove. You can still wait on the roof replacement as the roof will hold up through the winter, but you will want to start the claims process right away.
Take your time to select the right contractor, and remember these three steps:
Get all roofing details and promises in writing
Don’t ever sign a contractor with a cancellation fee
Most importantly, never give a contractor any money up front
Contact Excel Roofing Today! Excel Roofing has been in business for over 24 years, we know how to work all year long.
Cedar shakes and shingles are quite popular in the western U.S. The look of cedar on a roof gives an old, rustic appeal not seen in other roofing materials like asphalt and tile.
In Colorado, these cedar shakes and shingles can take a beating and may require more maintenance and upkeep compared to their asphalt counterparts.
Two types of roofing materials that share a similar name, cedar shingles and cedar shakes are really quite different from one another.
CEDAR SHINGLES
Simply put, cedar shingles are milled more precisely than shake and create a more uniform appearance on the roof. Cedar shingles are sawn on both sides and are much more uniform in appearance. They have a tailored appearance and are cut tapered.
Cedar shingles are more precise and can lay flat. They also do not require a layer of felt paper. Since they are not as thick as cedar shakes, the cedar shingles can be layered three shingles thick. This thickness provides an excellent weatherproof barrier to the roof. Cedar shingles are more precise and can lay flat. They also do not require a layer of felt paper. Since they are not as thick as cedar shakes, the cedar shingles can be layered three shingles thick. This thickness provides an excellent weatherproof barrier to the roof.
CEDAR SHAKES
Cedar shakes are a bit thicker and more irregular giving the roof a more rustic appearance. Cedar shakes are sawn on one side with the split side outward facing. This is what gives the cedar shakes the rustic appearance. They are typically sawed at an angle so one end is thicker than the other.
Since cedar shakes are more irregular in shape, they don’t lay flat when installed. This creates gaps between the shakes which can be caught up in wind gusts or penetrated by rain. Due to this, a layer of felt paper is required during the installation. The paper helps block the wind and precipitation. This layer of felt paper combined with a proper cedar shake installation provides a secondary barrier of protection for the roof.
If you are interested or have any other questions about cedar roofing materials, or other types of shingles, don’t hesitate to contact us.
BENEFITS OF CEDAR SHAKES/SHINGLES
Although we did just lay out a few disadvantages, cedar shakes and shingles do have advantages beyond the rustic appeal other roofing options don’t offer.
Cedar roofing provides superior performance for those in areas that experience harsh weather conditions, such as extreme wind and hail. Homeowners in the Denver, CO area would benefit from installing cedar roofing for their protection against weather elements alone.
GREEN EFFECT
Those of you looking for a green roofing option, consider cedar shakes or shingles as your material. Cedar is a wood material that’s biodegradable and a renewable source. There are very few materials that are considered a fully renewable building material such as wood. Additionally, cedar provides better insulation for your home which in turn lowers your energy costs. So if you’re planning on going green, cedar roofing is an environmentally friendly choice for you.
REPLACEMENT
Wait, there’s even more good news about cedar roofing in Denver! It’s possible to replace and repair parts of your cedar roof without concern over the new shakes or shingles looking significantly different in composition from your original cedar shakes or shingles. When cedar ages, it’s expected that some pieces will require replacement. With cedar roofing, individual shake or shingle repairs are possible. In fact, if you are proactive about your cedar roof, you can extend the life of your cedar roof.
Cedar shakes or shingles will provide your home with an aesthetically appealing look as well as provide long-term durability, sustainability and superior performance against harsh weather elements.
The Consumer Protection/Residential Roofing Act, Colorado Senate Bill 38 (SB38), was signed into law on June 6th, 2012. For many years, the Colorado Roofing Association (CRA) has tried to get Colorado legislature to pass state licensing for all roofers.
State licensing was believed to protect consumers during large hail storms.
There was fierce opposition to state licensing, mainly from home builder associations, who feared that this would cause the cost of roofing to increase dramatically.
Fortunately, the Colorado Senate was able to pass a different type of legislation which specifically addressed the problems of residential roofing during hail storms that the home builder associations did not oppose.
To date, we do not know if anyone has ever been prosecuted for violating these laws.
However, the practical reality is that the consumer rights granted by this legislation can help customers in a number of ways; for example, if a consumer is in a bad contract or has had a roofing job done and needs to sue the contractor because of bad work.
ITEMS THAT ARE REQUIRED BY THE COLORADO ROOFING LAWS TO BE LISTED ON THE ROOFING CONTRACT ARE AS FOLLOWS:
The scope of work and material to be used for the new roof
The cost to do the roofing job and approximate dates of when the roof will be installed
The roofing contractor’s address, phone number, and insurance company information
The consumer’s right to cancel the contract within 72 hours and what the contractor’s cancellation fee will be if the contract is cancelled after the 72-hour right of rescission
Notice that the contractor cannot pay, waive, or in any other way cover the consumer’s deductible if the roofing job is being paid from an insurance claim
Notice to the consumer that any money paid in advance will be held in a special trust account until the material is purchased
Notice to the consumer that if any part of the insurance claim is rescinded in whole or part that the consumer will have another 72-hour right of rescission to cancel the contract
The Colorado Roofing Law:
Prohibits a roofing contractor from paying, waiving or rebating an insurance deductible for a property owner.
Requires a contractor to return any payment or deposit made by the property owner in conjunction with the contract for roofing work within 10 days after rescission of a contract.
States that if a roofing contractor promises to pay, waive or rebate a homeowner’s deductible, the insurance carrier for the property owner is not obligated to consider the estimate of costs for the roofing work prepared by that contractor.
THE ISSUE WITH MONEY UP FRONT
Usually the problem is that the consumer has paid the contractor money up front. There is a provision in SB38 that addresses this, which states that if a consumer has paid money up front and they cancel the contract, the contractor is obligated to refund the money within 10 days. However, trying to get a contractor to refund money can be extremely difficult. The reality is that the consumer will have more luck canceling a contract if they have not paid any money up front.
72-HOUR RIGHT OF RESCISSION
One especially helpful provision of SB38 that can be extremely useful to consumers canceling a contract is that if an insurance company revises the settlement, it restarts the 72-hour right of rescission. This means that if the consumer is able to get his insurance company to revise the insurance settlement downward by any amount of money, it gives the consumer the right to cancel the roofing contract.
CONSUMERS CAN MINIMIZE POTENTIAL PROBLEMS THEY MAY HAVE WITH A CONTRACTOR BY FOLLOWING THESE THREE EASY STEPS:
Make sure that the type of roof and the total cost is clearly stated on the contract.
Never sign a contract that has any type of cancellation fee.
Never pay any money until the job is complete and you are happy.
