Among all the components on your property, the most useful and critical among these is your roof! Designed to protect you, your family, and your belongings, your roof is the first line of defense against the elements! The summer heat and monsoon storms (along with the wind that accompanies them) are particularly harsh on roofs. Should you find yourself with roof damages and need an emergency fix right away, give these tips a shot!
Your roof is one the most vulnerable features of your home, so a roofing system is usually exposed to changing weather extremes which erodes the quality over time. This also increases the odds of damage and can facilitate an emergency roof repair scenario.
If your roof was damaged during a storm by wind, rain or hail, the best thing you can do is wait until the storm is over before assessing any damage. Once the storm is over and you have good lighting, go and take a look – it’s never worth the risk and danger to inspect during a storm.
Once the whether improves, you should go check your roof. If it has not been damaged too badly, you may be able to get away with minimal DIY repairs to fix up anything basic. For greater damages and breaks, a roof contractor will be able to help you.
As one of the most critical steps, buying a protective cover or tarp for your roof can help to minimize further damages and keep items inside of your house safe and secure. If you fear that water will still find its way inside, make sure to move any furniture and belongings into another room and out of harm’s way.
If you find a pool of water on your roof, make sure to get it removed as fast as possible. Still water that collects on your roof is not just harmful to your roofing system, but also attracts various pests who like stagnant water, such as mosquitoes!
If your roofing system has to undergo heavier repairs, do not try and attempt them yourself. Skilled and licensed contractors should be able to help, even in an emergency. Putting off repairs can cause your damages to grow and should never be put off!
You hear advice all the time when you’re looking for a roofing contractor in Arizona that you should never hire unlicensed roofing contractors to do your work.
What's the reason for this? Does it truly even matter? Some property owners think that if the roofing contractor does good work based on a referral from an acquaintance or family member and they had a good experience, then why should it matter if they don’t have a license.
And, as a bonus, they can probably save some money in the process.
If you have a dispute with a licensed contractor, you can call the company’s licensing agency for help in mediation. They also may be able to help recover any monetary losses you might have incurred.
But, if you have an issue with an unlicensed contractor that they refuse to resolve, you’ll have to make a decision about filing a civil lawsuit. That isn’t something that you’re likely to have much success with.
Legal expenses are high and, even if you should win, you might never be able to collect any funds because unlicensed contractors are notorious for going in and out of business.
Who knows how long they’ll be there to pay you, or they could just disappear completely leaving you holding the bag.
The reality is, an unlicensed contractor doesn’t have the same incentive to do quality work because it’s easier for them to get away with providing minimal service and poor work quality, due to the fact that your choices are limited with legal action.
So, let's say some unlicensed contractor doesn’t finish your roofing project and runs off with your money? Good luck trying to find them and trying to get any compensation or having the work finished!
Or does not honor their warranty after a rainstorm reveals a leak on their handy work.
Worker’s comp and liability insurance are expensive for a contractor. Because of this, unlicensed contractors many times will not carry these vitally important policies. Just as important for you as it is for them.
If a roofing contractor’s crew member gets injured while working on your roof, without worker’s comp insurance would mean you’ll likely be responsible for paying for their medical bills. Have you checked the cost of a week-long hospital stay lately?
Without liability insurance, if a contractor damages your home and refuses to fix it, you’re out of luck and you’ll have to pay for the damages yourself.
A “Bond” is a type of insurance that compensates you if the contractor doesn’t complete the job as you’ve requested or contracted them to do.
Unlicensed contractors usually won’t even offer a written and signed contract, much less be bonded with an adequate amount.
Therefore, if the finished roof project isn’t what you thought you were getting, that’s your tough luck! There’s no bond available for you to make a claim on.
To obtain a license, a contractor is tested on their knowledge and application of local building codes.
Here’s why this could be a big problem:
If you decide to sell your property and during the inspection process the home inspector points out that your roof isn’t built to code, you’ll be responsible for fixing that before the Buyer or the Lender will move forward to close on the purchase.
Fixing something like this in a short time frame could cost thousands of dollars that you had no idea you were going to be liable for.
Also, disclosing to an inspector that you hired an unlicensed roofing contractor to fix any past issues with your roof could greatly decrease the property’s value, if the inspector or the Buyer isn’t comfortable with assuming the liability for an unlicensed contractor’s work.
Obtaining a license means that a roofer meets minimum industry training standards and work experience. This is in place to protect consumers like you.
If a contractor is unlicensed, you don’t have any idea about their level of competency or experience. Low-quality roofing work and materials can backfire on you later in a big way.
We have severe monsoon storms every summer in Arizona. Imagine seeing your roof literally blown off in the middle of one of these storms because the unlicensed contractor that did the work either cut corners, didn’t really know what they were doing, or used subpar materials to get the work done and pad their profits!
Don’t settle for a simple handshake. Get your roof work completed by licensed, professional, experienced contractors. If they cut corners by not paying for licensing, insurance or bonding, they’re likely cutting corners on the work too.
The monsoon season will quickly be upon us. When you’re outside your house, you’ll feel like you’re inside an oven. But the rain eventually comes and helps to cool things down a little and give us some relief. However, those rains also turn into monsoon storms that can flood your property and damage your home. Monsoon storms usually include heavy rain and strong wind, both of which can damage your property and put you in critical need of a professional, experienced roof repair contractor. Here are some tips to get your roof ready for monsoon storms.
In these circumstances, your roof will probably take the worst beating. The intense summer heat can break down the shingles or tiles and the underlayment below them. Strong rain and wind can tear your tiles and shingles off your roof and damage other parts of your roof, leading to potentially expensive repairs. Preparing your roof for the storm season can help it survive with as little amount of damage as possible. However, once the damage has happened, you will need a licensed, experienced roofing company to inspect the damage.
Before the monsoon season gets started, call a recommended roofing company and have your roof completely inspected. The roofing contractor will look for signs of any loose or missing shingles or tiles, gaps or cracks around any flashings, also checking for deterioration in sealants or the underlayment. Any problems can make your roof susceptible to the strong rain and wind that come with the storms.
If your roofer finds any issues or signs of potential problems during the inspection, have the repairs taken care of before the monsoon season picks up. You will be making sure your roof is in the best shape possible to fight off tears and cracks that can lead to moisture leaks. Make sure any loose tiles or shingles are fastened or replaced. Update the seals around flashings and other roof elements. Make sure that your roof is strong and provides a strong barrier between your home and the coming violent storms.
Strong monsoon winds and rain won’t just beat on your roof. They’ll also pick up objects and toss them against your house. Big sticks and branches, small rocks and loose personal items can all become flying missiles in a strong monsoon storms. You can keep the risk low by keeping your yard clear of debris and personal items. Pick up all debris on a regular basis. You won’t be able to completely eliminate the risk since monsoons can pick up items from nearby properties and toss them against your property, but taking this simple precaution can reduce the potential damages.
Discovering that you have serious damage to your roof can be stressful. Going through the insurance claim quagmire can require lots of contacts with insurance adjusters, roofing contractors, and in some instances, maybe even your mortgage company.
There are several roof repair insurance claim filing tips that will help minimize the hassle.
Getting roof repairs covered by your insurance company can be a difficult and confusing process. It is best to work with a certified, licensed, and locally experienced roofing contractor.
By doing so, you can make sure your roof damage claim is submitted correctly to your insurance company.
This will also ensure that the roof repair is handled quickly, accurately, and with the least amount of hassle. To make sure you can handle the insurance claim process, Mikku and Sons Roofing recommends you follow these five tips as a guideline.
If you think your roof is damaged, you should call a reputable and licensed roofing contractor immediately. Have them come out and inspect your roof. Even if your roof looks good from the outside, there could be serious internal damage.
You’ll want an experienced roofing specialist to come out and investigate to be sure. Some insurance policies have conditions that tell you how long you can wait after the damage has occurred and still have your roof covered under your policy. After a severe storm, as soon as it’s safe, have your roof inspected.
An experienced roofer will know where to check for damage and should be thorough in documenting the damage and how extensive it might be.
They will take pictures of damaged areas and get you a written explanation of what needs to be fixed and the estimated cost to repair. In some cases, you might have roof damage that isn’t serious enough to justify an insurance claim and in this case, your preferred roofing company can work with you to plan how to handle the repairs.
In more serious cases, you’ll need to get your homeowner’s insurance company involved and will need to provide proof of damage, including measurements, the events that led up to the damage, and dates and times the damage occurred.
It is always a good idea to take pictures of your roof periodically, especially after any maintenance has been done. Make sure the images are clear and well labeled with the date and time.
If possible, take several photos from different angles to show the whole roof and its condition. By doing this, you can make a more convincing argument and you will have visual proof to justify that the damaged areas were not there before the storm and were a direct result of the storm itself.
If you have extensive roof damage, be sure to contact your insurance company right away. If you wait too long, you may not be able to submit the claim.
Always have the latest copy of your homeowner’s insurance policy to see what statute of limitations there are for reporting damage and what types of roof damage are covered. Some homeowner’s policies have clauses detailing the amount of damage that will be covered.
For example, if your roof is over ten years old, your insurance company may only cover a portion of the roof replacement cost, based on the depreciated value of your roof. If there’s ever any question of the precise roofing insurance coverage you have, contact your insurance provider.
When you submit your claim, an adjuster will be sent to inspect the damaged areas and determine what the insurance company will pay out to repair or replace your roof.
If your claim is covered under your homeowner’s policy, you will have a certain amount available to repair the damage.
You can pick the roofing contractor to complete any repairs needed or to replace your entire roof. When selecting a contractor, make sure you ask for references and only use licensed and insured contractors. It’s okay to shop around and get more than one estimate to fix your roof.
By doing this, you can be comfortable that you’re not overpaying, and you’ll have a lot more information to choose a qualified roofing contractor that you think will complete the job correctly. Not every roofing contractor will provide insurance claim assistance.
At Mikku and Sons Roofing, we’re roof replacement specialists who will work with you to make sure your claim is submitted promptly to your insurance company, and that you get the maximum reimbursement for your roof repair issues.
Most roofing contractors will provide a free roof inspection and roof repair estimate. However, keep an eye out for contingency contracts that may be disguised as inspection reports.
By being led to signing one of these contracts you are agreeing to give the job to that roofing company if your insurance claim is approved. Remember, when you’re getting estimates, you should not need to sign anything.
If you are pressured into signing something, it’s probably time to find a more trustworthy roof replacement company.
Checking with the Better Business Bureau and selecting only the roofing companies that have an A or better rating is a good way to parry your list of options to only those roofing professionals that have a reputation for doing quality work.
We only think of them when there’s a problem, and we only replace them when we have to. But, when we do maintain them regularly, we can extend their useful life. It doesn't matter if you have a tile, shingle, flat roof, or foam roof it must be maintained.
We also need to make sure that our roof receives the proper maintenance to increase its useful life.
Guaranteeing roof life starts with regular inspections. The National Roofing Contractors Association recommends inspecting all roofs twice a year: once after the coldest temperatures, once after the hottest temperatures. It’s also always good to scrutinize your roof following any major weather occurrence.
Establishing a schedule for routine, professional roof inspections should be a priority for property owners. Inspections are cheap and can provide critical information that can prevent expensive repairs later.
Also, regular roof inspections provide a checklist for routine maintenance work and enable owners to prepare budgets for the future. Roof inspections are the first step in a roof maintenance program that can help owners plan and schedule repairs instead of having to do expensive emergency repairs.
Few other property maintenance tasks provide a better return on investment than regular roof inspections.
Before the monsoon season gets started, call a recommended roofing company and have your roof completely inspected. The roofing contractor will look for signs of any loose or missing shingles or tiles, gaps or cracks around any flashings, also check for deterioration in sealants or the underlayment.
Any problems can make your roof susceptible to the strong rain and wind that come with the storms
If your roofer finds any issues or signs of potential problems during the inspection, have the repairs taken care of before the monsoon season picks up.
You will be making sure your roof is in the best shape possible to fight off tears and cracks that can lead to moisture leaks. Make sure any loose tiles or shingles are fastened or replaced.
Update the seals around flashings and other roof elements. Make sure that your roof is strong and provides a strong barrier between your home and the coming violent storms.
Leaks after heavy rain are one of the primary reasons roofs should be inspected. But a leak is only a sign of a problem that might have been building over time.
If you’re looking for a silver lining, a leak can actually be good news. Without evidence of a roof leak, a lingering problem of undetected water infiltration could continue to create hidden deterioration, such as rotting wood, mold, wet insulation, or corrosion.
It takes an experienced professional eye to conduct a thorough leak investigation and diagnosis because the entry point for water might be quite far away from the detection point. Leaks can be evidence of serious roof problems or minor issues.
Many roofs in excellent condition occasionally have issues due to minor flashing problems.
Few features are as important to roof performance as proper slope and drainage. Water standing on a roof increases the chance of leaks and water infiltration significantly. Making sure you have good drainage is a very important reason for regular roof inspections.
Leaves, trash, debris, and other objects can clog or obstruct roof drains, creating standing water. Regular cleaning of roofs can help remove such problems and allow water to drain properly, which reduces the chance of leaks. Also, water is heavy – weighing about 5 pounds per square foot per inch deep.
Poor drainage also causes deterioration of roofing materials, leading to a shorter life of the entire roof system.
If a leak occurs from standing water, insulation can get saturated over a wide area, which could require entire roof replacement.
Vegetation can grow on roofs when gutters and other low areas aren’t cleaned on a regular basis. Birds can land and nest on roofs.
They also deposit seeds, which will promote the growth of vegetation. Gutters are a particular source of problems because of the accumulation of dirt, seeds, and water. In addition, tree branches scraping on roofs during wind storms can cause serious damage.
Gutters should be cleaned regularly, and trees near your roof need to be trimmed to prevent contact with roof surfaces.
Many owners pay for repairs themselves that would be covered under a contractor or manufacturer’s roof warranty.
Leaks can be caused by a lot of things, only some of which are covered under a warranty. However, when a leak is found, you should have a qualified person perform an inspection to determine whether or not to file a warranty claim.
When a roof warranty claim is filed, the contractor or manufacturer will visit the property and make an assessment of whether the leak or repair is covered. The important thing for the property owner is keeping possession and ready access to the warranty paperwork, as well as timely filing of the claim.
Got a roof that needs some restoration love, but trying to figure out how much it’s going to cost before you make a decision? Most roofing contractors offer free estimates. So you can easily compare prices between companies before committing to hiring a contractor.
We would advise getting at least 3 free repair estimates to get a feel for what the average cost of your roof repair should be. If you’re looking for a ballpark range, the cost to restore a roof in Arizona can range from $350 to $2,000+ depending on 3 Items.
Your roofing material strongly alters the restore cost. For example, concrete tile rates about 3 times as much as heavyweight asphalt shingles. And clay tiles are slightly more expensive than concrete tiles, which comes from the Tile Roofing Institute. So, if you have tile, you shouldn’t be surprised if the estimated cost seems a little higher than you’re expecting. While it may cost more to repair, tile roofing lasts longer and is more fire resistant than asphalt shingles.
To make things a little more complicated, the tile on your roof imay not be available in the marketplace. During the economic downturn, many tile manufacturers shut their doors – and with them their proprietary molds. The molds impact the direction tile connects with each other and actually lay on the roof. This may require doing a larger part of tile in order to have a logical start and stop point.
Answers to these questions (and others) will determine the needed supplies and amount of time required to do the repairs.
This is why we strongly recommend getting at least 3 free bids. You need to get a feel for :
For example the same roof repair in California would most likely be more expensive than a repair in Phoenix. The average roof repair cost in Los Angeles County, CA, ranges from $300 to $1,800. If you had a roof repair that costed $1,800 in California, same repair may only cost $1,500 in
When you get estimates, don’t just jump at the cheapest one, because how long they’ve been in business matters. Some say the best way to selected a roofing contractor is to find at a 10 -year-old yellow pages volume. If they’re listed in that volume and they’re still in business, they should be on your short list of contractors to use. Then, carefully check each bid to see if you’re getting apples to apples services. One contractor may skimp out on important work to give you a lower bid.
Once you get a few repair approximations, you might feel like replacing your old roof is perhaps more cost effective in the long run. Once you’ve chosen your roofing company, have that conversation with them and determine what the best and most cost effective option will be.
If you have water coming into your property, you have a leak and need roof leak repair. There are a lot of reasons that a roof might begin to let water into your home. By identifying what causes roof leaks most commonly, you might be able to help your roofer find a solution to your roof leak repair faster.
Also, we have provided a guide on quick ways to fix an emergency leak until you can find a professional to repair or replace your damage roof.
There lots of reasons a section of your shingles or tiles can go missing. High winds or sudden heavy rains can rip the shingles right off your roof, which will require roof leak repair. Also, missing shingles or tiles could mean that your roof has reached the end of its lifespan and you’re in need of a new roof. No matter the cause, having new shingles or tiles installed should be done right away to avoid major water damage inside.
You may not consider gutters to be a part of your roof system, but they play an important part when it comes to keeping roof leak repair to a minimum.They take rain water away from the roof and the foundation of your property, preventing water from backing up under shingles or ending up pooling next to your foundation. Your gutters can become clogged by debris, causing rainwater to back up, which means another roof leak repair.
Many property like to do their own roof leak repair to keep costs down. While DIY roof leak repair can save money, it might also result in the need for major roof leak repair. Walking on the roof can cause damage to the shingles and the underlying structure. If the roof is already damaged, one wrong step could cause a major roof leak repair problem that can be hard to find.
Flashing is metal installed around roof penetrations. They form a barrier to keep moisture from finding its way in between the shingles and the weaker areas of your roof. Over time, the metal can corrode away or the seal around it may crack, giving rain access to the attic and your living space. If the rest of the roof is in good shape, the old flashing can be replaced. A professional roofing contractor will just lift the surrounding shingles or tiles, pull the old sheet metal out and install new pieces. Once its sealed, the roof leak repair is complete and your roof should stop leaking.
Roof valleys are where two roof planes come together to create an inverted corner. They can add a dynamic roof line, but these areas are also weaker than other areas and they can collect water. If the leak is coming from a valley, you’ll see a line of water running where the seam occurs, and you’ll need another roof leak repair. New leak barriers could be needed. A new layer of shingles keeps the water moving down the roof and collected by the gutters.
There are a variety of ways that weather can incur damage to your roof, even in moderate storms. When a storm has passed, the absence of leaks doesn’t guarantee the roof is undamaged. Whether the storm brought rain, wind, and/or hail, doing an assessment quickly can start the repair process before more damage incurs.
The most dangerous residual effect of high winds is downed power lines, so look for those first. Make this assessment from as far away from the lines as possible for safety purposes. Report any issues to your electric utility immediately.
Many areas of a roof may not be visible from the ground, but if you have trees that are missing branches that can’t be found, they may be up there.
Many leaks start small and grow over time. You may not see water damage unless you’re up in the attic. Look for damp insulation and inspect the areas around the chimney, the vents, and any other apparatus that penetrates the deck.
Take a walking inspection around the grounds of your home. Look for all types of roofing materials including shingles, fascia, and flashing that may have been blown off of the roof. Take a look around the mouths of all of your downspouts as well to see if any roofing materials came loose and were carried down by the drainage system. You may also be able to assess any separation of the shingles from the deck by inspecting the roof’s edges, which can be caused by storms with high winds. Remember that finding one broken shingle on the ground may mean that there are many more broken pieces that evidence roof damage repair that are still on the roof.
Would you know what to do if a tree fell on your roof in the middle of one of our violent monsoon storms? You depend on your roof to protect everything inside your home, but what if high winds ripped it apart in the middle of the night? Who would you call and what would you do?
Once the roof has been damaged, its going to probably allow some water to get through to the underlayment and possibly into your home. The first thing you need is some sort of protective cover or tarp to keep the damaged area from continuing to be exposed to the elements, and hopefully, to keep any more water damage from happening. Most of the time, unfortunately, you’ll have to wait until the the weather subsides to get a company out to cover the damaged area until repairs can be completed.
Mother Nature can definitely wreak havoc on roofing systems. Winds over 50 mph, which can be quite common during our monsoon storms, can tear shingles off the roof and move loose tiles, which exposes the underlayment and substrate of your roof. This is where the real damage occurs. The limbs of trees close to your home can whip in the wind with branches raking tiles or shingles off your roof. Limbs can literally be knocked off trees and poke holes in your roof when falling on it. It’s also possible for lightning to strike your home, blowing a hole right through your roof.
Roofing contractors have to protect their employees, first and foremost. Don’t expect an emergency roofing company to run out in the middle of a violent storm to immediately solve your problem. They will usually wait until the storm subsides, then handle as many of their emergency calls as their schedule will allow. There’s not much any roofing company can do in the middle of a storm with high winds and lightning. If the emergency repair is caused by a fire, the roofing company has to assess the structural integrity of the property before placing their crews on the roof, to make sure it can support the crew and equipment needed to do the job.
The first rule is – don’t panic. The damage to the roof has already happened and there’s nothing you can do about it except try to protect your valuables inside until the damaged area can be covered somehow. Contact a professional roofing contractor and your insurance provider as quickly as possible. Once the damaged area has been secured, take your time to choose the right roofing company for the job and to consider your repair options.
First, be careful of storm chasers. These are fly-by-night companies that swoop in after storms to pressure homeowners into getting their roofs fixed ASAP. They’re probably not licensed or insured and won’t be around if you have problems with their repairs down the road. Second, never try to go up and try to fix or assess damage yourself, especially during a storm. There’s no sense in making the problem a hundred times worse by adding a trip to the emergency room.
Hiring the right roofing company can make a world of difference for your home or business. Knowing the worst enemies of your roof will help when you need to hire the right professional roofing company.
Trees are beautiful and must-have additions to your homes landscaping for their aesthetics and shading possibilities. They will give your home fantastic curb appeal and possibly help you lower your cooling bills, but, they can also be a major problem for your roof if they’re in the wrong location. If they’re too close to your home, a branch being knocked down or even being scraped across your roofing material in a storm can inflict serious, expensive damage. In severe storms, the entire tree could fall on top of your roof.
They also drop a lot of organic material, like leaves, pods and small branches, that can cause problems by clogging gutters and causing standing water after rains. If you don’t clear the material on a regular basis, the materials can decompose and break down the roofing materials, leading to leaks.
A leak itself is, of course, one of, if not the biggest problem. There’s a lot of reasons leaks can happen including poor installation, standing water, busted tiles and cracked shingles, failing underlayment, flashing problems and more. There’s no limit to the areas of your roof that these issues can occur.
Water can flow from one location to another, making it difficult to pinpoint where a roof leak is originating. The best thing you can do is hire a professional roofing contractor Like Mikku and Sons Roofing and Repair to discover the source. They can find the leak’s source and make the necessary repairs to stop it and prevent it from happening again.
Air needs to flow through your roof freely to prevent heat, pressure and humidity from building up. A lack of air flow can cause stress to the materials. You should never completely block the air flow into your home through your roof. During installation, sofits, vents and other means need to be installed in the proper locations to ensure that your roof will always have proper air flow through your attic.
During installation, a certain pitch or slope needs to be used to make sure water flows off and away from your roof to avoid any pooling or standing water issues. Standing water, whether caused by poor installation or some sort of obstruction, like tree debris, can be a major issue for your roof. Water is heavy. If there’s a lot of it pooling on your roof, it can put a lot of stress on the support structure, along with, if its not removed, helping to decompose the construction materials and making its way into existing cracks, creating leaks.
Your roof needs to get off to its best start by being installed correctly. If not, you’ll soon see loose shingles, broken tiles, decaying underlayment and other items that will start causing leaks. Choosing the right roofing installation company is one of the most important decisions you’ll make for your home or business.
Make sure you do your homework before hiring someone. Check the company’s reputation online and check their standing with the Better Business Bureau and Registrar of Contractors. you’ll have the peace of mind knowing that a quality, professional contractor has installed your roof.
