Roofing – Page 9

Hail storms are not that common in our area and when we do get a storm, the size of the hail ball is typically less than one-inch in diameter. In contrast, the mid-west or other hail prone regions see golf ball sized hail regularly throughout the storm season (like in the picture below). Hail that large causes obvious damage. Neighborhoods look like war zones with large holes in siding and shutters, broken windows and smashed cars, and many downed branches scattered everywhere.

Bowie and the surrounding area was recently hit with a hail storm and I can assure you, it isn’t a war zone. In fact, some homeowners probably didn’t even know there was a hail storm if they were not home or not watching through the windows as hail only comes down for a few minutes. But does that mean there is no damage to your home?

Functional Hail vs. Non-Functional Hail

Hail damage can be categorized into either functional or non-functional. Non-functional hail is where damage is simply cosmetic and does not decrease the shingle’s ability to shed water or long-term service life. Functional hail on the other hand is more than just cosmetic and actually hurts the shingle’s ability to shed water properly or causes the shingle to deteriorate more quickly. Functional hail often causes leaks overtime and can become a costly nightmare.

How Can You Spot the Difference?

You will have to get on your roof and do a thorough inspection. You may be able to see hail hits on your soft metal from the ground which is in indicator hail hit your home, but you will not be able to tell if it is functional damage or not unless you get up close. Once you get on your roof, you want to look for marks like this one.

They may be incredibly hard to spot, especially if you are not trained and unsure of what to look for. A mark like this can easily be mistaken for normal wear and tear when in reality, it is functional hail damage that could leave your home vulnerable. If you do find a mark like this, we recommend calling a professional who is Haag certified (like us). You never want to gamble with your home and we wouldn’t want to you to, which is why we offer an inspection at no charge. Contact us today to set one up!

Winter months are historically slow for companies specializing in exterior remodeling like roofing and siding. It makes sense. Low temperatures, snow and ice make installation nearly impossible. However, with the mild winter we have had this year, companies are eager to capitalize. You may have seen quite a few radio or television spots advertising insane deals. Half priced roofs, lifetime warranties, free gutters, a restaurant gift card, free oil changes and a puppy. Okay, maybe not all of that but their deals are pretty appealing. So, is it really too good to be true?

Reading between the lines

While, there are companies out there offering legitimately great deals, there are also a lot of companies offering ones that only sound appealing but are actually not a great value. So, how do you decipher the good from the bad? You research these three things.

Product: What products are covered in their special offering? Typically, to compensate for the lower price, your selection will be limited to only the cheapest or lower end products. In some instances, this may not matter to the consumer. For most consumers, however, this is a huge problem. A deal isn’t so much a deal if the quality is poor, especially when it comes to your home. Be sure to ask what products are included in the deal and do your research on them. We personally recommend GAF shingles and Certainteed siding products and are happy to help you decide which products are best for your home.
Warranty: Will your new installation be covered under their warranty? The price cut has to come from somewhere and sometimes, it is in the warranty. Knowing your home is not one they have to service for years to come can justify the special discount. Be sure to read the fine print!
Reputation: Regardless of how great a deal is, you should always factor in the company offering it. A good deal should instantly be cancelled out by a bad company. Check online review websites like Angie’s List, the Better Business Bureau and even their Facebook page. You can even ask for customer references and a good company should have no problem supplying them.

The truth is, when a company is offering a special discount, the money has to be recouped from somewhere. Whether that be by offering a lesser product, no warranty or poor installation and craftsmanship. Although, the mild winter has been extremely favorable to us in the business, it also means a lot of companies trying to capitalize on consumers and not always for the better. Take your time to thoroughly look over every deal to ensure it really is one and you can always contact us with any questions.

Not All Hail Causes Damage. Know the Difference!

When it sounds too good to be true…