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An obvious sign of wind damage is missing shingles, exposing the upper portion of the lower course of shingles to the elements. The missing shingles can allow water to more easily penetrate the attic.
Our technicians check for missing granules that have exposed the substrate, or black layer underneath them. The substrate exposed should look fresh, or not as if it has been exposed to the sun for an extended period. This will indicate new hail damage as opposed to anything preexisting.
An obvious sign of wind damage is missing shingles, exposing the upper portion of the lower course of shingles to the elements. The missing shingles can allow water to more easily penetrate the attic.
Our technicians check for missing granules that have exposed the substrate, or black layer underneath them. The substrate exposed should look fresh, or not as if it has been exposed to the sun for an extended period. This will indicate new hail damage as opposed to anything preexisting.
Often times, homeowners turn to their insurance company at the first sign of potential roof damage. It may seem like the natural step to take, but it might not be in your best interest. Experienced roofing companies work hand in hand with insurance companies and are fully cognizant of the insurance process—from filing the initial inspection, to advocating on your behalf to ascertain full coverage.
Even talking to the insurance company may result in a report to the Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange, which maintains an “insurance score” for homeowners. This score affects your ability to be approved for new coverage with the same or a different insurer. This is another reason not to call the insurance company until you are sure you want to make a claim. Consulting a roofing professional like MRN Contracting first will help you better understand your options following the initial inspection—which are always free of charge.
More often than not, roof issues are only discovered after costly leaks or other serious damage occurs. Although certain criteria required to uncover problems can only be determined by a trained specialist, periodic inspections are always free of charge and will help prevent larger issues from developing. These include warped, cracked, or missing shingles, excessive loss of granulation (found in the gutters), and/or deteriorating chimney flashing. Damage to the roof decking is nearly impossible to spot, but be sure to closely examine soffit areas (roof overhang) for discolored water stains, especially at the bottom of valleys.
Interior signs of damage are easier for homeowners to spot, such as cracked and discolored paint or mold near the ceilings, walls, or base boards. These are typically clear indications of roof exposure to water intrusion and should be addressed as soon as possible.
Our project managers undergo extensive training prior to conducting a roof inspection. Throughout this educational course, they are taught how to tread carefully while temporarily marking up hail or wind damage found. Rest assured, our team is qualified to locate damage and restore your roof—all the while protecting its integrity without causing any further damage.
Curling shingles are most often found at stress points on the roof, i.e. the edges, the corners, near the chimney, at the ridge, etc. Curled or lifted shingles can no longer keep water from leaking through the roof.
Before filing a claim with your insurance company, you should review your policy to better understand what is covered and what falls under your responsibility. If you believe your home may have been damaged in a storm, have your roof inspected by an experienced professional. If the repairs are estimated to be near the same cost as your deductible, it’s probably in your best interest to stay out-of-pocket.
There is a limit to the number of insurance claims that you can make in a given period of time without affecting your premiums or even voiding your policy. However, if the damage has resulted from wind or hail, this is considered an Act of God and should not affect your insurance rates. Other situations which are under your control, such as damage from low-hanging tree branches which could have been trimmed, may affect your policy. Typically, the first claim on a policy does not affect the premiums, either.
Curling shingles are most often found at stress points on the roof, i.e. the edges, the corners, near the chimney, at the ridge, etc. Curled or lifted shingles can no longer keep water from leaking through the roof.
Bruising occurs when a hailstone’s impact disperses the roof’s granules. Bruising will feel like indentations on your roof’s surface. They are not always visible but should be addressed upon discovery, as failure to do so can cause holes to eventually form in your shingles.
Bruising occurs when a hailstone’s impact disperses the roof’s granules. Bruising will feel like indentations on your roof’s surface. They are not always visible but should be addressed upon discovery, as failure to do so can cause holes to eventually form in your shingles.
When big enough, hailstones can cause circular cracking around the hit itself in a half-moon or full circle shape. This sort of cracking indicates larger hail and a shingle that has been damaged through to the fiberglass matting, which can make it highly susceptible to water penetration.
While the roof serves in an obvious functional manner, a new roof is always a powerful marketing tool when you’re looking to sell your home. When selling your home, inspectors often look to the roof first, because the health of a roof is a big factor in determining a home’s worth. For example, research has found that a new roof adds much more to the appraisal value.
The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) released a remodeling impact report that found new roofs provide up to a 107 percent return, which means you could make a profit on your new roof. Another study by Remodeling’s 2019 Cost Versus Value Report confirms a homeowner can expect a return of at least 68 percent. In turn, local appraisers will undoubtedly notice if your roof is in poor condition and will reduce your home value accordingly, depending on how serious your roof problems are.
In addition to protecting all of your valuables, your roof serves as a major insulator. If you’re using premium products, such as Scotchgard™ Protection by Atlas, the summer heat is reflected off the roof instead of absorbing it—which is great relief in terms of cost (utility bills) and comfort.
Mineral granules serve as an additional layer to your shingles and home to protect your roof from excessive sun exposure. Strong winds can contribute to the premature loss of this protective coating by knocking your granules loose. When granules come loose, they often run through your gutter system with water and pile up on the ground.
Mineral granules serve as an additional layer to your shingles and home to protect your roof from excessive sun exposure. Strong winds can contribute to the premature loss of this protective coating by knocking your granules loose. When granules come loose, they often run through your gutter system with water and pile up on the ground.
When big enough, hailstones can cause circular cracking around the hit itself in a half-moon or full circle shape. This sort of cracking indicates larger hail and a shingle that has been damaged through to the fiberglass matting, which can make it highly susceptible to water penetration.
Upon our inspection, your project manager can help assess the roof condition in full to see if the damage to your roof is sufficient to warrant insurance coverage. If our trained professionals find such damage, and your insurance company denies your claim, MRN Contracting can file for a re-inspect with the adjuster—during which your project manager will be present and able to better advocate on your behalf.
If the damage found is unlikely to justify insurance coverage but still requires restoration, your project manager will determine whether to perform a repair or a cash cost for a roof replacement. Each project can either be financed or paid 50% up front and 50% on completion.
Many factors affect the life expectancy of a roof, beginning with shingle design and regional weather conditions. Choosing the right contractor to complete the installation or repair along with ongoing maintenance also contribute to getting the longest service life out of a roof.
The average lifespan of asphalt shingles can vary from 15 to 30 years depending on the manufacturer. Standard 3-tab shingles, which are single-layer in design, last 15 to 20 years. However, multi-layered or laminated architectural shingles have grown in popularity, and typically last around 30 years. In addition to enhanced aesthetic appeal, these shingles are heavier and have fewer crevices in which debris can accumulate. Because of the extra weight, architectural shingles also come with a longer warranty.
MRN Contracting has carefully chosen Atlas Roofing, who manufactures six lines of quality asphalt shingles; StormMaster® Shake, StormMaster® Slate, Pinnacle® Pristine, ProLam™ architectural shingles, GlassMaster® performance fiberglass 3-tab shingles and Tough-Glass® fiberglass 3-tab shingles. They are available in a variety of styles and with a range of performance features. Each one comes with an industry-leading warranty for its category.
High winds can cause cracks in the roof shingles, allowing an easy entry point for water to penetrate beneath the surface and into the home.
High winds can cause cracks in the roof shingles, allowing an easy entry point for water to penetrate beneath the surface and into the home.
Every roof is different; therefore, cost varies tremendously based on several factors: size, old roof removal, style, shape, materials, upgrades, deductible, and insurance proceeds.
Replacing your roof is a sizeable investment, and estimating the cost without examining your roof would not be in our customers’ best interest. However, according to Remodeling Magazine, “Homeowners in the United States pay $18,825 on average to replace a roof.” Whereby Fine Living estimates that the national average cost to replace a roof is $11,399.
MRN offers promotional financing to our homeowners to provide affordability for unexpected out-of-pocket costs! The following are scenarios where financing might be of interest to a prospective homeowner:
Do not want to wait until they have the money in-hand to begin a home improvement or repair project.
Want or need work that will cost more money than they have available.
May not realize how much the project they are planning will cost.
Are awaiting an upcoming cash payment (tax return, etc.) but prefer (or need) to begin their project now.
Are sophisticated users of credit who prefer not to tie-up their own cash.
Like the idea of “using your money” to fund their home improvement or repair.
Would like to keep their cash for unforeseen circumstances or to potentially add options later.
Are planning to sell the property, but need the project completed prior to listing.
A common failure from wind pressure exposure is creasing, where the shingle tab is bent up and down until a crease or fold forms along the edge of the shingle tab. This creasing pattern indicates that the damage may be a result of excessive winds.
A common failure from wind pressure exposure is creasing, where the shingle tab is bent up and down until a crease or fold forms along the edge of the shingle tab. This creasing pattern indicates that the damage may be a result of excessive winds.
Insurance proceeds are allocated to you, the homeowner, in the form of front and back-end money. Under the Replacement Cost Policy, you will receive your first check after the claim is approved by the insurance adjuster—including the actual cash value amount less depreciation, supplements (if applicable), and policy deductible. If there is a mortgage on the home or business, the first insurance check will typically require your mortgage company's approval of the contract for the scheduled roof replacement or repair. The first insurance check must be signed over to MRN Contracting upon its arrival as a deposit for the materials.
In order to collect the initially withheld depreciation amount, you must prove that a replacement took place. Once installation is complete and the insurance company has received our Certificate of Completion, they will issue the second check to you—including the remaining cost for the replacement that the first check did not cover. The amount of the second check is then paid in full to MRN Contracting for the finished job.