The key is to have routine inspections on the roof before any potential interior damage occurs!

Many times, homeowners wait until they see damage coming into the inside of their home, but the truth is, that you can prevent interior damage by having a knowledgeable contractor complete a quick five- or ten-minute inspection. Many contractors recommend having someone qualified inspect your roof every three years. A significant number of roofing contractors offer free roof inspections, so it is beneficial and in your best interest as a homeowner to have it done at least once a year. Colorado is a hail capital, so it is definitely important as Colorado homeowners to have a local, Colorado roofer out to inspect!

Safety First

The first step in the initial roof inspection is to be safe. You want to be sure when climbing onto a ladder that it is secured and tied off. Most people will tie their ladder off using a bungee cord. This is okay! One of the next initial things when inspecting a roof is verifying the shingle thickness. Different shingles have different thicknesses. For example, presidential shingles are much thicker than your typical architectural shingle. During your initial inspection you want to verify or confirm the type of underlayment that was installed previously and whether there was drip edge during the prior installation process. Some of these items might not seem important, but insurance companies pay different dollar amounts and pay for additional items that were not previously installed on the roof that might not have been code requirements at the time of the previous install, but now are required on present day installations. These are key factors in a proper roof install!

Synthetic Underlayment Versus Felt

Many Colorado Springs roofers nowadays use what is called synthetic underlayment compared to prior days when many roofers would install a 15lb felt paper. Felt paper tends to disintegrate over time and doesn’t necessarily shed water as synthetic underlayment. Synthetic is often compared to that material of a tarp. During an initial inspection, you want to be sure to also inspect pipe jacks and additional roofing accessories. The seal around pipe jacks or other accessories such as skylights or ventilation systems are many times the cause of leaks.

Hail Hits Per Area

Different insurance companies require a different number of hail hits per square. Here at Integrity Roofing and Painting, LLC we like to see ten hail hits in a 10×10 square area. We measure a 10×10 section on a roof and look for the recommended number of hail hits based on the insurance company of that property. Some insurance companies look for a minimum of eight hail hits, other insurance companies look for up to twelve hits per square. Normally you can tell how large the hail was that you’re dealing with by examining the hail hits on a roof.

Before the Insurance Claim

Before filing an insurance claim, you need to know the difference between cosmetic and functional damage. According to HAAG Engineering, functional damage is defined as a reduction in the water-shedding capability or expected service life. Cosmetic damage is exactly what it sounds like! It is damage that does not affect the water-shedding capability or life expectancy of a roof. While it doesn’t look the greatest, it is still a functional roofing system.

What are Mid-Roof Inspections?

During the roofing installation process, it is important for a contractor to be completing what we refer to as a mid-roof inspection. Mid roof inspections are a key factor in the installation process to ensure that every component is being installed properly and installed to code and manufacturer’s requirements. By inspecting mid-way through you avoid any potential issues that might require you to backtrack which could result in excess time and funds.

In certain counties, mid-roof inspections are required by the local building department by one of their building inspectors. Pikes Peak Regional Building Department jurisdiction includes roofing Colorado Springs and does not require a mid-roof inspection on architectural shingle roofing systems. A few counties in the area that do require mid-roof inspections include, Castle Rock, Commerce City, Federal Heights, Golden, Greenwood Village, Jefferson, Littleton, Lone Tree and Teller County. To find out if a mid-roof inspection is required in your area, please check your local building department’s website or give them a call.

Normally when a mid-roof inspection is required or when scheduling the final inspection with some building departments, contractors are required to leave a ladder set up at the property as many inspectors will not or are not allowed to set up their own ladders. Colorado roofing Contractors would prefer to not leave ladders set up for liability issues and potential danger, but most times contractors do not have the option.

Final Roof Inspections

Final roof inspections are a very important step in the finalization of a roof install. There are a few things to look for as a contractor or even as a homeowner. One thing to be sure of is the roofer installs at least the minimum amount of nails for code. Nails are sometimes under-driven. Under-driven nails can cause shingles to stick up because the nail is not flush to the roof, so you want to be sure your shingles are laying flat.

Please note that shingles freshly installed on a roof can sometimes look wavy, and that is because it does take days to weeks of warm weather to heat up the asphalt on the underlaying side of the shingles.

This is normal!

Take notice to the rakes and eaves on the roof. Be sure that the installer installed what is called the starter shingle. The starter shingle is utilized to waterproof those rakes and eaves. They give your roof a little extra protection. Last but not least, one last thing to check for after a roof replacement is that the starter and the shingles are nailed tightly to the rake. Be sure if you do find anything installed improperly that you contact your contractor or that the contractor takes the steps to fix these items. Small mistakes can be costly, and you want to be sure your roof was installed with Integrity!

Integrity Roofing and Painting has been roofing Colorado Springs for more than a decade.

Roofs can be installed in the Winter.

Have no fear, Winter is here! Many homeowners question having their roof replaced during the cold months or Winter season. Replacing a roof does not have to be put on hold until the Spring or Summer months, if your roofing contractor follows a few simple yet pertinent instructions while installing!

Temperatures, as well as wind are both key factors in roof installation during the cold season. There is no “lucky” temperature that has been instructed to roofers installing shingles in cold weather, but when questioned many shingle manufacturer’s smile at the mention of 40 degrees and climbing. Installing in temperatures lower than 40 degrees can result in premature fracturing of the fiberglass matting. You do not only need to be careful of the temperature during the day of the install, but also the following days. You do not want to install if temperatures are plummeting the day after the installation. Keep in mind, you might also have 40 and climbing temperatures but high wind speed. If there is great wind, you do not want to install. Blow offs can occur as well as the air temperature might be 45 but the wind blowing might leave the actual shingle temperature at a lower temperature causing shingle defects. Asphalt shingles contain a chemical adhesive strip that is heat activated, in which case, the shingle does not have the ability to properly seal in freezing temperatures. This leaves homeowners vulnerable to shingle blow offs during high wind events. Keep in mind, during the colder months of the year, shingles will not always lay flat right away. You might see that there are waves along the roof, but provided the roof was installed in acceptable weather, they will settle down in due time.

Back in 2017, one of our Colorado Springs Roofing Project Managers had attended an adjuster appointment where the roof was bought by the insurance company. The project manager had worked through the entire process with the homeowner as far as taking the proper photographs, collecting proper documentation and scheduling the installation of the roof. Many details and information were passed back and forth between the insurance adjuster, homeowner, and the project manager. For the general public, a roof replacement can seem very overwhelming if you don’t deal with it often or have a knowledgeable contractor! The project manager had expressed a few times before the roof install that the shingles would not lay flat right away in the cold weather, but not to worry that over time they would settle. Mr. Jones had gone about his day to day routines and daily tasks. When the roof was installed, Mr. Jones had completely forgotten about the conversation that he had with that project manager and was frantic and concerned that his roof was not installed properly. Now, the Project Manager should have reminded Mr. Jones closer to the installation day, but we assured Mr. Jones, everything would lay flat in the warmer days to come. Time had gone by, and Mr. Jones’ roof settled down, the waves were laid down and flat and he was ecstatic with his new roof.

Roof experts enjoy installing roofs in the Winter.

There are many advantages of installing roofs in cooler temperatures or the Winter season. Colorado Springs roofers install roofs all year. Let me share some advantages of a cold weather install. Some of which include, decreased risk of scuffing caused by foot traffic. In the warmer months of the year, asphalt-based shingles heat up and roofers or anyone walking along the roof can cause damage to those shingles. Shingle defects such as scuffing, leaves homeowners vulnerable to leaks and sure does not look appealing. Insurance companies do not pay for damage caused by scuffing or foot traffic. Another benefit to installing during those chilly months is the roof installer’s endurance! High heat causes dehydration and slows down installers from performing at their maximum ability and speed.

Spring and Summer brings warmer weather, which the average person believes is the best time to install a roof. These beliefs spark a sense of urgency, which tends to leave waiting lists for homeowners to have their roofs replaced by the contractor of their choice. Waiting weeks, or possibly months can increase your potential of having possible interior leaks or damage to your potentially most valuable asset in your lifetime!

Hand sealing is a key factor in installing shingles during the cold season! Hand sealing is the process in which the installer physically enhances the sealing of shingles with roof cement. Many insurance companies allow roofing contractors to supplement for hand sealing when installing in cold weather temperatures. Hand sealing is also beneficial for the windy months, such as the severe windstorm we had here in Colorado Springs and surrounding areas back in January 2017.

Another suggestion in areas that have many months of poor weather is installing ice and water barrier. Ice and water shield is a type of roofing underlayment that assists in preventing leaks from wind driven rain, or even water from ice damming. Most roofing contractors will use ice and water around critical areas or areas that could cause potential leakage. Ice and water is actually a code requirement by certain building departments depending on the elevation. Monument and Black Forest are a few areas surrounding Colorado Springs that require ice and water up the eaves of the roof. Roofers in Colorado Springs are familiar with the codes and importance of ice and water products for the eaves.

The Sure Nail strip performs great in cold weather.

There are a few shingles that have an advantage during these colder winter months. Owens Corning provides their duration series which contains their “sure nail strip.”  The sure nail strip is an engineered fabric strip in the nailing area. This strip provides nail pull – through resistance which helps prevent blow offs. Modified bitumen asphalt shingles are another product that is great to install during the winter.

There are many positives to installing or having your roof replaced in the colder season or winter months of the year. There are also many necessary precautions one must take or look out for when reroofing during this time as well. Be sure when hiring a contractor, you hire one that is reputable and a company that you can trust. In addition to the details listed in this blog, you can also find more details about cold weather installs on our youtube channel.

Cold weather installs are practical and should not be avoided. As a Colorado Springs roofer with many cold weather installs we have no issues with common sense cold weather installs. Good luck and be safe.

Submitted by:

Production Manager, Samantha C.

Before we explore this question, please understand that by law every homeowner has the right to use the contractor of your choice. Don’t be pressured into using your insurance agents friend or a contractor that is sent out from your insurance company. The chose is up to you. The question still remains, “should I hire my insurance companies roofer?”

This is a question that many Colorado homeowner’s have to address after a hailstorm, wind storm or other weather related events. In all practical aspects it would seem that this would be a good idea, but is it? Whether the roofing company is on a preferred vendors list or network program the insurance company assumes no liability for the quality of work. Additionally, if a roofing company is a preferred provider for an insurance company there are probably strings attached. You’ll have to decide if working with a preferred vendor is right for you. Please look at Colorado House Bill 07-1104. You can choose any contractor that you want. An insurance agent, adjuster or vendor is not to coerce a homeowner into using an insurance vendor. This is a legal issue and can be tried as such in the court of law.

You don’t have to use your insurance companies’ roofer

The state of Colorado allows the insured the right to choose a contractor.

Colorado House Bill 07-1104

Briefly, let’s look at why insurance companies may suggest that you use their preferred contractor.

Insurance companies vendor programs typically state they can help the homeowner in the following ways:

• Time will be saved when using their vendor
• The vendor meets insurance criteria
• The insurance vendors will personally give a five year warranty

Let’s look at the following information to see how using a preferred vendor saves the insurance company time and money. The homeowner isn’t the one that usually benefits from this arrangement. But, in all fairness the preferred vendor program may still be right for you.

Is saving time really your goal in the insurance claims process?

Insurance companies state that their preferred vendor or any roofer on their network of contractors will save you time. The insurer’s presupposition sounds like, if you work with their contractor than it will save you time. What a nice and inviting proposition, which may result in a quick yes from a homeowner. Please consider that this may actually be bad news and an unintended result for you.  The insurance contractor is going to follow insurance protocol, even if it’s to your detriment. You may want to consider the following.

It may be to your advantage to work with a non-insurance vendor who will report accurate findings on the scope of repairs that are really necessary rather than doing the minimum amount of repairs, which would financially benefit the insurer. The insurance vendor must follow insurance protocol. The strings that are attached will cause the vendor to not share their personal recommendation when the adjuster has already adjusted the claim for scope of repairs. The insurance vendor wants more work from the insurance company and even if they disagree with the adjuster’s findings they will be more apt to accept the insurers findings. Who is it that a homeowner wants to work with after a storm? That’s really a good question and one that you may need to investigate.

Saving time is certainly on most everyone’s to do list. However, saving time shouldn’t be the goal in the claims process. Restoring the property to pre-storm condition in a timely manner is a worthy goal.

Insurance vendor programs have a high turn over rate

The turnover rate on the roofer vendor program is reported as being high. The preferred roofing contractor will be working at a disadvantage most of the time. In order to work as a vendor they will work for less than present day fair market value. Typically, the contractor will be working with an Xactimate price that has been reduced by the insurance carrier.

Xactimate is the standard price estimating software in the insurance restoration industry. Insurance adjusters use this program to build an insurance loss statement. Contractors that are on a PSP program often times are paid less than the present day market value for a roof replacement. The preferred contractor has no incentive to use high quality products on the roof. In order to survive they may resort to using less than quality materials and unfavorable trade practices.

Insurance companies have a high turn over rate of preferred vendors. These contractors either go out of business or leave the preferred insurance network. There is no incentive for the contractors to produce high quality work while making low profit margins. The only benefit for a vendor is the possibility of a high volume of work, but with low profit margins how can a vendor stay in business?

Does the fact that the contractor passed the insurance companies’ vetting process to meet insurance criteria guarantee good work?

The answer is “no.”

If you’re really considering an insurance vendor and the vendor goes out of business will the insurance company honor the roofer’s 5-year warranty?

If you’re still considering working with an insurance provider ask them:
How many years have you been in business?
How many years have you worked with my insurance company?
How many roofs have you installed while working with my insurance company?

Ok, the insurer’s preferred roofer provides a five year warranty. That sounds good, but a five year warranty must be specifically defined. If the extent of liability for a roofer’s labor defect only results in a repair than that’s not much of a labor warranty.

The profit margin of an insurance companies’ preferred roofing contractor is minimum at best. In order to survive inferior methods and products may be used. The quickest warranty repair is for a roofing contractor to apply a mastic sealant on top of a leaky area and call it fixed. We see this all of the time and this is not a professional solution.

With the low margins and unlikelihood of sustainability, is a five year warranty of any value to a roof system that probably has inferior products and installation methods? Will the insurance company honor a five year roofer warranty when they go out of business?

Working with a local roofer without insurance ties may result in the highest quality roof and service

There is no need for you to meet with many contractors. If you already like your roofing contractor, have them do the work. We make a similar decision each time we visit our physician. There is no need to interview many medical providers. Whenever we’re sick or injured we seek immediate medical attention without interviewing many providers. Both, roofer and physician are in the insurance industry. Why not do the same thing with your roofer. Continue using the same roofer if you’ve been satisfied with their services.

Every experienced roofer in our community has the capacity to work with the insurance company and to do the things that are beneficial for you. Remember, if they don’t work for the insurance company then they work for you.

Integrity Roofing and Painting is one of the many roofing companies in Denver, however one of the things that sets us apart is that we have a former insurance adjuster on staff. In addition, several of our project managers are certified by Haag Engineering for roof inspections. If we can be of assistance please contact Integrity Roofing and Painting.

Of course, these observations that have been made are in no way desiring to speak of any roofing company or insurance company with malicious intent. This information is from personal experience, observations and research. These opinions are not the opinions of Integrity Roofing and Painting or Integrity Roofing and Painting, LLC.