I have included the insurance carrier’s risk on this email transmission. In response to your call earlier today to Integrity Roofing and Painting, LLC I will explain how we protected your property risk from further damage and why we need to be compensated for our scope and pricing. First, we began our communication with Liberty Mutual on October 16, 2016 and it has taken over one month before Liberty Mutual responded to our supplement request.

Objective data in this storm:

1. This is the largest storm in Colorado Springs history.

2. It has taken 6 weeks to have materials delivered.

3. Integrity Roofing and Painting, LLC is the second largest roofing company in the area based upon roof permit volume.

4. Integrity Roofing and Painting, LLC is comprised of roofers, contractors, administrators, a former adjuster and former insurance agent staffer.

5. It is the fiduciary responsibility of the insurer’s risk to mitigate against further loss.

6. The hail damage detrimentally impacted the shingles to where the water shedding ability was not only diminished, but it was compromised to where the risk may have sustained major interior damage if the roof came under a major snow load, therefore we valiantly replaced the roof to protect against further damage.

7. Liberty Mutual took one month to respond to our supplement request and if we would have waited for your response before we ordered materials and scheduled than this roof may have sustained major damage.

8. If we waited for Liberty Mutual to approved the supplement on November 17 than the roof would not have been installed this year. It may have sustained major damage from leakage do to snow loads and freeze and thaw cycles.

9. Liberty Mutual can maintain their position to hold to the letter of the law or they can supplement the claim based upon our integrity.

We use present day fair market value pricing which is found in Xactimate. Liberty Mutual is adjusting prices within Xactimate unfairly by stating that we should use MAD SKY. This is an unfair business trade practice and is not sustainable. It should not be long before this is abolished for it appears that this practice may violate fair trade practices. It currently is our understanding that an insurance carrier may not direct a contractor to belong to a program in order to provide services unless it is written into the insurance contract. From conversations with Liberty Mutual adjusters it doesn’t appear that MAD SKY is part of the insurance policy/contract. Integrity Roofing and Painting, LLC is requesting that Liberty Mutual pay our scope and pricing for we are heroes and ultimately protected this property from damage.

Liberty Mutual on the other hand took too long to respond to our initial request and would have placed their client at risk, however the contract states that it would have been the insureds fault if she did not mitigate against further loss, therefore we intervened and did the just thing.

Integrity Roofing and Painting, LLC is compromised of restoration professionals who do not claim to be insurance adjusters nor insurance claims experts. In addition, we are not attorneys. We are homeowner’s advocates and serve our clients by restoring their homes to pre-storm condition. Everyone needs to work together to take care of Colorado Springs during this time of need.

Sincerely, Integrity Roofing and Painting, LLC

By: Jerry Fristoe, Managing Member, Sr Appraiser

Many shingle manufacturers are hesitant and wisely avoid giving magic formulas for winter installations. Certainly everyone roofing Colorado Springs homes with asphalt shingles during the Winter needs to pay serious attention to the weather. The manufacturers biggest concern in low temperature environments is the possibility of the adhesive strip non activating due to low roof surface temperatures. So one would ask, “What is the minimum temperature that shingles can be installed?” The answer to this question is somewhat complex in nature. We’ll begin with the answer that we get from manufacturers, chemist and product engineers at shingle manufacturing facilities. Every time I tour a facility I always ask this question and the answer is always the same. We can’t give an exact temperature, but a good rule of thumb is forty degree fahrenheit on the roofs surface.

The ambient temperature can be colder while the roof surface is 40 degrees. One of the benefits of installing shingles in the Winter in Colorado Springs is the abundant sunshine. The suns radiant energy is of significant importance in heating the roof surface to a minimum of forty degrees in the Winter. Again, 40 degrees is not a magic number nor is it concrete, it’s a safe temperature for installing shingles. I’ve been skiing in Breckenridge and other ski resorts and I’ve seen roofers installing shingles in temperatures just a little above zero degrees. Integrity Roofing and Painting, LLC will not install shingle when it’s that cold. Any contractor that has been roofing Colorado Springs for some time knows that roofs can be installed with an ambient temperature as low as 30 degrees. As a matter of fact we’ve seen some roofers in Colorado Springs installing roofs in the snow in temps as low as 20 degrees. We do not recommend installing shingles in the snow. I certainly don’t know the circumstances of that install. Maybe they had a real estate closing so I’m not going to judge a roofer for installing asphalt shingles in poor conditions.

Ideally asphalt shingle should be installed when the air temperature is above 30 degrees with an abundance of sunshine. Colorado Springs roofing contractors should install shingles when possible in direct sunlight. This will help activate the self adhesive sealant strips on the back of the shingle. This is extremely important for long term performance all of the strips should adhere to the underlying shingle. When the self sealing strips on asphalt shingles do not activate within a few days or weeks dust and debris may blow underneath of the shingles and prevent any possibility of these asphalt shingles from sealing. If you were able to capture what i’m saying than you’ll realize that many shingles that are installed in the Winter may not seal on the day of the install. That is perfectly fine when multiple factors are taken into consideration.

As long as the shingles seal before a long period of high winds occur forcing dust and debris in between the sealant strip and the adjoining shingle than everything will be fine. Many roofs are installed in the Winter and within a couple weeks all of the adhesive strips have activated and solidified the mass of shingles into one large unit. Installing asphalt shingles in the Winter is an acceptable practice for all roofing companies Colorado Springs has to offer. There are roofers in other states that really push the envelope with cold weather installations. Most Colorado Springs roofing companies are cautious and use common sense principles and techniques for  cold weather application of asphalt shingles.

Homeowners need to be aware that asphalt shingles when installed in the Winter will look bumpy and wavy on the roof. In the Winter the asphalt shingles are less malleable and will reflect the shape of the shingles when they are packaged, bundled and stacked on the roof. It may take several months of radiant heat for the shingles to lay down flat on the roofs surface. This is standard and it will not impact the serviceability or performance of the shingle. There is a slight possibility that some of the shingles asphalt sealant strips may not bond to the next shingle. If this happens to a few shingles here and there you will not have an issue. However, if this were to occur in large sections on the roof than these shingles will need to be sealed.

Shingle manufacturers warranties only cover re-sealing shingles when the asphalt sealant doesn’t bond shingles together. At this point a roofing technician will gently lift up the affected shingles and apply small dabs of plastic cement underneath of the shingles than gentle pressure will be applied downward to bond the shingles together. If the shingle manufacturers say that this is the proper way to repair the temporary issue than you can trust that this will bring quick resolution to bonding the shingles together.

There are many roofing companies in Colorado Springs that install 6-nails per shingle which is the best roofing practice for our area. While technically stating six nails per shingle the reality is twelve nails are being installed per shingle. When installing this many nails per shingle even if in a few areas the adhesive doesn’t activate you’ll have more than enough nails to keep the shingles in place. Occasionally as I drive through neighborhoods I’ll see a few shingles missing on roofs and I don’t know if those roofs were installed in the Winter or if there an insufficient number of nails. Rarely do I ever see large areas of shingles missing on roofs that were blown off during a wind storm. Overall we see no issue with installing asphalt shingles during the Winter as long as the roofer exercises normal roofing protocol everything will be okay.

Remember that the shingles will look bumpy, wavy or some may even say they look wrong when the asphalt shingles are cold. I agree, they will look that way until they are heated up enough to a point where the asphalt becomes malleable and the weight of the shingles and gravity forces them to lay flat on the roofs surface. This may take up to several months. Patience and trust is required on the part of the homeowner for the asphalt shingles will eventually lay flat on the roof. If you’re not willing to have this temporary appearance than your roof will need to be installed in warmer weather.

If the ground has snow than be prepared to find roofing debris in the yard when the snow melts. This is mostly unavoidable, so if you’re willing to accept this inconvenience than having your roof installed in the Winter will work for you. Additional tarps can be laid on the ground to help minimize roof debris in the snow. Overall, if you’re patient and understanding than having a roof installed in the Winter may work out for you. You’ll have to decide if this is right for you. Personally, we see very few issues with cold weather application of shingles. The issue that we see and experience is that it’s cold on our fingers, but we’re tough, so let’s get roofing.

• We are in the aftermath of the largest storm in Colorado Springs history.
• Unusually high turn over rate for installers.
• Colorado Springs Roofing contractors and storm chasers are going from roof to roof to offer crews higher pay.
• An average roof now cost $700 more for the month of September than what it cost in July.
• Chaos in the industry.
• No one could have been fully prepared for this storm.
• Insurance companies had to pull storm units from all over the nation.
• Shingle distributors brought in staff support from other stores throughout the nation.
• Multiple distributors purchased several 18-wheelers to handle the increase in volume.
• Patience is needed on the part of all homeowners.
• Shingle distribution is taking from several weeks to over a month to load shingles on a roof.
• Many contractors refused to give inspections and this was extremely wise.
• The contractors that gave inspections will now be installing some jobs at or near a loss due to the gigantic spike in operating expenses.
• The seasoned contractor has refused to give inspections and only works off the insurance proceeds plus supplements due to increase in operating expenses and some insurance company policies which disallows for certain necessary roof components. These statements are factual and not presumptuous.
• Many homeowners are looking for a way to profit from the insurance proceeds and we are not interested in working with anyone that is trying to steal money from the insurance company.
• Our goal is to be sustainable and to make roof replacements easy!
• Is the homeowner ethical in requesting a roof inspection?
• Can the homeowner keep money from the insurance company.
• Does a homeowner really think that it’s okay to keep money from the insurance company?
• Many roofers are logically unwilling and not capable or  performing all repairs on homes at this time.
• Insurance companies are under funding roof projects.
• Insurance companies have under funded window replacements.
• Roofing companies are logically choosing to not perform all the repairs other than roofs.
• Insurance companies are posturing and positioning themselves through media outlets to present themselves in a favorable light.
• Are most insurance companies really going to be there for you?
• Wouldn’t it make sense for insurers to create a competitive market for roofers by encouraging three inspections, even when three inspections are not needed.
• Who really benefits from three roof inspections?
• Out of town roofing companies are selling roofs under the guise of local Colorado Springs roofers.
• How many providers have really been roofing Colorado Springs and who will be here after the storm?
• Is it reasonable to expect roofers in Colorado Springs to install gutters and windows without receiving overhead and profit on the entire project?
• It’s ok for roofers to only install roofs at this time.
• Roofing crews are demanding 10-20% more than what they were demanding before the storm.
• Homeowner’s are looking for ways to profit from insurance companies.
• Allow roofers to supplement roof jobs for insurance companies do not necessarily offer to pay for all of the roofing components that need to be replaced.
• Insurance companies are not obligated to pay for all of the roofing materials because many of them do not. The roofer should be afforded the opportunity to supplement for the correct quantity.
• Insurance adjusters are trained to adjust a roof based on averages rather than actual quantity. This system was created so anyone could easily make assumptions that would be close enough to satisfy some roofers in the industry. This practice should be refined to accurately reflect the correct quantity of field shingles, underlying valley course, starter course, ridge row, hip shingles and true waste.
• Within 12 months many insurance companies now no longer pay for the removal of many items as if somehow they will be magically removed.
• Insurance companies are hesitant to pay for all necessary in crucial roofing components that up until a couple years ago these items were standard on every adjuster’s report. The roof scope from insurance companies have diminished to a point to where if all roofers in Colorado Springs built the roofs according to the insurance scope than many of these roofs would fail. This should not be the case, but it is. Following insurance scope for roof replacements is risky business.

PUBLIC NOTICE:

We have not been giving inspections during this storm and we made a public notice on our website and in all phone conversations, yet we can’t meet everyone’s expectations. It’s our goal to make roof replacements easy and if you’ll allow us to handle our business we can expedite the insurance roof replacement process. The following is from someone that was upset that we would give an inspection. I hear what they are saying and what we’ve found is that many people are trying to profit from the insurance company and we will not participate. It’s easier for everyone to treat the roof claim like a medical claim and afford us the same professional respect as a medical provider. All you have to do is pay your co-pay and we will do the work. Isn’t this how you work with the insurance while allowing the physician to perform a service? We are in the insurance industry and so is your Doctor, so allow us to do the same thing with the insurance company. We know roofs and we know insurance restoration. It’s that simple. All you have to do is to pay your deductible and we perform a service.

PERSPECTIVE

D Brown
3 weeks ago
“Predatory and Lazy Business Practices. After recent hail damage, I called Integrity Roofing for a quote based on their good reviews and good BBB standing. I was referred to a project manager who explained on the phone that his inspection would likely not be the lowest, but that he wouldn’t cut corners on the job. I took this as a positive sign, since he was basically saying he wasn’t going to underbid the job just to get the work and end up doing a poor job. So that’s a fair statement by him and I set up a time for an inspection.

However, he insisted that I provide him with an insurance claim report and he stated his “inspection” would match or likely exceed whatever the insurance company had awarded, as though that is common practice. I asked him if he would just come out and give me an inspection based on his assessment of the damages without considering what insurance said. Frankly, it shouldn’t be his concern what insurance did or did not pay. I just want an objective inspection for my job and we can worry about insurance claims after. He tersely responded that Integrity Roofing doesn’t operate like that and then hung up on me mid-sentence.

I know that after a hail storm many people need new roofs and it becomes a seller’s market. And I think that is what is happening now. Rather than offering objective and honest inspections, Integrity Roofing is just “requiring” home owners to supply them with insurance claims and they are simply maxing out whatever insurance paid the customer, regardless of the actual damages or actual costs of repairs. They have enough business that they don’t need to actually go out and give an objective inspection or compete with other companies. This is a semi-predatory and sloppy way of taking advantage of a market and it wasn’t appreciated. It leaves me, the customer, feeling like Integrity Roofing would be doing me a favor by taking the job rather than actually trying to work for my business. All I wanted was an honest inspection for doing my repairs and Integrity was not willing to do that. Since they handled it that way, they won’t be receiving my business.”

During a storm when everyone is working double shifts and mostly seven days a week we are doing people a favor by sacrificing our time and families. This person is correct. All known roofers Colorado Springs has that are pouring out their hearts in the aftermath of this storm should be acknowledged, just like the firefighters during the Black Forest fire and Waldo Canyon fire were applauded. Our roof scope and inspections are honest and based on Xactimate pricing which is the present day fair market value. That’s as honest and righteous as anyone that writes an inspection on a napkin. We are not predators for this has always been our standard practice and the practice of most insurance restoration contractors. Since August prices have escalated and I am so thankful that we didn’t lock ourselves at an unreasonable price. It’s fair and reasonable for D Brown to work for a reasonable rate and the same should go for every roofing contractor in Colorado Springs.

Please be willing to walk in someone else’s shoes before making a judgement. It is our desire to do what’s right in the aftermath of the largest hail storm in Colorado Springs history. You’ll find that our business functions with the utmost of integrity. We are not perfect, nor do we claim that we are. Here at Integrity Roofing and Painting, LLC we strive to do things right and we are presently running the extra mile. Please allow all of the roofers Colorado Springs has to offer to function with a lot of grace during the clean up of the July 28, 2016 hail storm. Thanks for being patient with all roofers at this time.

Most people see the impact of hailstorms and immediately think that it is a negative issue. Yes, it is in fact a hassle but we make roof replacements easy here at Integrity Roofing and Painting. There are many roofing companies Colorado Springs has to offer and we’d love to be your roofing contractor of choice. With summertime we know that roofing companies are swarming your neighborhood with door knocking, mail outs, emails, sales calls, etc. There are many reasons why this is a positive and negative occurrence. I would like to take the time to discuss this with you so you can make the best decision possible when this time of year hits!

Roofer Colorado Springs

Many of us notice that we are having issues after a hailstorm in Colorado Springs and call out the roofer of our choice to have them come take a look at the damages. Your roofer Colorado Springs contractor will then asses the damages on their own or with your insurance companies adjuster to determine whether the roof is totaled and needs a full replacement or just minor repairs.

Insurance deductible

It is important for you to set a fund aside for occurrences like this. Reason being you do not want to be in a situation where something needs to be fixed immediately and you are not able to due to not having the amount of your deductible. By law you are required to pay your deductible. In some cases iRf you do not asses and fix the damages almost immediately you could have an even bigger situation on your hands that you do not want. So by setting money aside for deductibles you are helping yourself and one of your biggest assets, your home.

Saving money for a new roof

One of the items that every homeowner should budget for is a new roof. It’s pretty easy to prepare for this and to know when the roof should be replaced. By setting aside money in a home maintenance fund a homeowner can budget for a new roof when it’s needed. Here’s the catch, if a homeowner had fully funded their roof replacement fund in a hailstorm totals the roof and if the homeowner has replacement cost coverage on their policy than this homeowner had a financial windfall. No longer will they have to pay the total amount for their roof replacement. They will only need to cover their deductible. That’s a financial benefit to their economy.

Real estate value

The condition of your roof is one of the first things buyers notice and appraisers assess. Missing, curled, or faded shingles are not appealing and do not add any value to your home. If your neighbors have added and maintained the appearance of their homes then yours will especially take a hit on value and you will still pay taxes as if your home is as updated as theirs. According to the “2015 Remodeling Impact Report” from the National Association of Realtors, the national median cost of a new asphalt single roof for roofing companies Colorado Springs is about $8,000. Some roofs appear to look a lot better when you remove the dirt, moss, lichens, and algae. Of course, Colorado Springs and Denver roofs do not experience algae, lichens of moss. This information is general and beneficial throughout the country. If you have and issues with moss or algae we do not recommend for you to remove these issues on your own. We recommend that you have a HAAG certified roof inspector come out first to make sure that there are no damages and or issues that need to be addressed before having someone clean. We have Project Managers here at Integrity Roofing and Painting that are Certified HAAG Roof Inspectors and are able to inspect your roof for damage. Primarily in Colorado Springs or Denver we will inspect roofs for hail damage, manufacturers defects and other roof ailments.

Roofers Colorado Springs

The number one reason to call roofers Colorado Springs is for safety! You want to make sure that your loved ones are protected from harsh elements. As your roof gets older it starts to deteriorate and it loses it ability to protect the interior of your home from the elements. The elements put you and your loved ones at risk by mold and water damage if you do not get the issues resolved. Water intrusion can also cause the drywall to buckle in and severe damage to the insulation of your home. These can all occur from the impact of a hail storm! Make sure that when you are looking to replace your roof that you are aware of the warranty associated with doing so. Go over Impact Resistant Shingles VS Non Impact Resistant Shingles. You want to make the best educated decision when it comes to protecting your home. Also when purchasing a home you want to make sure that you have certified inspector to inspect your roof so that if there are any severe damages they are addressed before you make such a huge investment.

Insurance Premiums

I’d like to add this thought for consideration, even if insurance providers aren’t directly at fault for any economic crisis, the fallout may result in increased regulations of these necessary financial institutions. Insurance companies are dealing with more government oversight and more complex rules that lead to increased attorney costs. For example, the Federal Insurance Office and Federal Reserve banks aggressively scrutinize any insurance company that has a chartered back as subsidiary. In addition, the federal government has stricter oversight of insurance companies’ board of directors and regulators closely scrutinize the actions of each insurance company’s chief risk officer. At the end of the day premiums will probably rise whether or not you file an insurance claim. This is understandable, if you consider the necessity of the insurer to remain solvent, rate hikes must occur no matter what. Insurance companies are not the bad guys. I happen to love capitalism and the ability to make a buck. We truly live in the finest country in the world. Our system may not be perfect, but it works well.

Retail businesses in Colorado Springs may benefit from a hailstorm to the city

Colorado Springs has just as much of a benefit to having roofs replaced as you may have. Reason being, this raises value to the city itself! As an example, when you go on a vacation, would you rather stay in a city that people take care of or one that is run down?

In addition when contractors come into our cities they generate revenue for Colorado Springs by staying in hotels, eating at local restaurants, getting gas and other supplies in your area. So the chain affect of roof replacements and other home improvements are truly a benefit to you and the community that we live in. Contractor’s that are roofing Colorado Springs residential properties after a large hail storm will have a tendency to spend money locally. Let me clarify Colorado Springs roofing companies that live and conduct business in Colorado will most likely spend additional funds in our city for they will have discretionary income.

Premier Roofer for Colorado Springs

Integrity Roofing and Painting, LLC in one of the premier roofers Colorado Springs, CO has to offer. If you’ve been impacted by a Colorado Springs hailstorm contact Integrity Roofing and Painting, LLC.

The roofers have invaded suburbia after the recent hailstorm. “How is the suburban family going to adjust to this temporary inconvenience?”

So you bought a home in a nice family friendly neighborhood in the Highlands Ranch area or maybe you have been living there for years now. You might have wondered why some near you are getting their roof replaced, or you have had your roof replaced for the second time last year. “No your neighbors are not getting a new roof because they didn’t like the color.” Although it is possible, odds are they are not. You might have known, or you learned from me just now, that you live in an area with frequent hailstorms. For your information the storms occur as early as May all the through late September.

The approaching hailstorm

Sunny day in Denver

Could be a beautiful summer day early in the morning on a weekday. Nice and sunny with temps already in the low 60’s with predicted highs in the upper 80’s. You hear about a high chance for severe storms that could produce large hail in the afternoon watching the morning news, or maybe you heard it on the radio.

The hailstorm would not relent

The predicted storm may have little impact at this time on your daily routine so you continue your day just like any other workday. While you go about your normal day others may be preparing for what is likely to come, a hail storm!

Now what’s so special about hail storms? Why does it attract many contractors? Definitely not the hail stones themselves. It is one of the contributors to the multi-billion dollar industry of storm damage restoration. Many of the roofing contractors in Denver like to work in Highlands Ranch and when a storm occurs they will pursue business.

As you pull up to your garage you notice the storm approaching, sky is dark and wind is picking up. You take a few seconds and admire the beautiful creation of the storm clouds. Definitely worthy of a photo! Then it starts, hard wind driven rain pours all around you!

You can hear the large rain drops crashing against your home when all of a sudden it gets even louder! You can’t help but look out the window and see white balls landing everywhere bouncing off the ground. It’s hailing and they appear to be the size of marbles which start to

Highlands Ranch Hailstorm

cover the grass to where it begins to look white.

The arrival of a hailstorm

This continues for a few minutes and then you hear a loud thud, then another and another! It looks like ping pong balls are falling from the sky! Some hit your windows and you wonder how the glass didn’t break from such hard impacts. Large hail falls for about 10 to 15 minutes followed by some more heavy rain. The streets are now flooded with rivers of hail along with some of your neighbor’s dumpsters coasting along.

When the storm has calmed it is followed by light rain. You can’t help the urge to go outside to check the size of some of the hail. You pick some up and they are up to 1.75” in diameter!

Knock, Knock!

Who’s There?

The first wave of contractors starts to hit. They have been driving around, watching the storm while they receive data of large hail reports that are streaming in through various apps and news media. You notice a lot of trucks driving around your community; some have a company decal, while others don’t. Let’s go over some of the things to look for and what to avoid in Highlands Ranch after a significant hailstorm.

First, when a company knocks on your door it does not mean that they are a bad company just chasing storms. Many of the roofers Denver has seen and known for years are going stop by your home because they are fed up with losing business to out of town storm chasers.Storm chasers follow storms around the country so they will not always be here. You want to make sure that someone will be around to provide service if any problems pop up.You get your first knock on your door! Who can it be? You are still in shock from the storm, which only took place an hour ago; but you are curious, so you go to the door.Upon opening the door there stands a person with a business name on their shirt that has roofing in the company name. What do you do or say? The local media has always been posting scam alerts and how you should not open your door to roofers.Here is the truth on this matter. Before opening the door you can make a quick assessment on whether you should or not by the appearance of the individual and what they are driving. A well-dressed person in a company vehicle is more than likely a local company trying to save you from the out of towners or scammers.

What to do with the roofer at your door

Can you trust this guy at your door?

If in doubt you can politely ask them to leave their card or information at your door and look at later.Now this person at your door starts talking to you offering to do a free inspection on your property. What do you say now? You don’t really know what hail damage looks like so this sounds really good to you.Before you give the ok be sure to ask if they are insured and a local company. If they are they should be able to provide that information to you.It had just stopped raining so you don’t want anyone on your roof unless you have an immediate issue such as a leak. If you do you will want to quickly look them up to see if they are someone that you would even want to do business with.

With technology today we have access to just about anything with our phones. The best way to check is by doing a quick search on the Better Business Bureau to see what rating their company has and how many complaints they have, if any. Let’s say you didn’t notice any leaks and you would rather not have anyone get on your roof until it is safer. That’s a good decision but you can still have them inspect everything at ground level. By looking at some of the damage on ground level it should give a good idea on what to expect on your roof.

Free roof inspection

If you can, do a walk through with them so they can point out some things that you may have overlooked. During the inspection you notice dents to your downspouts and gutters. Some windows may have some cracks and your screens will have holes through them or be completely shredded. Paint may be chipped off siding, trim and decking. Your outdoor furniture may be damaged as well. Chances are very high your roof is damaged and require replacement. Again, you may want to make sure they have worker’s compensation insurance that is valid in the state of Colorado before allowing them on your roof.

Ask for a free roof inspection and property damage inspection, if you’re interested

Send them away and if you’d like research their roofing company online

You now know the extent of damages but don’t want to commit to any company just yet. It’s really important to do your homework and look into any company before making any decisions. You can set an appointment for the following day for them to come back out. This will give you time to make sure what they say is correct about their company. You may find they have horrible reviews and need to tell them you are not interested. Or maybe they have great reviews and everything they said is true and you are curious to hear more.

Details of the storm

Hail from the storm amounted to nearly 8 inches deep in some areas. The storm also featured torrential rains, high wind speeds, and up to 5 recorded tornado touch-downs.

Damages

There were few structures that escaped damage in the areas affected by this powerful and dynamic storm, including both residential and commercial structures, vehicles, municipal buildings and more. The inspectiond cost of the damages as of July, 2012 is right at $321.1 million, placing it among the most costly Colorado storms since 1984.

All at once

The whole year has been pretty dry so with this storm it brought all the rain and hail all at once. Unfortunately this left many people with damaged cars, homes, businesses, roofs and much more. The hail was not quite marble sized and wrecked havoc on many roofs. If you were affected by the storm here are some ways for checking for damage.

Checking for Roof Damage

For a large number of businesses and homes the roof damage is very clear, for others they might not see the signs of roof damage until it might be too late to get it fixed. Start at your downspouts and check for a large amount of black or dark deposits of minerals. This can be a sign of roof damage. Second you  should check your gutters and see if they have dents and dings in them, if they do they is a good chance your roof has also been damaged you should get an inspection.

The most obvious but harder to look for are the signs of leaks and discoloration in your home’s ceiling. This could be a sign of a leak and roof damage. Lastly would be to actually get onto you roof and look it over, check on your shingles and make sure they aren’t damaged or missing. The signs of a damaged shingle can be something as simple as dimples in the shingles themselves. If you find any of these signs you should have an inspection and inspection to prevent further damage. Roof repairs are a lot less costly then a roof replacement.

Colorado Springs roofers can experience four seasons on the same day, especially during spring; rain, snow, sunshine and thunderstorms can occur within a 24-hour period of time whilst creating safety concerns while roofing in Colorado Springs. The weather should be monitored daily in order to protect the property and personnel. All craftsmen that work outside should monitor the weather and how to remain safe. Homeowners that are performing a roof repair on their property need to be aware of the weather. This is a real threat and one that can’t be overlooked. Every year several people are killed in Colorado from lightning strikes. From 1980 through 2014 there have been 10 people killed and 64 people injured from lightning in El Paso County. This is the most likely place to be struck with lightning in Colorado.  In July 2013 eight people were hurt while working in a Colorado field and a dozen soldiers were hurt from lightning at Fort Carson. A good rule of thumb is if you hear thunder than you could be struck by lightning. In the United States it is inspectiond that every year 25 million cloud-to-ground lightning strikes occur.

Thunderstorm

When thunderstorms appear on the horizon they impinge on outdoor activities, lightning can be a deadly threat in Colorado. Spring and summertime storms have resulted in premature deaths and injuries of unsuspecting people. The storm season is beginning and the deadliest months for lightning are right around the corner. Lighting strikes occur far from a thunderstorm. Dry lightning occurs in higher altitudes of Colorado even without the presence of a thunderstorm.

Public safety notices instruct us to seek shelter immediately inside a substantial building or in a hard topped vehicle if you see lightning or hear thunder. This becomes a problem when you still need to dry in the roof. Unfortunately we continue to place our safety in harm’s way for our priority is to protect our client’s property. A fast moving storm that develops overhead and surprises the crew can become a dangerous situation fast. Roofers in Colorado Springs should only strip a section of roofing materials that can be dried in quickly before tearing off another section.

Trees and open-sided structures are not safe. The safest place for a roofer would be in the garage otherwise the truck would be safe. Lightning can strike up to 10 miles from a storm both before and the storm. All superintendents should be prepared to respond when a storm approaches. Baseball umpires will stop a game when thunder is heard. The game is stopped for a period of time and then resumed when thunder has not been heard for a period of time.

Roofers in Colorado Springs need to time roof removals

Limit amount of roof removal

Roofers in Colorado Springs should be prepared before the storm begins. First they should never tear off more than they can handle. “Expect the unexpected” and you should be prepared for the fast moving storm. What can happen is roofers begin to push the envelope of better wisdom and occasionally get caught by the weather.

It should be the responsibility of the supervisor to enforce production boundaries which protect the property and installers. Secondly, it is advisable to have heavy duty tarps at each project these should only be used as a last resort. Tarps are problematic as a safety net for a quick cover-up. A fast moving storm will have high winds that can rip the tarp out of the hands of several strong men or worse yet pulling some of them off the roof. The best practice is to tear off limited amounts of shingles and dry in one section at a time.

Hard to hide in lightning storm

Last year I heard of a construction crew that stood under an open structure when the lightning struck nearby they were electrocuted. Each crew member was standing in a puddle of water. You must stand on dry ground for it is the safest place, yet if no options are available for shelter squat as low as you can on the tips of your toes and place your hands on your head.

My most unusual experience with lightning while roofing in Colorado Springs occurred after we completed the roof and left for the day. That evening the homeowner called and asked “what happened to my chimney”? I didn’t have a clue what was going on so I drove over to the house and by the time I arrived the homeowner discovered that her chimney stack was struck by lightning. The chimney stack was blown apart bricks were launched across the street and scattered all over the new roof. Her neighbor had called asking her about her chimney and that’s why she called me.

On a sad note my father was fishing and in the far distance he saw an approaching storm. He didn’t think much about the storm until a crack of lightning caught his attention. A short distance from where my father was fishing a bolt of lightning struct an angler and immediately terminated his life. My fellow Colorado roofers and friends be careful while working and playing outdoors. Roofing can be dangerous in and of itself without adding a lightning storm. Be sure to plan your work day according to updated weather forecast. Most roofers in Colorado Springs will have an updated weather app that has the ability to send weather warnings. This is a great tool especially when you’re focused on the roofing project and not looking at the sky.

Lightning kills roofers and harms others

Although we have a lot of lightning and tragic deaths from lightning in Colorado I know of know deaths to roofers in our state. The sunshine state sees it’s share of roofers killed by lightning. In 2014 a roofer was killed while roofing in Orlando. In Bonita Springs two roofers were killed in 2015. Two roofers were hurt by lightning in 2016 in Chicago while they were working. In Florida the roofing contractor was sued for the death of the roofer. When the weather is threatening or you hear thunder it’s time to get off the roof.