General FAQs
How can a home owner recognize when a roof system has problems?
All too often, roof system problems are discovered after leaking or other serious damage occurs. Periodic (twice-a-year) inspections often can uncover cracked, warped or missing shingles; loose seams and deteriorated flashings; excessive surface granules accumulating in the gutters or downspouts; and other visible signs of roof system problems. Indoors, look for cracked paint, discolored plasterboard and peeling wallpaper as signs of damaged roof areas.
What are my options if I decide to reroof?
You have two basic options: You can choose a complete replacement of the roof system, involving a tear-off of your existing roof system, or re-cover the existing roof system, involving only the installation of a new roof system. If you've already had one re-cover installed on your original roof system, check with a professional roofing contractor. In many instances, building code requirements allow no more than one roof system re-cover before a complete replacement is necessary.
My roof leaks. Do I need to have it replaced completely?
Not necessarily. Leaks can result from flashings that have come loose or a section of the roof system being damaged. A complete roof system failure, however, generally is irreversible and a result of improper installation or choice of materials or the roof system installation is inappropriate for the home or building.
Can I do the work myself?
Most work should not be done yourself. Professional roofing contractors are trained to safely and efficiently repair or replace roof systems. You can damage your roof system by using improper roofing techniques and severely injure yourself by falling off or through the roof.
Maintenance performed by home and building owners should be confined to inspecting roof systems during the fall and spring to check for cracked or curling shingles and cleaning gutters filled with dead leaves and other debris. If you must inspect your roof system yourself, use a firmly braced or tied-off ladder equipped with rubber safety feet. Wear rubber-soled shoes and stay on the ladder (and off the roof system), if possible.
How long can I expect my roof system to last?
Most new roof systems are designed to provide useful service for about 20 years. Some roof system types, such as slate, clay tile and certain metal (e.g., copper) systems, can last longer.
Actual roof system life span is determined by a number of factors, including local climatic and environmental conditions, proper building and roof system design, material quality and suitability, proper application and adequate roof maintenance.
Roofing product manufacturers offer a variety of warranties on their products. Take a close look at those warranties to see what responsibilities and financial obligations manufacturers will assume if their products fail to reach their expected lives.
What will a new roof system cost?
The price of a new roof system varies widely, depending on such things as the materials selected, contractor doing the work, home or building, location of the home or building, local labor rates and time of year. To get a good idea of price for your roof system, get three or four proposals from reputable contractors in your area. Keep in mind that price is only one factor, and it must be balanced with the quality of the materials and workmanship.
For each roofing material, there are different grades and corresponding prices. There also are a variety of styles and shapes. You need to look at the full product range and make a choice based on your budget and needs.
Within the roofing profession, there are different levels of expertise and craftsmanship. Insist on a contractor who is committed to quality work.
How can I determine my annual roofing cost?
When considering your roofing options, the following formula may help: Total Cost (Materials and Labor) ÷ Life Expectancy of Roof System (in years) = Annual Roofing Cost
Insurance FAQs
Homeowners who have never filed an insurance claim may be anxious and uncertain about the process or the extent of their coverage. If your policy includes "replacement cost" covering damage from hail or other violent storm factors, you are most likely entitled to a free inspection and adjustment from your insurance provider.
What’s the first step?
Contact your agent and advise them of the damage you have incurred. If you are unsure if you have damage – call your ZURIX roofing consultant and we will determine the condition of your roof for you at no cost. Remember your agent works for you. We want you treated fairly and will assist you in your claim. ZURIX Roofing consultants are keenly aware of the requirements of insurance providers and will work hand-in-hand with your insurance company and you to insure you fully understand all aspects of your rights during the claim process.
Who selects the roofing company?
You do! It is your choice whom you want and trust to perform work on your home. As long as you choose a reputable roofing contractor, most insurance agents will concur with your choice. ZURIX provides your insurance company with the necessary documents required to assist in a fair and timely solution to your claim.
What if I think my settlement is unfair?
You are not bound to accept your insurance company’s settlement if it is not fairly aligned with estimates of repair from reputable roofing contractors. If you require assistance on a proposal from ZURIX Roofing, we will quickly provide your agent with whatever documentation on the repair/replacement costs required.
How do I receive settlement?
In most cases your insurance company will make your insurance draft payable to you and your mortgage company. This is common practice and you simply send the check to your mortgage company for their endorsement. They will return it to you to pay the company you contracted to do the work. Depreciation (up to 80% of replacement costs) will only be recovered if and when you replace your roof by a licensed contractor. Zurix handles this paperwork for you!
Removal of your existing roof, and delivery and installation of your new roofing material is major construction. Tons of material is removed, delivered and installed by staff and workers which, in the normal course of business causes vibration.
Please contact us with any concerns or questions.
The following precautions and information are essential:
- Take down or secure all important wall hangings (pictures, mirrors, photos, etc.), lamps, fixtures and art pieces.
- In very infrequent cases (depending upon the condition and age of your original construction), small stress cracks and nail pops in your drywall can occur due to vibration. These are your drywall nails, not nails installed by us. We are not responsible if this occurs, every house is different and it depends on the quality of your home. Some insurance companies will cover this but it is the homeowner’s responsibility to work this out with the agent.
- Currently, most insurance companies are not paying to replace or repair rotting or worn decking on your home. This is the wood underneath the shingles and felt. If we come upon dry rot in your underlying wood or eaves, we will take pictures and contact you for authorization to replace the damaged wood with new wood per specifications. The cost of this is $50 for removal of and replacement per board.
- Cover with plastic any valuable in the attic and garage because re-roofing will cause dust debris in these areas.
- If you have any special plants, bushes, or furniture around the perimeter of the house, you may want to cover them with tarps, as debris may fall from the roof during tear off. These materials and services can be provided by Zurix Roofing if your insurance covers it or you choose to include.
- Our roofers will need access to an electrical outlet for the use of our power tools. If there are no outlets outside, please have the garage open so that we can access outlets, or make sure a heavy-duty extension cord is visible under the garage door. We also need access to driveway for our dump trucks.
- We recommend removal of any televisions antennas, cable or satellite dishes. We will work around them if you choose to leave them up, but we cannot be responsible for your reception after completion of your new roof.
- If there is any overhanging of trees or branches on your roof, please cut them back to facilitate room for our workers prior to commencement of work. This service can be provided by Zurix Roofing if your insurance covers it or you choose to include.
- If you have any questions or concerns during your roofing job, please call your project manager or the office immediately.
The impact of hail damage on shingles can cause the following:
- It can remove the fracture granule surfacing material. This may be obvious after storms that have large hail or storms that hail for extended periods of time (rare storms). This damage to the shingle may or may not be obvious.
- The granule surfacing material is loosened (more typical smaller storms). This will not immediately show up as visual damage. This will cause shingles to lose granules over time at an accelerated rate and lead to premature failure (years).
Shingle Structure and Purpose
The granules protect the asphalt from sunlight and ultraviolet (UV) light. Sunlight and UV will corrode the asphalt. The asphalt will deteriorate very quickly once exposed to the sun. Any accelerated granule loss will significantly reduce the life of the shingle. It has been expressed that there are 25% more granules on a shingle than is needed. This is not true. Some granules are not actually imbedded in the asphalt when the shingle is produced and will come off the roof in the first year after application. After the first year, the shingle does not carry any more granules than are necessary to protect the shingle for its intended life expectancy.
How to Identify Hail Damage
- Missing areas of granules on shingles.
- Gutters, swimming pool, or covered areas are full of granules. Most shingles have only a few pounds of granules per square (10x10ft) of coverage. It does not take too many missing shingles or loose granules to have significant shingle damage.
- Dimples on shingles. May also be seen on the back of the shingles as round, half-round or crescent shaped bruises. Dimples may also be seen on the edges of the shingles.
- Dents in the gutters, ridges, flashing, vent stacks, turbines and lead boots would indicate that the roof has been exposed to damaging hail.
If you see any of the indications it is more than likely that you need and require a full replacement on your total roof.
