Hail Damage to your roof  can compromise the rest of your home. If you have had hail damage to your roof and would like All Pro Roofing to come to your home for a free inspection please contact us.

The first question to ask is: how old is the roof?  Under normal wear and tear situations a roof will usually last as long as its warranty period.  “3 Tab” shingles will last 20 years, or so, while “Dimensional/Architectural” shingles will last 30 plus, years.

When a roof is leaking it does not necessarily mean that it should be replaced.  Leaks commonly occur around flashings, vent pipes, heat stacks, chimneys, skylights, etc. and not the shingles themselves.  Once the shingles fail (wear out) it is time to replace the roof.  Until then repairs can usually be made to the area where the leak is occurring.

There are several factors that will prematurely shorten the life of a roof. The most common are: READ MORE

On occasion thunderstorms have produced hail stones the size of softballs, and even larger.  So there are no roofing materials that are hail proof, although some products, by design, or by the very nature of the product resist damage from a hail storm.

In the late 1990’s Texas developed a rating system to determine a roofing products resistance to impact (hail).  The purpose was to determine how well a roofing material would stand up during a hail storm.  Products that were submitted by their manufacturer for testing were given a Class rating of from 1 to 4 (4 being the best).  The Underwriter’s Laboratory number is “UL 2218.”  Roofing products that receive a Class 4 rating are named or promoted by their manufacturer as “Impact Resistant.” READ MORE

While labor costs have remained steady for the last few years, the cost of shingles has increased over 100%.  The primary ingredient in composition shingles is asphalt, which is responsible for the increased cost of a new roof.  To replace a roof on an existing home the current roof should be removed.  This also adds to the cost of a new roof.

Replacing a roof on even the smallest of homes will usually cost $3500. or more.  The price will go up depending on the size of the roof, how steep it is and if it is one or two story.  Shingle types range from the most basic 20 year shingle to ones that carry a life time warranty.  Aluminum, stone coated steel, concrete tile, cedar shakes and slate are also products used on roofs.  These choices could cost $20,000. or more depending on the size and shape of the house. READ MORE

Is Ridge Vent Right for Your House? READ MORE

A typical Texas Homeowner’s insurance policy will pay replacement costs for damages to your home sustained as a result of a weather related storm.  Insurance policies do not cover the replacement of a roof that has deteriorated as a result of normal aging and/or wear and tear.  This being said, many homeowners have roofs that have been damaged by a past hail storm and are unaware of it.

If you know for sure that you have hail damage on your roof you can call the claims office for your insurance carrier, or call your agent, and file a claim and request an inspection from an adjuster.

If you are not sure if your roof has hail damage, having a roofing contractor inspect your roof is the first best option.

A replacement cost homeowners policy does not mean that an insurance company will pay out the full cost of the repairs up front.  If an adjuster determines that your roof needs to be replaced he/she will determine the replacement cost and usually hold back part of the funds until the work is completed.  This recoverable amount is called depreciation or betterment depending on the particular insurance company.  Your first payment will usually be for the replacement cost value (RCV) less the holdback (depreciation/betterment).  This amount is called the actual cash value or ACV.  From this amount the deductable will be taken out.

Insurance companies are motivated to replace hail damaged roofs to lessen their losses.  If a damaged roof is allowed to leak then the insurance company’s liability is increased due to the risk of interior damage.

For hail to damage your roof it typically needs to be the size of a golf ball or larger.  The shape, density and speed of the hail as it impacts the shingles are also considerations.  Much larger hail, from 2 to 5 inches in diameter, is not uncommon.  In the worst cases when the hail strikes the shingles it tears through the top layer and allows water to leak through the shingles.  In these cases water penetration can happen immediately or within the first few weeks after the storm.

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Yes – No – Maybe! Let me explain.

Once your insurance company has decided to replace your roof the next question may be how much “out of pocket” expense will it cost me? Insurance deductibles can range from $500.00 to 4% of the policy coverage amount ($10,000.00 or higher). The replacement cost less the deductible is what your insurance company will pay, while the deductible amount is the responsibility of the homeowner. As with any purchase, especially those involving large sums of money, purchase prices can include discounts, rebates or special offers. How much out of pocket expense, if any, you may incur will depend on the amount of your deductible and the total scope of damage to your home. READ MORE