Why You Should Avoid Storm Chasers

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storm chaser door knocking

If your neighborhood has been affected by strong storms and high winds recently, beware of contractors knocking on your door offering to fix your home’s roof! “Storm chasers” are shady or disreputable contractors soliciting business after a storm has passed through. How do you know the difference between a storm chaser and a legitimate, reliable roofing contractor? Check out some tips below and be sure to call the home repair and renovation experts at Authentic Restoration, (252) 904-3995, for all your home roof repairs and replacement needs.

Avoiding Storm Chasers

Homeowners often don’t realize the dangers of working with roofers and out-of-state contractors who arrive on their doorstep after storms. One reason to avoid storm chasers is that disreputable contractors might create damage on a roof to charge homeowners more money to fix it!

Some storm chasers ask for full payment or a large deposit before work begins and then disappear without doing any work. Disreputable contractors might also use low-quality materials for roof repairs or work with a poorly-trained crew. Out-of-state contractors might also be unfamiliar with local building codes so that your roof repairs or new roof might not pass inspection!

Because many storm chasers are located out-of-state or have no fixed address, homeowners often cannot get a refund for shoddy repairs and unfinished work, or track down contractors who disappear with their deposits. To avoid these serious and costly risks, only deal with reputable contractors for any home repairs you need to have done, including reroofing.

Choosing the Right Contractor to Work With

How can you tell the difference between a reputable contractor and a storm chaser? Consider a few quick tips:

  • Remember that reputable, reliable roofers are typically very busy after a storm or stormy season, so they usually have no need to knock on people’s doors to drum up business! A roofer coming to you and offering to perform repairs should be your first red flag that they are not reliable or reputable.
  • Some disreputable roofing contractors will present themselves as roofing inspectors or insurance adjusters and ask for, or outright insist on, a roof inspection. They then give you a list of needed repairs and suggest you work with a particular roofing company or offer to arrange repair work for you.
  • However, unless you’ve contacted your insurance agency and asked for an inspection, you can be sure that you’ve been contacted by a storm chaser!
  • A reputable contractor is always happy to show potential customers their business license and proof of bonding and insurance. Ensure that any contractor is licensed with your state and has an insurance policy with a reputable, well-known provider.
  • Check if someone needs a permit to solicit business door-to-door in your city. If so, ask any contractors that come to your door to show you their solicitor’s permit. If they don’t have one, there’s a good chance they’re from out of state and not a reputable contractor.
  • Check the person’s vehicle for advertising, including a phone number, website, business license number, and the like. Ensure the vehicle has a license plate from your state. If the person hands you a business card, note if the company has a physical address and not a post office box.
  • Never work with any contractor who insists on receiving cash or personal checks only. Putting invoices on your charge card offers some added protection and ability to get your money back in case of shoddy repairs.

The last point to remember is that a homeowner should always contact a roofing contractor, not the other way around, after a storm. This allows you time to find a reputable company with a solid reputation for customer satisfaction. For all your home’s roof repairs and replacement needs, call the pros at Authentic Restoration, (252) 904-3995.

How to Identify If a Roof System Has Problems

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problems with roofing systems

Some residential roofing problems are apparent even from the street, especially if your area has been hit by strong storms recently. High winds, thick rain, and hail and storm debris strip away shingles and flashing and might even cause a roof to sag and collapse. However, not all damage to a roofing system is quite that obvious! For more information about keeping your roof in good working order and for all your home’s roofing needs, call the home repair and renovation experts at Authentic Restoration, (252) 904-3995.

Important Elements to Check for Issues

Let’s take a closer look at some of the potential problematic areas of your home worth investigating.

Check Your Windows

When windows suffer damage, a home’s roof is also typically damaged! Cracks and shattered windows are not the only signs of potential roof damage. You should check your home’s exterior glass for scratches and etching and note if window frames have pits, cracks, holes, and other such marks. If your home’s windows are scratched and damaged, it’s time for a roof inspection and needed repairs.

Loose and Missing Granules

Note if you see granules in your home’s gutters or collections under those gutters and near the house. Old and brittle shingles lose their granules due to exposure to sun and harsh weather. Fallen tree branches and other debris can scrape granules right off the face of shingles! The granular coating of shingles helps water, snow, and ice slide away from the roof, protecting its surface from water damage and excess weight. If you notice any such granules around your home’s exterior, check the roofing shingles for needed replacement.

Water Damage and Standing Water

Thin sheets of metal called flashing are placed in the eaves and valleys of a roof or where roof materials connect to other structural elements, such as along a home’s chimney stack or dormers. Flashing encourages water runoff in these areas, reducing the risk of standing water, wood rot, and other damage.

If you see standing water or signs of obvious water damage along the valleys and other areas of your home’s roof, call for immediate repairs or replacement of its flashing. Water-damaged shingles and tiles also need replacing, and the roof’s framework, joists, and other wood pieces need an inspection for potential water damage, mold, and rot.

Inside the Home

Never assume that leaks through the home’s ceiling are to be expected over time or due to harsh weather. Water leaks typically indicate that your home’s roof has suffered cracks, holes, and other damage.

These water leaks also lead to damage to the home’s framework, ceiling tiles, drywall, and insulation, and increase the risk of mold growth in the home. Rather than simply patching interior leaks, have the roof system itself inspected for needed repairs.

It’s also vital to check the home’s attic or crawlspace regularly, to note if there are leaks along its ceiling or walls. You might also note if there is a musty smell in the attic or crawlspace or if you can smell mold or mildew! While musty smells might indicate trapped humidity coming from the home’s lower levels, it can also indicate needed repairs to the home’s roof.

Dark Areas Along the Roof

Inspect your roof every year or even more often for dark areas along its surface. Large dark spots might indicate water damage to shingles and tiles or structural damage to the roof itself. It’s also good to note if the roof seems to sag or buckle in certain areas. Never walk on an uneven roof or along dark areas as damaged rafters and joists might collapse under you, but have a contractor note needed repairs.

A strong roof is vital for keeping your home insulated and secure. For all your home’s roofing repairs and replacement needs, call the home repair and renovation experts at Authentic Restoration, (252) 904-3995.

How a New Roof Affects Your Home’s Curb Appeal

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Your home’s curb appeal is vital for several reasons. The improved curb appeal of any house can increase its overall value. However, a shabby, rundown appearance can make your property seem unwelcoming and impersonal. To find out more about how a new roof increases a home’s curb appeal, and for all the residential roof repairs and new roof installation work you need, call Authentic Restoration Roofing Rocky Mount at (252) 904-3995.

Creating a Design Element With a Roof

It’s easy to overlook the design of a roof, but a few simple touches and updates to its slope and construction can enhance your home’s appearance. For example, you might add cross gables, which are similar to dormers but without “cheeks” or side walls. Cross gables add lots of charm and elegance to a home.

If your house has lots of windows, shutters, large exterior trim work, or other such details, you might opt for simple roof lines. Clean and simple lines help avoid a cluttered and busy appearance outside the home and allow other features to stand out.

Updating the Color

A drab and dull charcoal gray roof does little to enhance the appearance of your home, whereas an updated color adds lots of visual appeal and style. A reddish tone works well with a brick home whereas a slate gray coordinates with a modern home and metal and glass fixtures.

An updated roof color also ensures that an otherwise dull home exterior color doesn’t look too bland and boring. For example, shingles with a bluish tinge dress up gray or white aluminum siding and deep brown roofing tiles keep a tan-colored home from virtually disappearing into the horizon!

Updating the Home’s Appearance

A new metal roof or updated roofing shingles might make an entire home look updated and new! You might not even realize that your home’s current drab and outdated roof is detracting from your home’s appearance. But once you have a new roof installed, you might be surprised at the improvement to your home overall.

For example, exterior brick often looks brighter while siding seems cleaner after a new roof installation. Shutters and other trim might also seem to “pop” under that new roof, becoming more noticeable and attractive overall. You don’t need to do anything else to your home to make it look brand new but choose an updated roof style!

Older Roofs Detract From Curb Appeal!

While a new roof might add to a home’s curb appeal in many ways, keep in mind that an older roof tends to detract from a home’s appearance just as much. Water stains, soot stains, discolored tiles, dry and brittle tiles, and other such damage can make a house look downright shabby even if the roof is structurally sound.

The more serious the damage to a home’s roof and the older and more worn those tiles, the more unattractive your entire property seems! Curled shingles, missing shingles, sagging areas, and other such pronounced roof damage make for a very unsightly home and detract from its curb appeal overall.

Professional Roofing Makes All the Difference!

A new roof enhances a home’s curb appeal and appearance in an instant, but only if you leave this work to the pros. A professional roofing contractor does more than replace worn and damaged shingles. He or she might note how to improve the overall structure and design of the roof, as said, and might suggest updated tile colors, a metal roof, and other such options.

A new roof also adds insulation inside the home and protects it from water leaks and resultant mold growth, all while making your house look good. When you’re ready to enhance your home’s curb appeal and create a stunning new look for your property, call the home renovation pros at Authentic Restoration, (252) 904-3995.

Do I Need to Obtain a Building Permit for a New Roof?

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Homeowners today are tackling more home improvement and repair projects on their own than ever before. This is because hardware stores rent tools and equipment, and online videos make it easy to fix virtually everything in a home. However, there are many reasons why it’s good to avoid DIY roofing repairs and replacement, and call the home renovation pros at Authentic Restoration, (252) 904-3995, for all the roofing work you need!  One reason to rely on the experts is the need for building permits and the risk of performing work with them. Be assured our Rocky Mount roofing contractors have plenty of experience.

What Is a Building Permit?

A building permit is a written authorization from your city or county, allowing for a specific construction project to proceed. These permits are needed for more than new construction, however, as many repair and renovation projects around the house typically require a building permit, including:

  • Adding or removing interior walls
  • Changing the use of a room, such as making a bedroom into a bathroom or converting a garage into a sunroom
  • Replacing the plumbing pipes of a home
  • Demolishing any part of the house; this might include outbuildings such as sheds and garages, in-ground pools and septic tanks, and anything attached to the home permanently such as a porch or deck
  • Roof construction or reroofing; this might not include merely replacing a few missing or damaged shingles but typically does include pulling up any materials or rebuilding a crumbling chimney

Note that most work requiring significant changes to your property, such as installing a new underground sprinkler system or adding ducts for a new central air conditioner, typically requires a permit.

Minor upgrades and cosmetic fixes inside a home, such as replacing carpeting with hardwood floors or changing out the kitchen cabinets, often don’t require a permit. In most cases, simply swapping out major appliances, such as a water heater or refrigerator, also don’t need a permit.

If you’re not sure if a particular repair or renovation project inside or outside your home requires a permit, check with your city or county clerk’s office. They might ask some detailed questions about the scope of the project, the materials involved, and so on, and will then determine if a permit is required.

Who Gets a Permit?

If you’ve hired a contractor for any home improvement or repair project, he or she usually obtains or “pulls” needed permits. This is one good reason to hire a roofing professional for any roof repairs or reroofing you need to have done! Your contractor will make quick work of obtaining those necessary permits and will know where and how they need to be displayed during the repair project as well.

Never Skip Getting a Permit!

Never think that you can skip getting a permit and assume the city or county won’t notice. Also, don’t assume that your repairs are too small to make a difference when it comes to getting authorization. If it’s discovered that you’ve done work on your home requiring a permit without necessary approval, you might face any of the following:

The city or county could force you to get a permit anyway, and might then double or even triple their fees for late permits.

A city or county has the right to shut down your project, even involving law enforcement if you should continue working after they’ve told you to stop!
You might be required to tear up or remove your materials, including all those new shingles you’ve installed so that someone can inspect the roof’s surface underneath. This adds to your overall costs.

Avoid all these risks and added costs by calling the home renovation pros at Authentic Restoration, (252) 904-3995, for all your roofing repairs and installation needs.

What Is the Best Way To Clean My Gutters?

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Gutter cleaning is not very glamorous but is a necessary chore in the maintenance of any home. Aside from the unsightly appearance of clumps of soggy leaves in your gutter, blocked gutters can lead to a range of other problems including ice dams, water seepage, and broken guttering. So, you ask, “what is the best way to clean my gutters?”

The good news is that it’s a pretty simple job and shouldn’t take long. (more…)

Skylights & Sun Tunnels, The Need to Know

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Introducing natural light to our homes through windows and skylights improves not just the health of our living environment but also our moods and physical health. Natural daylight regulates our circadian rhythms, improving our sleeping and eating patterns and contributing to our general good health.

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Preventing Ice Dams Before They Happen

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If you regularly experience harsh winters, you may be familiar with ice dams. These are thick ridges of ice that build up along the edges of your roof or gutters, blocking any water from running off, and potentially leading to leaks and seepage through the shingles. (more…)

Do You Have Roof Wind Damage?

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wind damage

High winds can be damaging to your property. With the recent storms in Central Indiana, roof wind damage as a result of extreme weather conditions can and should be a concern of all homeowners. Aside from easy-to-spot damage such as fallen shingles and roof punctures from broken tree limbs, there may be other, less visible issues caused to your property after high winds. (more…)

Repairing a Leaky Roof Pipe Vent

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repairing roof pipe vent

Damp patches on your ceiling can be worrisome and could potentially be a significant cause for concern if the source of the problem is not identified promptly. One cause could be a leak in your roof pipe vent, which may be a simple fix. A roof pipe vent is any pipe that allows gases to escape from your home, particularly from the kitchen and bathrooms, essentially letting your house breath. (more…)

Tips to Extend the Life of Your Roof

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A home can be a costly thing to maintain. Electrical, plumbing, and other minor repairs can add up quickly. None of them, however, can add up to the potential cost of a failing roof. Repair or replacement of your roof can have a five-figure price tag, which means that extending your roof lifespan can save you a ton of money. (more…)