YOUR HOME

Protect Your Place From the Top

YOU REALLY WON’T BE HAPPY IN A ROOM WITHOUT A ROOF

by Donnita Fisher

The part of your home most often damaged by turbulent spring weather is the roof.

Jon Szilva of Pirate Roofing in Wylie gave us some important information about dealing with your house’s top spot. How long do roofs usually last?

they registered as a business (if they registered right after a storm, that’s a red flag.) If they can’t provide a DBA they more than likely never registered with the county. Check references, time in business and overall reputation. * DBA means Doing Business As. It is used by sole proprietorships, not corporations, LLC or partnerships.

Manufacturer warranties vary from 20-50 years; however, with the weather conditions we experience in Texas, the average life is probably closer to 10-15 (barring no major weather events.) As everyone in Texas knows, our heat can be extremely harsh and a big contributor to shingle life.

Is there anything a homeowner can do to be ready for spring storms?

Have a reputable and preferably local roofer do an evaluation of your roof early on. Catching small items like roof penetration boots that have dried out or cracked, missing or damaged shingles or mis-aligned furnace collars can be a good thing to have fixed prior to the rainy season. Something as simple as an exposed nail head or bad plumbing boot could lead to a lot of interior damage and expensive repairs.

What should you look for after a storm?

The obvious signs of damage would be any interior stains, bubbles in the paint on walls and ceilings. After heavy winds we recommend walking the perimeter and looking for any shingles in your yard, shingles on the roof that may be sticking up or loose. If you do see something out of the ordinary, call a professional, even a low slope roof can be dangerous to walk on.

What are some things to look for when picking a contractor?

We stress this more than anything when it comes to advice! Go local (at least to the Metroplex.) Ask to see a DBA* (essentially a business license in Texas.) Every business has to have one. This will show you the date

What about people who show up in neighborhoods after a storm?

There is no state agency that regulates roofing companies, anyone can start and operate at the drop of a dime, close up shop and disappear. Unfortunately, following the storm in 2016 we responded (and still respond to) dozens if not hundreds of calls to address leaks, poor workmanship and second hand material issues after the homeowners could not get a hold of their contractors. The guy knocking on your door is usually not the guy you want to hire. Storm claims are not that hard to decipher for an experienced company and rarely need someone to “fight” for you as some roofers claim. Insurance companies use current market values updated monthly to settle your claim. They may miss something here and there, however don’t feel pressured by the guy that wants to be your negotiator.

Lastly, in September 2019, the State of Texas passed a new law regarding deductibles. This is a very important piece of legislation that will affect you after a major storm. Penalties include fines and imprisonment for the contractor and homeowner. All contracts must also have this disclosure on them. The new law reads: “Texas law requires a person insured under a property insurance policy to pay any deductible applicable to a claim made under the policy. It is a violation of Texas law for a seller of goods or services who reasonably expects to be paid wholly or partly from the proceeds of a property insurance claim to knowingly allow the insured person to fail to pay, or assist the insured person’s failure to pay, the applicable insurance deductible.” •