A Roof Over Your Head
In the 2000 movie Cast Away, building a shelter was one of the first projects that Chuck Noland (Tom Hanks) undertook when he was marooned on a deserted island.
Protection from the elements is just as important for homes and businesses in somewhat more civilized Oklahoma, because even partial or temporary exposure can lead to enormous and costly problems that are difficult to address and repair. In the film, Chuck built his own shelter. But in the real world, using a professional often turns out to be much more cost effective.
In eastern Oklahoma, sudden storms are probably the greatest threat to roofs and structures. However, almost nothing that is built is designed to last forever, and roofs are no exception. Over time, leakes almost inevitably develop, basically because of normal wear and tear. While most all insurance policies cover the former, the latter is often a bit more problematic.
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Sudden damage
Hail above pea size and winds stronger than 50mph can damage even the most well-maintained roofs and structures, and at least one such weather event often occurs annually. After storms, city inspectors typically descend on affected areas and order residents to leave any properties they deem to be unsafe, and the standards they use vary widely among jurisdictions and even among individual inspectors. In Broken Arrow, inspectors typically declare property uninhabitable if there is any short or long-term health threat, and almost any hole in the roof meets that standard.
Both residents and property owners want the situation corrected as quickly as possible. At a minimum, such corrective actions include:
- Securing the Property: To the greatest extent possible, owners must prevent further damage from either natural or man-made sources, which means holes must be patched and trespassers must be kept off premises.
- Damage Assessment: Sometimes a house needs a few permanent patches and sometimes it needs a new roof. However, the insurance company almost always wants the owner to patch the roof, regardless of the damage. So, the property owner needs to provide the adjuster with an evidence-based assessment of what needs to be done.
- Remediation: The adjuster and owner both need the repair job to be completed on time and within budget.
Owners should avoid the temptation to perform do-it-yourself inspections in these conditions. For one thing, it is dangerous to climb on a damaged roof; for another, much of the damage may be hidden, especially if there are water leaks.
Wear and tear damage
About 70 percent of residential roofs have asphalt shingles, and when leaks or cracks develop, these issues are relatively easy to address.
Over time, the wind causes shingles to curl back. Flattening out these damaged shingles is probably one or two weekends worth of work for a do-it-yourselfer, but a professional crew can often repair the damage within a few hours. This is especially true in cooler weather, because these temperatures harden the shingles and make them difficult to work with. And as we all know, a leaky roof will not wait until spring. Cracked or missing shingles are a problem as well. Effective replacement usually means addressing an entire section of the roof, as these shingles overlap. A professional has the right tools and experience to make repairs with minimal disruption that still provide long-term results.
Go with a local contractor
Dason Fire & Water Restoration is a locally-owned and operated company that’s invested in the Tulsa-area community, so you can count on us to do the job quickly and get it done right. Contact us today at 918-379-0390
