Roofs Replaced Due to Hurricane Irma Damage
Educating Yourself on the Effects of Hurricane Wind Damage to Your Roof
F
or over 16 years Gabe Grosso, owner of Double G Construction based in Delray Beach, has restored and replaced thousands of roofs. Many due to hurricane damage. As an A+ ranked, licensed Florida general contractor and roofing company, Gabe has become well versed on the effects storm damage can have to all types of Florida roofing systems. Growing up on the East Coast and seeing first-hand the devastation storms can do, Grosso is driven to not only do quality roofing work, but to educate homeowners about the effects of storm damage to their property. With the deadline to file Irma Insurance claims speedily approaching on September 10th, 2020 (Florida law allows policyholders 3 years to filer a hurricane claim). Grosso shares with us some common questions and misconceptions he hears from homeowners.
How do you know if your roof has wind damage? Unless a roof is leaking, structural walls were blown down, or a tree falls on the property - most homeowners are unaware of the damage high winds can do to a roofing structure. Lifted shingles and tiles on the roof can be hard to see from the ground especially by the untrained eye. Even cracked tiles can be hard to spot unless your on the roof. There are indicators that I tell homeowners to look for after a storm that may alert them the storm caused damage to their roof. Keep in mind, however, just because you don’t see these indicators, does not mean the roof is not damaged.
Some indicators of roofing damage are: - debris on the roof (leaves, sticks etc.) - blown down trees
leaking and seriously affect the integrity and lifespan of most roofing systems. Additionally, once a roof has lived through a storm producing high winds, the roofing system is more easily susceptible to damage from future storms. Even when a tile or shingle is simply lifted, the underlayment (which ultimately protects the house) can be damaged which can allow moisture under the roofing system. This can cause leaking, rotten decking, and interior damage.
How do I know my roof just needs a repair or needs to be replaced? I get this question a lot. A repair is just fixing a small part of the roofusually replacing tiles or shingles and can be a good solution to damage from a storm. However many types of tiles and shingles are no longer made, as a result I believe these roofs need more than a simple repair to preserve their integrity and aesthetics. In the case of a roofing material being discontinued a repair can be a temporary solution, but is not always the best decision for the long run. The best solution for any homeowner with discontinued product on their home, who has storm damage to their roof, is to have the roof fully replaced and that is always the direction we recommend.
What if my Insurance Company denied my claim? I always advise homeowners to get a second opinion from an experienced licensed roofing company that has expertise with storm damage. I have personally experienced many instances where a claim was denied by the insurance, but in all reality, in my opinion, the roof has damage that warrants replacement to fix the roofing issues. If you have been turned down, or received a repair or partial compensation, a homeowner has many options. Don’t let the clock run out on you! Many homes in our area have suffered damage from Irma and if you do not file a claim by September 10th, you will never be able to file a claim for this loss. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly if you have any questions.
- cracked tiles - lifted tiles or lifted shingles (often hard to see) After any significant storm , I always recommend homeowners to have a qualified roofing contractor come out to do a full assessment. A reputable company that has expertise with storm damage, should be willing to give you a complimentary inspection with pictures documenting any damages.
How do high winds negatively effect a roof? Lifted tiles and shingles or worse missing or damaged tiles and shingles can cause
ĵ 14
INSIDE MIRAMAR/PEMBROKE PINES - THE MAGAZINE
Gabe Grosso Double G Construction 239-248-0866 sales@doublegconstruction.com doublegconstruction.com 925 S Congress Ave, Delray Beach, FL 33445 General Contracting # CGC1509157 Roofing License # CCC1328818
