Looking for any type of services, whether it’s a plumber or roof contractor, fortunately is relatively easy, if you know where to look. Many companies have popped up in recent years to fill the consumers need to check out contractors in any field and be sure that the people they are hiring will get the job done right. In the earlier years of the World Wide Web (what the Internet is technically called) many contractors figured out you could make a webpage and put just about anything on it and people would take your word for it, and they did. Back then, people weren’t as “tech savvy” as they are now (even today’s techno-impaired folk have been exposed to so much, especially with the popularization of smart phones and tablets, they would seem like geniuses to people back in the ’90′s). So, many did not know that there was no fact-checking or consumer review entities verifying a company’s claims and many people were ripped off or stuck with substandard work

As the Internet matured, these companies have spent years building up trust with the public, and have greatly improved the odds of hiring the right person for the job. Rather than sifting through hundreds of websites, calling hundreds of reference numbers and researching each company one by one, all the information you need is condensed into just a few websites. Customer-centric companies, like Atlanta Roofing, love these websites, if anything, because they allow a customer to see how a company actually is, how it treats it’s customers and what quality of work to expect. Customers love them because it takes a lot of hard work out of their hands, and knowing they can trust the information they find, they can rest assured that they have the information they need to make an informed decision.

So, where to start? If you have a company in mind, start with Google. Just pop their name into the search box and click search. What do you see? Do you see their website? What about third party sites? You should be seeing links to consumer sites that discuss the company, maybe Ad’s by the company and their competitors, links to their website, and plenty of consumer websites rating or presenting customer reviews of the company. If you cannot find out all you need to know from “Googling” the company name in the first page, that should raise a red flag. Why doesn’t this company have a website? Why do they not appear in the major review sites? Established, reputable companies have nothing to hide, not having an Internet presence is something that is suspect these days.

When looking through website results, you should notice companies with information on the company, with reviews, yet point to a third party site. These are usually the consumer review sites that I was referring to earlier. Companies like Yelp, Angie’s List, the Better Business Bureau, Kudzu, CitySearch, and Home Reports are companies that should be popping up in the results, if they are not take the time to visit these directly and search for the company you are researching. These are all trusted names in the business and simply going through these should give you a wealth of information to determine if the company you are researching is right for you.

We always say, “Do Your Homework!”, because it’s critical, there is too much information readily available to allow yourself to be scammed or hire a substandard contractor. Do your research, hire a professional with a great reputation and track record, there is no sense in settling for anything less.

However, homeowners insurance while a great thing to have, doesn’t cover everything and in many policies you’d probably be surprised to see what isn’t covered or what can void a claim.

It’s important to remember insurance companies exist for one reason, profit. They have put in place many measures to protect themselves from losses due to fraud and what they see as unnecessary expenses, by excluding some types of repairs and even materials.

Many homeowners haven’t examined their policies closely and can be unaware of certain exclusions. These become apparent whenever a claim is made and then denied. Worse, if the repair has already been done but the claim denied, the homeowner is left “holding the bag”.

What are some common exclusions?

Materials

Some insurance restrict the roofing materials that can be used to repair or replace your roof. With the sheer variety of shingles and materials, insurance companies feel more comfortable covering what they know.

The costs of materials vary wildly, “green” materials may be nice and fantastic for the environment but can be quite expensive not only in materials but future repairs. Many insurance companies will not cover “green” materials simply because of cost, disregarding the long-term value.

Before having any repairs or any other work done to the roof, be sure that the contractor you use is using materials approved by the insurer.

Roof Replacement/Improper Maintenance

While most roof repairs are typically covered in policies, especially storm damage and other unforeseen problems. If the damage is attributed to poor maintenance or other negligent issue, the claim will likely be denied.

This includes complete roof replacement is some cases. While most damages warranting replacement will likely be covered, simply not having regular maintenance can void any type of replacement claim, regardless of the cause of damage. This can be quite a shock to someone who’s roof was damaged by a storm only to find out that they weren’t covered because there was no maintenance done in the past 5 years.

Other exclusions:

- Mold and mildew are often excluded in newer policies.
- Flood damage from “ground water”. Even if your drainage system is clogged it is still often considered ground water.
- Bad workmanship, even if it was done by a contractor referred by your INSURANCE COMPANY.
- Old or poorly maintained roofs are often denied coverage.
- Lack of “Due diligence” on the part of the homeowner. This usually means not reporting a problem or damage in a timely manner.

Also, check the deductible amounts to see how much YOU will be responsible for in the event of a claim. A lot of insurance companies are raising deductibles on certain types of claims these days. This might explain the lower rates of some policies, know what you are getting for your money!

The bottom line is, your policy may or may not cover these things, it is important for you to know what your policy does and does not cover. Read your policy and call your insurance agent with any questions so you know what to expect when the time comes.

Nail-Gunned Shingles Falling Off

When you’ve been in business for as long as Atlanta Roofing Specialists have, you are constantly exposed to the newest and shiniest technologies, from roofing software to trucks and equipment, we are constantly upgrading and staying on top of the advances that allow us to install or repair any roof as fast as possible at the best price while maintaining the highest quality workmanship and service. At the same time, we don’t purchase new technologies just to have them or because it’s the thing to do. It must contribute something of significant value to the customer and company, both.

Nail guns have been around since 1950 and have improved significantly over the years, especially as technology has progressed. Nail guns make a lot of jobs much quicker and easier for the company and in many industries, it works just as well or better than a hammer. Nail guns have had a huge impact on the construction business by eliminating the labor costs associated with hand nailing every nail. This results in less costs for the contractor and lower costs for the homeowner.

Roofing, however, is the exception. Although nail gun technology has improved since their introduction 63 years ago, they still function basically the same and are subject to the laws of physics. The unfortunate fact is, even with progress in technology, nail guns still have the same flaws they did when they were introduced when it comes to roofing applications. Whether this is a flaw in the technology or the specific user (the tendency to just pull the trigger and rush through the job will result in problems) is up for debate but regardless of the reason, roofs installed using nail guns have problems 100% of the time caused by improperly driven nails.

Let’s repeat that for emphasis, in the 20 years Atlanta Roofing Specialists have been repairing roofs, 100% of the roofs that were applied by contractors using a nail gun have problems that result from nails. The same problem occurs, every single time, the nails simply aren’t consistent, some are driven much too deep, others not deep enough, some at awkward angles (causing damage), some missing altogether.

The problem is so bad, GAF, the largest roofing manufacturer in North America, recently issued a Technical Advisory Bulletin advising against the use of nail guns when installing roofs as they may void the warranty. As one of the major problems with nail guns is lack of consistency, GAF advises hand nailing to ensure the nails are flush to the surface of the roof.

It’s much better to simply take your time and do the job right. At Atlanta Roofing Specialists, we hand nail every single nail on your roof, it may take a little longer but having it done right the first time is worth the extra effort.

For more reasons on why Atlanta Roofing Hand Nail’s their roofs see Why We Hand Nail.

Hail Damage

There are several things to look for after a hail storm or even during a normal inspection. When looking specifically for hail damage, knowing the size of the hail can really help narrow down what to look for.

The most susceptible areas to hail damage are the areas to look at first.
Soft metal (vents, skylights, flashing, metal valleys, etc), ridges, and the shingles themselves are all areas to be inspected first. If hail has damaged your roof it is likely to be discovered in these areas.

Basically, when looking for hail damage, we are looking for things like missing granules, bruising (damage to the shingle), and circular cracks indicating larger hail impacting the surface of the roof.

Looking for roof damage, especially when dealing with larger hail, can be done by average laymen who have the knowledge and experience of getting on the roof safely (although we recommend just having a professional inspect it for safety’s sake) but once any damage is identified we strongly recommend having a qualified roof contractor perform the repairs, as it is necessary for insurance claims and will help keep the warranty intact while giving you the peace of mind that the repair was done properly.

If you suspect your home may have been damaged in the recent storms and you live in the Metro Atlanta, GA area, call ARS today at 770-419-2222 for your FREE ROOF INSPECTION!

The truth is most of these contractors are extremely small and even one man operations that simply do not have the capability of servicing multi-state warranties and agreements. They use cheap materials and cut corners to get to as many roofs as possible as cheap as possible. They do their thing and they’re gone. Some will even claim to have an in-state presence to service these “warranties” but all too often it’s either not true at all or they have a couple of friends nearby who may or may not be able to service it when needed. Worse, without any real guarantee, chances are they won’t be there 3, 5, 10 years or more down the road when you need them most.

Atlanta Roofing Specialists has been around for 20 years, we seen many homeowners fall prey to these types and it’s a terrible situation. In many cases, the homeowner is left holding the bag and having to foot the bill for extensive repairs and in other cases an entire replacement. These guys keep coming back for one reason, ignorance. These days it’s easy to print up anything and make it look perfectly official. Making up reviews, referrals, business and insurance documentation, and even warranties and product labels (cheap materials labeled as Name Brands) doesn’t take much skill at all and the instructions and actual documents can be found easily just by running a Google search.

While Google is a scammers friend, it is equally your friend as well. As simply “Googling” the companies name and going through the results (not just the first few) should give you more than enough information to determine if a company is legitimate or not. Being unable to find all the information you need on a company quickly and easily should raise red flags immediately. Investigate any contractor thoroughly, with so many legitimate companies available at your fingertips there is no reason to take a chance with anyone else.

What To Look For

1) The first thing you should do, no matter what the person tells you, is go to their car or truck and look at the tags. If it’s an out-of-state tag, let them go.

2) Ask for references, they should be able to produce hundreds of local, recent references that you can verify randomly or all of them.

3) If they claim they are local, find out where their physical office is and verify it. Many will give addresses of known contractors and claim they represent them or they will fulfill the warranty when needed. If it is a known contractor, contact them and verify the information. If a physical location doesn’t exist or you are given a PO Box or other address, walk away.

4) Use the Internet. Google them. Check out their website. Does it look “thrown together”? Does it list their credentials with links to verify them? How is their BBB Rating? Are they BBB Members? What associations do they belong to? Are they Manufacturer-Certified? How long have they been in business, can you verify it? How are their reviews on Angies List, Kudzu, Google, other websites? Are they even listed?

They are slick. They are convincing. They can be charming and seemingly good people. However, bottom line is, you don’t know them, you don’t know their company and trusting something a critical as your roof to a total stranger is a bad idea with potentially costly consequences should the roof fail. Don’t trust your roof to just anyone “Do Your Homework!” know who you are hiring and be sure that your investment is in the right hands.

If you are in the Metro Atlanta area, make it simple, call Atlanta Roofing Specialists today. Go ahead, Google us, check our reviews, our A+ BBB rating, visit our website and see our verified credentials such as our 2012 Angies List Super Service Award, 2012 Home Reports Best Pick and others. Don’t trust your roof to just anyone, trust the experts.

Roofs are very different today than 20 – 30 years ago. Improvements in design, technology and materials have resulted in many different varieties of roofs and as a result roofing has become a complex business. Knowing the best, most efficient methods of roof repair and installation while maintaining the least disruption to the homeowners life is critical to the roof’s quality and lifespan not to mention a companies reputation and success.

Your roof is a major investment. Fortunately, most do people do not need new roofs very often but when it’s time to replace it, you need to be sure it’s done right. Roofs protect everything we hold dear, from our loved ones to our most prized possessions. Being sure your roof is installed by professionals, with years of experience and expertise can give you peace of mind. Saving a few dollars for a “fast and cheap” solution simply is not worth it in the long run.

With Internet accessibility at an all time high, there is simply no reason a homeowner cannot perform some basic searches on the roof contractor they use and investigate a company thoroughly within an hour in most cases. Look for length of time in business and any certifications and awards they may have. Are they verifiable members of any professional associations such as the National Roofing Contractors Association? Do they have verifiable manufacturer certifications or awards from major companies such as GAF, Certainteed, Owens Corning or others? These things can tell you the level of expertise of the contractor you are hiring and you should be critical if the contractor you are considering lacks this information.

Your roof is arguably the most important part of your home and as such should be installed, maintained, and repaired by professionals, leaving it to an amateur could prove very costly as making “rookie mistakes” can cost homeowners thousands in damages and leave the roof structurally unsound. When the time comes to hire a roofing contractor, do your homework and be sure the contractor you hire is truly an expert.

Many of the calls received during storms or periods of sustained rain aren’t new problems. Many homeowners notice signs of leaks early on and put them off thinking “it’s not that big of a leak” or “it just started so I have time”, unfortunately, what was deemed as an inconsequential annoyance turns into a major problem with the next round of harsh weather. These homeowners not only have to deal with what is becoming a major problem, they now have to wait to have it repaired properly, possibly causing even more damage and headaches. While tarps and other temporary solutions will help, they will protect very little should another strong storm come before the contractor can get out there to repair the roof properly.

Sometimes, leaks aren’t apparent until storms or sustained rains occur or your home was damaged by the storm and you’re only choice is to wait until your contractor can repair it properly, especially in damaging storms. The good news is, in a lot of cases, a new leak could be a minor problem and implementing a temporary solution can protect it until it is repaired, as it could be relatively new and hasn’t had time to wreak too much havoc. As long as it’s caught early enough a leak can usually be stopped before it causes much larger problems.

This is why it is best to take care of the problem immediately after it is discovered. Having your roof regularly inspected by a reputable contractor is the best way to avoid small leaks becoming large headaches.

Why are they bad?

One of the first thing storm chasers do is have the homeowner sign a contract allowing the contractor to negotiate directly with the insurance company. Oftentimes these contracts give the contractor a tremendous amount of power taking away the homeowners right to make important decisions about the scope and quality of the repairs. Even in cases where the repair may not be done to the homeowners satisfaction, such as low-grade materials being used or shoddy workmanship due to cutting corners, the customer may not be able to prevent payment and may legally be obligated to sign over the insurance payment regardless of the amount or satisfaction level.
Warranty work is another issue, even if the repair looks right at first, within months to years problems can occur. As these companies are normally from other states, most, if they still exist at all, are reluctant to come hundreds of miles for repairs on roofs done in the past and may leave the homeowner holding the bag when problems arise.

Know what to look for

The best advise we can give is, do you homework before signing or hiring any roof contractor, scams are always out there and by doing proper research you can be sure that the contractor you are hiring will be there when you need them the most and will get the job done right!

If you’d like to know more please see Do Your Homework! for the information you need to not get ripped off!

1) The shingles could be compromised.

Whether they weren’t installed properly or you’ve just been through a wind storm, shingles that have blown off, fallen off or out of place due to improper installation will compromise the integrity of your roof, causing leaks. Many times this can be spotted from the ground, however on some roofs a professional may be required to inspect.

2) Compromised Valleys

The roof valley (The “V” created where two sloping roofs meet) could have been punctured. Either the valley metal (open valley) or shingles (closed valley) could have been damaged either accidently by other personnel or roofers stepping in them or if maintenance is neglected, build up of debris could cause water buildup and leaks.

3) Poor installation or materials

One of the most common causes for leaks is poor workmanship. If the roofing contractor did not install the materials properly, leaks almost always occur. Leaks caused by improper installation can include the roof membrane, roof flashing, roof vents or chimney, although these can be punctured by various things, the most common problem with these areas are poor installation of materials.

4) The roof has been punctured by something

Falling limbs or trees, hail or other objects can cause great damage to your roof. After a storm, it would be prudent to have an inspection as soon as possible if signs of a leak are present.

5) Improper Room Ventilation

Improper ventilation in rooms where high moisture is generated (bathrooms, kitchens, sunrooms) can cause moisture build up and cause damage. Be sure these rooms are ventilated properly to avoid problems.

6) The roof is just too old

Roofs don’t last forever, once the materials in your roof age beyond their life expectancy they begin to break down, compromising the integrity of your roof.

If you notice any signs of leakage in your roof, it is imperitive to repair the problems as soon as possible to avoid further damage and manor expense. Atlanta Roofing Specialists today for a free roof inspection.

It’s not that we are technophobes or are even old-fashioned, in fact there are many practical reasons to hand nailing that outweigh taking shortcuts and dealing with the problems that nail guns can cause.

Consider the following:

The head of the hand nail is bigger, thus you get a stronger roof against wind force. Conversely, the head of the nail for a NAIL GUN is smaller in order to fit more nails into the coil that is reloaded repeatedly into the nail guns. Bigger is Better.

We hand hammer every nail that goes into your roof. This ensures that the nails are applied correctly; straight & flush with the shingle. Invariably, on every roof applied with a gun, 100% of the time, there will be nails that:

1. Go into the shingle too far (penetrate the shingle), and/or

2. Do not go far enough where the nail will be sticking up enough to wear a leak hole

3. There will be nails driven at an angle where the head cuts through the shingle because the roofer is swinging the nail gun.

It happens all of the time.

GAF, North America’s Largest Roofing Manufacturer, has issued a Technical Advisory Bulletin that warns of dangers caused by pneumatic coil nail guns. Driving another nail (if you will) into the coffin of the argument that nail guns are a suitable method to cut time and costs.

With all the problems associated with nail guns one would wonder why any reputable roof contractor would use them on their roofs. Frankly, we have no idea, they may claim otherwise but the evidence is overwhelming, hand nailing is FAR superior.

For more information and photos please see “Why We Hand Nail”.