If you've ever taken a stroll down the street of an older real estate development with houses built around the same time, especially homes with a majority of lower-tier asphalt shingles, you may have noticed a common sight: several houses with random missing shingles. That's because there is one common problem that often affects a roof of a certain age: wind damage. If you live in a frequently windy area, the problem is even more prevalent. But as a homeowner, you might wonder what your options are when a windstorm damages your roof. Here are four common questions.
1. How do you pay for repairs?
It's important to take care of wind damage right away so that your roof isn't further affected by bad weather and leaks. However, wind damage is an unexpected expense and doesn't always come at financially convenient times. The good news is that most homeowners' insurance policies will cover roof repairs caused by wind damage. Contact your insurance company first to find out what kind of coverage is available for you before calling a roofing expert because your insurance may have approved roofers.
2. Can you get by with a repair or do you need a full replacement?
The biggest worry homeowners have after a damaging storm is whether their roof can be repaired or if it needs replacing. The best way to be sure of the answer is to call a roofing repair expert for an assessment. However, for most people, a few missing shingles won't require more than replacement. But if there is a significant number of missing shingles and the decking underneath has been damaged as well, then you'll need a roofer's opinion on how to proceed.
3. How much will the repair cost?
If the damage to your roof can be repaired, you can typically expect to pay between $300 and $1200 for shingle repairs depending on the severity of the damage and the materials involved. However, if the decking has been damaged and needs to be addressed, those costs might go up. The repair will still be less expensive than a full replacement.
4. How long will the repair take?
Of course, this depends on solely your contractor's schedule, but the process shouldn't take more than a few days depending on the extent of the damage. Nevertheless, you should be aware that fitting shingles to an existing pattern takes a little more time and care than putting on new shingles.
For more information, contact a local roofing company, like T-Town Roofing.
Very few roofers would say their job is easy. In fact, many describe the work as downright tough! But that does not mean that roofers do not enjoy or value the work that they do. Many workers get satisfaction from working with their hands, and they really enjoy creating a roof from simple materials. They also like the logistical challenges, such as figuring out how to get shingles up on a tall roof, or how to most safely repair a damage gutter. If you'd like to learn more about roofing as a profession, then you've arrived at the right blog.