Glenn Roofing

Menu

ARTICLES &
RESOURCES

THE CLAIM PROCESS

To protect your investment, have your roof evaluated for hail damage after the storm. A reputable company will not charge you for this service and will tell you whether filing an insurance claim is warranted or not. If your roof is in good shape, you are out just a little time and have gained valuable peace of mind. If your roof has sustained hail damage, you can easily file a claim with your insurance company with a single phone call.
I often hear concerns from homeowners who worry their rates could go up as the result of a claim. This is simply untrue. Property insurance is heavily regulated by both the federal and state government. In the state of Minnesota, it is illegal for an insurer to raise your individual rate or cancel your policy because of a storm claim (Minnesota reg. 2008.0200).
When you call, let your insurance company know if you have already selected a contractor; it is incredibly beneficial for the contractor and the adjuster to meet at the property together. Regardless of what your insurance company says, you have the right to select the contractor of your choice. Additionally, while you are welcomed to get estimates for your roofing or remodeling project, please realize that you are not required to do so and your insurance company will only pay the lowest estimate – saving them money. You are not given the difference saved, you will still be responsible for the full amount of your deductible pursuant to Minnesota law, and the lower estimate is often the result of corner-cutting involving cheaper labor and products. We see this all of the time as we are often hired to fix the job the previous contractor completed. At Glenn Roofing, we handle insurance claims on a contingency basis, only completing the work that is approved for the amount allowed. If your roof is not approved, you are under no obligation with our company. This process allows us to use the highest quality products, negotiate with the insurance company to mandate that the full scope of your repairs are approved, and ensure that the only out-of-pocket expense will be your deductible alone. We care about your investment and stand behind our work with confidence.

HAIL DAMAGE

After a hail producing-storm, I often hear homeowners remark, “I can’t see any damage” or, “My roof doesn’t look that bad.” Don’t be fooled. Hail is insidious, often causing very subtle damage initially. While the visible effects evident after the storm do not always pose immediately risk to your structure, the harmful repercussions continue long after the storm has passed.
Let me explain why. The granule top of shingles are manufactured to protect the asphalt base from the sun and the elements. Under normal conditions, shingles are designed to last for very long periods of time (typically 25 years or more depending upon the product) and granules are lost very slowly. Each hail strike to a roof however, causes a bruise on the shingle and instant granule loss. Though seemingly innocent, this bruise and the resulting granule loss causes underlayment exposure that greatly expedites the degradation process, causing rapid roof deterioration and significantly shortening the lifespan of your roof. As this process continues, UV rays will destroy the integrity of the asphalt base, eventually leading to leaks, water damage, wet insulation, mold, and even collapse.
So what’s the urgency? Since most insurance companies only allow a maximum of one to two years to file a claim, the harmful effects and often catastrophic damage that follows a hail storm may appear too late to protect your investment. This is a costly mistake as your roof is undoubtedly one of the most expensive and important features on your home or business. Have your roof evaluated by a professional after a hail-producing storm to ensure your roof maintains its integrity and longevity.

Ice Dams

Here at Glenn Roofing & Construction, we often receive calls regarding ice dams during the winter months. Below is information provided directly from the Minnesota Department of Commerce to help explain ice dams and how to prevent them:
Ice dams are not caused by roofing, ventilation or gutter problems, as often believed. The real problem is a home that is leaking warm air. Due to inadequate air sealing, heat from the home’s interior gets into the attic and melts the underside of the snow on the roof. The melted snow water flows down the roof surface until reaching a cold spot, such as the eaves or soffit, where it forms a frozen dam. Over time, especially with a snow-covered roof in subfreezing temperatures, more ice can build up. Eventually, water starts seeping into the home. Because the primary cause of ice dams is warm air leaking from the attic, the best prevention is to seal leaks with caulking or expanding spray foam, with attic insulation installed to a minimum of R-50 as space allows.

An advanced home energy assessment, or audit, is your first step to preventing ice dams and making your home more energy efficient. The assessment will use equipment such as an infrared camera to find attic air leaks and how to seal them. A home energy audit can be arranged through your local utility, a nonprofit energy group or an HVAC professional. Once problem areas are detected, get bids from at least two licensed contractors to have the work done. For more information on preventing ice dams, sealing air leaks and adding insulation, check out the Commerce Department’s Home Energy Guide (mn.gov/commerce/home-energy).

Information provided by The Minnesota Department of Commerce at: mn.gov/commerce/energy/conserving-energy/energy-tips/?id=17-373292