ACI Roofing Insurance Opinon on Roofing Repairs for Autumn
Autumn is usually seen as the onset of winter and the end of roofing season. However, winter brings with it the need to make necessary repairs to repel the harsh snow, ice and hale that bombard many roofs during the cold season. You can help homeowners with minor repairs on their roofs that could save them major headaches.
Gutters
Falling autumn leaves inevitably end up clogging gutters. You can not only unclog these gutters for your clients but also you can install mesh leaf guards. You can likewise remove leaves and sticks from inside gutters, check for damaged joints and segments and repair them. Finally, you can extend downspouts to avoid buildup, and make sure they drain away from the house to avoid water in the foundation or basement.
Leaks
More than 75% of all leaking problems happen in flashing and penetration areas. Flashing refers to the thin pieces of material installed to prevent the passage of water into a structure from a joint or part of a weather resistant barrier (WRB). Roof penetrations are pathways for pipes, conduits and telecommunications. Flashing and penetration areas because of their vulnerability demand special attention during an annual roof maintenance inspection.
Skylights and chimneys are other areas that can spring leaks. Check these areas for leaks and cracks and repair them. If ice and snow gather on a roof that is riddled with leaks, it’s only a matter of time before the shingles fall off and the roof buckles under the extra weight. A collapsed roof can force a homeowner to incur unanticipated costs and file an insurance claim for repairs in the middle of winter.
Shingles
According to the information in
“5 Major Changes in P&C Insurance Since Hurricane Katrina”
“Before Katrina, the modeling of catastrophe exposures was typically done on aggregate portfolios for reinsurance purchasing. Modeling was a “nice to have” item, and was not considered from a per-risk standpoint. Since Katrina, CAT modeling has generally been used on a per-risk basis.
Today, virtually every risk with catastrophe exposure is run through one or more models to consider potential loss scenarios. For an insured, understanding CAT exposures is a key to negotiating with insurers.” For a roofing contractor, having an in-depth understanding of CAT Modeling, can help you get bids, increase profits, calculate business risks and reduce your company’s liability.
Policy Wording
Shingles act as the great protector of your roof. Replace any shingles that are missing. Identify which shingles are loose and make sure that they are securely tacked down. Finally, waterproof all the shingles, so they can withstand the barrage of precipitation that they will endure all winter long.
Dormers
Dormers are windowed structured, utilized to expand the size of a home, and are situated on the roof. What is problematic about many dormers is that they don’t include an outdoor drainage system, like gutters. Instead, when it rains, the water pours directly onto the roof. If your homeowners do not have a drainage system for their dormers, strategizing a simple water removal method for the dormers on the roofing systems, could save them a lot of headaches.
Roof Valley
Roof valleys are formed when two adjoining sides of a roof meet at a downward angle and create a crevice. Valleys are natural receptacles of water because of their deep V shape. Like dormers, valleys don’t have any built-in drainage systems. A number of diversion systems are in use to offload the rainwater. You could utilize water collection systems to help divert water from your homeowner’s roof.
Summary
It’s clear that water and leaks are the greatest culprits in roof damage. However, the frigid temperatures of winter turn water into ice, hail and snow, which buckle and can collapse roofs.
