INSURANCE COMPANY TELLING YOU, “YOU NEED A NEW ROOF”!!

How do you know when it’s time to install a new roof system?

Most people will say when it starts leaking! While this does mean you need a roof repair or replacement, it really is a little late. I have many customers ask how I know when it’s time to replace the roof system or just repair. My first question is how old is the existing roof system? I may also ask if they have seen shingle pieces around the home, have they looked in the attic for evidence of water infiltration, are the fasteners that penetrate the sheathing rusted and most importantly can they see daylight in the attic at the eaves (the lowest point in the attic) or do they have gable end vents or a power fan?

To the professional a look at the shingles with an attic inspection is all that is needed to access the condition of the existing roof system. My company will do this inspection at no cost to the homeowner and the estimated cost to repair or replace will be given to the homeowner also at no cost. Any reliable roofing company should do the same. We only charge when the inspection report is requested in writing.

Any roof system that is 20-30 years old should be inspected. Usually, the first things to start leaking are the flashing details such as the chimney flashings, plumbing vent pipe flanges, roof line wall flashings, skylights and any other roof protrusion as they are usually the first to deteriorate before the roofing shingles. If there is missing shingle, curling or buckling shingles, Spalding or bare spots on the shingles and are the shingles still pliable?

The roof system is one of the most important components of your home. This is not the place to gamble on, as water infiltration will damage roof sheathing, increasing the cost of roofing, not to mention interior damage.  We are seeing a lot of insurance companies require re-roofing or face cancellation of your homeowner’s policy! Even though they are requiring this action I have found many of these insurance companies are wrong about the condition of the roof system. Many roofing companies love the fact that the insurance companies are requiring homeowners to replace the roof, it’s great for their bottom line, a reliable roofing company will be honest in their assessment. We look at the forest for the trees, many times we advise the homeowner that the roof is not in need of replacement, maybe just a repair or cleaning of algae, or nothing at all. We have secured a customer down the road because we are honest, and they now know they can trust my company.



When in doubt about the condition of your home’s roof system don’t delay and contact at least three roofing companies, check with the BBB and always ask for references. Get their assessment and estimates of repair or replacement. When it comes to replacement of the roof system you have a few options, if you have an old style three tab (strip shingle) you could reroof over the existing roof system if this is only one layer. If you have a dimensional type of shingle (Timberline) you have no choice but to remove the existing roof system and install new. That said let’s talk about roofing over the existing roof system, should your budget allow REMOVE the existing roof system, in all my 40 plus years of roofing most all call backs are on recovers. Problem one, the flashing details belong to the first roof, this means that none of the flashing details will be replaced outside of the plumbing vent flanges. With the recover there is no chance to inspect the wood decking, upgrade to the new manufacturing specifications such as Ice and Water shield, underlayment and rake and eave details. The life expectancy of the new shingles is reduced and will never last as long as the first roof system.

We are seeing less and less of recovering and with good cause. When you install a new roof system you can rest a sure that you have the best protection from Blow-Off and water infiltration. A new roof system is one and done, and your investment is well protected. If you’re unsure of the roof system and its condition don’t wait call for those inspections and estimates, make sure they are free and do your homework and check the BBB and references. My company is Tony’s Mountain Construction LLC (732)566-0944 call for an appointment, and I will come out, not a salesman just an honest roofer who takes pride in his work. We are an Accredited Business with the BBB.