I am sure many of you have noticed that things are changing in the insurance industry. It appears that the villain is mother nature, and the victim is our shingle roof. Shingle roofs that we have been told have 20,30 and even 50-year warranties are wearing out in less then 20 years or are being damaged by wind or hail. So, what can we do to protect these important roof coverings.
- First and foremost, get a reputable local roofer if you are having a new roof put on or repairs made. Storm chasing roofers are driving up insurance cost and doing shotty work, and then they are gone.
- Make sure your roof has adequate ventilation, Lack of ventilation can dry out shingle asphalt as well as cause humidity and heat issues in your attic. Ventilation is surprising affordable to have added by a roofing contractor.
- Trim those trees. Trees overhanging roofs rob or drop debris on the roof causing premature granular loss.
- Clean those gutters. Having water, snow or ice poorly drain from your roof can cause water to backup under the shingles.
- Do you have streaking, or algae build up on your roof? You can shoot foam cleaners from the ground that will help clean those ugly stains and make your roof look like new.
These are just a few of the maintenance items that can be done to extend your roofs life. If you are looking to control your insurance cost on your roof you can call us about different wind/hail deductibles that might be a fit for you. Raising your wind/hail deductible to $2500 or 1% (1% of insured home value) will save significant money on your premiums.