Information Homeowners Should Know

IMPORTANCE OF ROOF MAINTENANCE

Why is my roof leaking? There are many different reasons why this could be happening. Some of these reasons may be claimable while other reasons are due to maintenance issues that will not be covered by your insurance company. Your roof is one of the most important parts of your structure since it protects your whole house. Your home is possibly the biggest investment you will ever make so maintain your roof to keep it protected. Do not allow your roof to worsen overtime by leaving these issues untreated. Contact Rainbow International to address your property damage.

The Chicago land area seen a deep freeze this winter that caused havoc to many roofs. Storm damage issues that were not addressed after lasts falls storm have only worsened after this winter. We are expected to see a few days of rain this week which will cause many of these damaged roofs to leak.

Damages to your roof need to be addressed to prevent water from entering the home. This will continue to happen if your roof is not properly repaired. These damages will only worsen over time if your worn down roof sees severe weather. Another reason to make repairs to your leaky roof is because it can also lead to mold growth if water continues to enter the home and is left untreated. Maintaining your roof is essential in protecting your home. Many warranties can contain a clause that voids the warranty if you do not properly maintain it. Annual roof maintenance should include a roof inspection to check your shingles, flashing, chimney, skylight, roof ventilation and bathroom fan. If you have a leak then you should also be inspecting for mold growth. Having a roof inspection to identify maintenance issues can help you prevent costly repairs in the future.

Roof Damages That Are Often Covered By Insurance:

• Wind damage
• Hail damage - Hail causes an estimated $1 billion in damage every year.
• Ice dams

Please note: The insurance company will ONLY cover and pay out for the areas that were damaged. This does not mean you will receive an entire new roof if only a few shingles were damaged. This is often a misconception when people file an insurance claim. Speak with your agent before filing a claim to avoid unpaid claims on your C.L.U.E. Report. 

Roof Damages That Are NOT Covered By Insurance:

• Maintenance & neglect related issues
• Fraudulent hail damage (self-inflicted or inflicted by storm chasers)

Things To Look For:

• Curling shingles -  If the shingles are starting to curl or bubble then they are susceptible to tearing off during high winds.
• Deteriorating shingles - If notice a large amount of shingle granules in your gutters or near your down spout then this is often a sign that your shingles are nearing the end of their life span. These granules sit on the surface of a shingle see a lot of wear through years of severe weather.
• Missing shingles - Heavy storms or severe winds can pull shingles away from the roof.
• Flashing - Make sure your flashing is not rusted, damaged or missing.
• Stained shingles - If shingles are severely stained, streaked or excessively worn then they may need to be replaced.
• Attic - Check for water leakage that may be seeping in through your roof. This can cause staining as well as wood that may be rotting.
• Stained ceilings - Stains on the ceiling are often a good indicator that there is a moisture issue in that area. Moisture issues that are not addressed can lead to mold growth which can cause health concerns.
• Gutters - Gutters should be clear and free of debris. Things can build up over time that cause blockage in the gutter. If an entire gutter is blocked up then water cannot properly be directed away from the roof.  This can cause water to settle in areas that can cause damage.

BE WARY OF DOOR TO DOOR STORM CHASERS THAT ASK TO INSPECT YOUR ROOF. THESE PEOPLE WILL OFTEN INFLICT DAMAGES TO YOUR ROOF THEMSELVES BUT WILL INFORM YOU THAT YOU HAVE HAIL DAMAGE. THEY WILL OFFER TO WAIVE YOUR DEDUCTIBLE IF YOU ALLOW THEM TO FIX YOUR ROOF. FRAUDULENT CLAIMS ARE DETECTED EVERY DAY. YOUR CLAIM WILL BE DENIED AND YOU WILL BE REPORTED. This article is from 2010 but storm chasers continue to prey on people:

 http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/pressroom/2010_11/20101123.html

Rainbow International has been receiving numerous calls for inspections regarding leaking roofs and interior water damage. Insurance agents are often contact us to inspect their clients roofs. When storm chasers convince people to file an insurance claim we are often asked verify if there is legit hail damage or not. If you have a leaky roof or interior water damage contact Rainbow International to have your property inspected.