The best Roofing Companies in OKC generally will advise you that your roof should be checked at least once a year, but most realize that most homeowners will go years with no proper roof inspection. There are three reasons why this occurs. First, many people don’t understand that their roof requires an annual inspection. And second, they are too lazy or afraid to get on their roofs and check.
If you think that you and I know our roofs, then guess again. Most of us don t even recognize all the components of a roof! That is ok because roofing companies don t have to explain everything – it is all made pretty clear in the business plan. I can list dozens of components that you will need to know about, but let’s start with roof leaks.
Most often when we inspect a roof, we just look at the roof itself. What we overlook is the sign of structural damage. Roofs that are leaking will usually reveal water seepage through the flashing around the edges, and small holes or tears in the roofing material. And often the only way to discover these gaps and tears is to have a roof inspection performed.
Most roofing companies use metal flashings on homes and businesses to protect the roof from the elements. Unfortunately, metal flashings can develop problems over time, especially if the metal is compromised. These problems are revealed in two ways. Either the metal shingles will begin to bend, ripping away from the roof, or they will become misshapen and weak. Either way, you need a roofing inspection to determine which problem is more likely to develop and how severe it is. Roof inspections also identify any signs of insect infestation.
Not all roofing companies perform these inspections. Some simply turn a blind eye to the potential problem, not realizing the extent of the damage that could occur. The result: poorly performing roofs. As a result, many homeowners have to pay to have their roofs repaired. While insurance companies do their best to minimize these costs, if you’re like many homeowners, you’re going to pay more than you should for your homeowner insurance policy!
Another reason why so many roofing companies don’t offer inspections is because many homeowners simply assume the worst. After all, how often do you have a bad roof installation? How many times have you heard that a seemingly perfectly good roofing installation “just wouldn’t hold”? In most cases, the homeowner either wasn’t given a free estimate, or wasn’t given a free estimate at all. Often times, homeowners believe that a free estimate is a sign that the inspector is looking only at the lowest cost and thus choose a company without further checking out their track record or pricing.
Unfortunately, many roofing companies aren’t actually licensed by their state to provide this service. When a roof inspection is performed, these inspectors are hired by a third party (often the insurance provider), not the homeowner. Although many states do regulate roofing companies, not every state has these inspections performed. For example, Florida does regulate roof inspection but only to ensure that the contractor provides a liability policy that protects the homeowner from the “whole process” of having a roof installed. Although these inspections are generally performed by an independent third party, it’s important to remember that there are some shady operators in the industry that will try to circumvent the laws to make extra money without actually offering a quality roofing inspection.
If you find yourself in this situation, you may need to contact your homeowner’s insurance company to see what they can do for you. Typically, they will be happy to help you and probably point you to reputable roofing companies. You may have to pay a referral fee, though it isn’t generally more than $100. This way, you have someone familiar with the process of working for you. At the very least, you’ll be sure that you have a roof inspection that offers the highest quality and that is fully endorsed by your homeowners’ insurance company and state.