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Remodeling and Construction

Mike Davied

2013-02-01 09:36:11

Q-I would like to know about metals, including their shapes & sizes, any help would be appreciated.

A-What most people commonly refer to as iron is actually called mild steel, which is iron with some additives to enhance its strength & usability, commonly carbon. Steels are used in the manufacturing of structures, automobiles, as well as in ships & vessels. The two most common forms of steel are: 1.) Hot rolled, which means it is formed while the steel is hot, so it will be less dense and have a coating on it called mill scale. 2.) Cold rolled, which refers to it being formed while the steel is cold, so there is no mill scale and it will have slightly different properties making it more suitable for machining purposes. There are many shapes, as in flats, rounds, angles, channels, tubes, & sheets. Sizes vary from very small to very large depending on a variety of factors. Most structural steel used in this area is measured in fractions of an inch dimensions, as in 2"X2"X1/4" angle , which would measure 2" wide X 2" tall X 1/4" in thickness. There are also some metric designations in use across the country. Stainless steel is another form of steel, but it has other additives to prevent corrosion, as with mild steel there are many sizes, shapes, and grades, each with unique properties and uses (depending on additives & procedures when the product is manufactured). Aluminum is also another metal used for the fabrication of structures as well as vessels, truck beds, castings, and the list goes on to include other more exotic metals including magnesium, nickel, titanium, etc. These are used in many applications from agriculture to aerospace, and medical to name only a few. As most different metals have different properties, their uses and the procedures to work with them vary per product. There are a host of publications describing metals & metallurgy. Hope this was of help. Thanks for the question.

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Remodeling and Construction

Todd Bonewell

2011-07-01 13:56:00

: I am convinced there are few things in life that are more trying than dealing with roofing companies. We had hail damage last September. We have been through a nightmare since then. Can you provide us with some information on what to do and how to go about it? This time I will put it in my “things to keep” file. Answer: Thank you for your question. Not long ago we put out a piece depicting exactly what you requested. I will include much of the same information we included in that piece for you here. Unfortunately for some, the roofing industry has become a bit analogous to some used car salesmen. There are many good used car salespeople, but the fact that there are some that use unscrupulous means to do what they do, can do a “number” on all of those in the profession. Last month, we talked about how to go about filing a roof insurance claim. This month we will talk about hail damage scams and what to watch for, as well as other tips that will make things go much more smoothly and get you what you want. Hail Damage Scams and What to Watch For: According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, in the first half of 2010 questionable hail damage claims increased by 107 percent when compared to the first half of 2009. Most media have run stories and articles about companies soliciting homeowners with phone calls and direct mail postcards, offering free roof inspections along with advice on how to get a “free roof”. Here are some things to watch for: Beware of “storm-chaser” companies that are not locally-based. They troll the country after hailstorms looking for business. After the work dries up, they leave town and you might have difficulty contacting them or getting them to come back if you have subsequent problems with the work they did. Beware of signs advertising “Want a free roof?” Beware of any company whose main pitch is that you can get a new roof paid for by the insurance company. Companies may not explain that you have to pay a deductible to get the repair or replacement done. A brochure may be left on your doorknob or in your mailbox telling you that catastrophic hail and windstorms struck the area and you may have severe damage to your roof. The roofing company may offer to help you get your insurer to pay for a new roof. What does “a free roof” really mean? Here’s how it works. The contractor tells you there is hail damage from a recent storm, and that his company will waive the cost of the deductible the homeowner will pay his or her insurance company. That means the individual gets a “free roof”. If they want you to sign something before they get on the roof, be extremely careful because you may be signing a contract. If someone suggests that you can “make money” on the roof replacement, that may be insurance fraud. Insurance companies are monitoring claims to protect themselves and their policy holders, because of losses sustained in the last few years. If they pressure you to “hurry up or you’ll miss the insurance deadline,” don’t even talk to them and don’t do anything until you talk to your insurance agent. Watch out for phrases like: “Insurance companies are compensating homeowners”, or “most homeowners in this area are unaware of the damage on their roof.” If a roofer is willing to commit fraud against the insurance company, can you trust that he will do what he says on your roof? Fraudsters will sometimes climb on a roof and cause intentional damage by using a ball-peen hammer or small rocks to tap the shingles to fabricate hail damage. Hail damage is random, and insurance adjustors can tell the difference between genuine hail strikes versus somebody who has taken a hammer and caused intentional damage. Some things to consider: While hail insurance claims have gone up 61 percent since 2006, hail fraud claims have jumped by more than 130 percent. Get independent verification of a hailstorm in your neighborhood. The National Weather Service or your local meteorologists have this information, and you should also talk to your neighbors. Homeowners should know that hail storms large enough to cause damage are a matter of record by the National Weather Service and by private weather information gathering businesses that insurers use for detailed information on storm locations, movement and severity. After a storm, look around your property. Is there evidence of hail damage to vehicles, the air conditioning unit, gutters and siding on your home and plants? If there is no collateral damage around your property, you may not have serious roof damage either. You should be aware of which way the storm was moving. Most residential homes are not built with flat roofs, but instead have angles or pitches which mean if there is any damage from hail, it is likely that the angles of the roof facing the storm would be more prone to damage, not the opposite side. Don’t rush into signing a contract with a roofing company. Insist on written estimates for the work. Investigate the track record of any roofer or contractor you consider hiring. Look for companies with a good reputation in your community, get references and don’t give anyone a deposit until you are sure they are reputable. Watch out for companies going door-to-door or leaving hangers on your doorknob. Companies that do this are not necessarily bad ... they may be doing work in your neighborhood and just alerting neighbors to stop by the job site to ask questions. But some storm chaser companies hire temporary employees to canvass neighborhoods trying to generate roofing leads. Ask how long the people have worked for the company, and/or whether the company has a local office and if so, where it is located? Someone’s word should not be the only deciding factor when determining whether there is enough damage to justify a roof replacement. The pattern of hail damage is usually random across the expanse of your roof. Damage that appears to be concentrated in one or two areas may be man-made. Fraudulent companies have been known to use rocks or ball-peen hammers to simulate hail damage. Phony damage can also be applied to the siding of a home as well. Hail damage does not always require an entire new roof. Roof scammers emphasize how the homeowner gets a new roof paid for by the insurance company. These scammers damage the reputation of honest contractors by duping homeowners who are unable to judge the amount of real damage or even if real damage occurred. Next month, we will talk about hail itself and why some hail causes more damage than other hail, even though

Answer: With a little help from the publisher, I was able to arrange it. Thank you for your question. Question: I am convinced there are few things in life that are more trying than dealing with roofing companies. We had hail damage last September. We have been through a nightmare since then. Can you provide us with some information on what to do and how to go about it? This time I will put it in my “things to keep” file. Answer: Thank you for your question. Not long ago we put out a piece depicting exactly what you requested. I will include much of the same information we included in that piece for you here. Unfortunately for some, the roofing industry has become a bit analogous to some used car salesmen. There are many good used car salespeople, but the fact that there are some that use unscrupulous means to do what they do, can do a “number” on all of those in the profession. Last month, we talked about how to go about filing a roof insurance claim. This month we will talk about hail damage scams and what to watch for, as well as other tips that will make things go much more smoothly and get you what you want. Hail Damage Scams and What to Watch For: According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, in the first half of 2010 questionable hail damage claims increased by 107 percent when compared to the first half of 2009. Most media have run stories and articles about companies soliciting homeowners with phone calls and direct mail postcards, offering free roof inspections along with advice on how to get a “free roof”. Here are some things to watch for: Beware of “storm-chaser” companies that are not locally-based. They troll the country after hailstorms looking for business. After the work dries up, they leave town and you might have difficulty contacting them or getting them to come back if you have subsequent problems with the work they did. Beware of signs advertising “Want a free roof?” Beware of any company whose main pitch is that you can get a new roof paid for by the insurance company. Companies may not explain that you have to pay a deductible to get the repair or replacement done. A brochure may be left on your doorknob or in your mailbox telling you that catastrophic hail and windstorms struck the area and you may have severe damage to your roof. The roofing company may offer to help you get your insurer to pay for a new roof. What does “a free roof” really mean? Here’s how it works. The contractor tells you there is hail damage from a recent storm, and that his company will waive the cost of the deductible the homeowner will pay his or her insurance company. That means the individual gets a “free roof”. If they want you to sign something before they get on the roof, be extremely careful because you may be signing a contract. If someone suggests that you can “make money” on the roof replacement, that may be insurance fraud. Insurance companies are monitoring claims to protect themselves and their policy holders, because of losses sustained in the last few years. If they pressure you to “hurry up or you’ll miss the insurance deadline,” don’t even talk to them and don’t do anything until you talk to your insurance agent. Watch out for phrases like: “Insurance companies are compensating homeowners”, or “most homeowners in this area are unaware of the damage on their roof.” If a roofer is willing to commit fraud against the insurance company, can you trust that he will do what he says on your roof? Fraudsters will sometimes climb on a roof and cause intentional damage by using a ball-peen hammer or small rocks to tap the shingles to fabricate hail damage. Hail damage is random, and insurance adjustors can tell the difference between genuine hail strikes versus somebody who has taken a hammer and caused intentional damage. Some things to consider: While hail insurance claims have gone up 61 percent since 2006, hail fraud claims have jumped by more than 130 percent. Get independent verification of a hailstorm in your neighborhood. The National Weather Service or your local meteorologists have this information, and you should also talk to your neighbors. Homeowners should know that hail storms large enough to cause damage are a matter of record by the National Weather Service and by private weather information gathering businesses that insurers use for detailed information on storm locations, movement and severity. After a storm, look around your property. Is there evidence of hail damage to vehicles, the air conditioning unit, gutters and siding on your home and plants? If there is no collateral damage around your property, you may not have serious roof damage either. You should be aware of which way the storm was moving. Most residential homes are not built with flat roofs, but instead have angles or pitches which mean if there is any damage from hail, it is likely that the angles of the roof facing the storm would be more prone to damage, not the opposite side. Don’t rush into signing a contract with a roofing company. Insist on written estimates for the work. Investigate the track record of any roofer or contractor you consider hiring. Look for companies with a good reputation in your community, get references and don’t give anyone a deposit until you are sure they are reputable. Watch out for companies going door-to-door or leaving hangers on your doorknob. Companies that do this are not necessarily bad ... they may be doing work in your neighborhood and just alerting neighbors to stop by the job site to ask questions. But some storm chaser companies hire temporary employees to canvass neighborhoods trying to generate roofing leads. Ask how long the people have worked for the company, and/or whether the company has a local office and if so, where it is located? Someone’s word should not be the only deciding factor when determining whether there is enough damage to justify a roof replacement. The pattern of hail damage is usually random across the expanse of your roof. Damage that appears to be concentrated in one or two areas may be man-made. Fraudulent companies have been known to use rocks or ball-peen hammers to simulate hail damage. Phony damage can also be applied to the siding of a home as well. Hail damage does not always require an entire new roof. Roof scammers emphasize how the homeowner gets a new roof paid for by the insurance company. These scammers damage the reputation of honest contractors by duping homeowners who are unable to judge the amount of real damage or even if real damage occurred. Next month, we will talk about hail itself and why some hail causes more damage than other hail, even though it is the same size.

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Remodeling and Construction

Todd Bonewell

2011-06-01 12:22:00

: I am convinced there are few things in life that are more trying than dealing with roofing companies. We had hail damage last September. We have been through a nightmare since then. Can you provide us with some information on what to do and how to go about it, as well as things to watch for from roofing contractors? This time I will put it in my “things to keep” file. Answer: Thank you for your question. Not long ago we put out a piece depicting exactly what you requested. I will include much of the same information we included in that piece for you here. Unfortunately for some, the roofing industry has become a bit analogous to some used car salesmen. There are many good used car salespeople, but the fact that there some that use unscrupulous means to do what they do, can do a “number” on all of those in the profession. This month, we will talk about how to go about filing a roof insurance claim. Later, we will talk about what hail damage scams and what to watch for, as well as other information that should assist you. How to File a Roof Insurance Claim: • Contact a reputable roofing company that is familiar with insurance claims. Most credible companies will agree to repair or replace your roof for what the insurance company agrees to pay for the job plus your deductible. If they are willing to do it for less, especially when damage repair work is plentiful right now, it might mean they are forced to sell on price alone, and could be an indication of quality or cash-flow problems. • Assess the damage and notify your insurance company immediately if you suspect damage. If you have a list of your home inventory be sure to provide that to your agent. • If necessary, make temporary repairs to protect your property from further damage, such as placing waterproof tarps over damaged sections of your roof, and cover broken windows. Keep receipts for all materials purchased. • Don’t dispose of damaged items until an adjuster has looked at them. • If you have a camera or camcorder, take photos or record a video to document damaged property. • Have your policy number handy when you’re ready to make your claim. • Provide your roofing contractor with the insurance agent’s name, telephone number and your policy number. Most insurance companies send an adjuster to look at your roof within five to seven days after you file a claim. The most serious losses will be given priority, but your insurance agent will see that your needs are taken care of. • Set the appointment, and if your contractor wants to be present when the adjuster arrives, give him the time and date and adjuster’s name and telephone number. • If your claim is approved, most insurance companies send an initial check for approximately fifty percent of the claim. • If you have a mortgage on your home, the first check will be made out jointly to you and the mortgage company. Contact your mortgage company and ask for the department that handles insurance claims for information on their process to get the check endorsed. Don’t sign the check until it comes back from the mortgage company in case the check gets lost in the mail. Once you receive the check back from the mortgage company, endorse it and deposit into your bank account. • Call your contractor when the first check comes in from the mortgage company. A down payment is usually due when the crew arrives at the jobsite to begin the work. Keep in mind that roofing companies have to purchase your repair materials upfront and pay their employees or subcontractors weekly. • Upon completion, your roofing company representative may do a final inspection and go over the checklist with you. Note any items that need attention and sign the final inspection checklist. If your mortgage company has requested a final inspection, call them now. • The final bill will be faxed or mailed directly to the insurance company. • Upon receipt of the final insurance check, the invoice is due. At this point contact your roofing company to pick up the final check for the balance due. Next month we will talk about hail damage scams a

Answer: With a little help from the publisher, I was able to arrange it. Thank you for your question. Question: I am convinced there are few things in life that are more trying than dealing with roofing companies. We had hail damage last September. We have been through a nightmare since then. Can you provide us with some information on what to do and how to go about it, as well as things to watch for from roofing contractors? This time I will put it in my “things to keep” file. Answer: Thank you for your question. Not long ago we put out a piece depicting exactly what you requested. I will include much of the same information we included in that piece for you here. Unfortunately for some, the roofing industry has become a bit analogous to some used car salesmen. There are many good used car salespeople, but the fact that there some that use unscrupulous means to do what they do, can do a “number” on all of those in the profession. This month, we will talk about how to go about filing a roof insurance claim. Later, we will talk about what hail damage scams and what to watch for, as well as other information that should assist you. How to File a Roof Insurance Claim: • Contact a reputable roofing company that is familiar with insurance claims. Most credible companies will agree to repair or replace your roof for what the insurance company agrees to pay for the job plus your deductible. If they are willing to do it for less, especially when damage repair work is plentiful right now, it might mean they are forced to sell on price alone, and could be an indication of quality or cash-flow problems. • Assess the damage and notify your insurance company immediately if you suspect damage. If you have a list of your home inventory be sure to provide that to your agent. • If necessary, make temporary repairs to protect your property from further damage, such as placing waterproof tarps over damaged sections of your roof, and cover broken windows. Keep receipts for all materials purchased. • Don’t dispose of damaged items until an adjuster has looked at them. • If you have a camera or camcorder, take photos or record a video to document damaged property. • Have your policy number handy when you’re ready to make your claim. • Provide your roofing contractor with the insurance agent’s name, telephone number and your policy number. Most insurance companies send an adjuster to look at your roof within five to seven days after you file a claim. The most serious losses will be given priority, but your insurance agent will see that your needs are taken care of. • Set the appointment, and if your contractor wants to be present when the adjuster arrives, give him the time and date and adjuster’s name and telephone number. • If your claim is approved, most insurance companies send an initial check for approximately fifty percent of the claim. • If you have a mortgage on your home, the first check will be made out jointly to you and the mortgage company. Contact your mortgage company and ask for the department that handles insurance claims for information on their process to get the check endorsed. Don’t sign the check until it comes back from the mortgage company in case the check gets lost in the mail. Once you receive the check back from the mortgage company, endorse it and deposit into your bank account. • Call your contractor when the first check comes in from the mortgage company. A down payment is usually due when the crew arrives at the jobsite to begin the work. Keep in mind that roofing companies have to purchase your repair materials upfront and pay their employees or subcontractors weekly. • Upon completion, your roofing company representative may do a final inspection and go over the checklist with you. Note any items that need attention and sign the final inspection checklist. If your mortgage company has requested a final inspection, call them now. • The final bill will be faxed or mailed directly to the insurance company. • Upon receipt of the final insurance check, the invoice is due. At this point contact your roofing company to pick up the final check for the balance due. Next month we will talk about hail damage scams and what to watch for.

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Remodeling and Construction

Todd Bonewell

2011-05-01 15:19:00

Question: What is meant by a “design-build” contract?

Answer: A design-build contract is a unique type of project delivery system used in construction and renovation projects. Traditional contracts are awarded using a design-bid-build system, where the project owner starts by hiring an architect. Once the architect has finished the design phase, the project is put out for bid to general contracting companies. The contractor with the lowest bid is awarded the project, and is responsible for completing the job according to the plans created by the architect. With a design-build contract, the owner awards the entire project to a single company. It is typically awarded to a contractor, though architects or engineers may be awarded a design-build contract in some specialized cases. Once the contract is signed, the contractor is responsible for all design and construction work required to complete the project. This system allows the owner to deal with a single source throughout the duration of the job, rather than coordinating between various parties. When a design-build contract is awarded to a builder, that builder must hire all architects and engineers required to complete design work. The owner is still given the right to approve or reject design options, but is no longer responsible for coordinating or managing the design team. Once the owner approves the design, the same contractor then oversees the construction process, hiring subcontractors or using its employees as needed. Most design-build contracts are awarded through negotiation rather than through a bid process. This type of project delivery offers many benefits to the owner. He or she serves a simplified role in the construction process, and will often greatly reduce his administrative and management responsibilities. Design-build contracts generally result in a more team-oriented atmosphere, and may reduce claims and legal problems over the course of the project. This type of contract can have more accurate budgets and estimates, as well as a faster project completion time.

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Remodeling and Construction

Todd Bonewell

2011-04-01 13:55:00

Question: I have enjoyed your articles. I have a rather long question. I have a 13-year-old, asphalt, shingle roof. After last September’s hail storm, my roof sustained damage to the southern slopes, which I believe were perpendicular to the incoming hail. After the storm, I had over 1/2” of granules in a brand new gutter and the southern slopes were strewn with thousands of 1/8” to 3/16” pits. The underside of the shingles did not show any cracking or indentations, as would be expected I would think from hail nearly one inch and larger in diameter. I recently had an adjustor come by to look at the damage to my roof. He said my damage was due to blistering, not hail. I was on my roof 5 months prior to the storm and replaced 3 pipe boots on the southern roof slopes. The shingles never exhibited any raised bubbles at that time. They were smooth and flat. My weight did not disturb anything more than a few stones from the roof surface. The adjustor showed me a photo of burst blisters, which I have to admit, looked like my damage, but all of the research I can find indicates that 13-year old, asphalt shingles don’t suddenly develop a manufacturing or installation issue known as blistering. I say this is hail damage. What do you say?

Answer: Blisters on asphalt or fiberglass shingles should be visible in and out of the hail damage area if they were present before the storm. A competent onsite inspection by an expert usually finds additional clues that help accurately diagnose the problem. Here is my reasoning on the question of distinguishing among simple hail damage, hail damage to a blistered roof, and shingle blister wear on a roof: You will want to survey the roof surface carefully, perhaps in the early morning or late afternoon with angled sunlight or even at dusk with a flashlight shone along the surface, in order to see what other roof blisters may be present in various areas of the roof. Then you can decide what role pre-existing blisters, even if they were not previously open or “burst,” may have played in the hail damage. We are not sure that hail will necessarily produce cracks or dents shown on the underside of asphalt roof shingles. That material, if the roof shingles are not old, dried and brittle, is resilient to impact. Cracks in my experience come with age, loss of volatiles and shingles becoming dried and brittle. Or in some cases, cracks occur from defective product. The presence of mineral granules in quantity appearing after a hailstorm and in the previously new clean gutters is a strong indication that the roof suffered granule loss during the storm. A couple of questions might be, “Were there previous blisters on the shingles and did that play a role in the granule loss?” Does that affect the shingle warranty or an insurance claim for hail damage following a hail storm?” I agree with the insurance company adjustor that shingle blisters can deteriorate to shingle pitting, and often will ultimately do so from foot traffic or just shingle aging depending on how long the shingles remain on the roof. But blisters on asphalt shingles can also convert to pitting due to hail damage, and in that case one might argue that the roof age or wear was accelerated by the hail storm that burst the blisters leaving the pits. However, if blisters were the source of pitting on your roof, one would expect to find some remaining, un-burst blisters, perhaps lower in profile. It seems to me less likely that even on a blistered roof you would get 100% blister bursting in a hailstorm. So a careful inspection should find some remaining blisters, or at a minimum, raised edges (previously blister edges) around the pits on the shingles now, after the storm. If there are no blisters on the roof shingles now, and considering that you report not having seen blisters before the storm, and since post hail we see just pits with no unopened blisters, and particularly if the pitting occurs on the slopes most impacted by the hail, hail damage sounds like a likely explanation.

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Remodeling and Construction

Todd Bonewell

2011-01-01 10:18:00

Question: I am convinced there are few things in life that are more trying than dealing with roofing companies. We had hail damage last September. We have been through a nightmare since then. Can you provide us with some information on what to do and how to go about it?

Answer: Thank you for your question. Not long ago we put out a piece depicting exactly what you requested. I will include much of the same information we included in that piece for you here. Unfortunately for some, the roofing industry has become a bit analogous to some used car salesmen. There are many good used car salespeople, but the fact that there some that use unscrupulous means to do what they do, can do a “number” on all of those in the profession. This month, we will talk about how to go about filing a roof insurance claim. Later, we will talk about what hail damage scams and what to watch for, as well as other tips that will make things go much more smoothly and get you what you want. How to File a Roof Insurance Claim: Severe storms this year throughout Kansas have damaged homes, cars, and businesses. Here are some tips to help you: •Contact a reputable roofing company that is familiar with insurance claims. Most credible companies will agree to repair or replace your roof for what the insurance company agrees to pay for the job plus your deductible. If they are willing to do it for less, especially when damage repair work is plentiful right now, it might mean they are forced to sell on price alone, and could be an indication of quality or cash-flow problems. •Assess the damage and notify your insurance company immediately if you suspect damage. If you have a list of your home inventory be sure to provide that to your agent. •If necessary, make temporary repairs to protect your property from further damage, such as placing waterproof tarps over damaged sections of your roof, and cover broken windows. Keep receipts for all materials purchased. •Don’t dispose of damaged items until an adjuster has looked at them. •If you have a camera or camcorder, take photos or record a video to document damaged property. •Have your policy number handy when you’re ready to make your claim. •Provide your roofing contractor with the insurance agent’s name, telephone number and your policy number. Most insurance companies send an adjuster to look at your roof within five to seven days after you file a claim. The most serious losses will be given priority, but your insurance agent will see that your needs are taken care of. •Set the appointment, and if your contractor wants to be present when the adjuster arrives, give him the time and date and adjuster’s name and telephone number. •If your claim is approved, most insurance companies send an initial check for approximately fifty percent of the claim. •If you have a mortgage on your home, the first check will be made out jointly to you and the mortgage company. Contact your mortgage company and ask for the department that handles insurance claims for information on their process to get the check endorsed. Don’t sign the check until it comes back from the mortgage company in case the check gets lost in the mail. Once you receive the check back from the mortgage company, endorse it and deposit into your bank account. •Call your contractor when the first check comes in from the mortgage company. A down payment is usually due when the crew arrives at the jobsite to begin the work. Keep in mind that roofing companies have to purchase your repair materials upfront and pay their employees or subcontractors weekly. •Upon completion, your roofing company representative may do a final inspection and go over the checklist with you. Note any items that need attention and sign the final inspection checklist. If your mortgage company has requested a final inspection, call them now. •The final bill will be faxed or mailed directly to the insurance company. •Upon receipt of the final insurance check, the invoice is due. At this point contact your roofing company to pick up the final check for the balance due. Hail Damage Scams and What to Watch For: According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, in the first half of 2010 questionable hail damage claims increased by 107 percent when compared to the first half of 2009. Most media have run stories and articles about companies soliciting homeowners with phone calls and direct mail postcards, offering free roof inspections along with advice on how to get a “free roof”. Here are some things to watch for: •Beware of “storm-chaser” companies that are not locally-based. They troll the country after hailstorms looking for business. After the work dries up, they leave town and you might have difficulty contacting them or getting them to come back if you have subsequent problems with the work they did. •Beware of signs advertising “Want a free roof?” •Beware of any company whose main pitch is that you can get a new roof paid for by the insurance company. •Companies may not explain that you have to pay a deductible to get the repair or replacement done. •A brochure may be left on your doorknob or in your mailbox telling you that catastrophic hail and windstorms struck the area and you may have severe damage to your roof. The roofing company may offer to help you get your insurer to pay for a new roof. •What does “a free roof” really mean? Here’s how it works. The contractor tells you there is hail damage from a recent storm, and that his company will waive the cost of the deductible the homeowner will pay his or her insurance company. That means the individual gets a “free roof.” •If they want you to sign something before they get on the roof, be extremely careful because you may be signing a contract. •If someone suggests that you can “make money” on the roof replacement, that may be insurance fraud. Insurance companies are monitoring claims to protect themselves and their policyholders, because of losses sustained in the last few years. •If they pressure you to “hurry up or you’ll miss the insurance deadline”, don’t even talk to them. And don’t do anything until you talk to your insurance agent. •Watch out for phrases like: “insurance companies are compensating homeowners”, or “most homeowners in this area are unaware of the damage on their roof”. •If a roofer is willing to commit fraud against the insurance company, can you trust that he will do what he says on your roof? •Fraudsters will sometimes climb on a roof and cause intentional damage by using a ball-peen hammer or small rocks to tap the shingles to fabricate hail damage. Hail damage is random, and insurance adjustors can tell the difference between genuine hail strikes versus somebody who has taken a hammer and caused intentional damage. Some things to consider: •While hail insurance claims have gone up 61 percent since 2006, hail fraud claims have jumped by more than 130 percent. •Get independent verification of a hailstorm in your neighborhood. The National Weather Service or your local meteorologists have this information, and you should also talk to your neighbors. •Homeowners should know that hail storms large enough to cause damage are a matter of record by the National Weather Service and by private weather information gathering businesses that insurers use for detailed information on storm locations, movement and severity. After a storm: •Look around your property. Is there evidence of hail damage to vehicles, the air conditioning unit, gutters and siding on your home, and plants? If there is no collateral damage around your property, you may not have serious roof damage either. •You should be aware of which way the storm was moving. Most residential homes are not built with flat roofs, but instead have angles or pitches which mean if there is any damage from hail, it is likely that the angles of the roof facing the storm would be more prone to damage, not the opposite side. •Don’t rush into signing a contract with a roofing company. Insist on written estimates for the work. •Investigate the track record of any roofer or contractor you consider hiring. Look for companies with a good reputation in your community, get references and don’t give anyone a deposit until you are sure they are reputable. •Watch out for companies going door-to-door or leaving hangers on your doorknob. Companies that do this are not necessarily bad ... they may be doing work in your neighborhood and just alerting neighbors to stop by the job site to ask questions. But some storm chaser companies hire temporary employees to canvass neighborhoods trying to generate roofing leads. Ask how long the people have worked for the company, and/or whether the company has a local office and if so, where are it located? •Someone’s word should not be the only deciding factor when determining whether there is enough damage to justify a roof replacement. •The pattern of hail damage is usually random across the expanse of your roof. Damage that appears to be concentrated in one or two areas may be man-made. Fraudulent companies have been known to use rocks or ball-peen hammers to simulate hail damage. Phony damage can also be applied to the siding of a home as well. •Hail damage does not always require an entire new roof. •Roof scammers emphasize how the homeowner gets a new roof paid for by the insurance company. These scammers damage the reputation of honest contractors by duping homeowners who are unable to judge the amount of real damage or even if real damage occurred.

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Remodeling and Construction

Todd Bonewell

2011-01-01 10:18:00

Question: Tell me about hail and hail damage to roofing. Where does hail come from? Why is there hail sometimes and not others when the conditions are exactly the same? Why does some hail cause more damage than other hail, even when it’s the same size?

Answer: Before you think I am some sort of a meteorologist…please don’t. I only know a little more about this subject because I spend so much of my time repairing its damages. Your question on why hail sometimes causes damage and not another is a good one. The answer is that somewhere along the line…there IS something different. It may not be immediately ascertainable, but it’s there. Let me start with the basics. By the way, before I begin, please know I had some help from some great work done by Charles Roberts on this subject. Hail forms when frozen water drops are lifted in turbulent wind regimes during thunderstorms. The frozen drops of water increase in size and eventually fall to earth as hail having been driven by a combination of gravity and wind forces. Hail stones vary in size from pea size (1/4 inch diameter, little roof damage), through marble size (3/4 inch in diameter, threshold damage to roof materials) to golf ball size (1 1/2 inch in diameter, typically severe damage to roofing materials). Hail size distributions tend to be localized with some roofs damaged, while others are not. Wind direction plays an important role, as well as roof pitch. A direct impact of hail on a shingle is more damaging than that of a glancing blow. Figure 1a illustrates the dynamics of hail impact on two different roof pitches. The home on the left would sustain more roof damage than that on the right, because of the more direct impact on the left as opposed to the less damaging, glancing, blow to the right. Wind conditions can distort damage to a home as illustrated in Figure 1b. The home on the left has more glancing blows to the roof from the wind, while the windward wall comes under attack from direct hail impact. The right wall is protected and undamaged from the hail. The home on the right will more likely sustain roof damage on the windward side because of the more direct impact. Assessing hail damage is often accomplished by a roof inspection, which usually occurs several days to several months after the hail event. Determination of whether hail actually fell at a site can be made through statements and weather reports. Inspection of thin, aluminum fixtures helps verify hail impact. Figure 2a shows denting on a roof vent cap indicating that hail had struck the vent at one time. Figure 2b shows denting on a flue vent indicative of hail impact at one time. The denting on these two fixtures does not impede their function. Figure 2c shows deformation to condensing unit fins on an air conditioning system, as a result of a driving hailstorm. This damage does impair operation of the unit, in that air flow through the coils is reduced, causing higher refrigerant temperature, lost performance and lost reliability. Figure 3 shows shredded and pock-marked paint from a driving hailstorm. The base wood was undamaged but repainting was required. Figure 4 shows mild impact marks on a cedar shingle, consistent with hail impact. These marks will typically dissipate over time with virtually no effect on shingle life. Figure 5 shows more severe shredding from hail impact. If the impact marks are causing severe splits, then shingle life will most likely be adversely affected. Figure 6 shows impact damage to siding as a result of wind driven hail. Some shredding and minor splitting has occurred but the siding appears structurally sound. Hail damage to asphalt shingles includes severe granule loss, material removal at the edges of the shingles and penetration. Figure 7 shows grit loss from asphalt after pounding from a hailstorm. New asphalt shingles are more resistant to hail impact than older shingles since the asphalt becomes more brittle with age. Warmer shingles are more compliant and more resistant to fracture from hail when compared with colder shingles. Shingles rely on a structurally sound substrate for hail damage resistance. Flexible roof sheathing allows the shingles to flex during impact causing damage, while more rigid roof sheathing supports the shingle during impact resulting in less shingle damage. In recent years, roof shingle manufacturers have been listing products that conform to Underwriters Laboratories test standard UL 2218, which classifies the resistance of a particular product to hail damage. The test entails dropping steel balls on samples and observing the damage. A Class 4 rating is the most resistive to hail damage, while the Class 1 rating is the least resistive. Some insurance companies are reducing premiums when Class 4 shingles are used. The roofing industry takes issue with some of the testing methods, indicating that shingle aging and thermal environments are not taken into account. Most hail related damage is cosmetic and does not affect the useful life of roof shingles. In other cases severe wood splitting, significant granule loss, penetration of the shingle and fracture may require shingle replacement. We will have more next month.