Friday, April 15, 2011

Recent Charlotte NC | Fort Mill SC Hail Storms and the Storm Chasing Swine

hail damage in fort mill sc
For many local residents in fort mill sc, charlotte nc, rock hill sc, gastonia nc and surrounding areas it was a complete disaster. Many homes and vehicles suffered severe damage from baseball size hail that was spit from the sky saturday April 9, 2011 throughout the greater charlotte area. I've inspected over 70 homes this week and have seen broken windows, decimated patio furniture, siding that looked like someone went ballistic with a 12 gauge and roofs that had shingles sucked off by mother nature with impacts from hail that looked pock marks from the street below. Yes folks it was ugly and fort mill residents who got it the worst are still furious, and after this week I believe the rage will only increase for many.

One thing that really bothered me more than all of this damage, was the damage being done to unsuspecting homeowners seeking assistance and emergency repairs before it decides to rain again. Yes, the Storm chasers have landed by the squadrons with fancy wrapped vehicles sporting plates from states like georgia, ohio, virginia, colorado, texas, oklahoma and more all with a local charlotte nc or sc area number on the side. You see these teams of so called "Storm damage specialists" have been spewing B.S. like a 13 year old school boy trying to convince his buddies he's not a virgin anymore.

I heard things like "Yes maam that is correct your roof will be totally free, just sign here" or "We have been in the area for over 20 years now" all with a Virginia plate and a name like Carolina Roofing Company. I have inspected roofs and in the middle of talking to a customer a storm chaser walks up and interrupts trying to gain the homeowners attention, I gave him the look of doom so hard he ran back to his truck and peeled off. Imagine, the disrespect, the blatant lies (which by the way are illegal when I hear them saying they will pay their deductible) and the oversaturation of inexperienced roofing inspectors/sales reps out to cash in on the misery of local residents.

This brings up the whole reason I am writing this article: As a local customer in need of roofing, siding, possible window replacement and automobile repairs needing to be done do you want to hire some "slick willie" that strolls into town by convoy a day after disaster strikes leeching the community of their insurance claims checks, performing shoddy work and then leaving you like the teenage boy who told you he loved you back in high school just to put another notch on his belt? I should Hope not!!!

You Deserve better!.....Hire local reputable roofers in the charlotte nc, gastonia nc and fort mill areas who will be here next year and can provide a full workmanship warranty just in case a problem arises.
You will want to do a BBB check on the roofing contractor to make sure they have a good rating and also that they have not had any unanswered or unresolved complaints from customers in the charlotte nc area because this clearly shows that their concern for the customer is nada, not to mention unresolved issues say that they just want your money which usually means theyre willing to cut corners on materials and labor for installation hiring inexperienced roofing crews for a pawltry sum. Also check their insurance and workman's comp to see if they have it, if not you may be responsible for any problems that arise.

Alot of folks are also under the misconception that if a company does more than roofing that they are a "jack of all trades, master of none" and this is simply not the case. As a matter of fact Roofing is one of the easiest jobs to install in the construction field if you forget the dangers of working two or three stories up on a steep pitch. I have been installing roofs with my dad since I was about 12 years old and went to school for 4 years covering everything structural and non structural in the construction industry. My advice is to find a good well rounded knowledgable roofing and remodeling contractor that is willing to educate you on the process. You see, many roofers dont care or wont take the time help customers understand what a "complete roofing system" entails and all their options when it comes to replacing their roof.

Storm chasers usually focus on those insurance checks and skim over the details of a roofing system because they are not using all the proper quality components required to comprise a complete roofing system because they know it will cut their profits down, and bad local roofers will either not know or not care either. I always thought a roofer or remodeler is only as good as the products they use to complete the install. I've always started by tearing off the old roof, installing ice & water shield | leak barrier in the valleys, around pipes, chimneys, rakes and eaves and areas where the siding meets the roof such as a garage roof elevation. I then install drip edge around the perimeter of the home, after that, fiberglass or synthetic underlayment which blows aways felt paper by a long shot though slightly more money, it will make your roof lay flatter, be more water resistant and tear proof when the roofing crew is walking on it.

We always install "starter strip shingles" which have a seal strip right near the edge of the roof and will keep the shingles around the perimeter from wind lift during high winds, we replace all flashings starting with the chimney and build crickets where needed to diver water properly around chimneys. We install Lead boots and coat with High temperature accessory paint so you will never have a dry rotted boot cause a leak again.

We install our Roofing shingles with 6 nails to increase the wind rating up to 130 mph. We check all soffit vents to make sure there is unrestricted Air flow into the attic then we will install a high quality ridge vent like GAF cobra 3 to properly vent the attic from heat and moisture build up. We top it all off with Hip and Ridge shingles or  "caps" as old timers used to call them which are specifically designed to form around a ridge or hip on the roof and have a nailing strip which will keep them from tearing off easily. We also use sealants like Sonneborn NP1 to caulk all flashings and nail heads on the end of ridge shingles.

It is vital to  Hire a Local Roofing company in the greater charlotte area, do your homework and hire a competent contractor that uses a "roofing system" not just "shingles and paper" and make sure you're hiring a contractor that actually performed the work himself at one point in time and is not just some opportunist who never held a hammer. If you should have any questions on this Article call us here at Room 2 Roof at 704 549-9393, email us at sales@room2roof.com or visit us at http://www.room2roof.com for a fast reply. There is only one way things should be done and that is the Right Way!!!!! We are the best in town let us prove it to you!

our company Room 2 Roof services all of charlotte, concord, kannapolis, statesville, salisbury, china grove, huntersville, mooresville, davidson, cornelius, denver, dallas, gastonia, belmont, tega cay, fort mill, rock hill and all surrounding areas.

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Its Spring Again - The Exterior of your Home is calling you

For many homeowners in North carolina spring time means more time spent outdoors doing the things we love such as cookouts, fishing, camping and sports.  While we have been yearning to enjoy these activities once again and get out of the house into the fresh air let us not forget to keep up with Exterior Home Maintenance.
Here are a few things to check for on your North carolina home courtesy of Room 2 Roof.

1.) A Roof Inspection should be the first order of business, to make sure your roof is ready for the lovely rainstorms we have here that help us sleep so well at night. A few Nail pops, loose, curled or broken shingles can definitely keep you awake, especially if your roof develops a leak. Ventilation needs to be checked as well to make sure your nc home's attic doesn't become a furnace with sweltering heat that will raise your cooling costs all summer. Attic fans should be checked to see if they're operating, ridge vents should be checked to make sure any Strong winds didn't lift or damage them over the winter and soffit vents should be checked to make sure they're not blocked with insulation. We have had several hail and wind storms over the past few years which caused catastrophic damage to many roofs in the charlotte area which is all the more reason to inspect your roof. If you do not know what to look for or are not able to inspect your roof due to health or safety concerns, Room 2 Roof offers a Free Roof Damage Inspection by one of our qualified professionals.

2.) Gutters should also be cleaned and inspected to make sure they are able to handle the additional flow of water from upcoming storms. Most folks do not realize that clogged and overflowing gutters can cause serious damage to your north carolina home that will cost you big dollars down the road such as Roof decking rot, foundation damage which in turn can cause major interior structural damage from shifting which will stop your windows and doors from shutting correctly, additional crawlspace moisture and mold which can attract termites and fascia & soffit rot, if yours are wood which by the way will also leech water into your home creating drywall damage to ceilings and walls. Room 2 Roof provides a low cost Gutter cleaning service in the charlotte nc area and can replace yours for up to 20% less than our competition. We install extra wide downspouts as standard on every job and have additional products like "leaf relief" to prevent future clogs and debris back up.

3.) Siding should be inspected on your NC home too. If you have vinyl siding make sure there are no pieces that are hanging or came loose because moisture will wreak havoc on your sheathing underneath, also check for holes as these will allow water to enter as well. Wood siding on your home needs to be inspected for any soft, moist or dry rotted areas and should be repaired immediately. Re caulking is usually suffice to seal any exposures along seams and cover nail heads if visible but most homes with failing siding are long over due for repair and Exterior painting.

4.) Exterior painting is necessary at least every 5 - 15 years depending on which methods and products were used and who performed the work. As only Painters know 95% of the job is the prep work before the final Topcoat of paint is applied. There are many products that contractors and homeowners overlook due to cost savings practices or by simply not having the knowledge of the products and methods involved in performing the job correctly. Choose a High Quality Paint or North carolina painting contractor, If you're not sure please call us for Free advice by visiting http://www.room2roof.com

5.) Decks & Fences - So many homeowners in the charlotte nc area have had decks built in the past only to neglect them over the course of a few years leaving them in disrepair. If you own a deck it is vital that you inspect it every season to make sure there are no warped or lifted boards, that all nails or screws are secure as these can really hurt a pet or small child if sticking up. It is also important to have your deck or fence re sealed every few years from the elements. A High quality product with a UV protectant is highly recommended and although water based products have come a long way Oil based is still the way to go in my opinion. This information also applies to Pergolas, Picnic tables, Benches and Gazebos.

6.) Concrete and Brick - Check you sidewalks, driveways, brick or block foundations for cracks. Water freezes in between cracks in the winter such as your driveway making the gap bigger each year. This is extremely vital for brick foundations where mortar has been broken loose compromising the strength of the foundation. These damages usually happen over an extended period of time so when you notice any serious damages it is usually something overlooked years prior. Room 2 Roof has extremely talented mason on board to assist you with these cumbersome repairs which usually require a professional.

7.) Windows & Doors - Check to make sure all windows are opening properly and that all doors are sealed and close properly. You will also want to check your screens for damage or tears as this will allow not only the fresh air in but all the bugs you can handle.

8.) Crawlspace - If you have lived in north carolina for sometime you either have had a home with a crawlspace, have one now or lived in one before. Every one dread the crawlspace which is usually damp and full of bugs but this is only due to neglect such as improper drainage and grading of the property causing excess moisture to enter this all to important space under your charlotte area home. a clean, dry crawlspace means lowered heating and cooling bills, less bugs such as black widows, termites or silverfish and NO MOLD problems under your home. If you neglect the crawlspace your health and finances may suffer because poor upkeep can cost tens of thousands in repairs down the road. If you have problems with your Crawlspace Room 2 Roof has solutions and are here to help and answer your questions.