Storm season keeps roofers busy in Dallas-Fort Worth By ERIN COVERT

Storm season keeps roofers busy in Dallas-Fort Worth By ERIN COVERT

01:01 PM CDT on Friday, June 19, 2009

/ Special Contributor to The Dallas Morning News
home@dallasnews.com

The arrival of severe weather season in North Texas also means it's the season for roof repairs and replacement.

Whether choosing a roof for a new house or replacing an old one, there are new high-tech, weather-resistant products to consider; don't assume your options are limited to replacing a roof with one of similar materials. At the same time, it's as difficult as ever to choose a good installer. Knowing more about selecting materials and contractors can help a homeowner achieve a more satisfactory outcome.

Manufacturers rate roofing materials in several ways. Wind, impact and fire resistance; maximum expected life; and classifications that aggregate those factors are some of the ways a shingle is rated.

"My advice to a homeowner is to ask for the heaviest shingle with the maximum impact-resistance rating that has a 40- to 50-year warranty," says Leo Wadley, past president of the Roofing Contractors Association of Texas and owner of Fort Worth-based Leo Wadley Roofing.

Wadley says shingle impact resistance is rated on a scale from I to IV, with IV being most durable to impact, such as hailstones. Roofing materials also will typically have two wind-speed classifications, depending on the number of nails used to install each piece. Maximum wind speed ratings on shingles range from 60 miles per hour to about 150 miles per hour.

Larry Tanner, research associate at the Wind Science and Engineering Research Center at Texas Tech University, says homeowners in North Texas should install roofs specified for maximum wind speeds of 90 miles per hour or higher.

Factors that affect shingle durability in severe weather, according to Tanner, include thickness, weight, chemical composition and adhesives used to hold shingles together. Proper installation also is critical. "Poor installation is the prime reason for roof failures," Tanner says.

Common errors include using too few nails and applying nails in the wrong place on a shingle. There's also the issue of making sure the nails actually attach to the building structure.

"I've been inside attics where only 10 percent of the nails were properly attached to the roof structure," Tanner says, adding that with pneumatic nail guns it's less noticeable to the installer when the nail doesn't hit solid wood beneath.

Avoiding such problems requires hiring a reputable, qualified contractor. It's a task that can be difficult, especially here.

"Texas is one of only 12 states that does not require a roofing license," Wadley says, "and it's the only Gulf Coast state that doesn't. It's an absolute minefield out there."

Because of that lack of regulation, the onus falls on the homeowner to vet the contractor. It also means the homeowner is liable for problems that may arise out of the job. That includes when a contractor fails to pay the supplier for materials used to roof a house, says Vera Bryant, executive director of the Roofing Contractors Association of Texas.

"It's not a requirement that roofers carry a general liability insurance policy," Bryant says. "A homeowner's only recourse when something goes wrong is small claims court."

In addition to choosing a contractor who provides proof of liability insurance, Tice Enterprises roofing specialist Joe Henderson says it's important to check that contractors are members of a professional association that requires education and adherence to business practice standards.

"I would say less than 15 percent of contractors stay up to date on continuing education," Henderson says.

Erin Covert is a Dallas freelance writer.

Questions to ask

When you are interviewing a potential roofing contractor, inquire about:

•Certifications and professional association memberships

•Years of experience doing roofing jobs, specifically in North Texas

•Insurance policies. What's the coverage limit in terms of money? What aspects of the job, exactly, are insured against damage or claims?

•Credit references and local suppliers they use, to check for good standing

•Certifications from the manufacturer to install particular roofing products

More advice for choosing a contractor is available on the North Texas Roofing Contractors Association's Web site at www.NTRCA.com.
Comparing roofing materials

Roofing material Pros Cons Weather Resistance Approximate cost, including installation, to re-roof 2,000 square feet
Three-tab composition asphalt shingle •Least expensive roofing product

•High fire resistance
•Lack of aesthetic appeal

•Thinnest roof protection
•Least protection available •$4,500
Laminated composition asphalt shingle •Highly affordable, best durability value for cost

•Thicker than 3-tab material

•More aesthetically appealing than 3-tab material

•High fire resistance
•Aesthetically less attractive than premium roofing materials •From moderate to very high, depending on specific make •$5,250 and up
Premium synthetic polymer shingles

•Lightweight nature makes for easy installation compared with stone or concrete

•Realistically mimics slate and wood shingles

•Typically offer at least 50-year or lifetime warranty

•Typically offer high impact and fire resistance
•Very expensive •Very high •$16,000 and up
Concrete shingles

•Highly durable material, some with maximum impact resistance ratings

•Aesthetically mimics slate

•Popular choice for high-end, new residential construction

•Low cost compared to natural products


•Extreme weight complicates installation

•Typically only used on new construction because weight requires substantial structural support


•Very high
•$8,000, but only applies to new construction

Stone-coated steel


•Mimics the look of terra cotta or other natural tile

•Lightweight

•Can sometimes be installed over existing roofing materials


•Shingles can dent during a hailstorm, and warranties typically do not cover repair or replacement for dents


•Very high durability, with typical warranties extending to 50 years


•$8,000
Standing-seam sheet metal

•Durable material

•Unique aesthetic appeal


•As with stone-coated metal, shingles may dent during a hailstorm, damage that warranties do not typically cover


•Very high durability


$12,000
Natural slate

•Aesthetic appeal of a natural, historic architectural material

•Durable in high winds


•Difficult to install

•Heavy material requires solid infrastructure


•High durability but susceptible to impact problems due to hail


•$16,000 and up
Wood shake or shingle

•Aesthetic appeal

Natural product

•Historically accurate on homes of certain style and age


•Typically not allowed in most areas because of susceptibility to fire; if allowed, municipalities require fire-retardant treatment

•Expensive both to buy the roof and to insure it


•Low durability


•$12,000 and up
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Comments (8)
Posted by RoofingDoneRight | 3 weeks ago

Please understand that just because it says "50 year lifetime warranty", Doesnt mean it will be just that !!!!!!! It all depends on the weather people. Even if you had strong rain pass through your neighborhood, call your INS company to make a claim ! Make sure you. goose a roofer before the INS adjuster comes out ( or even before calling) to make sure a claim is needed! Also make sure your roofer is always there to meet your adjuster , Very important! Ask your roofer about Polaralum radiant barrier, and installing power vents (GAF type 3 preferably). One more thing , ask your roofers if they are bilangual just to find out if they even COMMUNICATE with the actual roof laborers on the house ! You'll be surprised to learn that one.

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Posted by News Commentator | 3 weeks ago

They're having lots of fun on the roof in 100 degree weather.

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Posted by bdkennedy1 | 3 weeks ago

Ummmm, storm season is over.

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Posted by DZOO | 3 weeks ago

blueandthru, I had the same problem with my insurance company after big hail storm hit my neighborhood. Neighbors all got new roofs paid for by insurance except for me. I called the roofer and he advised to call insurance co. and make an appt. for second inspection. He (the roofer) told me he wanted to be there to talk to insurance agent. I made appt. and he showed up to talk to insurance agent. I don't know what he said but insurance co. changed their mind and paid for my roof!! Give it a try, won't cost you anything but time.

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Posted by Jdog | 3 weeks ago

I just had a my house roofed. I went with the Malarkey 50 yr class IV shingle. The roofer installed 6 nails per shingle. If you compare the roofing material samples, Malarkey was the thickest. Plus, the article above doesn't mention this, but I paid $2500 to upgrade shingles and I will save $600/ yr on insurance :-)

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Posted by texvet | 1 month ago

There are many out there who claim to be roofers, tree trimmers and other types of services that are performed on your property.
Key words, "Bonded and Insured", because you could possibly be held responsible for an injury that occurs on your property if a contractor employ is injured and the contracter does not have the proper insurance.
This caution also extends to your physical property that might be damaged by a contractor.

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Posted by blueandthru | 1 month ago

I paid for the more expensive architectural shingle roof with a long warranty. It has really stood up to the hail we've had by not showing impacts but rather losing the grains on it and now showing fibres. Less than half way to the warranty and it needs to be replaced.

In the last 15 years, all of the homes with the lesser shingles on my street have been replaced under insurance due to ths same hail that we received. Our insurance company after three hail storms now said no apparent hail damage so no replacememnt.

So my neighbors all had their insurance cover their roof. I'm about to have to replace mine under my nickel after 16 years on what was advertised as a 40 year roof.

Want to guess what shingle I'm going to pay for? That's right - one that shows the hail.