When it?s spring in Texas, that usually means we have several chances to experience powerful thunderstorms that can drop damaging hail and spawn tornadoes. Round One occurred on the night of April 3, as large storms struck Denton, Aubrey, Little Elm,aFrisco, Prosper, Celina, McKinney, Plano and several other areas. If you were a victim of hail damage to your home, it?s essential that you get your roof checked as quickly as possible to see if it needs to be repaired or replaced.

Storms Parade Across U.S. 380

At least three damaging storms struck along largely the same route, traveling across U.S. 380. Windshields were broken out by the hundreds in Denton as softball-sized hail peppered the city. However, residents of Denton and other areas that were similarly hit had to remain indoors because they were under tornado warnings as well. A twister, according to an article in theaDallas Morning News, touched down in Farmersville. Luckily, the article reported, damage was minor and no injuries had been reported ? although officials said it was to early to speculate how many people, if any, had been hurt.

The Damage Hail Can Cause

Hail is formed when frozen water droplets in a thunderstorm are lifted back into the clouds. As they continue to be buffeted by the turbulence, they get larger and larger until they are heavy enough to fall. Sizes typically range from about the size of a pea to the softball-size stones that fell in the April 3 storm. Typically, the flatter the pitch of a roof, the more damage it is prone to suffer because it will tend to take a direct impact. The more of a pitch a roof has, the better the chances it will only get a glancing blow.

It is extremely important to have your roof inspectedabecause hail damage may not always be readily apparent. If you do have damage and can?t see it, your home will be extremely susceptible to water leaks when it rains. These leaks can cause a great many problems that will be extremely expensive to repair.

Of all the various roof types for commercial buildings, one of the most controversial and often requested is the flat roof system. We commonly use flat roofing on large buildings and outbuildings. Commercial customers often choose a flat roof, not for their looks, but for the practical benefits the material provides.

Flat Roof Benefits

Business owners considering flat roofing for their commercial property should factor in the advantages. For a flat roof, benefits include:

• Cost-Effective ? A flat roof system is cost-effective, both in the type and amount of material being used. You can utilize every square foot of a commercial facility.
• Strong ? Flat roof is extremely durable. Flat roofing systems are designed to hold up against water, snow, rain runoff, and even high winds.
• Energy-Efficient ? Considering the energy-efficiency of a roof is vital to a business. A flat roof system prevents heat loss during the winter and keeps in fresh air during the summer.
• Easy to Repair ? Finally, a flat roof is incredibly easy to fix. There is minimal grade or pitch to the roof, which makes it relatively easy to navigate. Repairs can be completely safely, without the chance of a slip and fall accident.

Consider a Flat Roof

While a flat roof may not be the most attractive option for commercial buildings, they get the job done well. The advantages of having a flat roof, as presented above, are quite worthwhile for any business owner seeking a long-term, viable option. When making your roofing decision, consider speaking with a professional contractor for their expert opinion.

Businesses looking to replace their current roof or build a whole new facility should consider a flat roof.

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Insurance companies, Roofers and agents agree that the first thing to do after a major hailstorm is to mitigate against further damage. If the roof is visible from the ground we recommend inspecting the roof with high powered optics. Large holes and punctures can be seen with good binoculars at the ground level of a one story home. A two story structure might require a roof top inspection.

Before filing a claim for small hail consideration should be taken on how it might impact your future coverage in the state of Colorado. Some states haveaa no fault policy for weather related claims. Unfortunately the state of Colorado allows homeowners to be penalized for filing claims for weather related events. I have met few people that have exercised authority over weather events, like Elijah in the Bible. Surprisingly homeowners are held accountable for weather events in Colorado.

Insurance deductibles are on the increase throughout Colorado. Everyone is busy and like most people when you receive your new insurance documents you toss them in a box. Before filing the claim we advise our clients to dig through files and pull out their current declarations page. Here you will find your current policy coverage and deductible. Once the current deductible amount is discovered and you are willing to file the claim call your agent or claim center.

Filing a hail damage claim with the agent or call center may take up to 30 minutes during busy times. Occasionally you will have to leave your data and wait for a return call. You will be asked questions pertaining to the severity and time of the storm. Emergency assistance can be provided per the details of your insurance coverage. aA claim number will be provided to track the progress of your remediation. An insurance adjuster will be assigned to assess the damage. This assignment can take place on the initial call or within several days. The call center representative will notify you of current protocol. Note, that insurance claims protocol will change for companies based upon the severity of national storm events. The key is to be patient. During hurricane season, even if you are in a hail impacted area it may take up to 30-days before an adjuster arrives. Please protect your property from further damage.

Most Roofers offer to meet with your adjuster on the roof. This can eliminate scope and price discrepancies. An extra set of eyes on the roof helps prevent potential items from being overlooked. This keeps the process moving more smoothly.

Once the property loss statement is received it is forwarded to the contractor for review. Most adjusters cover sheets instruct the insured to have their selected contractor review the settlement offer. If there are differences the adjuster is contacted and a settlement is reached. If warranted, a supplemental adjustment is made to the claim with a new check being released.

Once the roof is installed and the invoice sent to the insurance company the final payment will be released. The check can have both the insured and mortgage company on the draft.

As a courtesy to the insured most Roofers allow up to 30-days for the final payment. The Roofing company works closely with the insured to avoid unnecessary delays.

I?ve done and seen more than my fair share of welding over the past 40 years. And in that time the materials and welding technology have changed significantly. There were also a number of lessons learned along the way. For the old-timers out there, how many of you remember manufacturers saying these new thermoplastic materials could be welded ?straight through water??a

In the early 1970s I learned how to solvent weld PVC membranes. At the time, this was a totally foreign concept and process to me since I had been raised installing built-up roof (BUR) membranes. Fortunately, the welding process saw advancements in the late 1970s and early 1980s, most notably moving away from the use of tetrahydrofuran (THF), a fairly toxic and highly flammable solvent, to hot air. The hot air welding process was ushered in with the introduction of automatic hot air welders. However, the equipment we were using was a technology transfer from the linoleum industry. It was effective, but more often than not the automatic welders had to be run on strips of sheet metal so they didn?t create seam wrinkles. And if we were welding six feet a minute we were ?flying.?

Today?s technology has improved the automated process 100 times over. But even with the technology advancements, some aspects of the process have not changed since the early days.a The following are a few tips that will go a long way toward ensuring quality and efficiency when welding thermoplastics.

• The first principle of roofing is that all materials need to be kept dry. Moisture is the enemy of any roof system and proper storage of thermoplastic membranes can be the make-or-break factor when it comes to welding the materials together.
  
  
• The laps need to be clean. Dirt will impair the quality of the weld by creating a barrier between the polymers. Cleaning the laps may take a little time but it?s well worth the effort and ensures a quality welding process. All manufacturers either offer or recommend specific cleaning solvents for thermoplastic membranes.
  
  
• Training cannot be overlooked. This training needs to come from the manufacturer of the particular membrane. To assume that all thermoplastic membranes are alike can be a costly mistake. Their individual chemistries are unique to the individual product and understanding their nuances can be the difference between a poor and great experience for the owner as well as the crew.
  
  
• It?s not how fast you weld, it?s how well you weld fast. Welding fast is ineffective and unnecessary. Welding the membrane is one of?if not the?most critical processes done on the roof. It makes little sense to rush the welding process. I hear reports of individuals welding at 15 feet a minute and higher. Then people wonder when there are reports of poor seams. The fallback explanation is always that the seam issue must be the result of a membrane problem. Just because an automatic welder can go fast doesn?t mean you need to run it flat out. Too often this is just poor training and individuals going through the motions.
  
  
• Test welds can save a lot of rework.aToo often contractors think this takes too much time, but dialing in the automatic welder daily or after significant temperature changes during the day can actually save money that would be spent on reworking or stripping bad seams.
  
  
• You can?t probe your way to quality. Running a probe down a seam to find imperfections in the welds is an after-the-fact process and an attempt to inspect your way to quality.aEvery void, regardless of reason, has a cost associated with its repair.

In addition to the above, general safety precautions, consistent and proper power sources as well as equipment maintenance are also factors that have to be addressed daily to ensure safe, effective and high-quality rooftop welding operations.

I had a superintendent once whose motto was, ?hurry up and get it done so we have time to come back and fix it later.?aThis mentality costs contractors money and destroys an owner?s perception of quality when the finished roof is all patched up due to ineffective welding practices. My welding days are about over, but I can sum it all up with a lesson learned long ago.aDIRFT: Just do it right the first time.

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Massive storms rolled through North Texas last night, bringing with them lots of lightning and damaging hail. These extreme weather conditions cause millions of dollars in damage each year to Texas homes, specifically to roofs. Last night?s storm was no exception.

The most damaging hail moved east across Plano shortly after 10:15 p.m. Hail was reported as large as 2 inches in diameter. A severe lightning storm also set some roofs on fire. Take a look at the interactive map to see how the storm affected your area.

What to Do After a Hail Storm:

• Walk around your house and check for any damage. Record any issues and take photos.
• Inspect your roof for damage. Keep an eye out for bruising, granule loss, missing shingles, underlayment fracturing and wood splitting. However, many damages are not visible so it?s always best to call a professional right away for a free roof inspection.
• After the inspection, the roofing professional will tell you if your roof has sustained any damage. At this point you?ll need to get your insurance involved. This can be a frustrating process, but don?t worry: Peak Roofing & Construction is an expert on navigating insurance claims and we?ll be there every step of the way.

Things to Remember:

• Always choose a roofing company that offers free roof inspections, is insured and bonded, and has years of experience in the area.
• Having many roofers come out and get on your roof could cause more damage, so try to limit how many people are walking on your roof.
• Don?t wait to call a professional roofer about potential hail damage. The longer you wait the worse off it could be.