Are you thinking of listing your home for sale?

Are you thinking of putting your home on the market? The current real estate market in our area has been pretty competitive, with most homes are selling very quickly after receiving multiple offers. When people think about putting their house up for sale, the first things that come to mind are improving curb appeal, de-cluttering the house and maybe some light updating or painting. Most do not think about paying a little attention to the roof until after they are in a contract and have had some areas of concern pointed out in a home inspection report.

On occasion, we receive frantic phone calls from real estate agents and mortgage officers asking us to inspect a roof or make roof repair Dallas, because their client is in an option period or under contract and is potentially at risk of losing the sale.  While we always try our best to accommodate these types of last minute requests, we recommend that real estate agents have their clients obtain free roof inspections before listing the home for sale. Roof inspections are free and are a good way to determine up front if there are any issues or repairs that should be made before listing.

Outback Roofing, a roofing company Dallas, will perform a free roof inspection (within a reasonable travel distance) and will provide the seller, buyer or agent with an indepth report covering the condition of the roof and roof elements as well as any proposed repairs or recommended general maintenance. In some circumstances, if a full roof replacement is deemed necessary where no insurance claim is warranted, we may be able to work with the sellers and obtain payment from proceeds at closing from the title company to limit their out of pocket expense.

If you are a real estate agent in the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex and would like more information on how Outback Roofing, a roofing contractor Dallas, can help you with your listings, please contact us at 972-930-9990.

Celebrate Earth Day & Save Money Too...

One way that you can celebrate Earth Day is by pledging to conserve energy. An easy way to do this, is to make sure you have proper ventilation for your roof and adequate attic insulation. An added benefit is that by doing this, you will also reduce your electric bill!

Most roofs that we inspect do not have the proper amount of ventilation. Proper ventilation is important as it helps to keep attic temperature and moisture at their optimum levels for the season.  It allows the hot air to escape from the attic and not only helps to keep your house cooler in the summer, but it also helps to preserve the life of your composition shingle. Ventilation is also necessary in winter, especially where snow accumulations stay on roofs for extended periods of time, as it helps to remove excess moisture from the attic, thus preventing condensation that can damage roof sheathing and preventing ice dam formation.

Proper ventilation can also help your insulation to do its job. Most homes do not have the recommended amount of attic insulation. The Department of Energy recommends up to R-49 for attics in most areas. This is equal to approximately 16" of fiberglass blanket insulation. Most older homes have between 3" and 6" of insulation. To determine your home's current R-value, simply measure the thickness of your current insulation with a ruler. Take the insulation thickness and multiply by 3.14 to get the approximate R-value of the existing insulation.

 

 



Source: Energy Star



Recommended R Values by Zone

 

1          R30 to R49

2          R30 to R60

3          R30 to R60

4          R38 to R60

5 to 8   R49 to R60





 

An added benefit to insulating your home is that you can qualify for a tax credit for 10% of the cost of materials for qualifying insulation projects throughout 2013 (before 1/1/2014), up to a maximum of $500. Contact Outback Roofing today for your free inspection and evaluation to see how we can help you save some money, protect your home and do your part to celebrate Earth Day!      

       

For more information on the tax credit, go to www.EnergyStar.gov. For information on how to claim the tax credit, go to www.irs.gov. Circumstances vary widely, so homeowners should consult with their tax advisor for further guidance.

 

Article sources: Energy Star & Owens Corning.

- Jennifer Crutcher

 

 Jennifer is a licensed insurance adjuster in the state of Texas, a Haag Engineering Certified Residential Roof Inspector and is passionate about consumer protection and education. She works at Outback Roofing, a family owned and locally operated company, where she is responsible for daily office operations. Jennifer resides with her family and two German shepherds in the Dallas area. A little known fact is that she secretly aspires to be an ice dancer!

Spring storms got you saying "Oh Hail?"



U of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture photo by Gus Wilson

As spring approaches, so do the storms (and storm chasers!) that come with it. When hit by a hailstorm, some homeowners may wonder about the best course of action to take and it can get confusing when being bombarded by storm chasers telling everyone to make a claim with their insurance company. I just had a friend tell me today that last week his wife had seven different roofing companies knock on their door, in just one day, offering a roof inspection (some even offered to waive or "eat" the deductible, which is illegal!). We recommend obtaining a roof inspection from a local, qualified roofing contractor PRIOR to making an insurance claim. In some circumstances, the damage may not really warrant a valid claim and only minor repairs may be required.

How can you find a reputable roofing company? You can visit the North Texas Roofing Contractors Association (NTRCA) or the Roofing Contractors Association of Texas (RCAT) to find a member in your area. (Check your local/state roofing association or BBB if outside of Texas.)  NTRCA has a wonderful list of questions you need to ask to help you in making your selection. And remember, if a roofing contractor offers to waive your deductible, BEWARE, this is illegal and can make you a party to committing insurance fraud. It is the law that you must pay your deductible!

If a claim is warranted, it should be made in a timely manner. Most insurance companies allow you one year from the date of loss to make a claim, while some have even lowered that window down to six months. We recommend making a claim while the hail damage is "fresh" and clearly visible. After time, UV and weather exposure can begin to affect the hail damage. Markings on wood and metal can begin to fade. Excess granular loss on the shingles can occur leaving the matting exposed to further weathering and damage. Such damage can even begin to appear as what is called "blistering". True shingle blistering is usually caused by either a manufacturer's defect or improper ventilation and is not covered by homeowners insurance policies. If a claim is made several months after the hail damage has occurred, the insurance adjuster may have a hard time determining the true cause of loss. We have seen instances (while often rare), where insurance companies have denied older hail damage claims due to "blistering" or "manufacturer defect", leaving the homeowner to replace the roof at their own expense to avoid cancellation of the policy.

At Outback Roofing, we are Haag Engineering Certified Roof Inspectors and are members of the North Texas Roofing Contractor Association (NTRCA) and Roofing Contractors Association of Texas (RCAT), as well as the Dallas Better Business Bureau (BBB). We work with several local insurance agents to provide free roof inspection services to their clients, to determine whether making a claim is necessary. While we cannot act as a claims adjuster, we educate our customers on the insurance process and we go over all the property damage that was found, so they can make sure all damage is accounted for in the claim. Call us today to schedule your free roof inspection and see how we can help you.
 

- Jennifer Crutcher

 

 Jennifer is a licensed insurance adjuster in the state of Texas, a Haag Engineering Certified Residential Roof Inspector and is passionate about consumer protection and education. She works at Outback Roofing, a family owned and locally operated company, where she is responsible for daily office operations. Jennifer resides with her family and two German shepherds in the Dallas area. A little known fact is that she secretly aspires to be an ice dancer!

Open House & Helmet Drive Reminder...

Just a reminder that our big Open House & Helmet Drive event is today from noon to 4. We hope you can stop by for some food and fun. We will be giving away prizes every half hour (no need to be present to win). Here is Katie Campbell explaining why she decided to start a chapter of the Sarah Jane Brain Club at her school. Katie is setting such a fine example for her peers and Outback is proud to support her in her endeavors!

For more information on how you can get involved with the Sarah Jane Brain Project, click here.

See you later today!

You're invited to our Open House & Helmet Drive...

 

You are invited to attend our Open House and Helmet Drive benefitting The Sarah Jane Brain Club. This is the first chapter in the Dallas area, founded by Miss Katie Campbell of Parish Episcopal School. Miss Campbell was inspired to start this chapter after a friend passed away from a brain injury he sustained in a skateboarding accident, while not wearing a helmet. The purpose of the Sarah Jane Brain Club is to help prevent, identify and treat brain injuries. Brain injuries are the #1 cause of death and disability in the U.S. in children, adolescents, and young adults.

 

Please stop by and join us for food, fun and prizes in supporting this great cause! We will be accepting donations for the purchase of helmets that will be donated to Children’s Medical Center of Dallas.

When:   Saturday, April 6th from 12pm to 4pm

Where:  Outback Roofing
              17618 Davenport Rd., Suite 2
              Dallas, TX 75252

Chicago, we have a problem!

So last night, I was awakened at 1:30am by the annoying wind chime and tarp that is over one of our skylights, being blown by the wind. (Yes, we have a case of the shoemakers children needing shoes here!) It sounded like it was going to take the entire roof off the house. This went on ALL night! It sounded so bad, I kept wondering about the debris that I was going to wake up and find strewn about the neighborhood. Surprisingly, the aftermath in our neighborhood was not as bad as it sounded. (The picture to the left was taken in April 2008 after a wind storm in our neighborhood downed many Bradford Pear trees.)

When I was taking the Haag Engineering Residential Roof Inspector Course, we learned some interesting things about butt rott, the ever-fabulous ice ball launcher and the instructor pointed out that Chicago wasn't actually the windiest city*. Gasp, I know! Did you know that Dallas, TX ranks as #5 in the windiest cities in the U.S. and Chicago doesn't even make the top 10? Even more gasp, I know! Since I have lived most of my life in Dallas, I never really thought it to be "out of the ordinary" windy, but ever since the instructor pointed it out, I have been more aware and have noticed how windy Dallas actually is!

I googled the top windiest cities in the U.S. and found the following chart at CurrentResults.com with information tabulated from NOAA National Climatic Data Center, regarding the average annual wind speed of the windiest US cities (in miles per hour and kilometres per hour):

City	MPH	KPH
Boston, Massachusetts	12.3	19.8
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma	12.2	19.6
Buffalo, New York	11.8	19.0
Milwaukee, Wisconsin	11.5	18.5
Dallas, Texas	10.7	17.2
Kansas City, Missouri	10.6	17.1
San Francisco, California	10.6	17.1
Cleveland, Ohio	10.5	16.9
Minneapolis, Minnesota	10.5	16.9
Virginia Beach, Virginia	10.5	16.9
Providence, Rhode Island	10.4	16.7
Chicago, Illinois	10.3	16.6
Detroit, Michigan	10.2	16.4

If you live in a windy city, here are some things you can do to keep your roof and property safe:

1. Annually inspect your roof - make sure all flashings, chimney covers, vents, siding, etc are secure and reseal all penetrations and any lifted shingles. (Or, better yet, have Outback perform a Roof Tuneup!)
2. Keep trees trimmed and clear of any dead or large limbs that protrude over the roof.
3. Secure any objects that maybe become flying debris, such as patio furniture and umbrellas.

Most insurance policies do not have a provision to cover wind damage, leaving homeowners to make what can sometimes add up to very costly repairs, depending on the extent of the damage. At Outback, we install Atlas Signature Select roofing systems, that come with a built-in wind policy of up to 130 mph wind. We also offer Roof Tuneup maintenance plans to help keep your roof in tip-top shape, come rain, wind or shine! For more information on our roofing systems that keep you covered, please contact your Dallas roofing company, Outback.

(*Legend has it that Chicago is called the Windy City because of the hot air bellowing from the local politicians!)

- Jennifer Crutcher 

Jennifer is a licensed insurance adjuster in the state of Texas, a Haag Engineering Certified Residential Roof Inspector and is passionate about consumer protection and education. She works at Outback Roofing, a family owned and locally operated company, where she is responsible for daily office operations. Jennifer resides with her family and two German shepherds in the Dallas area. A little known fact is that she secretly aspires to be an ice dancer!

What has your roofer done for you lately?

As a homeowner, when was the last time you actually got on top of your roof? Or, when have you had a qualified Dallas roofing contractor inspect your roof? If you are like most of us, probably not in a very long time, if ever! Many of us neglect our roof, even though it is there for us, day in and day out, 365 days a year, throughout all of the seasons, covering our head and protecting us from the elements.  Some might say, "Well, my roof is a 20 year, 30 year, lifetime roof..," expecting it should last forever with little to no maintenance. However, that is not the case. The health of a roof should be taken care of and maintained to optimize those manufacturer ratings. All roof systems, regardless of the type or rating of the roof, should be inspected on a regular basis.

A roof takes a beating by the sun and seasons, moreso than any other part of a building. Tree limb and natural debris left on a roof is a haven for standing water, bugs, algae and rot. Over time, even the best sealants begin to break down and wear out and should be replaced. Repeated exposure to wind can loosen flashing and shingles, exposing the roof to possible leaks.

Outback Roofing is a roofing contractor Dallas that offers a Roof Tuneup maintenance program to help keep your roof in good health. Whether you purchase a one time roof tuneup or a maintenance package plan, we have what you need to keep you covered and in good roof health!

During our roof inspection and roof tuneup we will, among other things, clear all debris from the roof, identify and repair any leaks, secure loose flashing and shingles, re-seal all vents and penetrations, check and seal valleys (if necessary) and replace missing/damaged shingles.

Your roof serves to protect you and your family, day in and day out. Show your roof a little love with regularly scheduled checkups!  Click on the link for more details on Outback Roofing's Roof Tuneup program. To schedule an appointment, contact us!

Got bad roofers? We need to hear your story...

We are trying to get the roofing industry regulated in the State of Texas. A bill to support licensing has been filed in both the Texas House and Senate. We are now getting ready for hearings on the bill and we need your stories.

We are looking for people to come to Austin and testify about their experiences with unscrupulous roofing contractors. If you have  ever had dealings with a bad roofer in the State of Texas where they put your roof on poorly or took your money and never showed up to do any work, we would like to hear about it.

 

Please contact Outback Roofing to submit your story about bad roofing contractors Dallas. See also North Texas Roofing Contractors Association NTRCA for more information.

Understanding deductibles...

It is common in our area to run across roofers that will offer to "eat your deductible." What most homeowners do not know, is that this practice is actually illegal and can put them as a party to committing insurance fraud! The deductible is the amount that the insured has agreed with the insurer to  "share in the loss" of an insured event and therefore, must be paid. Reputable roofing contractors will not make any claims or offers and will ensure the deductible is paid.

At Outback Roofing we are committed to providing quality roofing services without making any claims that we can eat or discount your deductible. We are licensed insurance adjusters in the state of Texas and while we cannot act as an adjuster on your behalf, we can help to educate you and answer any questions you may have regarding the claims process to ensure it is completed as smoothly as possible. In addition, Outback Roofing is one of the few certified roofing contractors Dallas that are actually certified by the Roofing Contractors Association of Texas. Outback Roofing supports proposed legislation to enact a roofing contractor licensure requirement in Texas.

If you are in need of Dallas Roofing, please contact Outback Roofing for your free roof inspection and detailed report. If you live outside the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex, contact the Roofing Contractors Association of Texas to find a certified local roofing contractor or contact your state's roofing contractors association.

For more information regarding illegal insurance deductible scams, please see FreeRoofScam.org and this report from the Better Business Bureau.