Resources
Attic Ventilation in CO, TX, & WY
BENEFITS OF ATTIC VENTILATION
Most homeowners believe the purpose of attic ventilation is to remove
heat that builds up in the summer. That’s accurate, of course…But what
that answer leaves out is just as important as what it includes.
If you’ve ever walked into the stuffy confines of a room that’s
been completely closed for a lengthy period, you know air tends
to stay in place. You also know that just opening a door or window
doesn’t solve the problem immediately. A flow of air must be established
to produce the air exchange needed to remove all the stale air. That’s
what an efficient ventilation system must do – provide a steady, high
volume of air movement.
At American Roofing & Restorations, we use RhinoRoof®. RhinoRoof® is a Synthetic Roofing Underlayment for use under Asphalt Shingles, Synthetic Shingles, Residential Metal Roofing and Cedar Shakes.
What are the benefits to you? RhinoRoof® Synthetic Roofing Underlayment is the ideal choice for your roofs secondary layer of protection. RhinoRoof is made by InterWrap®, the leading manufacturer of synthetic underlayments, so you can rest assured that American Roofing & Restorations will be installing one of the highest quality underlayments available.
Roofing Underlayment
SYNTHETIC ROOFING UNDERLAYMENT
Why RhinoRoof®?
RhinoRoof provides a lasting secondary layer of protection against, wind driven rain, shingle blow-offs, hail storms and other violent acts of Mother Nature
Rest assured knowing your underlayment is covered by a leading manufacturers 20 year warranty
Proven performance – RhinoRoof is fast becoming the synthetic underlayment of choice for professional roofing contractors
Increase the true life of your roof – RhinoRoof does not break down, dry out and degrade like traditional asphalt felt products
Wider and longer rolls offer fewer horizontal and vertical seams on your roof which reduces the number of potential leaks
Up to 12 times stronger than #30 felt!
FEATURES
Meets ASTM D226 Types I & II and D4869 Types II & IV
Fiber grip slip-resistant walking surface
Enhanced UV – 60 days exposure
12 x stronger than #30 felt
8 squares more per roll compared to #30 felt
17% more coverage per lap (42” width as compared to 36” for felt)
Ease of installation – wider, lighter, more coverage per lap
Synthetic construction inert to mold growth
Lays flat and does not absorb water and wrinkle
No oil leaching – no hazardous material content
Class A Fire – ASTM E108 (as part of a system)
Contributes to LEED® points
Texas Department of Insurance
Advanced backside non-slip coating
Low temperature flexibility
Learning Center
HOW WILL I KNOW IF I NEED A NEW ROOF?
While leaks are an obvious clue that your roof needs repair or replacement, the condition of the shingles will determine whether a repair or replacement roof is appropriate. When worn out, shingles sometimes curl, warp, or lose granules. Also, there may be missing or damaged shingle tabs. Pay particular attention to any visible signs inside your home such as discoloration spots on the wall, loose wallpaper, peeling paint on the ceiling, and drips.
WHAT WILL THE ESTIMATOR LOOK FOR WHEN INSPECTING THE ROOF OF MY HOME?
American Roofing & Restorations estimators inspect the roof covering, the drainage systems, the flashing (around skylights, chimneys, and vent pipes), the ventilation system, and the roof rafters and trusses (if access to the attic is available).
HOW LONG WILL A NEW ROOF LAST?
The lifetime of a roof depends on several factors including its exposure to natural elements such as sun, rain, humidity, wind, snow, and ice. These conditions will eventually age the roofing components if you have a few roof shingles that are damaged or missing. This can have a cascading effect of weakening adjacent shingles, shortening the lifetime of the roof. Clogged gutters also pose major problems to roofing components. Gutters that do not drain properly will allow rain water to flow back onto the roof underneath good shingles possibly rotting the decking. Overflowing gutters will eventually cause problems along the fascia such as paint peeling, mildew, and wood rot.
Inadequate roof ventilation and insulation can also reduce the lifetime of roofing components. Without sufficient attic ventilation, extreme temperature variations between the attic of the home and the outdoors will cause an expansion and contraction of roofing components which may rub granules off shingles and cause the shingles to curl.
Depending on the selection of roofing components, new roofs are given a 30 year to limited lifetime warranty. EPDM (rubber) roofs have a manufacturer’s warranty of 10 years. In general, the validity of a manufacturer’s warranty is determined by the manufacturer’s specified roofing components which must be installed together and include: the eave guard membrane, felt underlayment, shingles and roof ventilation
system. You must choose an approved applicator that is certified to install materials according to manufacturer roofing guidelines in order to meet the requirements of their warranty.
ARE ESTIMATES FREE?
Yes. Please call to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced estimators. After our inspection, we will provide you with a written proposal detailing our findings, options, and cost.
DO YOU PROVIDE ROOF INSPECTIONS FOR HOME SELLERS OR BUYERS?
Yes, American Roofing & Restorations will inspect the roof and write a letter reporting the current condition of the roof and if any repairs are required. Please note that this is not a warranty with this letter of inspection. Average roof inspections are between $150 – $350 depending on the slope of your roof.
CAN A NEW ROOF LOWER MY ENERGY BILLS?
A properly insulated attic and well ventilated roof will help you reduce heat loss and moisture condensation in the winter and heat retention in the summer enabling you to conserve energy. Adequate ventilation and insulation in your attic will also help reduce the possibility of ice dams from occurring caused by uneven roof temperatures and melting snow.
HOW CAN I RECEIVE FEDERAL ENERGY TAX CREDITS FOR A NEW ROOF, WINDOWS, AND DOORS?
The guidelines for the Federal Energy Tax Credits contain specific timelines and product performance ratings determined according to regional zones. For updates and details about Federal Energy Tax Credits in Colorado, please consult the Energy Star website: Tax Credits and How to Read the Energy Star Label.
DO YOU INSTALL SKYLIGHTS AND SUN TUNNELS?
Yes. Velux and Starlight are the brand that we most frequently use. Specialty skylights and sun tunnels can be custom fabricated to accommodate your home lighting needs. We also do complete interior finished light wells (framing, insulation, and drywall).
DO YOU DO CHIMNEY WORK?
Yes, we do flashing and new rain caps. Any major chimney repairs must be referred to a mason
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE ROOFING MATERIALS ARE DELIVERED TO MY HOME?
Approximately two days before your job is to begin, the roofing material will be delivered to your home and stored in the driveway. If there are power lines, tree branches, or other obstacles blocking delivery, the roofing material will be unloaded in your driveway. We do request that you keep the driveway clear on the day the roofing material is to be delivered.
WHAT PREPARATION DO I NEED TO MAKE INSIDE MY HOME BEFORE THE WORK BEGINS?
Please make sure that any valuable items are covered in your attic because a certain amount of saw dust and debris will unavoidably fall. If we are removing skylights, please make sure a drop cloth is placed under the opening to catch any falling debris. There will be vibrations during a roofing job, so it is recommended that ceiling fixtures are protected and all pictures and other items of value are removed from the walls. If you need assistance, please be sure to ask us before the project begins.
WILL YOU PROTECT THE GARDEN AND SHRUBS AROUND MY HOME?
American Roofing & Restorations takes every precaution to ensure that the home and surrounding areas are protected during the roof installation process. Please mark any underground sprinkler heads and make sure outdoor furniture is protected and barbecue equipment is covered. We would be happy to assist in moving any items that you would like protected. At American Roofing, we ensure that we remove all construction materials, including nails and debris before we leave. All items that were temporarily moved during construction will be put back in place by American Roofing & Restorations.
DO I HAVE TO BE HOME DURING THE ROOFING PROJECT?
Not unless you choose to be there. Roofing is a noisy, messy project, but when we are through, you should not be able to tell we were there. If you have children, please make sure they remain inside during the installation. If you have pets, please keep them indoors, as well. After the completion of the job, your property will be raked, and a nail magnet will be used to pick up any debris. After the first rain, you will probably see shingle granules that wash out through the gutters. So it is a good idea to check your yard for debris that may not have been visible to the roofers at the time the job was completed
ARE YOU LICENSED AND INSURED?
Yes. We are fully insured with liability insurance. We also require the same of any contracted employees. We will gladly provide copies of both our license and insurance certificates when requested.
Roofing Insurance Claims - CO, TX, & WY
A roof helps protect us, our home, and our belongings from the elements. When a disaster strikes, the damage can be devastating. And to make matters worse, filing a claim and dealing with your insurance company can be a long, stressful process. Trust that American Roofing & Restorations will guide you in a professional way through the roof insurance claim process. We will help you get your claim resolved!
Give us a call at 970-460-8720 for fast, professional service.
WE’RE ON YOUR SIDE
We will help and assist you with submitting a claim
Free estimates for all emergency & permanent repairs
All roofing services completed in a timely manner
If your roof has been damaged, it is recommended that you file Roofing Insurance Claims. Before you call your insurance company, take the time upfront to do your research on which contractor is the best match to represent you during the claims process & more importantly will repair the damage correctly if your claim is awarded.
Colorado Senate Bill 38
Roof deductible paid by contractor results in insurance fraud per Colorado SB 38
As a homeowner it would make sense to allow a contractor to cover your roof deductible. According to senate bill 38 you may want to think again. June 6, 2012 the state of Colorado and Governor Hickenlooper adopter Colorado Senate Bill 38. Financially it seems as though it would benefit a property owner to work with a Denver roofing company that is willing to absorb the deductible within the stated insurance price. Myself included, anytime I can save money it’s generally an avenue that I would pursue. In this particular case going down this path may cost a lot more than it appears. First, let’s look take a quick glance at some of the points that will impact you as a property owner concerning the roof deductible according to this enforceable law.
ROOF DEDUCTIBLE
Senate Bill 38 prohibits a Colorado roofing company from paying a deductible
Senate Bill 38 prohibits a roofing contractor from waiving a deductible
Senate Bill 38 prohibits a roofing contractor from contributing any monies or actions toward the deductible
Senate Bill 38 will not allow a contractor to provide a sign credit for installing a yard sign
Senate Bill 38 makes it illegal for a roofer to give a rebate while working on an insurance claim
Senate Bill 38 makes it illegal for a Colorado roofing company to give merchandise construed to be payment or toward a deductible
Senate Bill 38 doesn’t allow a roofer in Denver to give a gift certificate related to a roof claim toward the roof deductible
Senate Bill 38 has deemed that a roofer’s coupon that’s provided in conjunction with a roof claim will be construed as insurance fraud
Senate Bill 38 makes any of these offenses punishable by law
Scare tactic
The information provided in this post isn’t meant to be a scare tactic. The points listed are for your benefit and not for your harm. Shame is in no way the intention of this data, rather freedom is the purpose of this post. It is our desire to share truth that will protect you from committing or participating in a criminal activity. The truth of the matter is, if you happen to be a pastor, police officer, city official, state or federal official you really want to pay attention. The media or your opponents may be waiting for you to make a mistake. Any skeletons in your closet will be public information if you ever run for a public office or promoted to a capacity where an opponent is looking for a reason to discredit you and you have participated in fraud they will find it. All you have to do is google official busted for fraud or any variation and you’ll see what kind of fun the media might have with you.
Report contractor insurance fraud
The smartest thing to do is report the fraudulent roofing contractor or salesman to:
STOP Fraud colorado an agency connected to the Colorado Attorney General.
State Farm wants you to help stop insurance fraud by reporting fraudulent roofing contractor. Report fraud to State Farm’s fraud division.
Report roof deductible fraud to American Family Insurance.
USAA insurance wants to hear about any roof deductible fraud and you can report any roofing company sales representative that has offered to cover your deductible. Please report the roofer to USAA fraud division.
Allstate insurance company wants you to take a stand and to fight insurance fraud. Report any roofing contractor that offers to waive, pay, contribute, rebate or give you an advertising credit to the Allstate fraud investigator. Let’s take a bite out of crime!
The coalition against fraud has a list of most insurance company phone numbers that you can use to report roof deductible criminal activity. Coalition Against Insurance Fraud list of insurance company fraud telephone numbers.
The National Insurance Crime Bureau will allow you to report the roof deductible fraud anonymously. All you have to do is fill out the following short form that’s provided on this link. A fraudulent roofing sales person needs to hear from an insurance fraud investigator. The only way this will occur is if you’re willing to report this criminal activity. You can do this without providing your information. This is a real crime and we need to be vocal and willing to report the person that’s perpetrating insurance fraud. Our silence will only cause it to re-occur.
Insurance fraud costs each family in the United States approximately $300 in premium expense. This data is from the National Insurance Crime Bureau. This is not an innocent crime as though crime could be innocent. It is impacting every property owners that purchases property and casualty insurance. The only way this will stop is when homeowner’s no longer participate and they begin to report fraud. Seemingly upright roofing companies in Colorado Springs regularly approach property owners after a storm and offer to absorb the deductible in one form or another. With no shadow of doubt this is violating contractual law with the property owners insurance carrier. No doubt that laws are violated with both the insurance carrier, the state of Colorado and most likely the United States treasury department. I’ll let you figure the last one out on your own.
Deductible roof fraud is homeowner driven
Okay, there I said it, “deductible roof fraud is homeowner driven”. Ouch, did I actually say that? I know it’s risky making a bold, yet accurate statement that incriminates the consumer as a criminal and not the victim. Scary isn’t it? This is the truth of the matter and this part isn’t reported by most agencies because they rarely will identify the property owner as guilty. All a homeowner has to do is begin a bidding war between roofing companies and it doesn’t take long before a roofer in Northern Colorado offers to pay your deductible. You may not even have to ask the roofers to bid your project, all you have to ask them is, “what about my deductible” and there you have it, you opened the door to roof deductible insurance fraud. You’re not the innocent victim. You may not have lit the fire you only supplied the fuel. This isn’t innocent and anyone who allows the contractor to absorb the deductible is not innocent!
Wow, that seems to be harsh. Nope, I didn’t write the law nor violate the insurance contract.
CONTACT A ROOFER THAT SAYS, “NO TO FRAUD”
American Roofing and Restorations will not pay your deductible. That’s your part of the equation and you must pay it. If you want to work with a contractor that you can trust contact American Roofing and Restorations. We make roof replacements easy! Isn’t that what you really want?
Texas House Bill 2102
A new state law makes it clear that it’s illegal for a contractor or roofer to waive an insurance deductible.
“This new law will help further protect consumers,” said Texas Insurance Commissioner Kent Sullivan. “Roofers who waive deductibles are cutting corners. Take your business elsewhere.”
After a major storm, contractors – including some scam artists – are quick to arrive on the scene. This leads to shoddy repairs, fake contracts, and other problems. The Texas Department of Insurance created a special fraud unit that meets with local officials after a disaster and explains steps they can take to protect residents from contractor scams.
One selling point bad contractors often use is offering to waive or absorb the homeowner’s deductible. The contractor then cuts corners, uses lower quality products, or inflates the bill sent to the insurance company to cover the difference.
It is illegal for contractors or roofers to offer to waive a deductible or promise a rebate for all or part of a deductible. Under the new law effective September 1, violators could get up to a $2,000 fine and up to six months in jail.
If a contractor offers to waive a deductible, report it to the Texas Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Hotline at 800-621-0508.