Roofing guides
Written to help you decide, including when a repair is enough and when you don't need a roofer yet.
Emergencies
- What to Do When Your Roof LeaksCatch the water with buckets, move belongings, relieve a bulging ceiling by poking a small hole into a bucket, photograph everything, and call a roofer. Stay off the roof in rain; a tarp or temporary patch can wait until it's safe.
- Why Your Roof Only Leaks in Wind-Driven RainWind pushes rain sideways and even uphill, forcing it under shingle edges, flashing laps, ridge vents and siding joints that stay dry in normal rain. A leak that appears only with wind from one direction points to that side of the roof.
Related services: Roof Leak Repair · Emergency Roof Repair · Emergency Roof Tarping
Storms & hurricanes
- How to Tell If Your Roof Has Storm DamageFrom the ground, look for missing shingles, debris, dented gutters and vents, and granules in downspouts. Up close, wind damage shows as creased or lifted tabs and hail as random bruises or spots of missing granules. After any named storm, get a documented inspection.
- What to Do After a Hurricane Damages Your RoofStay safe first, then tarp openings, photograph everything, report the claim to the right insurer (TWIA for wind in Jefferson and Chambers counties; homeowners elsewhere; flood insurance for rising water), and hire a local, insured roofer who pulls permits.
- How to Spot a Storm-Chasing RooferWarning signs include out-of-state plates, pressure to sign the same day, asking you to sign over insurance benefits, large cash deposits, and offers to pay or waive your deductible, which is illegal in Texas. Hire a roofer with a local address, insurance and permits.
Related services: Storm Damage Roof Repair · Roof Inspection · Wind Damage Roof Repair
Insurance
- TWIA vs. Homeowners Insurance for Roof DamageIn TWIA's first-tier coastal counties, which include Jefferson and Chambers, many homeowners policies exclude wind and hail, and a separate TWIA policy covers them. Orange, Hardin and Jasper counties aren't in TWIA's first tier, so wind is usually on the homeowners policy. Flooding needs flood insurance either way.
- What Is a WPI-8 Certificate?A WPI-8 is the Certificate of Compliance issued by the Texas Department of Insurance when roofing or other work is inspected and meets the windstorm building code. In TWIA's coverage area, including Jefferson and Chambers counties, it's generally required to insure new work with TWIA.
- How to File a Roof Insurance Claim in TexasDocument the damage, report it to the right insurer promptly, protect the home from further damage, have a roofer inspect and attend the adjuster meeting, then compare the insurer's scope line by line and request a supplement for missed items. Your deductible is always yours to pay.
Related services: Windstorm-Certified Roofing (WPI-8) · Roof Insurance Claim Help · Hurricane Roof Damage
Cost & replacement
- Roof Repair vs. Replacement: How to DecideRepair when damage is limited and the roof has several good years left. Replace when the roof is near the end of its life (about 18–25 years for architectural shingles here), leaks keep appearing in different places, or damage covers large areas.
- How Long Does a Roof Last in Southeast Texas?Architectural shingle roofs typically last about 18–25 years in the Golden Triangle, three-tab shingles 12–18, metal roofs 40 years or more, and TPO flat roofs around 20. Heat, humidity, shade, poor ventilation and storms shorten those numbers.
- What Affects the Cost of a New RoofRoof replacement is priced per roofing square (100 square feet). The biggest drivers are roof size, material (architectural, Class 4 or metal), number of layers to tear off, decking replacement, pitch and complexity, and code requirements such as windstorm inspections.
Related services: Roof Repair · Roof Replacement · Roof Inspection
Materials
Related services: Metal Roofing · Asphalt Shingle Roofing · Impact-Resistant Shingles
Maintenance
- Hurricane Season Roof ChecklistBefore hurricane season, have the roof inspected, fix loose shingles and flashing, clean gutters and downspouts, trim limbs over the roof, photograph the roof's current condition, and review your wind and flood coverage and deductibles.
- Black Streaks, Algae and Moss on RoofsBlack streaks are algae that thrive in Gulf Coast humidity; they're mostly cosmetic but can shorten shingle life. Moss holds water against shingles and does cause damage. Clean gently with a roof-safe solution, never pressure-wash, and choose algae-resistant shingles when re-roofing.
Related services: Roof Inspection · Gutter Guards · Roof Repair
Gutters
Related services: Seamless Gutter Installation · Gutter Guards · Gutters
Local
Related services: Hurricane Roof Damage · Windstorm-Certified Roofing (WPI-8) · Gutter Guards
Commercial
Related services: Commercial Roofing · Flat Roof Repair · Roof Coatings