Real Talk about Insurance for your roof

Getting Ready for the Summer Storms

donfletcher44@yahoo.com (Don Fletcher) — Fri, 30 May 2025 12:24:42 GMT

Is Your Roof Ready for Georgia's Summer Storms? Here's What You Need to Know
Discover how Georgia summer storms can damage your roof and what signs to look for after a storm. Learn how a veteran-owned roofing company can help protect your home.

New Paragraph

Real Talk About Insurance for Your Roof

donfletcher44@yahoo.com (Don Fletcher) — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 21:55:23 GMT

Real Talk about Insurance…

Slogans and insurance companies are closely intertwined. We are all familiar with various slogans such as "Liberty Biberty," "Like a Good Neighbor," and "You are in Good Hands," which are widely used by insurance companies. These companies spend millions of dollars on advertising to promote their brands. It is difficult to watch any sporting event without encountering at least three different commercials from insurance companies.

I have been involved in the residential roofing industry for over a decade and built my business through referrals from insurance agents. In 2021, significant changes began to occur within the roofing industry. The company known for its "Good Neighbor" slogan was once one of the most generous in Georgia when it came to roof replacements. Often, even if I informed homeowners that their roof damage did not warrant an insurance claim, they would proceed with filing one anyway, and the insurance company would frequently replace the roof. This practice of replacing roofs led to the current situation of a virtual halt in roof replacements in Georgia.

The transition from being the best to being the worst in terms of roof replacements by the largest insurance company in Georgia has been notable. I have encountered their adjusters, some of whom could not differentiate between traditional three-tab shingles and architectural shingles. There are recorded instances of other roofing companies meeting with adjusters who were unfamiliar with roofing components saying the roof could be repaired but didn’t understand how to repair it. Currently, many insurance companies have adopted policies of denial or minimal repair. To be fair, it was not solely the fault of insurance companies. Due to the lack of regulations in Georgia, numerous companies employed door-to-door inspectors who often caused more harm than good. Consequently, insurance companies paid millions in unnecessary claims, leading them to cease coverage abruptly.

Also, part of the problem is homeowners expect to have their roofs replaced by their insurance company when the roof starts to age and shows signs of wear and tear. Most of the time, the homeowner doesn’t know what their policy states and they look for the least expensive coverage. In most instances, insurance companies are liable for damage to the roof if it’s sudden in occurrence. That means if the damage to the roof is caused by a hail storm, wind storm or a tree falling through the roof then the insurance company should assume liability. It does not assume liability because the roof is 18 years old and needs to be replaced.

Insurance companies now tend to deny coverage for roofs that are near 15 years of age. Additionally, homebuyers face difficulties obtaining insurance for roofs older than 10-12 years. One cost-cutting measure involves offering lower premiums for higher deductibles based on the value of the home. For instance, a 2% deductible on a $500,000 home means the homeowner is responsible for the first $10,000 in repairs. Another approach is to pay the Actual Cash Value (ACV) instead of the full replacement cost. The ACV is calculated based on the roof's age; for example, a 30-year shingle on a 15-year-old roof would be valued at 50% of the replacement cost minus the deductible.

Where does this leave homeowners? Unfortunately, the current situation leaves limited options. Roof replacements are now typically covered only in cases of severe storms with documented wind or hail greater than an inch, or when a tree damages the roof due to such storms. The era of routinely replacing old roofs through insurance claims is over.

What should you do if your insurance claim is denied or if you need a new roof? Contact Home Run Roofing at (770) 361-9471. We can assess your roof to determine the viability of challenging the insurance companies through a Public Adjuster or provide an estimate for roof replacement. Home Run Roofing has partnered with Acorn Financial to offer financing options for covering all or part of the costs.

A Knock at the Door

donfletcher44@yahoo.com (Don Fletcher) — Thu, 23 Jan 2025 15:08:26 GMT

A Knock at the Door - Homeowners Nightmare

Everyone has experienced it. The knock on the door in your peaceful neighborhood with the “No Soliciting” signs clearly posted. Standing outside the door, there are one or two young men about to pitch you a couple of well used opening lines.

A couple of the most common phrases used are “We were doing work on your neighbor’s roof and saw that your roof might have damage as well” and “This whole area was hit with hail.”

Now comes the most common scenario that I have seen in the 10+ years of being in the roofing industry.

The roofers offer to inspect your roof “Free of Charge”. Since its free, you tell them to go ahead and you return to what you are doing. About an hour later, the roofers are showing you pictures of damage to your roof and telling you that they can get you a new roof through your insurance company. A claim is filed, and the insurance company sends out an adjuster to inspect the roof and see if it meets their criteria for replacement. Much to your dismay, the adjuster agrees to a repair and not a replacement. Now you have a claim on your policy, the insurance company has pictures of your roof and the “roofers” have moved on to the next property.

You have been paying your premiums for years on time and never filed a claim so what happened?

One of two things: The insurance company is unjustly denying a claim that it should cover or the roofers caused the damage to your roof.

Wait…what?

How can an insurance company deny a claim? It’s very easy actually. I have a couple of sayings from my experience in this industry. The first one is “It doesn’t matter what damage is on your roof, it matters which insurance company covers your roof.” However, we can save that one for another post. My other saying and one that I see quite often is “If you let unknown roofers on your roof and you didn’t have any damage, you will before they get off.”

Why would they cause damage to your roof? Money. They only get paid if they replace the roof. Once they are on your roof, they can make it look like wind damage if you have a 3-tab roof or hail damage if the shingles are architectural. I have seen inexperienced roofers lift and crease architectural shingles. What is a crease? A crease happens naturally over time as 3-tab shingles lose their adhesiveness and a strong enough wind can lift it up and down. The crease is a result of the up and down motion on and older, less pliable shingle. Once it creases enough, the shingle will tear off leading to water intrusion through the roof.

The insurance scope of work covers replacing a large number of shingles and not the whole roof. This is the tough part for the homeowner. New shingles rarely seal with old shingles. Not to mention, the color and size many times are different. To install one strip of shingles, you must disturb two more rows. Disturb is a nice way of saying “potentially damaging”. House property values decline when the roof appears to be damaged or mismatched. Imagine trying to sell your house with different shingles on your roof.

So how can you protect yourself from unscrupulous roofers?

1. Be cautious. Get a business card so if there is any damage you think they cause you will have their contact information.

2. If you suspect roof damage, ask for a referral from a friend or call your insurance agent. They usually have a list of contractors that they trust.

3. If you decide to let someone on your roof, go outside with them and video what they are doing.

4. If they show up in an unmarked truck with no logo, are they really a professional?

5. Check the company out on the Better Business Bureau.

Understand that every time someone walks on the roof, the shingles are being damaged by granular loss. This is why companies are turning to drones to do a preliminary inspection of the roof.

Home Run Roofing has been using drones since 2017 to help inspect roofs in a safe manner. If you have been told there is damage to your roof and would like a drone inspection, please call (770) 361-9471 or contact us on the website.

Check Out the Latest Customer Reviews for Home Run Roofing in Cumming, GA!

Sun, 24 Sep 2023 15:38:15 GMT

At Home Run Roofing, we’re proud members of the Cumming, GA small business community. It’s our mission to exceed our customers’ expectations by providing fair rates, friendly service, and flawless roof installations and repairs. We also specialize in inspecting roof damage before filing insurance claims. This helps our customers know their chances of approval before actually making the claim. Because each claim can count against you, this is very important information to gain before making a decision on whether to file. And at our local roofing company, we truly appreciate it when our customers take the time to offer feedback about their experiences with us. Here’s a look at some of our latest customer reviews.

“I noticed a leak in my roof and sent Home Run Roofing a text. Don quickly called me back and came out to check out the issue in person. He even had a drone to check out the entire roof while he was here. He had his crew come over shortly after. They fixed a couple of issues they found while investigating the leak and have my roof back to as good as new. I highly recommend giving Don a call if you need a roof repair!”

— Jason R.

“Done for a reasonable price, top quality, no problems or worries. I am recommending Don to all of my friends.”

— Christina C.

“Don and his Home Run Roofing Company are top notch professionals in their field. I had wind damage to my roof and Don worked with my insurance company to install a new roof. His roofing staff are hard working experts who take pride in their craft. I have a beautiful new roof and I want to thank Don and his staff for meticulous work performed in a timely manner.”

— Richard T.

“Don and his team did an outstanding job. From the first time we met to discuss the estimate, all the paperwork that needed to be completed, and updates to the final job being completed. We were extremely happy with the final product and the ease of customer engagement. I wish more businesses took this approach in conducting their business. I highly recommend doing business with Home Run Roofing! Thanks, Don and team!”

— Goz A.

“A sudden storm left our roof with heavy damage. This was my first instance of a homeowners insurance claim. A few neighbors recommended Don to us and within a day, he was onsite to assess our roof. He then also helped provide guidance on how to handle the insurance claim. He was there to support us through every step. His integrity and transparency was refreshing! His roofing team was awesome, responsive, and did an amazing job replacing our roof. Don and the Home Run Roofing team proved to us that every once in a while, you can get high quality work, at an affordable price, done quickly! Thank you Don!”

— Adam H.

Residential Roofer in Cumming, GA

When you need a roofer in Cumming GA and the surrounding area, contact Home Run Roofing at 770-361-9471 . Feel free to give us a call today to arrange an estimate!

6 Quick Tips for Winter Roof Maintenance

Tue, 19 Sep 2023 19:57:31 GMT

During the winter months, Mother Nature can pose particular challenges for your home’s roofing. To help ensure that your roof holds up strongly against inclement weather, it’s important to have an experienced roofer inspect your roof and complete maintenance measures as necessary. At Home Run Roofing, we provide expert roof maintenance in the greater Cumming, GA area. Here’s a look at six tips for winter roof maintenance.

Remove Organic Debris

Before winter weather arrives, it’s important that all organic debris is removed from your rooftop, such as branches and leaves. In the Atlanta area, rainfall generally increases in early winter and if there’s a bunch of wet tree debris on your roof, then rot could become an issue, which increases the risk of a roof leak forming.

Trim Big Branches Away From Roof

Because big branches are susceptible to breaking off during winter storms, it’s best to trim them away from your home. Otherwise, a big limb may crash down and damage your roof. Also, removing such branches will reduce the amount of leaves falling onto your roof and onto your gutters. This helps to ensure proper gutter function.

Check for Damage to Flashing

Over the years, Mother Nature can cause flashing to wear down and become warped. If your flashing is in poor shape, heavy wintertime precipitation may lead to a leak.

Check/Clean Gutters

Especially before any heavy winter rains arrive, your gutters need to be in healthy shape and clear of leaves/debris. Otherwise, water may spill over into areas where it collects and increases the risk of water-related damage to your home. And if your gutters are in dilapidated condition, our crew at Home Run Roofing can expertly install a new gutter system on your home.

If We Happen to Get a Lot of Snow, Remove it ASAP

If we do get a good amount of snow this winter, it should be removed ASAP if there is any question about your roof’s structural ability to bear the weight. Removing snow will also prevent ice dams from developing.

Schedule a Professional Inspection

Prior to the arrival of winter weather, it’s smart to have an experienced roofer conduct an inspection. This way, you can be confident that everything necessary will be done to ensure that your roof is able to properly do its part in keeping your home warm and dry during the winter months.

Residential Roof Maintenance in Cumming, GA

When you need a roofer in Cumming GA and the surrounding area, contact Home Run Roofing at 770-361-9471 . Feel free to give us a call today to request an estimate!

Common Sources of Roof Leaks that Our Cumming, GA Roofers Can Repair

Thu, 20 Jul 2023 15:27:04 GMT

At the first sign of a roof leak, it’s important to be proactive about addressing it. If you delay, serious water damage could soon occur and become very expensive to take care of. At Home Run Roofing, our local roofing company provides expert roof leak detection and repair in the greater Cumming, GA area. We’ll make sure that the leak is located quickly. Then, we’ll thoroughly repair it the first time.

Where do roof leaks commonly develop?

Shingle damage is often the source of roof leaks. During periods of high winds, tree limbs may fall on rooftops, causing shingles to crack, which then allows water to start seeping in. And in particularly strong wind gusts, shingles may lift up and go tumbling away. Our crew at Home Run Roofing is able to provide shingle replacement in little time and at an affordable rate.

There are multiple roofing components that are prone to degradation that can allow leaks to form. As vent pipes get old, they sometimes begin to crack, which can lead to the formation of a leak. Also, outdated flashing may become corroded to the point that it opens up and a leak develops. The metal stripping around skylights is also susceptible to wear and tear that eventually leads to a leak.

Roof leaks can also become more likely to form due to issues with gutters. If your gutters are all clogged up or otherwise failing to channel water away, then water may spill over onto your rooftop. As it accumulates, it’s more likely to find its way through the roof. To minimize the risk of a roof leak, it’s very important that your gutter system is healthy and fully capable of directing water away from your roof and home.

Residential Roof Repair in Cumming, GA

When you need a roofer in Cumming GA and the surrounding area, contact Home Run Roofing at 770-361-9471 . We also specialize in residential roof installation in Cumming, GA. Feel free to give us a call today to request an estimate!

Essential Steps To Take When Your Roof Suffers Hail Damage

Fri, 23 Jun 2023 16:31:32 GMT

Hailstorms can be devastating to your roof, leaving behind damaged shingles, cracks, and gaping holes. If these types of damages are not addressed, they may progress to more serious issues, such as leaks and compromised structural integrity. That's where our Cumming roofers come in: we specialize in hail damage repair and restoration. The measures you should follow to repair and prevent further damage to your roof are outlined in the sections below. Contact Home Run Roofing if your roof in Cumming, GA, or the surrounding areas requires hail repair following a storm.

Where To Look for Hail Damage

Start by inspecting your gutters for hail damage. If your roof has been struck by high-impact hail, your gutters and downspouts are likely to have dents. Shingle granules damaged by hail can obstruct gutters as well. Your siding and deck may have also been damaged by hail. If you find any evidence, have an expert inspect your roof.

Get a Third-Party Roof Assessment

When it comes to hail damage repairs, your insurance carrier may not be as helpful as you would like. Many insurance companies want to analyze the damage themselves in order to lower the amount they will pay for the loss. Nonetheless, they frequently overlook damaged areas that are less obvious. Contact a respected roofing company to get an independent inspection. A skilled roofer will thoroughly inspect your home for any difficult-to-find cracks or holes that could jeopardize its structural integrity. The following are the most common hail damage symptoms:

Shingles that are broken, loose, split, or missing.
Interior leaks caused by water damage.
Missing shingle grains.
The roof has holes.
Faulty roof seals.

Storm Damage Repair in Cumming

If your roof has been damaged after a hailstorm, don’t delay making an appointment to get it looked at. At Home Run Roofing, our professional contractors offer fast, competitively priced roofing services that will elongate the lifespan of your current roof. If you have hail damage, spot a roof leak, see dark spots on your ceiling, notice missing shingles, or have other weather-related roof damage, give Home Run Roofing a call at 770-361-9471 day or night. We’re available to perform emergency roof repairs in Cumming, Georgia, and the surrounding areas.