Blog • Page 3 of 3 • Classic Construction

What is a roof inspection and why should I get one?

According to the Community Association Institution, “having your roof inspected is the single most important thing you can do to ensure its overall lifespan.” I know the roofs over our heads aren’t top of mind most days, but it’s important that we make sure they can withstand the storms that are potentially headed our way this spring.

The purpose of roof inspections is to find any problems as well as gauge the remaining life of the roof. As a roof can be one of a homeowner’s or HOA’s more costly expenses, it’s well worth the minimal price of an inspection to make sure no major damage has accrued over the years.

House undergoing roof inspection While a thorough roof inspection is something that should be left to a professional roofing contractor, you as the homeowner or property manager can perform a basic inspection. This can be done from the ground with binoculars as you circle the property, or from the top of a ladder set against the roof. Slowly circle the property and search for obvious signs of damage: missing shingles, sagging near ridges, or rusty metal where the house meets the roof.

For safety reasons, we do not recommend climbing up on the roof to perform the inspection unless you are a professional. We also don’t recommend this because a professional contractor will be able to notice some of the more subtle damages that can be acquired during the lifetime of the roof.

These subtle damages include:

Loose shingles
Nail pops
Improper air conditioning installation
Loose, missing or corroded flashing
Proper ventilation to allow roof to breath
Depressions near vent pipes, clogged drains or separations in flashing that cause water to pool in ridges

An inspection report from a qualified roofer should let you know how much longer you can keep your current roof or if it needs serious repairs. If you’re on a budget and looking for an inspection and estimate for repairs, call Classic Construction today at 972-437-0909 or contact us through our website. We offer free estimates!

What you need to know about working with insurance companies

Catastrophe strikes at the most inopportune times. Dealing with insurance for repairs as a property owner of a multifamily property or HOA building can become tricky and confusing, making repairs after a storm a daunting task.

Interacting with insurance companies is inevitable and will be necessary to get the repairs started. To help aid through this journey, we have detailed a few things that you will need to know.

The owners will need to notify the insurance company

The first step is to notify the insurance company that there’s been some damage to the property. Most policies will state a specific time frame for reporting damages and if your people fail to report them within this time frame, it might result in the denial of the claim.

Even if your residents have to leave the property for safety reasons, the owner or HOA Board president will still need to reach out to the insurance company within the specified amount of time.

Make sure your owner or Board member has many photos that clearly detail the damage, as well as comprehensive notes and remarks that they can provide the insurance company with. The insurance world is all about the little details so be very thorough.

The insurance company will likely want to send an adjuster from their own firm to handle that portion of the process, know that this person doesn’t always have the best interests of the owner or Board in mind.

In case you are unaware, your people have the right to hire a public insurance adjuster. In the case that you decide to hire a public adjuster, make sure they are trustworthy and can help get the most from the insurance company.

Find out what your budget is going to be

The insurance adjuster will let your insurance agent know what needs to be repaired or replaced and how much it will cost. This is why it’s so important to look for an adjuster that has your property owner’s best interests at heart.

When you get this report, know that the adjuster is only going to repair or replace what was already on the property with comparable materials. If the owner or the homeowners of a HOA want any upgrades to the property, these will likely be coming out of their own pockets.

It will be your job to find a contractor

Not all contractors are equal. You might be tempted to go straight to your preferred vendor list when looking for someone to help you fix up the property, but that might be a mistake.

When it comes to insurance claims, you’ll need to look for a contractor company that is used to working with people in the insurance industry. Typically, these contractors are known as restoration contractors.

Restoration contractors have years of experience and the knowledge necessary to repair homes that have been damaged by fire, water, smoke or wind. In these situations, it is essential to keep in mind that there is a distinct difference between restoring a damaged home as opposed to remodeling or renovating an existing home. General contractors are not nearly as familiar with the insurance claim procedure.

Classic Construction & Restoration Inc. is one of North Texas’ most well-known restoration contractors. If you’d like more information on navigating an insurance claim or on restoration project, please give us a call today.

Sources:

https://www.adjustersinternational.com/newsroom/hiring-a-contractor-for-your-property-damage-insurance-claim-tips-for-home-and-business-owners

https://www.adjustersinternational.com/newsroom/how-to-file-a-homeowners-property-damage-insurance-claim

https://www.insurance.wa.gov/hiring-general-contractor-homeowner-insurance-claims

https://www.millerpublicadjusters.com/free-property-insurance-claim-advice-blog/insurance-company-contractor

https://www.builtrighthomesolutions.com/about-us/news-and-events/22281-whats-the-difference-restoration-vs-general-contractors.html

National Radon Action Month

Radon Awareness Month The month of January is National Radon Action Month. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) strongly encourages homes and buildings to be tested for radon. Exposure to high concentration levels of radon can cause serious health risk. Prolonged exposure to radon is the leading cause of lung cancer deaths among non-smokers in the United States.

WHAT IS RADON?

Radon is a radioactive gas that naturally forms by the ongoing decay of uranium in soil, rocks, sediments and well or groundwater. Radon that escapes into the atmosphere is not harmful but can become very dangerous in highly concentrated, enclosed areas. Continued exposure to high concentrations of radon are harmful and can lead to health risks.

Common symptoms to radon exposure include:

Persistent cough
Shortness of breath
Wheezing
Coughing up blood
Chest Pain

In extreme cases, continued exposure to radon can lead to lung cancer.
PREVENTION

Radon gets into homes through openings or cracks in foundations or floors. Areas such as spaces between gas or water fittings provide an opportunity for radon to enter a building.

The best way to help prevent radon and reduce risk of health risks is to have a radon test done. Classic Construction can test for radon and come up with a solution if a high concentration of radon is detected. By contacting Classic Construction, you have the ability to find a solution and help prevent harmful damage.

Prevent Frozen Pipes this Winter

frozen pipes

You can prepare and prevent frozen pipes, which are a threat to your business-related, including losses resulting from cold temperatures such as leaks and flooding, with enough information and prep time. Cold temperatures can reach areas of your facility that you don’t even think twice about, such as:

Isolated storage areas
Crawl spaces
Closets
Enclosed spaces
Warehouses

Ways to Prevent Frozen Pipes this Winter

In frigid conditions, your water pipes may break from extreme cold. If possible, make sure pipes that are located in exposed or poorly insulated spaces are shut off and drained, or externally heated by an outside heating element.

Properly insulate and/or provide an external heating element to prevent any pipes from freezing
Drain any pipes that are not utilized during winter
Maintain an indoor temperature of at least 40° F

Your Fire Protection System Can Freeze, Too

Fire prevention sprinkler systems only work if water can actually make it through undamaged systems. Make sure that potentially damp systems, potentially subject to frigid conditions, are properly heated to prevent freezing. In severe cold weather, the response time of the local fire department may be delayed, making a functional sprinkler system even more important.

If you lose heating in a building protected by water sprinklers, try to address the issue immediately. If not easily accessible, shut off your sprinkler system and notify local authorities immediately, to maintain safety in your building.
Ensure that anti-freeze sprinkler systems have the appropriate amount of antifreeze to operate and hold through freezing weather

Insulate and inspect branching lines on water sprinkler systems exposed to extreme cold weather
Check fire pump test headers to make sure they have been properly drained
Routinely check fire pump and dry-pipe sprinkler system equipment rooms to make sure the heaters are in good shape.

Remember, it’s important to Prevent Frozen Pipes this Winter to save your company money~