Monday, August 19, 2013

Coverage For Your Roof Included In Home Insurance

By Mats Sumellin


Are you aware of the type of roof your home has? How many more years until it will need replacing? Most people don't think about their roof, until something happens to it; water is leaking through the ceiling, or shingles are missing, blown off by the wind. Here are a few of the most popular types of roofing materials:

Asphalt shingles, which are easily installed and are a good inexpensive option. Many kinds with varying life spans are available, and a wide range of colour and styles can be chosen, and they are fire resistant and easy to repair. Generally, these will last for about 20 years.

Shakes or wood shingles are highly valued due to their desirable appearance, and long lasting protection. A woof roof will last up to 25 years when they are maintained properly and installed correctly. This roofing material has no fire rating or is a Class C. Check your local building codes. You may be able to get a Class A rating (with fire-resistant treatment).

Tiles made of clay or concrete are highly popular as there are many styles available, a variety of colours, and they are fireproof so that makes them a safe option. These tiles do not need much maintenance, and they are strong and long lasting, even over 30 years of weather. Extra framing may be required with these tiles, as they add extra weight to the roof.

Tar and gravel: This material is one of the few suited to a low slope roof. It consists of layers of asphalt and tar paper that are fastened to the roof surface with molten asphalt applications. Lamination is used on top of these layers, and then gravel is spread over top to protect from UV damage, and to hold the layers on the roof down. 20 years is the usual lifespan for a roof of this kind.

Metal: This material is very popular in areas with high snowfalls. The risk of the roof collapsing from snow weight is low since these roofs tend to shed snow. A metal roof will last for over 30 years if the homeowner had them properly installed, and maintains the roof correctly. Metal roofs last a long time, but they also weigh less than other kinds of roofing, and during bad weather, they hold up surprisingly well.

Roof maintenance is important

No matter which material your roof is made of, inspecting it annually can add many years to your roof's longevity. Asphalt shingles could have worn granulars, or curled edges and cracks, so have a look for these signs of wear. In winter, if there's a lot of snow, hire an expert to remove it from your roof. This will help keep water from entering the house. Be sure that during other seasons and fall especially, you clear debris from your home's eavestroughs. By taking care of the simple repairs and maintenance, you can make your roof last longer.

Review your home insurance policy

Your home insurance is there to cover you in an emergency. Covered by these policies are things like damage from ice and snow weight, falling objects or hail damage. But your home insurance excludes losses due to wear and tear. If your shingles blow off because the roof was old and in poor repair, your insurance policy may not respond, or may only cover a portion of the damage. Check your policy carefully to see if you're covered for the entire roof to be repaired or replaced, or if you're only covered for actual cash value, or depreciated value.



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