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Learn from Charlotte's trusted roofing experts. Tips on maintenance, repair, replacement, and protecting your home from the elements.
Charlotte storms are different. One minute, it is sunny and hot. The next minute, the sky turns black. Heavy rain and hail pound the roofs in neighborhoods like Steele Creek and Ballantyne. Our North Carolina humidity makes everything feel heavy. When a big storm passes, you might look out your window. If you do not see a hole in your roof, you might think you are safe.
But that is a dangerous guess.
At Best Roofing Now, we see the "hidden" damage every day. We are a veteran-owned business. We believe in being honest and doing the job right. We do not use high-pressure sales. We want to teach you how to protect your home.
Recent storms have caused major problems in the Charlotte and Lake Norman area. Some roofs have even started to sag or collapse. This happens because small issues become big ones. If you wait too long, your roof can fail.
Here are the 7 biggest mistakes homeowners make after a storm. We will also show you how to keep your roof from falling down.
This is the number one mistake we see. Most people think their roof is fine until they see water on the ceiling. By the time water is dripping on your floor, the damage is already bad.
Water has to travel through many layers before you see it. It goes through the shingles. It goes through the underlayment. It goes through the wooden roof deck. Then it goes through your attic insulation and your drywall.
By the time you see a stain, your wood might be rotting. This is a big deal in Charlotte because of our humidity. Wet wood in a hot attic is like a playground for mold.
Hail does not always punch a hole. Sometimes it just "bruises" the shingle. A hail stone hits the shingle and knocks off the granules. Granules are the tiny rocks on top of your roof. They protect the shingle from the sun.
When the granules are gone, the sun bakes the shingle. It gets brittle and cracks. You might not see a leak for months. But the next big storm will cause a major problem. You can learn more about how shingles work in our roofing technical terms guide.
We know you want to save money. You might want to grab a ladder and look for yourself. Please, do not do this.
A roof after a storm is very dangerous. Shingles can be loose. They can be slippery from rain or moss. One wrong step can lead to a bad fall. According to FEMA, thousands of people get hurt on ladders every year after storms.
Even if you are safe, you might not know what to look for. A professional eye sees things a homeowner does not. We look for "wind lift." This is when the wind pulls the shingle up but does not rip it off. The seal is broken. The next time it rains, water will blow right under that shingle.
Instead of climbing up, stay on the ground. Use binoculars if you have them. Look for missing shingles or bent metal. But leave the high-up work to us. We offer free inspections so you don't have to risk your safety.
When people think of a roof, they only think of shingles. But your roof is a whole system. It has many parts that all work together.
Flashing is the metal that goes around chimneys and vents. It is often the first thing to leak. Wind can pull flashing away from the wall. If the flashing is loose, water will run right into your house.
After a storm, look at your gutters. Are they sagging? Are they full of shingles granules? If your gutters are full of "sand," your shingles are wearing out fast. This is a major sign that you need a check-up. You can read our roof maintenance tips to see what else to check.
The best way to find a roof leak is often from the inside. Many Charlotte homeowners forget to check their attic after a big storm.
You should grab a flashlight and go up there. Look at the wooden boards above you. Are there any dark spots? Do you see rusted nails? If a nail is rusty, it means water is getting in.
In the Lake Norman area, the air is very wet. If water gets into your attic, mold can grow in just a few days. This is bad for your health. It also weakens the wood that holds up your roof. If the wood gets too soft, the roof can sag. This is a major risk for a roof collapse.
This might sound strange. Why not file a claim right away?
If you file a claim and there is no damage, it still goes on your record. This can make your insurance rates go up.
You should always have a trusted roofer look at the roof first. We can tell you if the damage is worth a claim. Sometimes it is just a small repair. If the repair costs less than your deductible, you should not file a claim.
In North Carolina, some policies have a special "wind and hail" deductible. This is often a percentage of your home's value. We help you understand these details. Check out our insurance claims FAQ for more help.
After a big storm in Charlotte, you will see trucks from out of state. These people are called "storm chasers." They knock on your door and promise a "free roof."
Be very careful. These companies move from city to city. They do the work fast and then leave. If your roof leaks next year, they will be gone. You will have no way to use your warranty.
Best Roofing Now is a local, veteran-owned company. We live here. We work here. We use high-quality materials from brands like CertainTeed and GAF. We offer lifetime warranties because we know our work is good. You can read our stories to see how we help our neighbors.
If there is damage, you need proof. The insurance company wants to see what happened.
Take photos from the ground. Take photos of any shingles in your yard. Take photos of your car if it has hail dents. This helps prove that a storm really happened on a certain date.
If you wait two weeks to take photos, the insurance company might say the damage is old. They call this "pre-existing" damage. They might refuse to pay.
We have seen some scary things lately. Some older homes in Charlotte are at risk of roof failure. Here is why it happens and how to stop it.
When a roof leaks for a long time, the wood gets soft. This wood is called the "decking." If the decking is rotten, it cannot hold the weight of the shingles. If we get a heavy snow or even just a very heavy rain, the roof can cave in.
In the South, our attics get very hot. If your roof does not have good vents, the heat stays trapped. This "cooks" the shingles from the bottom up. It also makes the wood brittle. Brittle wood breaks easily under pressure.
Sometimes, old roofers just put new shingles over old ones. This is a bad idea. It makes the roof very heavy. If a storm hits a roof with two layers, the weight can be too much for the frame. We always recommend a full "tear-off" to keep your home safe.
Look at your roof from across the street. Does the top line (the ridge) look straight? Or does it dip in the middle? A "sway" in the roof is a sign of structural failure. If you see this, call us immediately. This is an emergency. We offer emergency roofing services for these exact situations.
We believe in craftsmanship. As a veteran-owned business, we bring military discipline to every job. We don't just "fix" a roof. We build a system that protects your family for a lifetime.
We use the best materials. We compare brands like GAF and Owens Corning to find the right fit for your budget. You can see how these brands compare in our materials guide.
We also use technology. We use drones to get a perfect view of every corner. This helps us find damage that other roofers miss.
If a storm just hit your house, do these things:
Don't let a small storm turn into a collapsed roof. Your home is your biggest investment. Protect it with a team that cares.
Schedule your free, no-pressure storm inspection today.
Click here to contact Best Roofing Now or call us to talk to a roofing expert. We are here to help you make an informed choice.
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Charlotte's trusted roofing experts since 2019
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