A home is likely the biggest asset one can have. It only makes sense that you would want to protect that.
Homeowners insurance protects you from financial ruin in the event that your home is damaged. It goes further than just the interior and exterior of your home. In the event of fire, flooding, wind damage, etc., homeowners insurance policies can also cover clothing, material possessions, and furniture losses. Obviously, being able to not have to worry about these things is a great comfort to homeowners in the event of an emergency.
That is why when the Mount Vernon, New York, homeowners in today’s blog post reached out to us about new shingles and a roof replacement, they needed it done as quickly as possible. If they were unable to replace their roof by the end of that month, they were going to be dropped by their insurance company (and, thus, no homeowners insurance).
And once you’ve been dropped, it can be tricky to find a replacement. Not only that, but if something happens to your home during a lapse in coverage (fire, interior flooding from, say, a pipe bursting, wind damage to your shingles, falling timber damage to your roof), you are on your own. Quite the terrifying thought.
GAF Asphalt Shingle Replacement
Mount Vernon, NY
We sent our project manager out to Mount Vernon (which is in Westchester County and just north of the Bronx) for an assessment. Now, prior to an assessment, you never know what you’re going to find beyond needing new shingles. However, a lot of our clients contact us when they are dealing with emergency situations, and we are always determined to help them to the best of our abilities.
After our project manager’s careful evaluation, the clients indeed had deeper roofing issues. They definitely needed a full roof replacement. Not only was the roof old, but there were safety issues at play. It was an unstable roof.
We needed to assist these homeowners as quickly as we could, and in order to accommodate their urgency, we extended our work hours and adjusted our scheduling to fit them in and hit the deadline.
The roof itself had multiple layers of shingles. It was uneven and sagging, running the risk of a collapse. Needless to say, it needed this replacement badly.
The first base layer was wood shingles that were installed incorrectly on strips of wood called laths. Laths are better suited for plaster work, and laths are not a sufficient surface that asphalt shingles can be nailed to. There are large gaps in the wood framework that contribute to instability, and therefore roofing issues, like a leaking roof.
GAF Asphalt Shingle Replacement
Mount Vernon, NY
Frankly, it would be like a pipe bursting and you trying to apply a bandage to it. You have a pipe bursting and added a bandage (so something was done), but it’s only slightly delaying the inevitable.
We removed the old plywood from the roof (it was filled with holes and rot) and replaced all of it with fresh plywood. This plywood would provide a solid foundation for the new roof.
One of the biggest issues we faced during this project was the weather. As we all know, a northeastern winter can be unpredictable, and not only did we get snow during the project, but a full-on snowstorm as well.
This was, understandably, concerning for the homeowners. After having an unstable roof for so long, the last thing they wanted was anything compromising their new roof. We reassured them that we work in adverse weather all the time and have protocols for how to keep the work site, homeowners, and our own workers safe.
We made sure to diligently cover the project completely. Not only would the exterior be safe from the snow, but the interior of their house as well. No leaking roof on our watch.
After the storm, we returned to Mount Vernon to finish the job. Despite the snowstorm, we were able to complete the job by the homeowners’ end-of-the-month deadline, finishing the roof in three working days.
As for the roofing details: The new roof is an asphalt shingle roof by GAF. A GAF asphalt roof is the most common and popular asphalt shingle roof in the country. And for good reason. GAF asphalt shingles are durable, cost-effective, and come in a variety of sharp colors.
GAF Asphalt Shingle Replacement
Mount Vernon, NY
For their asphalt shingle roof, the homeowners picked a classic charcoal color that succeeds in being both elegant and bold. This charcoal color roof was the perfect complement to their home. It rejuvenated the entire property.
The homeowners were relieved and happy with their new GAF asphalt roof. It was a stressful situation for them, but once they contacted us, it was smooth sailing.
Their home looked fantastic and, most importantly, was safe. No more roofing issues. There was no more sagging or unevenness because of the poorly installed wood shingles and rotted wood base on the old roof. Complemented by the GAF asphalt roof in charcoal, this truly looked like a new home.
After seeing how we managed not only the roof replacement job itself but also the snowstorm, curious Westchester County neighbors stopped by to inquire about their own roofs. As a roofing contractor and family-run business, the highest compliment we feel we can receive is others taking note of our work and wanting it for their own homes.
We’re so glad we were able to help, and we can do the same for you. Contact us for a free roofing quote today, and we’ll install new shingles on your home in no time!
City: Mount Vernon
State: NY
ZIP: 10550
Category: Roofing
Materials used (manufacturer): GAF
Materials used (type): Asphalt
Materials used (color): Charcoal
Project Cost: $25,000
Time to Complete: Three days