You can tell you need a new roof when yours is leaking, housing animals, has a hole, or is missing a few shingles. That said, you also might need a roof replacement when you notice that your roof sounds rickety or needs a lot of repairs.

In our experience, it might also be time for a new roof if the current one is over 12 years old. Roofs don’t normally last much longer without developing significant problems. If yours has flashing missing, curling shingles, broken ice dams, or discoloration on the walls and ceilings, it might be time to get a new roof. We always recommend having your roof checked by an expert roofer for damage after a hail or wind storm.

Did you know that, according to Roofing Contractor Magazine, over five million new roofs are installed in the U.S. every single year? Give our team at David Martin & Son Roofing a call today if you think you're due for yours.

The longevity of your composition roof depends on the materials used. Climate also has an impact on how long your roof will last. A roof will need replacement sooner when exposed to harsh weather such as severe humidity, snow, and hail. In our experience, the general lifespan of composition roofs is around 12-20 years.

You might need to replace your roof faster if it starts developing problems like water damage, sagging, and loose or cracked shingles. You can also call your roofer after an especially harsh winter to determine if everything is in good shape.

Understand first that, today, the Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation (TDLR) does NOT oversee an occupational license for roofers in the state. Anyone can claim to be a roofing contractor in Texas and operate as a legitimate business without insurance. As a result, scams and disappointed consumers are prevalent. If a roofer claims to be licensed, they won't be able to provide proof of that credential with a certificate issued by the Roofing Contractors Association of Texas. RCAT's Licensed Roofing Contractor Program participants simply prove that they have the technical and business knowledge to provide top-quality service by voluntarily completing the application process, showing proof of financial responsibility and insurance coverage, and then passing the licensing exams.

There are many factors in addition to cost to consider. For one, your roof needs to be done right the first time. Otherwise, you may face high repair costs or even a whole reinstallation project. Product rating and quality also differ greatly, as do warranties, so be sure that you fully understand what the roofer in question has included in your bid.

Surprisingly, roofers don't have to be licensed in Texas. This can make it difficult for homeowners to determine whether the roofer they've chosen will do what they say they're going to do, or that the roofing work meets code requirements. According to information gathered by the Roofing Contractors Association of Texas, only about 10% of roofing contractors in Texas obtain a roofing license.

Proving an insurance loss is the responsibility of the insured. It's often critical to contract with a roofer before an insurance adjuster evaluates the roof. The insurance company adjuster isn't required to find damage just because you experienced hail or wind, even if your neighbor has confirmed storm damage of their own.

Recoverable depreciation is the amount withheld by the insurance company until work is completed. Once the required work is completed, an invoice will be sent to the insurance company. The recoverable depreciation is then released to the policyholder.

Note: As most insurance carriers initially pay the actual cash value, recoverable depreciation is only paid up to the actual amount of the contractor’s invoice. Why sacrifice having a quality, conscientious, and professional roofer just to save the insurance company a few dollars?