Understanding deductibles...

It is common in our area to run across roofers that will offer to "eat your deductible." What most homeowners do not know, is that this practice is actually illegal and can put them as a party to committing insurance fraud! The deductible is the amount that the insured has agreed with the insurer to  "share in the loss" of an insured event and therefore, must be paid. Reputable roofing contractors will not make any claims or offers and will ensure the deductible is paid.



At Outback Roofing we are committed to providing quality roofing services without making any claims that we can eat or discount your deductible. We are licensed insurance adjusters in the state of Texas and while we cannot act as an adjuster on your behalf, we can help to educate you and answer any questions you may have regarding the claims process to ensure it is completed as smoothly as possible. In addition, Outback Roofing is one of the few certified roofing contractors Dallas that are actually certified by the Roofing Contractors Association of Texas. Outback Roofing supports proposed legislation to enact a roofing contractor licensure requirement in Texas.



If you are in need of Dallas Roofing, please contact Outback Roofing for your free roof inspection and detailed report. If you live outside the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex, contact the Roofing Contractors Association of Texas to find a certified local roofing contractor or contact your state's roofing contractors association.



For more information regarding illegal insurance deductible scams, please see FreeRoofScam.org and this report from the Better Business Bureau.

Got bad roofers? We need to hear your story...

We are trying to get the roofing industry regulated in the State of Texas. A bill to support licensing has been filed in both the Texas House and Senate. We are now getting ready for hearings on the bill and we need your stories.

We are looking for people to come to Austin and testify about their experiences with unscrupulous roofing contractors. If you have  ever had dealings with a bad roofer in the State of Texas where they put your roof on poorly or took your money and never showed up to do any work, we would like to hear about it.

 

Please contact Outback Roofing to submit your story about bad roofing contractors Dallas. See also North Texas Roofing Contractors Association NTRCA for more information.

What has your roofer done for you lately?

As a homeowner, when was the last time you actually got on top of your roof? Or, when have you had a qualified Dallas roofing contractor inspect your roof? If you are like most of us, probably not in a very long time, if ever! Many of us neglect our roof, even though it is there for us, day in and day out, 365 days a year, throughout all of the seasons, covering our head and protecting us from the elements.  Some might say, "Well, my roof is a 20 year, 30 year, lifetime roof..," expecting it should last forever with little to no maintenance. However, that is not the case. The health of a roof should be taken care of and maintained to optimize those manufacturer ratings. All roof systems, regardless of the type or rating of the roof, should be inspected on a regular basis.



A roof takes a beating by the sun and seasons, moreso than any other part of a building. Tree limb and natural debris left on a roof is a haven for standing water, bugs, algae and rot. Over time, even the best sealants begin to break down and wear out and should be replaced. Repeated exposure to wind can loosen flashing and shingles, exposing the roof to possible leaks.

Outback Roofing is a roofing contractor Dallas that offers a Roof Tuneup maintenance program to help keep your roof in good health. Whether you purchase a one time roof tuneup or a maintenance package plan, we have what you need to keep you covered and in good roof health!



During our roof inspection and roof tuneup we will, among other things, clear all debris from the roof, identify and repair any leaks, secure loose flashing and shingles, re-seal all vents and penetrations, check and seal valleys (if necessary) and replace missing/damaged shingles.



Your roof serves to protect you and your family, day in and day out. Show your roof a little love with regularly scheduled checkups!  Click on the link for more details on Outback Roofing's Roof Tuneup program. To schedule an appointment, contact us!

Hail Fascination

Hail_01, a photo by swingtan on Flickr.

Hail in various shapes from the land down under!

Chicago, we have a problem!

So last night, I was awakened at 1:30am by the annoying wind chime and tarp that is over one of our skylights, being blown by the wind. (Yes, we have a case of the shoemakers children needing shoes here!) It sounded like it was going to take the entire roof off the house. This went on ALL night! It sounded so bad, I kept wondering about the debris that I was going to wake up and find strewn about the neighborhood. Surprisingly, the aftermath in our neighborhood was not as bad as it sounded. (The picture to the left was taken in April 2008 after a wind storm in our neighborhood downed many Bradford Pear trees.)

When I was taking the Haag Engineering Residential Roof Inspector Course, we learned some interesting things about butt rott, the ever-fabulous ice ball launcher and the instructor pointed out that Chicago wasn't actually the windiest city*. Gasp, I know! Did you know that Dallas, TX ranks as #5 in the windiest cities in the U.S. and Chicago doesn't even make the top 10? Even more gasp, I know! Since I have lived most of my life in Dallas, I never really thought it to be "out of the ordinary" windy, but ever since the instructor pointed it out, I have been more aware and have noticed how windy Dallas actually is!

I googled the top windiest cities in the U.S. and found the following chart at CurrentResults.com with information tabulated from NOAA National Climatic Data Center, regarding the average annual wind speed of the windiest US cities (in miles per hour and kilometres per hour):

City	MPH	KPH
Boston, Massachusetts	12.3	19.8
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma	12.2	19.6
Buffalo, New York	11.8	19.0
Milwaukee, Wisconsin	11.5	18.5
Dallas, Texas	10.7	17.2
Kansas City, Missouri	10.6	17.1
San Francisco, California	10.6	17.1
Cleveland, Ohio	10.5	16.9
Minneapolis, Minnesota	10.5	16.9
Virginia Beach, Virginia	10.5	16.9
Providence, Rhode Island	10.4	16.7
Chicago, Illinois	10.3	16.6
Detroit, Michigan	10.2	16.4

If you live in a windy city, here are some things you can do to keep your roof and property safe:

1. Annually inspect your roof - make sure all flashings, chimney covers, vents, siding, etc are secure and reseal all penetrations and any lifted shingles. (Or, better yet, have Outback perform a Roof Tuneup!)
2. Keep trees trimmed and clear of any dead or large limbs that protrude over the roof.
3. Secure any objects that maybe become flying debris, such as patio furniture and umbrellas.

Most insurance policies do not have a provision to cover wind damage, leaving homeowners to make what can sometimes add up to very costly repairs, depending on the extent of the damage. At Outback, we install Atlas Signature Select roofing systems, that come with a built-in wind policy of up to 130 mph wind. We also offer Roof Tuneup maintenance plans to help keep your roof in tip-top shape, come rain, wind or shine! For more information on our roofing systems that keep you covered, please contact your Dallas roofing company, Outback.

(*Legend has it that Chicago is called the Windy City because of the hot air bellowing from the local politicians!)

- Jennifer Crutcher 

Jennifer is a licensed insurance adjuster in the state of Texas, a Haag Engineering Certified Residential Roof Inspector and is passionate about consumer protection and education. She works at Outback Roofing, a family owned and locally operated company, where she is responsible for daily office operations. Jennifer resides with her family and two German shepherds in the Dallas area. A little known fact is that she secretly aspires to be an ice dancer!

First Indoor Hail Simulation

Pictures taken from the first ever indoor hail simulation study that was performed by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) Research Center on February 20, 2013:

Photo credit from Flickr: State Farm

1. Hail stone exploding on impact, 2. Hail damage on metal roof, 3. Hail damage to aluminum gutter, 4. Dent to a car from hail

Visit www.disastersafety.org to learn more about how this first indoor hail simulation in the world came to be and what you can do to reduce catastrophic damage from hail. State Farm is one of the founding members of IBHS.

The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) Research Center is a unique, state-of-the-art, multi-risk applied research and training in Chester County, South Carolina. This facility is a tangible, very public demonstration of the property insurance industry’s deep commitment to reducing and preventing losses that disrupt the lives of millions of home and business owners each year. The scientific research conducted here will influence residential and commercial structural design and construction for decades to come, and will significantly advance building science by enabling researchers to more fully and accurately evaluate various residential and commercial construction materials and systems.

You're invited to our Open House & Helmet Drive...

 

You are invited to attend our Open House and Helmet Drive benefitting The Sarah Jane Brain Club. This is the first chapter in the Dallas area, founded by Miss Katie Campbell of Parish Episcopal School. Miss Campbell was inspired to start this chapter after a friend passed away from a brain injury he sustained in a skateboarding accident, while not wearing a helmet. The purpose of the Sarah Jane Brain Club is to help prevent, identify and treat brain injuries. Brain injuries are the #1 cause of death and disability in the U.S. in children, adolescents, and young adults.

 

Please stop by and join us for food, fun and prizes in supporting this great cause! We will be accepting donations for the purchase of helmets that will be donated to Children’s Medical Center of Dallas.

When:   Saturday, April 6th from 12pm to 4pm



Where:  Outback Roofing

              17618 Davenport Rd., Suite 2

              Dallas, TX 75252