The roof is one of the most critical components of your home, providing protection against the elements and contributing to the overall structural integrity of the building. However, because it is often out of sight, it can be out of mind, leading homeowners to overlook early signs of damage. Identifying roof damage before it becomes a significant problem can save you a lot of money and hassle. This article will guide you through the essential steps to spot roof damage early and provide subtle pointers on how to take action, such as contacting professional roofing services like Ahlers Roofing. Understanding the Importance of Early Detection Early detection of roof damage is crucial for several reasons: Preventing Further Damage: Minor issues can quickly escalate into significant problems if left unattended. A small leak can lead to extensive water damage, mold growth, and compromised structural integrity. Cost Savings : Addressing minor repairs is far less expensive than dealing with major damage. Early intervention can save thousands of dollars in repair and replacement costs. Maintaining Property Value : A well-maintained roof enhances your home's value. Neglecting roof repairs can lead to decreased property value and make it difficult to sell your home. Ensuring Safety : A damaged roof can pose serious safety risks, including the potential for collapse. Regular inspections can help ensure the safety of your family and home. Signs of Roof Damage to Look Out For Regular roof inspections are essential for catching damage early. Here are some signs to watch for: Missing or Damaged Shingles : Shingles that are cracked, curled, or missing altogether are clear indicators of roof damage. These issues can expose your roof to water infiltration and further deterioration. Granule Loss : If you notice granules from your shingles accumulating in your gutters or around your home, it's a sign that your shingles are aging and may need replacement. Leaks and Water Stains : Water stains on your ceiling or walls often indicate a leak. Even small leaks can lead to significant damage if not addressed promptly. Sagging Roof : A sagging roof is a serious issue that can indicate structural problems. If you notice any sagging, it's essential to seek professional help immediately. Damaged Flashing : Flashing around chimneys, vents, and skylights can deteriorate over time. Damaged flashing can lead to leaks and should be repaired promptly. Moss and Algae Growth : While moss and algae might seem harmless, they can trap moisture against your roof, leading to damage and decay. Gutter Issues : Clogged or damaged gutters can cause water to back up and seep under your roof. Regularly clean and inspect your gutters to prevent this issue. Steps to Inspect Your Roof Conducting regular roof inspections can help you catch damage early. Here’s a step-by-step guide: Visual Inspection : Start with a visual inspection from the ground using binoculars. Look for missing or damaged shingles, sagging areas, and other visible issues. Check the Attic : Inspect your attic for signs of water damage, mold, or daylight peeking through the roof boards. This can help you spot leaks early. Inspect the Gutters : Clean your gutters and check for granule buildup and signs of water backup. Ensure the gutters are securely attached and free of damage. Examine Flashing and Seals : Pay close attention to the flashing around chimneys, vents, and skylights. Look for cracks, rust, or any signs of wear. Look for Moss and Algae : If you notice moss or algae growth, consider having your roof cleaned by professionals to prevent damage. When to Call in the Professionals While regular inspections and maintenance can help you catch many issues early, some problems require professional expertise. Here’s when you should consider calling in the professionals: Extensive Damage : If you notice significant damage, such as multiple missing shingles, large leaks, or structural issues, it’s time to call a professional roofer. Frequent Repairs : If you find yourself frequently repairing your roof, it may be more cost-effective to have it inspected by a professional to determine if a replacement is needed. Safety Concerns : Roof inspections can be dangerous, especially for steep or high roofs. If you’re not comfortable performing the inspection, it’s best to hire a professional. Warranty Requirements : Some roofing warranties require professional inspections and maintenance. Check your warranty terms to ensure you’re in compliance. Ensuring Your Roof’s Longevity Maintaining your roof’s health is vital for protecting your home and investment. Regular inspections, prompt repairs, and professional maintenance can extend the life of your roof and prevent costly damage. If you’re unsure about the condition of your roof or need professional assistance, consider reaching out to Ahlers Roofing . Their experienced team can provide comprehensive inspections, expert repairs, and reliable maintenance services to keep your roof in top condition. By addressing potential issues early, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing your home is well-protected. For more information on roof maintenance and repair services, visit Ahlers Roofing. Their dedicated team is ready to help you with all your roofing needs, ensuring your home remains safe, secure, and beautiful for years to come. Your roof is a critical part of your home’s structure and requires regular attention to stay in good condition. By conducting regular inspections and being aware of the signs of damage, you can prevent minor issues from becoming major problems. When in doubt, don’t hesitate to seek professional help from trusted experts like Ahlers Roofing. Taking these proactive steps will help you maintain a sturdy, long-lasting roof and protect your home from the elements. Remember, the key to a healthy roof is early detection and timely intervention. Don’t wait until it’s too late—start inspecting your roof today and ensure it remains in excellent condition for years to come.

Danny’s advice for choosing a quality roofer? Listen to the community! Always check the quantity and quality of reviews that have been left for a potential roofer.

As the spring rains roll into North Texas, too many of our neighbors are reaching for a drip bucket. Damage from leaking roofs is all too common but often, entirely avoidable! As a trusted roofing contractor, we like to protect your investment. We’ve put together the 5 most common reasons for roof leaks, how to spot them, and how to prevent the damage they can cause.  1. Cracked Flashing Flashing are thin pieces of metal installed under shingles and on the joints of your roof to create a water-barrier. If weather or wear has caused cracks to your flashing, your roof is vulnerable to leaking! Doing a regular visual check of your flashing after any weather events or changes will help you identify these issues before they escalate into further damage to your home.

Don't take their word for it! Danny explains that a quality roofer shows you pictures along the way.

Whether you’re in Fort Worth, Plano, Allen, McKinney, or Dallas, knowing the right questions to ask a potential roofer can save you from falling prey to contractor scams in North Texas. Especially in the wake of winter storms, contractors flood North Texas, from Colleyville to Richardson, and present themselves as expert roofers. By asking the following five questions, you can weed out the riff-raff and narrow down to an experienced roofing contractor that you can trust. 1. Are they licensed, insured, and compliant with new legislation? Don’t let a contractor near your home if they aren’t fully licensed and insured! Ask a roofing contractor candidate for a copy of their 2020 Certificate of Insurance. Read it carefully to ensure that their insurance would cover you and your home should any issues or claims arise. Talk with them about the new Texas roofing laws and make sure that their contracts include the mandatory clauses required for compliance. 2. Do they have an exemplary safety record? Every quality residential contractor and trustworthy commercial roofing company makes safety a top priority. One way to do this is to provide OSHA safety training for their staff and crews. Ask a potential contractor what their Experience Modification Rate (or EMR) is. If it is less than the industry standard of 1.0, it’s a great sign that this is a contractor who follows the rules and makes safety a top priority on the job site. 3. Are they a well-established local company? This is an especially important question in the wake of damaging storms! By hiring an established North Texas roofing contractor, you protect yourself from opportunistic roofing scams. By working with a trusted local contractor, whether in Richland Hills, or Denton, you know it will be easy to get in touch with the company should you have any questions or need any warranty service performed in the future. You also have the added protection of being able to seek out first-hand reviews. Your community will help you discover if a local roofing contractor is worthy of your time. 4. Who will be on the job site during your repairs? If the answer to this question is anyone other than the owner or manager of the roofing company, a licensed contractor, or a trained project manager – this is NOT a company you want to work with. Having experienced roofers in a crew is important but does not ensure that an efficient installation or repair can take place without an industry expert in charge to oversee the work. 5. Can they handle the job? A quality roofing contractor can’t give a reliable quote if your specific roofing needs are outside their scope of expertise. A local contractor can be the best in town for residential shingles, but if they don’t have a commercial roofing side of their business, they may not be certified to install materials produced by GAF, Johns Manville, Firestone, Carlisle, or other major manufacturers. Make sure that you’re contacting a contractor who is up to the job. When storms hit, you don’t always have the luxury of time to make a decision about your roofing contractor. Ask these five questions to protect yourself from roofing scams. For peace of mind on any of your residential or commercial roofing projects in North Texas, give us a call at 817-793-2424 or click here to request a quote. We’re located right in the area by North Richland Hills and Southlake.

Danny shares questions that homeowners should ask a potential roofing contractor.

Danny Ahlers offers roofing recommendations to care for your property as the seasons shift.

Rod's taking a break from the jokes! Listen in for an important message from everyone's favorite roofer.

To our beloved customers, employees, and partners, From all of us here at the Ahlers Family, we pray that you are well and safe. It is our sincere hope that each of you are blessed with the best health you could ask for. These times that we are in are difficult at best, and most of us have never experienced a quarantine or social distancing to this degree. The world around us has changed dramatically in the last few weeks and our decisions and actions must be calculated and intentional so that we can be a part of the solution to the global spread of COVID-19. It is our desire to ensure that all of our stakeholders are safe when interacting with our employees and vendors. It is because of this desire that we have sought after the most accurate information and guidance from infectious disease doctors to come up with our COVID-19 Coronavirus protocol. We have personally spoken to doctors that are currently in a lab here in the United States working tirelessly to find the medical solution to combat and eliminate the virus. The following is our protocol that all employees, sub-contractors, and vendors must adhere to effective 3/19/2020. • Before entering a work environment supervisors must verify workers are healthy and have been free of flu-like symptoms for a minimum of 14 days. • Before beginning work, all supervisors/workers must verify and set-up a handwashing station with soap, hot water, and disposable single-use hand towels. • All supervisors/workers must have in their possession and must utilize hand sanitizer that is approved by the United States CDC. • Before beginning work, all supervisors/workers must use personal hygiene protection such as, but not limited to, respirators, disposable gloves, eye protection, and paper/cardboard-based surface protection. • All supervisors/workers must possess and use a surface sanitation solution made up of no less than 5.25% bleach. (1/3 of a cup of bleach for every gallon of water). If bleach can not be used on the work surface an alcohol-based solution containing no less than 70% alcohol may be used. • When the last worker has completed the final clean-up for the day in a work area, they will sanitize all surfaces in that area as they leave and may not re-enter that area. This includes all surfaces they have come into contact with especially doorknobs, handles, and other devices used to open and close doors or drawers. • If the supervisors/workers scope of work was completed and the supervisors/workers never entered the home, they will only need to sanitize commonly touched surfaces such as doorknobs or handles. • Lastly, all supervisors/workers will wash, dry, and sanitize their hands before and after they take a break for lunch or a snack. All the above-mentioned action items are to be done in conjunction with the World Health Organization’s and The U.S. CDC’s recommendations for social distancing and personal care. With gratitude and great appreciation, Daniel R. Ahlers II, Daniel R. Ahlers Sr., and Tabatha R. Ahlers