admin, Author at Jenkins Roofing
X

Request a Free Roof Inspection

WHAT IT INCLUDES
SCHEDULE AN INSPECTION

Roof Repair Made Easy

  • We check for any roof-related damages.
  • Our field inspectors will capture HD imagery/video of your roof.
  • We'll provide you with a detailed report of what we found.
  • If there's damage, no worries. We'll walk you through the claim process!
  • We're dedicated to getting you the best deal. A team member will accompany the insurance adjuster to make sure all damages are included.
  • Our roofing experts will work with you to get the roof you want.
  • Stay covered: Our GAF Master Elite certification allows us to offer the best warranties in the industry.

* Financing options are available

Schedule an Inspection

    Type of Inquiry
    Job Type
    First Name
    Last Name
    Email Address
    Phone Number
    Address
    Zip Code
    Additional info (optional)

    X

    Author: admin

    Jenkins Roofing and Identifying Storm Damage

    Roofing-Training-Certifications

    Storms come in all shapes and sizes here in Texas. It’s not uncommon for tornadoes to sweep through the Dallas-Fort Worth area during the spring months or hail to hit, causing all sorts of havoc.  Wet winter storms sweep through north Texas, as well, causing ice and for roads to close down. All these weather conditions can cause storm damage to your home, and often, it’s the roof that takes the biggest hit. 

    Texas storms often result in the need for roof leak repair, and as an Arlington Texas roofing contractor, we can help you experience the “calm after the storm”. The expertise of us being a local roofing contractor is helpful when it comes time to fix your roof due to storm damage. Jenkins Roofing and Construction is a 3rd generation company who lives here and works here, just like you do.  We provide honest and free roof inspections to help you identify storm damage, if any happened.

    Storm damage in north Texas and the Arlington, Texas area typically falls into one of these categories.

    Water Damage

    Heavy rains can damage shingles, knocking the granules off the shingle surfaces. These granules are there to help deflect the sun from the roof, which keeps the house cooler during hot summer months. During a storm, heavy rains pound these granules off, especially if the roof is showing some age. These granules then wash down into the gutters and get caught with leaves, sticks, and other debris.

    Too much moisture is bad for a roof. Moisture leaks into weak spots – small cracks, loose flashing, or vent seams – and gets into the house. You’ll notice this when it shows up as water spots on the ceilings. Trapped moisture often leads to mold and mildew, both of which can lead to severe health problems for those with respiratory issues. If you suspect you have water damage, call a local roofing contractor to come out and advise you on roof leak repair for your DFW, Texas home.

    Wind Damage

    Heavy winds can also damage shingles. Wind catches the edges of loose shingles, prying them up or tearing them off. Strong winds also blow tree limbs down. The best way to avoid wind damage is to have a roof inspection done annually. An inspection will uncover any issues you have with loose or damaged shingles, allowing you time to take care of the problem before the next storm hits. Also, if you have trees with branches that overhang the house, keep the branches trimmed back away from the roof. That way, if they come down in a severe wind storm, your roof is safe.

    Hail Damage

    Hail damage is very common in north Texas, but it’s hard for the average homeowner to spot damage on a roof. Hail can crack or otherwise damage shingles, making them susceptible to leakage. Hail also knocks off those granules we discussed earlier. Jenkins Roofing and Construction will come to your house and assess the situation. If roof repair or replacement is needed, we will  guide  you on filing a claim with your insurance company.

    Snow and Ice Damage

    Snow and ice can also cause problems. Snow gets heavy, and if it’s on the roof for too long, you may end up with leaks or other moisture issues. In freezing weather, ice build-up leads to ice damming, a condition where ice forms under the flashing. This is most typical for our Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington area. As snow melts, it runs down toward the gutters, where it freezes and starts backing up onto the roof. This traps water underneath the ice, which can cause significant roof damage. Keep your gutters clean during the winter months, and use a broom to sweep heavy snow off the roof if the weather stays too cold for it to quickly melt.

     

    Heat Damage

    Although we don’t consider heat to be a type of “storm” we do know that heat damage is a serious issue with homes in Texas. Over time, if your roof is exposed to too much heat, the shingle will begin to crack. Cracked shingles have lost their flexibility and will soon be susceptible to leaks. Heat can dry out your shingles and make them shrink and form blisters.

     

    As a business and home owner, we understand that a roof over your head provides such peace of mind. After a storm hits, Jenkins Roofing and Construction wants to assure you that we will create the calm after the storm (service without hassle) by providing you with an honest, professional and thorough roof inspection. We are not storm chasers and only want the best for our fellow community members. 

    Knowledge is power, and experience is key! We are here to help if you happen to experience any type of storm damage to your roof..

     

    Roofing-Training-Certifications

    Not all roofers are the same. We’re not just talking about the difference between professional roofers and storm-chasing roofers that sweep in to take advantage of desperate homeowners. We’re talking about the difference in product and installation quality as influenced by ongoing training and product certifications.

    This is how Oxford Dictionary defines “certified” – officially recognized as possessing certain qualifications or meeting certain standards.

    As a homeowner, you always want roofers (any contractors, for that matter) that meet or exceed industry standards. You want roofers that receive ongoing training and product or service certifications. It means they care about doing the job right. It means when your roof needs repair or replacement, you can be confident that your roofers have the knowledge, skill and experience to take care of every detail, from low slope to steep slope roofs, to understanding new energy standards. It even means smaller details will be handled properly, like caring for your landscaping, cleaning up after the job and using the right tools and hardware.

    What’s Required vs. What’s Desired

    In the state of Texas, there is no such thing as a license for roofing like there is for plumbing, electric, etc. Any “Chuck in a truck” with a ladder can call themselves a roofer and perform work with zero experience doing so. Since roofing is a highly skilled trade and your roof is such a critical component of your home, this is a bit surprising and something you should be aware of.

    Every homeowner should make sure they’re working with a roofer who can prove that the crew members that are performing the roof repairs or replacements are certified, local, trustworthy and competent.

    One way to do this is to look for a contractor like Jenkins Roofing who has many years of verifiable customer feedback and a Master Elite Certification from a reputable roofing manufacturer that will cover for installation errors as well as material failure. This certification is only awarded to a small percentage of roofing contractors who meet rigorous standards of excellence in their workmanship, ongoing training, business practices, background checks, and proof of adequate liability insurance.

    Another way is to ask to drive by and check out a job that they are doing soon to see the process and get a feel for how well the team works together. We would suggest 1-2pm in the afternoon. You can also make sure the contractor is likely doing the right things by their customer is to check and see if the contractor is registered with the local North Texas Roofing Contractors Association (www.ntrca.com) and the Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org) and has preferably been in business for over 10 years in the metroplex with a brick-and-mortar facility where business operations take place.

    Jenkins Roofers are Tenured, Trained and Certified

    Jenkins Roofing and Construction was founded more than 55 years ago on the idea of always doing things right. To keep up that standard, we’re always looking for ways to do things better.

    That’s why:

    • SAME EXPERT CREW ON EVERY JOB – We don’t bring in outside roofers that may or may not be certified installers. Every Jenkins Roofing installer that works on your home has passed extensive field guide testing and gone through the proper safety and installation training required to meet our high standards. We also focus training on clean up!
    • GAF CARE TRAINING – We participate in the GAF CARE training and certification program. They provide ongoing education and training in english and spanish that keeps our experts on top of new developments, tools and solutions, which allows us to pass these new products and services onto our customers.
    • BEST WARRANTY IN TEXAS – We offer our own warranty, along with the GAF Golden Pledge warranty – the best roofing warranty in Texas. Our GAF Master Elite certification makes that possible.
    • FREE INSPECTIONS OFFERED – We offer a free and thorough roof inspection so you can see for yourself. Your inspection will be conducted by one of our licensed, well-trained, certified roofing experts. Your inspector is also trained, by the way, in communicating any roofing issues – and possible solutions – clearly, succinctly and politely.

    To arrange your free roof inspection – or to get answers to any questions – just call (817) 886-6710.

    JenkinsRoofing-insuranceforroofdamage

    If you’re a property owner in Texas, you’re worried about the cost of energy. Like everything else these days, those costs continue to rise.

    Fortunately, Texas gets a lot of sun. That means you are in position to take advantage of solar power. By getting a renewable energy production system installed, you can save on energy costs. In fact, after the initial installation costs, a solar energy system can save you thousands of dollars every year. And with the help of federal, state, and local incentives, a solar system is cheaper than ever.

    With tax season upon us, this may be the perfect time to look into solar.

    Federal and State Incentives

    These are the big three incentives that would apply to most property owners in Texas – both residential and commercial:

    Federal Solar Tax Credit (ITC)

    Texas residents can take advantage of the Federal Solar Tax Credit and get a discount of 30% applied to their tax returns. This tax credit has been extended to 2032.

    Texas Solar Property Tax Exemption

    Texas will exempt property taxes on the added value to your home that comes with installing a solar energy system.

    Net Metering

    Net metering allows Texas homeowners that create excess energy to use it as a credit on their next electric bill. All energy providers are required to offer this option to homeowners.

    Solar Energy Devices Franchise Tax Exemption

    One of a handful of business incentives, the state of Texas allows the deduction of the cost of a solar energy device from franchise taxes.

    Local Energy Company Incentives

    In addition to the federal and state incentives mentioned above, most Texas utility companies offer their own incentives, usually in the form of energy buybacks or rebates.

    TXU Energy Home Solar Buyback Plan

    Customers can get paid for the excess energy their solar installation creates. Similar to net metering in other states, this program lets you earn credits to offset up to 100% of your energy charges on your monthly utility bills.

    Oncor, CPS, and Austin Energy Solar Rebates

    These three companies offer similar programs that offer rebates from $2,500 to $8,500, depending on the kW of solar power installed in your home. This cash incentive varies according to your electric provider, solar PV system size, location, and income.

    Increased Home Value

    The financial benefits of adding a solar energy production system to your home don’t stop with installation and monthly energy savings. Adding solar panels or shingles can also dramatically increase the value of your home.

    According to Zillow, the average home will increase in value by 4.1% after adding a solar power system. Of course, saving on energy costs is important to today’s home buyers. But so is helping the environment and being energy efficient.

    How Jenkins Can Help

    As a third-generation roofing company dedicated to do things right, Jenkins Roofing and Construction is also a leader in solar shingles. In fact, we’re an exclusive provider and certified installer of GAF’s Timberline Solar™, the world’s first nailable solar shingle.

    For answers on all the latest solar tech, incentives, warranties and installation techniques, consult with your Jenkins field specialist. He or she will be glad to answer all your questions and provide personalized recommendations.

    To schedule your free, no obligation rooftop solar consultation, just click here or call (817) 886-6710.

    JenkinsRoofing-insuranceforroofdamage

    When Texans say ‘go big, or go home’ we certainly mean it, for everything. From the size of our state to the extremes in our weather, everything in Texas is on the larger, more intense side. Most of the time, that’s something to be proud of. But as homeowners, the extreme weathers and intense temperatures are not something we like to brag about. Here at Jenkins Roofing and Construction, we regularly get calls from clients asking us what the best home insurance policy is for their houses. The great news is, there are lots of options out there. But with so many choices, many people get confused about where to start and what policies suit them. There are multiple things you should be looking out for when searching for a great home insurance policy and agent relationship.

    Roughly 90% of Texas homeowners only use their homeowners’ insurance for storm damage reasons related to hail. Most of us in the area have to file a claim at least once per decade if not more. And with the recent freezes gracing our homes for the past three years, there has been an uptick in insurance claims. It is always the best choice to talk to a licensed insurance agent to know which policy suits you the best, but with our years of experience dealing with these problems, Jenkins would love to help you get the ball rolling with some basic tips on buying and claiming insurance policies that will keep your wallet as fat as possible without having to make your life too difficult when the next hailstorm comes along.

    How are home insurance rates determined?

    Each insurance company has different underwriting rules which results in fluctuating rates. However, these are some basic parameters of how a company decides on what to charge you for your premium:

    1. Your home’s age and condition. Companies can’t turn you down just because of your home’s age or value, but they can charge you more depending on older homes or more damaged homes that will need repairs more frequently.
    2. Your home’s replacement cost. Houses with higher replacement costs have higher premiums.
    3. Your out-of-pocket deductible. The more money you pay upfront, the lower you’ll have to pay monthly premiums.
    4. Construction materials. Premiums are higher for houses built completely of wood. They’re lower for houses built of brick or stone. It all comes down to durability and a wooden house will not be able to endure as much damage as a brick house will.
    5. Which area do you live in? Premiums are higher in areas that have more storms or crime. In a place like Texas, you can expect to pay just a little extra for the lovely winter storms we’ve been having.
    6. Availability of fire protection. Premiums are lower for houses that are close to fire stations.
    7. Your claims history. Your premiums might be higher if you’ve had claims in the past.
    8. Your credit score. Some companies use your credit score to decide what to charge you.

    What to think about when considering insurance coverage on your home:

    Deductibles and how to choose the best fit:

    • A deductible is the amount of an insurance claim that you must pay yourself. An example of this would be if you filed a claim to repair your roof for $20,000 and your deductible was $3,000, you would only pay $3,000 out of pocket while the company took care of the remaining $17,000. You might have different deductibles for different types of coverage, such as wind/hail vs. fire/water vs. theft for example.
    • Most deductibles are determined as a percentage of what you have the home insured for.
    • We all want to pay as little out of pocket as possible. But there is no such thing as a free roof or no-deductible payment according to Texas law. As a matter of fact, there is a campaign to educate the public about roofers who offer this and how it scams clients out of benefits and is supported by industry associations such as NTRCA.
    • Try to find a 1% wind/hail deductible. We have seen many horror stories of how folks sometimes try to save some money and go with a 2% or even 3% deductible, only to find that when it came time to get the roof replaced, the policy barely paid for anything. Be smart. We’re not saying to always go with a 1% deductible because every situation is tricky to find the right plan because of the recent spike in the costs of construction. Homeowners today are facing not only higher premiums but also higher deductibles as their homes are insured for hundreds of thousands of dollars more than they would’ve been just a few years ago. different, but at Jenkins, we’ve seen it to be a number that most customers feel is workable and affordable when it comes time to replace the roof.

    Replacement Cost coverage vs. Actual Cash Value coverage – why does it matter?

    When selecting a policy, you can choose to opt for Replacement Cost coverage of your home or Actual Cash Value coverage. Replacement cost coverage pays to repair your property for current prices. For example, say you bought a new roof 10 years ago and the current price for a new roof is $10,000. If you have to replace your entire roof after a storm, a replacement cost policy would pay for a new roof at today’s prices. If you have a $2,000 deductible, your company would pay $8,000. Actual cash value coverage pays replacement cost minus depreciation, which is a decrease in the value of your house due to wear and age. In the example above of the 10-year-old roof, the actual cash value might be $7,000. After your $2,000 deductible, your company would pay $5,000. You’d have to pay the rest of the cost of the new roof yourself. This means your total out-of-pocket costs for an actual cash value policy would be $5,000, compared with $2,000 for a replacement cost policy. So, it is beneficial most times to choose policies that offer Replacement Cost coverages to save yourself the extra thousands from coming out of your pocket.

    Age of Roof Coverage changes: Could the policy change over to actual cash value (ACV) after the roof is a certain age?

    Jenkins Roofing and Construction is seeing several insurance companies in Texas set up their policies to automatically switch coverage after your roof is 10 or 15 years old to actual cash value instead of replacement cost, which is NOT GOOD. We have no crystal ball to know when your roof might be damaged, and it could cost you thousands of dollars if your policy only covers actual cash value.

    Discounts: What discounts might I get?

    • 20-30% for a new roof (0-5 Years old)
    • 23-35% for a Class 4 Roof (As long as it is up there)
    • Alarm monitoring discount
      • Fire alarm
      • Burglar alarm
    • Sprinkler system
    • Claims free discount
    • Home/Auto/Life Discounts for multi-lines of business

    How helpful is my agent? Questions to ask when connecting with an insurance agent

    • Can I easily visit my agent and/or speak with them if need be?
    • Do they know who I am and can I trust that they have my back?
    • Will my agent work as a partner with me if I have an issue with a claims adjuster?
    • Are they too busy and only see me as another client rather than a homeowner?
    • Can they explain difficult policy terms to me without jargon?
    • Are they willing to advocate for me when I file claims and be on my side?

    How dependable is my insurance company?

    • This may be the one instance where bigger isn’t always better. Of course, you want the money and resources that the large companies have to offer. However, they also have lots of clients and won’t necessarily be interested in maintaining a close partnership with you. With smaller companies, you get client-to-agent relationships that are deeper and they can be more trustworthy. But, to play devil’s advocate, we’ve seen that tiny companies can be difficult to work with when it comes to getting the job done in terms of servicing and getting appropriately paid after storms.
    • Need a referral? Give us a call and we can point you in the right direction to a great local agent that will take good care of you and sell you a fairly-priced policy with excellent coverage.

    At Jenkins Roofing and Construction, we’ve had years of experience dealing with insurance agents, deductibles and companies. It is always helpful to talk to a qualified roofing company such as Jenkins Roofing and Construction and an insurance agent when reviewing home insurance policies. You can also visit TDI for updated information to be better informed before you commit to a new policy.

    As an industry, roofers tend to get a bad rap. This is, of course, due to the solo or traveling roofers that chase bad weather and damaged homes, swooping down into storm-drenched or wind-torn communities claiming they’re a legitimate operation and providing homeowners with a quick, easy solution. In many cases, these “quick” and “easy” solutions lead to even more problems, leaving homeowners with nowhere to turn. For these opportunists, it’s more about grabbing insurance money versus giving you the quality, expertly installed, guaranteed roof you and your family deserve.

    These roofers have no history and no reputation.

    Jenkins Roofing, on the other hand, is the refreshing opposite of these in-and-out-of-town roofers. We have been in the DFW area for more than five decades, proud to be the third generation of a quality, caring roofing family. We’re a well-established, proven company with hundreds of positive online reviews. We even have a file cabinet full of wonderful customer letters – both thank-you letters and recommendations – from before the internet existed.

    Before you hire a roofer to work on your home – likely, the largest investment of your life – look into their history and reputation. Next time a storm comes through, this little bit of research can mean a whole lot of peace of mind.

    “Matt was awesome to work with! He went above and beyond to make sure our roof was replaced to our satisfaction, and the job was done in a timely manner. I highly recommend Matt and Jenkins Roofing.”

    Laura Hoffman

    Leading by Example

    A company’s history and reputation don’t just happen. Both are earned.

    At Jenkins Roofing, we’ve always done things right. Whether you’re meeting with one of our field specialists or calling our in-house claims support, the Jenkins team is 100% local and 110% here to help. We take pride in our work, and in giving customers like you the best roofing repair or replacement experience possible.

    In 1968, R.L. Jenkins founded Jenkins in Grand Prairie, Texas, where he quickly established a reputation for quality work at a fair price. Nearly ten years later, R.L.’s son Jack Jenkins took over as the head of the company, and continued the family tradition of roofing excellence for more than four decades. Now, after more than 50 years in business, Jack’s son Todd Jenkins is carrying the torch forward with that same passion for placing the needs of the customer first at all times.

    “Jenkins Roofing is simply the best of the best. Todd is a man of integrity – he listens and does what he says. His crews will go the extra mile. They leave your property in better condition than when they arrived. If you want a pleasant roofing experience, choose Jenkins Roofing.”

    Tex A.

    The Importance of History

    This history of a company is often a clear indication of the way they do business today, which is why it’s vital that you learn about a company’s history before choosing to work with them.

    When you understand the values of a company, and those values align with your own, you’re more inclined to be a satisfied customer and do business with them again. A company’s history also tells the story of how well they’ve taken care of their consumers. Without this important part of their history, no company would last very long (let alone the 50-plus years Jenkins has been serving the DFW area).

    The world is full of stories – of businesses that thrived through tough times or of people who grew a business into something spectacular – and these stories are part of a company’s DNA. A strong company history often leads to a story with a happy ending for any of its customers.

    “I had experienced wind damage and needed roof repair so I contacted Jenkins. Glad I did! They sent Randy to my house within just a couple of hours of my call. He was professional, courteous and very knowledgeable. He returned on the day of my insurance inspection and was very helpful in the process. Installation was quick and easy, and Randy even came out to check everything once installation was complete.”

    Diane Seymour

    The Importance of Reputation

    In today’s digital world, a company’s reputation is reflected primarily through customer reviews – this is the modern word-of-mouth.

    According to a BrightLocal survey, 91% of consumers say that a positive review makes them more likely to use a business. And since 98% report reading reviews at least occasionally when looking for a local business, it’s easy to see how these reviews can be so influential.

    But not every aspect of a review is given the same weight. The two most important factors consumers look for are overall star rating and recency, many saying a review should be within the last two weeks of reading. To get an overall view of a company’s reputation, consumers will read an average of 10 reviews.

    In other words, reputation is important and consumers are putting in the work to uncover all the details – good and bad. Before choosing a roofing company (or any company, for that matter), you should read a lot of reviews.

    “Seriously, I don’t have the words to express my gratitude for this company! I have referred them to my real estate clients several times and, each time, they exceeded all expectations! They are my go-to roofers! Jenkins Roofing is the best around – hands down!”

    Kris Drees

    Look into Jenkins

    At Jenkins Roofing, we have a history that shows dedication, quality and a high level of customer service. And our reviews are evidence of very happy customers.

    Recently, a friend asked me as his “Insurance Expert” if his house was covered for water damage.

    The short answer was: Homeowners’ insurance does cover certain types of water damage but not others, depending on the cause.

    Fortunately, most home insurances offer coverage for: 

    • Water damage from pipes that freeze up and burst on you
    • An appliance or bathroom fixture leaking
    • A storm blowing a tree through your roof and rain pouring in

    “If the cause is gradual and preventable, including wear and tear or a lack of maintenance, then water damage is generally not covered by home insurance. For example, damage caused by a leak from a rusty old pipe or a roof with missing shingles past its replacement age is likely not covered.” 

    As a Licensed Insurance agent, I always recommend that if you find any type of water leak, you try to stop it at the source or call a professional to do it right away before it causes more harm. The most important you control the damage is to document what happened the best you can by:

    • Take pictures of the damage.
    • Capture notes on when, where, and how it happened the best you can.
    • If you can, make sure you know what caused it and add that to your notes, this will help your carrier identify the proper coverages if you file a claim.
    • If it is weather related, make sure you get some documentation from the news, newspaper, or the Weather channel / APP.

    The next step is to inspect it right away before you decide to make a claim, and if it is roof related, I refer folks all the time to fantastic companies like @Jenkins Roofing.

    The most important thing is to find the issue, stop the leak from doing more harm, pause, then decide on a course of action; often, a simple repair does not need to drive a claim.

    Most people are unaware that any claim, whether any money is paid or not, could potentially impact your coverages and insurance costs in the future.
    I recommend that it is best to speak to a licensed repair professional and your agent to determine if you should file a claim before making a claim.

    As of April 1 2021, U.S. military members are no longer required to mail-in their military documents for the $250 GAF Roof for Troops rebate.

    GAF now allows for INSTANT VERIFICATION, and Jenkins Roofing can even send this information for you!

    Ready to get started? Call or register online for a free inspection.

    Call Us: (972) 264-8091