Author: Justin

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is the name given to a number of naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals that have been mined for their useful properties such as thermal insulation, chemical and thermal stability, and high tensile strength.

The three most common types of asbestos are:

a) chrysotile

b) amosite

c) crocidolite

true Asbestos can only be identified under a microscope

true Asbestos can only be identified under a microscope

• serpentines have a sheet or layered structure
• amphiboles have a chain-like structure

As the only member of the serpentine group, Chrysotile is the most common type of asbestos found in buildings.

Chrysotile makes up approximately 90% of all asbestos contained in buildings in the US

In the amphibole group, there are five types of asbestos. Amosite is the second most prevalent type of asbestos found in building materials. Amosite is also known as “brown asbestos.”

Why is asbestos a hazard?

Asbestos is made up of microscopic bundles of fibers that may become airborne when distributed. These fibers get into the air and may become inhaled into the lungs, where they may cause significant health problems. Researchers still have not determined a “safe level” of exposure but we know the greater and the longer the exposure, the greater the risk of contracting an asbestos related disease.

Some health problems include:

Asbestosis – a lung disease first found in naval shipyard workers. As asbestos fibers are inhaled, they may become trapped in the lung tissue. The body tries to dissolve the fibers by producing an acid. This acid, due to the chemical resistance of the fiber, does little to damage the fiber, but may scar the surrounding tissue. Eventually, this scarring may become so severe that the lungs cannot function. The latency period (meaning the time it takes for the disease to become developed) is often 25-40 years.

Mesothelioma – a cancer of the pleura (the outer lining of the lung and chest cavity) or the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal wall). The latency period for mesothelioma is often 15-30 years. The only known cause is from asbestos exposure.

Despite common misconceptions, asbestos does not cause

head-aches,

sore muscles

or other immediate symptoms.

When is asbestos a hazard? Asbestos is not always an immediate hazard. In fact, if asbestos can be maintained in good condition, it is recommended that it be left alone and periodic surveillance performed to monitor its condition. It is only when asbestos containing materials (ACM) are disturbed or the materials become damaged that it becomes a hazard. When the materials become damaged, the fibers separate and may then become airborne.

In the asbestos industry,

‘friable’ is used to describe asbestos that can be reduced to dust by hand

‘Non-friable’ means asbestos that is too hard to be reduced to dust by hand. Non-friable materials, such as transite siding and roofing are not regulated provided it does not become friable. Machine grinding, sanding and dry-buffing are ways of causing non-friable materials to become friable.

Asbestos is a serious health risk—and it may be in your home.

Educate yourself with this helpful asbestos fact sheet from the EPA and Real Good Roofing

Asbestos is a serious health risk—and it may be in your home.

Educate yourself with this helpful asbestos fact sheet from the EPA and Real Good Roofing

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC

Where is asbestos usually found?

Asbestos is a very small fiber that cannot be identified with the naked eye. It has been used in thousands of commercial products because of its insulating and durable characteristics. Some common types of possible asbestos containing materials are pipe insulation, textured ceiling coatings, plaster, floor tiles, siding, and roofing shingles.

How do I know if it’s asbestos?

Only certified professionals are allowed to take samples for laboratory analysis and only an accredited laboratory can positively identify asbestos containing materials.

Will HCDOES check my building for asbestos?

This agency does not perform asbestos surveys. Contact a certified asbestos contractor for this service.

My neighbors are having their asbestos roof/siding removed. Should I be concerned?

Typically the removal and disposal of this type of asbestos containing material is not regulated (from a residential standpoint) if removed properly. If the material is not being handled properly (for example it is being crushed, pulverized, reduced to powder, or broken extensively) contact a local EPA official.

Do I have to have a specialist remove asbestos?

If the asbestos is in an unregulated structure, it is not subject to the regulations and therefore a specialist is not required to remove it. If the asbestos is in a regulated structure, but is below the regulated amounts (260 linear feet, 160 square feet, 35 cubic feet of regulated asbestos containing material or any amount of Category I or II which remains in good condition), a specialist does not have to remove it. If you are still unsure whether or not a specialist should remove the asbestos, please call one of the agency personnel listed below.

Who can I contact if I have any additional questions?

Ken Wilkins at (513) 946-7743  Christina Boss at (513) 946-7702

Roofing Shingles – Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure Risks

Asbestos was widely used in home and commercial construction through the mid-70s. One of the most commonly known uses for asbestos materials was in roofing shingles or tiles. If your home was built or renovated anytime before 1983, in fact, it is quite likely that your roofing shingles are asbestos roofing shingles. Since that time, most manufacturers have sought out alternative materials for roofing, and asbestos roofing shingles are less common in newer buildings.

Asbestos is a serious health risk—and it may be in your home.

Educate yourself with this helpful asbestos fact sheet from the EPA and Real Good Roofing

While roofs made with asbestos or transite roofing shingles were commonly called “asbestos roofs”, the truth is that most contain less than 30% asbestos fibers. They are classified as “asbestos containing materials”, or ACM.

Transite, the most common type of asbestos roofing tiles, was made with Portland cement and asbestos fibers, often with other fibers and materials added. The asbestos cement mixture could be molded and cut to shape. It could be drilled with holes, making it easier to align shingles and design roofs. The addition of asbestos to the Portland cement added more than just fire resistance, though that was a big part of the reason. Asbestos is corrosion and rot resistant as well, and extremely durable. Roofs covered with transite roofing shingles, if maintained properly, will last up to 100 years.

Today, asbestos is a frightening word. Since the mid-seventies, it’s become common knowledge that asbestos – or at least asbestos fibers and dust – is dangerous. When it is “friable” – a word applied to asbestos fibers that can become airborne – it can be inhaled and ingested. The inhaled and/or ingested asbestos fibers are the only known cause of a rare cancer called mesothelioma.

While it’s described as “rare”, the incidence of mesothelioma is rising and is expected to continue to rise for the next ten to twenty years as those people who were exposed to asbestos through the 1970s and early 1980s develop the condition. Because of the association of mesothelioma with asbestos, many people panic when they learn that their roofs are made with asbestos shingles.

While friable asbestos presents a very real health hazard to those who are exposed to it, according to most reliable sources asbestos containing roof shingles that are in good condition are not dangerous. It is when they become deteriorated or when a building made with asbestos roof shingles is demolished that there is a danger from the breakage of the asbestos shingles.

There is reason for concern though.  Asbestos roofs are an expensive project due to the risk and associated potential health risks. Some roofers refuse to work on asbestos roofs. Others will, but at inflated pricing to cover the special dump fees and equipment they use to safely remove the tiles.

Asbestos is a serious health risk—and it may be in your home.

Educate yourself with this helpful asbestos fact sheet from the EPA and Real Good Roofing

912-420-GOOD {4663}   www.realgoodroofing.com

GUTTERS

The last few years have been some of the wettest on record. Rain has led to flooding, ruined landscaping and created leaky roofs, causing homeowners to waste countless hours of time trying to get it all repaired. Did you know that instead of calling out different companies to deal with these problems, you could just make a single phone call? A gutter expert has the answer! Justin Shoemaker is a third generation, family roofing contractor with Real Good Roofing.

Shoemaker said,” proper guttering is all about getting the math correct”!

It has been estimated, that more than 75% of homes throughout Statesboro, Richmond Hill Rincon and Savannah have gutters that are poorly designed and installed.

With an average annual rainfall of 53.58 inches, the state of Florida gets 14.4 more inches of rain than the national average (39.17 inches).

Savannah averages over 47 inches of rainfall annually, making gutters and downspouts a critical part of your home’s roof system.

If you live in a house with 2,000 square feet of roofing (just 20 squares), your gutters must be able to handle over 92,000 gallons of rain each year!

Rain gutters are designed to help protect your home from the elements. Without proper gutters, rain runs down your siding, doors, and foundation, it erodes landscaping, and floods crawl spaces.

Your gutters clog and stop working properly for one (or all) of 3 reasons;

1. When the gutters are clogged (debris, bird nests, toys)
2. are no longer pitched toward the downspouts
3. are too small for your roof

Just How Much Rainwater Can A Roof Collect?

When you watch the news on a rainy day, you may hear “We received an inch of rain today”, and think, an inch of rain would not cover my shoes. Well, that single inch of rain is equal to hundreds of gallons of water running off your roof!

For every 1,000 square feet of roof on your house, just 1 inch of rain will equal 600 gallons of water!

The formula used to accurately determine how much rain will be flowing off a roof and into the gutter system is simple.

Multiple the square footage of the roof, by 0.6 gallons, and then by the amount of rainfall expressed in inches. (roof squares x .06 x  rainfall inches), ex; if your roof is 10 squares and it rains 1 inch; your gutters will need to be able to handle 600 gallons of rainwater, (1000 sq. ft.  x  0.6  x 1” = 600).

Gutters are not designed to hang perfectly level with the roof edge.

A minimal slope is needed for proper water drainage.

The drop is ¼” for every 10’ of gutter.

Real Good Roofing, use the rule of tens to calculate proper gutter slope.

Divide the length of the gutter by 10, to calculate the correct pitch.

Also, the larger the downspout, the better for water removal.

The down spouts are actually the most critical part of the gutter system. Although a larger gutter allows more water to be collected off the roof; the trick is to get the water out of the gutter and away from your home.

Think of your gutters as being a big bucket. The bigger the bucket, the more water it can hold. But what happens when the bucket fills up?  It overflows! Proper gutters and down spouts will allow the gutter (bucket) to hold a large amount of rain water as it runs off, and the proper placement of large down spouts will keep the gutters from overflowing and move the water away from your home.

Just as important to the size of the down spouts is the amount of down spouts needed. The gutters ability to perform is determined by how many and where the down spouts are located.

You need 1 down spout drain for every 24 feet of gutter.

There are two standard sized down spouts available.

The smaller 2” x 3” square-style will drain 186 gallons per minute.

The bigger (better) 3” x 4” square-style can drain 434 gallons per minute!

Downspout capacity 2×3 Downspout will drain 600 sq. ft of roof area. 3×4 Downspout will drain 1200 sq. ft. of roof area.

On average, Americans use about 69 gallons of water, per person, per day; for bathing, cooking, cleaning and flushing toilets. This does not account for any outdoor use such as watering lawns, washing cars, or pools and hot-tubs. That amounts to about 2,100 gallons a month per person – or only slightly more than you might be able to collect off your roof in a single rainstorm. More and more homeowners are turning to the use of RAIN BARRELS. Using a rain barrel can make a big difference in your monthly water usage and bill.

Gutter Capacity One foot of 5″ K-Style gutter holds 1.2 gallons of water. One foot of 6″ K-Style gutter holds 2.0 gallons of water.

• Miters

Our professional installer’s secure all miters using pop-riveted seams, prior to sealing. Using

pre-made, box style miter joints to ensure the best water flow around 90 degree gutter angles. Other roofers may suggest that folding the gutter upon itself is a neat and clean way to bend a miter joint, but we disagree. The experts at This Old House say the box-miter corner is THE preferred method, which is good enough for us! As water flows through a gutter, to make it effectively change direction to properly flow around an inside or outside corner can cause a back-up in the system. Stopped water creates leaks; especially if your gutters have debris. Folding a gutter on itself to bend a corner, and puts tremendous pressure onto a thin aluminum strip.

• Gutter Fasteners

A gutter system is only as good as the proper fasteners supporting it. We secure our gutters using a steel 6″ hidden hanger. This hanger locks into the gutter lip, making it both impossible to separate and to be seen! Each hidden hanger is fastened where it meets the rear of the gutter using an aluminum 2-1/2″ screw. This screw penetrates through your fascia board and into the roof truss. As a general rule of thumb: a properly hung gutter will need one fastener for every two feet of gutter length.

• Down Spouts

The larger the downspout, the better the water removal. The faster water is drained off your roof and away from the foundation, the better!

• Gutter capacity is determined by downspout drainage.
• You need 1 downspout drain for every 24 feet of gutter.
• There are two standard sized downspouts available.
• The typical 2”x 3” square-style can drain 186 gallons per minute.
• The bigger (better) 3” x 4” square-style can drain 434 gallons per minute
• Gutters are not designed to work by hanging perfectly level with the roof edge. A minimal slope is needed for proper water drainage.
• The drop is calculated at ¼ “ for every 10 ft. of gutter.
• Use the rule of TENS to calculate proper gutter slope. Divide the length of the gutter length by 10.

Example; If the length of the gutter needed is 35 ft.

Multiply ¼” by 3.5 equaling 7/8 which can be rounded up to 1 in.

In this example, the gutter would be hung 1” lower on the downspout end

Homeowner: ______________________________________ Rep ____________________________

Pitch: __/12     Height:   1 / 2  Wood fascia:  1” x 6” ______ WRAPPED: ______  Gutters Off:______________

RUNS: _________________________________ DOWNSPOUTS:___________________ IM:__________ OM;______

A Elbows: _________________ B Elbows: _________________   OUTLETS:___________ END CAPS: _____________

Straps: ______________ Hangers:________________

POWER OUTLET:___________________________ HOSE:_____________________ FENCE LOCK________________

FLASHING COLOR:__________________ SPOUT COLOR:____________________GUTTER COLOR;_______________

CUSTOMER	REP

ROOF PITCH

ROOF HEIGHT

MATERIAL PLACED

Material	U/M	Qty	Order	Measure	Color
WOOD  SIZES	Ea		Ea
6” Seamless	Ft		Ea
6” Seamless	Ft		Ea
6” Seamless	Ft		Ea
6” Seamless	Ft		Ea
6” Seamless	Ft		Ea
6” Seamless	Ft		Ea
6” Seamless	Ft		Ea
6” Seamless	Ft		Ea
6” Seamless	Ft		Ea
6” Seamless	Ft		Ea
6” Seamless	Ft		Ea
Hidden Hangers SCREWS	2’		Ea
End Caps	Pair		Ea
Drip Edge	10’		Ea
3” x 4” Square DOWNSPOUT	10’		Ea
3” x 2” Square DOWNSPOUT	10’		Ea
STRAPS	Ea		Ea
Outlets	Ea		Ea
A  Elbows	Ea		Ea
A  Elbows	Ea		Ea
B Elbows	Ea		Ea
B Elbows	Ea		Ea
Zip Screws	Sm		Ea
Gutter Caulk	Ea		Ea
Diverter	Ea		Ea

Spring Has Sprung

At Real Good Roofing of Savannah GA, spring has sprung! The popular Bryan,Effingahm and Chaethem counties roofer, has their crews booking through the summer while their estimators have been busy preparing new quotes since the first of the year.

Justin Shoemaker is a 3^rd generation roofing contractor and offers these tips when considering a spring or summer roof project, “It’s time to start collecting bids now. Due to the many home shows that have gone on since January, milder temperatures, and windy-rainy weather, good roofers are already getting busy. By the time a homeowner schedules meetings with a couple of roofers for quotes, decides who they will trust their home too, and gets scheduled – the Rays will be back in action, and the Easter bunny will have visited!”

Real Good Roofing of Savannah GA is the best choice for homeowners seeking a trusted contractor to perform work on their tile, flat, metal or shingle roofs. Real Good Roofing of Savannah GA has an outstanding record with the BBB (A+) and multiple years of Angie’s List Super Service Awards, because they treat everyone with the respect they deserve.

“Yes,” explained Shoemaker “We’re different from most roofers because we only require a small down-payment, we are fully insured, and Real Good Roofing of Savannah GA pulls any needed permits and inspection affidavits and schedules the mid-point roof inspection for our homeowners.

Real Good Roofing of Savannah GA crews keep up-to-date on the newest products, technology and codes, through company paid seminars and annual certifications. Estimators do not work on commission to ensure that the customer always receives an honest estimate that is not influenced by what a salesman might be able to earn.

“We’re not the biggest roofer locally,” said Shoemaker. “You can find others that are cheaper, that cost more, are older, etc. but you won’t find anyone that will provide the level of detail or work as hard for a homeowner as Knights Roofing!” “It’s why we say,

Knights Roofing, because your home is your castle”.

Real Good Roofing has an outstanding record with the BBB (A+) and multiple years of Angie’s List Super Service Awards!

Most roofing companies can only be reached 9 to 5 on weekdays. Real Good Roofing of Savannah GA  understands that a storm can happen anytime. “If you need us, we’re here,” said Shoemaker. “We know if someone is calling, it means they need help, so we forward our office lines to a cell phone after hours to be available”.

Real Good Roofing of Savannah GA  provides free written estimates and will explain what they can do to fix a home’s roof issues. Services include new roofs, insurance roof repairs, Borel Tile, flat roofing, metal roofs, Velux skylights and seamless gutters.

New and exciting this year is the updated VELUX line of skylight products. “We are excited about the new Solar Powered VELUX skylight,” Shoemaker said,”  It has a huge Energy Star tax credit just for installing it, and it really changes any home for the better. Realtor’s highly recommend adding natural light to a home to upgrade its appeal, and once you have a skylight, you will never want to live in a home without them ever again!”

According to Real Good Roofing of Savannah GA , skylights now come in over 16 shapes and sizes and can be added for as little as 500 dollars and have a ten year No Leak warranty from VELUX.

Real Good Roofing of Savannah GA  uses digital cameras, iPad videos, Roofr satellite measurements, DRONE fly-overs and thermal camera scans to pinpoint problems. Their use of technology allows homeowners to see issues for themselves, and lets the company provides ‘to the inch measurements for to the penny pricing.’

Visit them on the web, www.realgoodroofing.com or call BRODY now, 912-420-GOOD to get a free inspection of your home.

It Was A Dark and Stormy Night…

Think back to the worst storms that have raged over your home. Strong winds, dangerous lightning, and pounding hail are scary enough while inside the house; can you imagine what it would be like out on your roof?

Justin Shoemaker manages a family roofing business, Real Good Roofing of Savannah GA , and said, “Who looks up at their roof? It’s not until a bad storm hits, or you see damage to your home, that most people even think about their roof.”

Replacing your home’s roofing is a big investment, so how do you know when it’s time? The two obvious signs are missing shingles and brown ceiling stains, but there are some things you can look for to prevent early damage.

‘SHOE’ says that one sign to watch for, is the wearing away of the granules from the surface of the shingles. He said, “There is no need to get up on the roof to inspect the shingles, simply look into the gutters. If you see more than a dusting of a tiny rock like particle, call a roofer. Those small limestone chips are the top layer that gives your shingles its color and its UV protection.”

Another indication of shingle aging is a failure of the top layer. You may also see some of the mat appear through the black of the asphalt, or blistering, cracking, or splitting of the layers. These signs can be harder to spot from the ground and should be part of an annual examination of the roofing from above.

As these warning signs appear, it’s time to have a reputable roofer make a free written inspection. Shoemaker’s company,Real Good Roofing of Savannah GA  offers a professional roof condition assessment that includes an estimate of the remaining life your roof. All insurance companies demand a minimum of three years for coverage. He can help to evaluate repairing VS. replacing costs.

He adds, “Remember that seeing is believing. A good roofer conducts a roof top inspection using satellites and drones and offers color digital pictures and video to show you the roof’s true condition.

Consider joining a service such as Angie’s. For less than the price of a night out, you can access hundreds of local contractor reviews posted by homeowners sharing the good, the bad, and the ugly experiences they have had. Meet everyone you invite out to your home and trust your instincts!

Shoemaker adds, “You do not have to know anything about roofing to judge roofer information and a roofer’s credentials. Look at the roofer’s truck and equipment and see if they arrive on time.

“Think about how a roofer is treating you before he has any of your money and ask yourself if it will get better or worse if you need him, after your money is long gone”.

Shoe warns, “Think about how a roofer is treating you before he has any of your money and ask yourself if it will get better or worse after your money is long gone”.

Asphalt roofing shingles get their name from the fact that they are made up of layers of different materials. The basic ingredients are fiberglass, asphalt and limestone granules for color. Higher warranty rated (30-Lifetime) shingles will have more of these layers than the basic 25 year variety. Better shingles will have a 10% copper granule blend to prevent those ugly black stains from growing across your new roof.

Shingles today can be expected to have an effective lifespan of 30 years or more, when installed by a qualified roofer.

A roof system that meets Savannah codes must include; aluminum trim flashing, peel and stick underlayment, and the wood deck inspection. Proper ventilation and metal flashing at critical areas such as where two roofs intersect (valleys), where dormer walls meet shingles (step) and around chimneys are needed to be eligible for a manufacturer warranty.

Roofers have costs (gas and time) associated with giving free quotes, so do not go overboard when inviting companies to bid your roof. Remember that while you are sizing-up the roofer, he will be sizing you up too. Calling out numerous roofers for bids wastes your time and their money. Most experts agree that a good rule of thumb is to call five to get three who will actually show-up and two who will present a bid!

Good roofers stay busy, even in the winter, so once you find someone who you trust, who is a professional and meets your budget; hire them!

To receive a free attic check and roof inspection from Real Good Roofing of Savannah GA  call BRODY at 912-420-GOOD or visit www.realgoodroofing

Stress Free Roofing

When it’s time to replace a roof on your home, the project can be a stressful, time-consuming chore. However,  with just a little research, it can be financially rewarding and the project can be handled smoothly and professionally!

Real Good Roofing, is a wise choice for savvy homeowners seeking an honest and skilled roofer. Real Good Roofing,has an outstanding record with the BBB (A+) and eight years of Angie’s List Super Service Awards, because they treat everyone with the respect they deserve.

Real Good Roofing, is also certified as being an Owens Corning TOP OF THE HOUSE expert, as well as, a GAF Master Elite Contractor. The Press Community newspaper voted them BEST Roofer, two years in a row.

But the real story is in their referrals. “It is our number one priority to always do the right thing by our customers,” states Justin Shoemaker of Real Good Roofing, Installers are required to keep up-to-date on the newest products, technology and codes.Real Good Roofing, also uses qualified estimators that do not work on commission. This ensures that the customer always receives an honest estimate.

Many times an entire roof can be avoided by having repair work professionally installed. Real Good Roofing, provides free written estimates for customers and will explain what they can do to fix a home’s roofing issues. Real Good Roofing, services include new roofs and roof repairs on all types of roofs – tile, metal, flat and dimensional shingles. Real Good Roofing, is rated as a Velux THREE-STAR certified skylight expert.

Real Good Roofing, services include new roofs and roof repairs for all types of roofs – tile, metal, flat and dimensional shingles.

Two products that have become popular in the past year are SOLAR powered attic vents and Velux skylights. Shoe said, “Solar roof products have improved dramatically and are worth the investment, especially since we know how to get you huge tax credits for installing them.”

Real Good Roofing, is a leader in their industry, utilizing the latest in technology. Estimators use Roofr satellite measurement software to offer ‘to the inch measurements for to the penny pricing’.  They also own thermal imaging cameras that pinpoint hidden leaks and decay.

Real Good Roofing employees are fully insured and attend annual training seminars and conferences. They still remember and practice today, what founder Ricky Feltner preached so long ago: “Most homeowners will not know good roofing techniques; but will recognize good workers and good clean-up when they see it.” Real Good Roofing,staff always respects your property, landscaping and possessions, leaving no trace of a mess behind.

When you are in the market to hire a roofer you can trust that  Real Good Roofing,will pass all of your tests. They are hard-working, dedicated people that are in their business for the long haul. To see pictures of their crews in action, you can friend them on FACEBOOK, key words: Real Good Roofing,

Visit their website at www.realgoodroofing.com or call BRODY at 912420GOOD to get a free inspection of your roof.

Estimates are free and include an attic check and color digital pictures of what the estimator finds.

You have a partial insurance check. Now what?

If you have received the check, your adjuster should have explained to you Actual Cash Value (ACV) vs. Replacement Cost Value (RCV).

Normal homeowner policies are known as replacement cost policy.

This means that you will receive the amount that it costs to replace or repair your damages, regardless of age.

An example: your 18 year old shingle roof blows off in a wind storm. You can get a new roof installed in this case because the insurance underwriter has a legal obligation to restore your property to “WHOLE”.

Your insurance company does not have an obligation to make you BETTER than WHOLE.

For example, by replacing your 25-year strip three tab shingle roof with a new 30 year dimensional shingle roof.

The replacement check is usually authorized in two steps.

Step one; At the time of the inspection, you will receive a check. This will be the ACV amount of the damaged items due to the age.

This money is supplied to offset a roofer’s material bill.

Once the work is completed, and the necessary paperwork (invoices, receipts, pictures) is sent to the insurance company, they will issue you the second check for the depreciated amount (RCV).

Too often, homeowners tend to look at storm damage as a windfall and decide to keep the insurance check without actually replacing the roof. By issuing a two part payment, the insurance company may be able to save some money on actual payouts versus loss, while limiting their liability in the future on properties that accept checks but do not apply them to the repairs.

Here is an example of a claim payment. Let’s say you have damage to your roof, and the adjuster has estimated to remove and replace it.

For the sake of this example we will say the roof’s worth today (the RCV) is $1,000.

Let’s say that the life expectancy of your roof is 20 years, and it is 10 years old.

The initial check would be in the amount of $500 (the ACV amount).

Since the roof is half way through its life expectancy, you get half the money.

Once the new roof is installed, you would get the remaining $500 of the full replacement cost, less any deductible.

In Georgia, policy’s have a ‘named storm’ deductible, which is much higher than normal damage deductibles.

Beware roofers who offer free roofing or to erase any deductible.

The BBB has specific warning tip sheets warning that this is insurance fraud punishable by arrest and lost insurance coverage!

An unscrupulous contractor can shut down and move on, the homeowner is the one trapped by their dishonest, it was too good to be true claims.

Get a free storm damage inspection from Real Good Roofing of Savannah GA, and if damage is discovered, you may be eligible for emergency tarping service at no cost to you!

BRODY is available at 912-420-GOOD

Pooler Homeowner Says Real Good Roofing, is the Best

Record breaking rain-falls were followed by a windy hurricane season, and roofs everywhere are showing the effects. Jim and Sandy Kraj of Effingham County knew that this was the year they would need a roof, so they called on Real Good Roofing,

“I had read about Real Good Roofing, in the paper, and thought boy, if I ever need a roof, I’m calling them!” said Jim Krajceck. “So last month, we noticed a stain on one of our ceilings and I thought, I better call. I phoned at night, expecting to get a machine, and was pleasantly surprised when Missy answered the phone. We set up an appointment, and danged if they didn’t get here a little before scheduled! The Rep went into our attic with a thermal camera and quickly found our leak. He then went up on the roof and took pictures and measured our roof. Then he came down and explained everything to me, and gave me a very detailed estimate. I asked a lot of questions, and he answered all of them.”

Jim and Sandy were so impressed they hired Real Good Roofing, to do the work and were scheduled for a new dimensional shingle roof installation. Krajceck went on to say that the Real Good Roofing, crew were extremely neat and clean as they took off two roofs, worked on the chimney, cleaned the old gutters and added new leaf guards.

“I had checked them out on Angie’s List and the BBB and learned they had no complaints and the highest ratings,” Krajceck stated. “About two weeks after the roof was put on, we learned why so many of their customers spoke so highly of them. My wife discovered water all over our floor. Naturally, we called Real Good Roofing, thinking it had to be the roof, boy were we wrong. Justin Shoemaker arrived with-in two hours of our call, and climbed up onto the roof in a driving rain to check it, then crawled all through our attic to be sure it was dry. The roof was fine; his pictures proved we had no roof leaks. But he didn’t want to leave us with the wet kitchen floor, so he kept hunting until he finally helped us find that the refrigerator had a broken line and was leaking. You don’t find that kind of old fashioned dedication to customer service too much anymore.”

Real Good Roofing, has roots that began in 1995, when Rick Feltner, operated a small family business from his garage. Over 21 years later and Ricky’s grandson BRODY answers your calls and Ricky’s oldest grandson ,Justin, is the CEO.

Real Good Roofing, estimates are free of charge, and include an attic check, as well as color digital pictures of what they find. Today’s best technology, such as thermal cameras are utilized in order to pinpoint hidden leaks and decay. Satellite measuring from Roofr and DRONE flyovers ensure to the inch measurements for to the penny pricing.

“I don’t think I’ll ever need a new roof, because I’m 68 and this is a lifetime dimensional shingle,” said Krajceck. “But I have recommended Real Good Roofing, to everyone I can, because I couldn’t be happier with the work they performed.  They were prompt, very clean, very professional, and super precise. In fact, they have done new roofs for five of my neighbors, based off my referring them!”

For a free quote on tile, flat, metal and shingle roofing, call their offices at 912-420-GOOD Find them on Facebook to see pictures of different projects they have completed.

Why didn’t it last?

It is a common complaint: roof shingles that fail prematurely, leaving frustrated homeowners asking why didn’t it last?  Real Good Roofing  if Pooler GA, has the answer.

According to Dale Shoemaker from  Real Good Roofing,, it has to do with far more than the shingles. “Shingles today are well made, but depend on what I call the Energy Trilogy,” he explains, “they need the proper ventilation, insulation, and radiation, all in balance.”

The problem starts with unbalanced ventilation, not enough attic insulation, and no radiation barrier. Ventilation and insulation are now required by code, but a radiation barrier is not. Therefore, most builders and roofers don’t take it into consideration, according to Shoemaker.

Real Good Roofing, conducts a free check-up with every quote. By using a thermal image camera (like the ones the cable TV ghost hunters use) and digital thermometer, their estimators can pinpoint the problem areas that hide under the roof.

Real Good Roofing, is an Owens Corning Preferred Contractor and is one of only two roofers locally who have obtained the added certification as a TOP OF THE HOUSE roofer-insulator. “We have the knowledge,” says Shoemaker. “We have quality products. But more importantly, we are passionate about serving our customer. We know that our integrity depends on our service.”

Real Good Roofing, quotes includes options for installing a roof ventilation system that meets or exceeds the FHA specification. All Knights roofing installations can also include a certified Wind Mitigation report. The proper documentation of such, can mean thousands in insurance savings to a homeowner and increased re-sale values.

What’s the best part about getting a  Real Good Roofing,quote? According to their estimators, “Homeowners tell us every day that when they compare our bid to other roofers, we are doing so much more; but our price matches up with their other quotes!”

“If you get a couple of bids, we are not the lowest but we are far from the highest. We always seem to land right in the middle on price and at the top, on quality,” said  Real Good Roofing, President, Justin Shoemaker.

Real Good Roofing, began back in 1995, when Ricky Feltner started a small family business that operated out of his garage. By 1999, the family’s four staff members (which included a daughter and son as well as a son-in-law) had earned a ranking in the Top 100 Contractors in America with sales in excess of two million dollars!

Ricky tragically passed away in 1999, and the company struggled with-out his dynamic leadership. Today Ricky’s legacy has continued by four roofing contractors, once apart of his vision, all successfully operating companies using the principles and ideals he established over 20 years ago!

At  Real Good Roofing, grandson BRODY is still answering the calls (even at nights and on the weekends) and Ricky’s oldest grandson Justin is now the company CEO.

Real Good Roofing, is a true family owned and operated business with deep community roots and three generations of service to Bryan, Effingham and Chaethem county areas.

Real Good Roofing, has been an Angie’s List Super Service Award winner every year since 2007, honored by readers of the Press Community paper as the Favorite Roofer in back to back years, and maintains a perfect record at the BBB, where they are members.

Estimates are free and can include an attic check & color digital pictures of what the estimators find.

Real Good Roofing, utilizes all of the best in technology such as DRONE fly-overs, thermal imaging cameras to pinpoint hidden leaks and decay, and iRoofing satellite measurement software to offer ‘to the inch measurements for to the penny pricing’.

Visit www,realgoodroofing.com or call BRODY at 912.420.GOOD to get a free inspection of your roof. Follow them on face-book and YouTube, key words Real Good Roofing,

Not all hail storms are alike. Many factors determine the level of hail damage a home might receive.  A hailstorm in your neighborhood does not automatically mean you will sustain roof damage. Conversely, falling hail may damage your roof, while not affecting a neighbor’s roof at all.

Real Good Roofing of Savannah GA recommends that homeowners contact a professional roofer, prior to calling their insurance agent, for a complete roof examination after a hailstorm has occurred. The reasons for this are simple. Every time a homeowner contacts their insurer, a claim inquiry is recorded. Too many claims, even the ones that result in no action from the insurer, can red flag a homeowners file. It is with-in the insurance company’s rights, to drop an owner for too many inquires or even after a single paid claim. By letting a professional roofer evaluate the roof first, owners can avoid making a claim unless absolutely deemed necessary.

Factors that affect the level of hail damage, include the specific style of roof shingles (age, layers, pitch, wood deck framing) and the hail stones themselves (size, density, velocity).

Hailstone Factors

Hailstones have been reported to range from ¼ inch in diameter (very little roof damage) up to 4 ½ inches in diameter (severe roof damage). The common size for causing damage to roofing systems is ¾ inch or dime size.

How Hail is commonly measured

• Pea = ¼ inch diameter
• Marble = ½ inch diameter
• Dime = ¾ inch
• Nickel = 7/8 inch
• Quarter = 1 inch
• Ping-Pong Ball = 1 ½ inches
• Golf Ball = 1 ¾ inches
• Tennis Ball = 2 ½ inches
• Baseball = 2 ¾ inches
• Teacup = 3 inches
• Grapefruit = 4 inches
• Softball = 4 ½ inches

Studies have shown that hail-producing thunderstorms occurring in periods of cool weather generate small hail with a relatively low density. Hail-producing thunderstorms occurring during periods of warm weather with sudden temperature drops such as we see in the Tampa Florida region, generate larger hail with a higher density.

As objects fall out of the sky toward the Earth; gravity causes them to accelerate at the rate of 32 feet per second.

However, falling objects reach terminal velocity – a point at which they stop accelerating and travel at a constant speed.

The terminal velocity of a 3-inch hailstone is 90 mph!

Hail can be propelled at even greater velocities aided by the storms downdraft. Straight-line winds will also increase the speed of a hailstone. The same 3-inch stone with a terminal velocity of 90 mph combined with a 40 mph horizontal wind will fall at well over 120 mph!

The slope of the roof has a considerable effect on the outcome of the hailstone impacting the roof. Hailstones striking the roof at a 90-degree angle are more likely to cause damage than those striking a glancing blow. Steeper roof slopes can actually decrease the amount of damage.

Newer shingles are more impact resistant than old. However, the effects of the sun and weathering often result in all shingles becoming brittle over time.

The framing of the roof deck also plays an important role in hail resistance. Too much flexibility in the wood reduces the effectiveness of the resistance to impact. Solid roof decks, using tongue and groove decking or plywood over moderately spaced trusses, greatly improve the impact resistance of the roof.

Re-covering over an existing roof system significantly reduces the impact resistance of the roof. A roof with two layers of asphalt shingles exhibits a sponge effect, resulting in the shingle layer being more susceptible to impact by hailstones. It is always better to have a single roof layer on your home.

Hail is oftentimes combined with high winds in a storm. Shingles manufacturers all rate their shingles for wind resistance. When a shingle is exposed to weather greater than the rating, entire sections of roofing can become damaged.

After a major wind event, their will be two types of damage, CATASTROPHIC (roof missing, wood exposed, leaks into home) and FUTURE (shingles did not blow off right away, but have been damaged and weakened to the point that subsequent winds that would not have been a problem, now cause sections of roofing to raise up and or blow off).

Homeowners generally have one year from the date of the storm to make a claim with their insurance company. Insurance companies all use estimating programs to derive a roofs replacement value. Better roofing contractors will also use this same software. One benefit to this type of estimating is that as material prices change, updates are downloaded automatically into the computers. So if a homeowner received a check in the fall, but could not get the work done until the spring, the insurance company will remit the added cost, via a second payment. Also, a professional roof top inspection will often reveal details that an insurance adjuster has omitted. When the roofer submits the pictures and written details, the insurance company will add the extra money to the settlement,

Can My Roof Be Examined From The Ground?

To determine if any damage has been caused by a hail or wind storm, a close inspection of the roof must be made by a qualified professional. In most cases, damage cannot be observed from the ground. Real Good Roofing of Savannah GA offers FREE roof top inspections via DRONES and physical examination and includes digital pictures of our findings!

Our trained inspectors will thoroughly document every bit of damage so you have a clear report for your insurance company.

If they find hail damage, your roof can be tarped to prevent leak damage, at no cost to you!

What does a hail hit look like?

A hail impact on a shingle depends greatly on the size and speed of the hail itself. In many cases, it looks like a “bruise” or a dark spot where the granules on the single have been displaced and the asphalt underlayment is now exposed. Even if your roof has only sustained granular loss without significant bruising, your roof is still susceptible to the damaging effects of granular loss, which exposes any of the underlayment causing an alteration of the fire rating and deceleration of the roof’s actual performance level.

Should I replace my roof right away?

The insidious nature of hail damage is that it can pose no immediate threat to the integrity of the roof. However, many insurance companies have a “statute of limitations” dictating how long a hail claim is valid for. It is imperative that you file a claim with-in one year, in order to protect all your rights. When your insurance company finds enough damage to warrant the replacement of your roof, you should not hesitate to have it replaced.

Why would my insurance replace my roof?

The purpose of home owner’s insurance is to protect homeowners against the losses incurred on their property, which are beyond their control. Your insurance policy covers direct, physical damage to your home, meaning that your insurance company has a contractual obligation to repair or replace any damage to your property

Give Roof Leaks The Boot

• Peeling wallpaper in kitchen or bathrooms
• Cracked or peeling paint on washroom ceilings
• Puckered shingles around vent pipes on your roof
• Brown water mark stains on kitchen or bathroom ceilings

We have all been in a home and noticed those ugly brown ceiling stains, but most of us have no clue what they are caused by. Many homeowners calla roofer and pay thousands for a new shingles, when a couple hundred bucks could have fixed the issue!

Mystery roof leaks are often caused by what roofers call ‘pipe boots’.

Pipe Boots are the coverings that go over the vent pipes that stick out of your roof. And many of them have been allowing rain to leak into homes. Most of these type of leaks are not detected for months…or even years. Justin Shoemaker from Real Good Roofing of Savannah GA, suggests looking into your attic, with the lights out, to spot daylight bing visible around the white pipes running vertically from the roof down into the insulation. “If your pipe boot covering fails, rain will leak into your home and travel along the vent pipe. This is why you might see water stains in the ceiling or walls in your kitchen or bathroom areas, which is where the vent pipe begins its journey up toward your roof.” He further warned thatsometimes leaks go undetected for years, building up behind ceilings or walls and soaking insulation, promoting the growth of mold and mildew which can create huge and dangerous problems for your family.

Every home has plumbing vent pipes, which allow air to enter the waste line of your home’s plumbing system. This air provides needed pressure to push the waste water into the sewer system. These vent pipes always run up from a kitchen, bathroom and laundry room and out through your roof. The more sinks and toilets, the more boots your home will have.

The system is designed so that rain can enter into the pipe and be carried away safely from your home. The problems arise when the coverings around these pipes, called boots or vent pipe covers, crack, break, peel up or get shifted with the natural movements that occur on your roof, from expansion and contraction.

When the warm sun hits your roof, it naturally expands. When cooler winds and rain hit your roof, it contracts. So basically your roof moves. We have all heard a house ‘creak’ and ‘moan’, that is thermal contraction. The pipe boots can become loose and susceptible to leaks from thermal contraction, allowing rain to enter your home.

Better pipe boots are designed to move with your roof. The type that most builders and low priced roofers put on your home are generally the cheap and ineffective kind. That means that it’s not a matter of if, but when, these pipe boots fail and rain starts leaking into your home.

Lo-ball contractors do this because they want to keep their costs to a minimum, assuming that they will be long gone by the time it can take for a boot to fail. However, at Real Good Roofing of Savannah GA we have seen some boots fail before the homeowner moves into their newly built home. That’s a problem!

Suspect that your leaky roof might only be a bad plumbing boot? Real Good Roofing of Savannah GA does expert roof repairs! We can send our non-commissioned inspector out to see why your roof is having issues and make recommendations via our free 15 point inspection form. Our inspectors earn a salary and so will be honest about what your roof really needs.

Friend us on Facebook; Real Good Roofing or call BRODYat 912-420-GOOD to schedule a free leak inspection appointment.