Ladder Up: April Edition

Well, March did not give us any grace period to kick off hail season! There were only six days in March when it didn’t hail and half of the lower 48 was affected. We saw some widespread and severe hailstorms to kick off March. Beginning on the 12th, we did not see much of a break in hailstorms. We saw a week straight of hail that impacted twenty of the twenty-four states impacted for the entire month! Multiple cities were impacted more than once as well.

Compared to last year’s numbers, we are WAY ahead. In 2024, there were only ten days in March when it hailed and only ten states were impacted. While the intensity of those storms was very high, they were far more concentrated and only two cities were impacted more than once during the month-long period.

If this is any indication of how hail season may go for 2025, we are in for a wild few months of weather. Be sure that you have reviewed your insurance policy and confirmed the coverage for your property! The worst thing that could happen is that your building is damaged and you do not have the proper coverage to replace your roof. Should your building experience damage this hail season, be sure to call us immediately to schedule your free roof inspection: 800-731-1804.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN ACTUAL COST VALUE AND A REPLACEMENT COST VALUE POLICY

You hear us talk a lot about the importance of having a Replacement Cost Value (RCV) policy for your roof, but what does that mean? We typically see 2 types of policies when helping our clients determine their best roofing option and they vary greatly!

The payout amounts for each policy are different depending on what you have. An Actual Cost Value (ACV) policy will only pay you what the item is worth today, factoring in depreciation, which means that you will not get the full payout of what it will cost to replace your roof and will likely have to come out of pocket to complete the entire roof. With an RCV policy, your insurance will cover the cost of replacing your roof with something of like kind and quality, minus your deductible if applicable.

The process for each is also different. With an RCV policy, you will most likely receive two checks: an initial payment for what the roof costs less the depreciation and a second check for the recoverable depreciation. When you work with Stellar, this is typically something that we request from the insurer on your behalf with your prior authorization to do so. The depreciation amount is only released after the roof has been replaced and the insurance typically asks for proof of replacement. With an ACV policy, you’ll only receive the first initial check. While premiums for an RCV policy are higher, they come with a lot more benefits and comprehensive coverage.

Next time you are shopping for insurance, keep these differences in mind, especially if you live in a coastal area or one that is prone to hailstorms.

At Stellar, we specialize in commercial roof storm damage and have the experience and expertise to replace your roof right the first time. We understand that going through the restoration process can be exhausting, which is why we help walk you through the entire thing. Discover all the ways we help our clients restore their property to pre-loss condition.

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT

When a large hailstorm rolled through Kansas, this steel manufacturer experienced significant damage. Our team responded within 24 hours and was able to provide a roofing solution that met their needs. Due to the uniqueness of the roof, our team had to roll metal panels on the roof to ensure a seamless replacement. While custom panels may deter some contractors, our team can overcome any challenge, either materially or logistically. Check out the before, during, and after of this building here!

ROOF PROBLEMS TO LOOK OUT FOR

With hail season in full swing and hurricane season not far off, it’s important to know what to look out for that could indicate you may have a larger issue. If you notice any of the following issues on your roof, it’s time to call a roofing expert.

1. Ponding Water – Ponding on a roof indicates that there is poor drainage which could be due to structural sagging, debris build-up and compressed insulation due to foot traffic or equipment. If not remedied, ponding water can put added pressure on the structure of your building and cause major problems down the road. Eventually, the structure may not be able to hold the weight any longer and can fall which could injure employees or customers and/or damage equipment.
2. Bubbling in Materials – Bubbling in materials suggests that there is moisture or air trapped below the membrane. Roofs that have not been properly sealed can let water seep into the cracks, turning into vapor that will sit under the membrane. Bubbles that pop can lead to major leaks in your roof.
3. Leaks – Leaks are a sure sign that something is not quite right with your roof. Whether the leak is a small drip or a constant flow of water, action should be taken immediately to prevent further damage to your building.

Should you notice any of the above issues, you will need to have an inspection of your roof conducted as soon as possible. If the option is available to you, consider a complete roof replacement. While repairing the problem could be enticing, you may end up repairing the same issue repeatedly. Learn more about our roof replacement process here!

Next month, we will chat with our Vice President of Production about quality control and how we ensure that all projects adhere to safety standards. You won’t want to miss it!

Is there something you want us to discuss? Send us a message through our contact form on our website, and it could be featured in next month’s newsletter.