Anyone as close to this monster as we are?

Wow, that is great. You are now past the worst part, right?

 

Yes, sir. We were finally able to assess the damage. We definitely need a new roof. Tomorrow or Wednesday we'll call our insurance company. Last year, after Matthew, they said the damage wasn't bad enough. Who knows, maybe this time it is. We'd only pay $4.5K out of pocket and the rest would be covered. Either way we'll need a new roof.

 

The insurance guy was here this morning. Looks like they are going to cut us a check.

 

Can you wait until hurricane season is over? Might be another one or two that you want to get through first, though it looks like Maria is going to miss you and head up my way.

 

By the way, we had our roof replaced about 1.5 years ago. The roofer, as part of his sales pitch, said that they would be using a "hurricane proof" nailing system to attach the shingles. It was not a big factor for us in the decision to hire him, but I remembered him saying that and he did a great job with the roof, overall. I have no idea what that nailing approach is or if it is an actual "system" or just hype but thought that I would pass it along.

 

I probably should ask, but I am wondering if they are doing it in FL by default.

 

One would hope. I found this link. We had the architectural type of shingles installed:

https://www.protoolreviews.com/news/shingle-high-wind-nailing-pattern/3667/

I also found a FEMA .pdf on their site but they only talk about the type of shingles and nails to be sure to get in high wind areas:

https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/20130726-1604-20490-4255/ra2_asphalt_shingle_roofing.pdf

Anyway, probably worth asking about as you move forward.

 

The new roof is in. And yes we did get the architectural type. Every roofer we called already had 20-30 houses scheduled. Luckily one roofer was able to get to us almost immediately. 2 and half days later we got our roof. His crew did a great job. Now we need new soffit and gutters.

 

Did you end up asking about their nailing method? Did insurance cover it all?

 

The insurance covered the roof. As for the rest (soffit, gutters, etc.), it will be $3000-$3500 out of pocket.
I am not sure about the nailing method. Never asked.

 

Why doesn't insurance cover the gutters, at least? Seems to me that they are in integral component of the house?

 

The gutters were not damaged by the hurricane. They are just old and we want to change them. However the aluminum soffits are all out of shape. Not sure why they were not covered, but they were not.

 

LOL, had to Google what a "soffit" is. One of the "joys" of home-ownership, for me anyway, is suddenly discovering that you have to pay to repair or replace something expensive that you did not even know you currently owned. I have had several discussions over the years with a variety of professionals (plumbers, electricians, handymen, etc.) in which the conversation goes, "I have to repair/replace my what? And it is going to cost ________!?! What does it do and where is it?"