Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the Most common roofing questions we get asked
Categories
Roof Inspections
Most homeowners should have their roof inspected at least twice a year, usually once in the spring and once in the fall. In Middle Tennessee, it’s also smart to schedule an inspection after major wind, hail, or heavy rain events. Small roof issues are usually much easier and cheaper to fix when they’re caught early.
Yes. A roof can have missing shingles, lifted shingles, cracked pipe boots, hail damage, or ventilation issues long before water shows up inside the home. By the time you see a ceiling stain, the leak may have already reached the decking, insulation, or drywall.
We check the shingles, flashing, pipe boots, valleys, ridge caps, ventilation, gutters, exposed nails, soft spots, storm damage, and any areas where water could enter. We also look for signs of poor installation or aging materials that may cause problems later.
Yes. We believe homeowners should be able to see what we see. If we find an issue, we provide photos and explain what is going on in plain English, whether it’s a small repair, storm damage, or normal wear and tear.
Yes, Revival Roofing & Restoration offers free roof inspections within our service area. We’ll inspect the roof, explain what we find, and let you know whether you need a repair, replacement, insurance guidance, or nothing at all.
Roof Repair
It depends on the age of the roof, the type of damage, and how widespread the problem is. If the issue is isolated, a repair may be all you need. If the roof has widespread damage, repeated leaks, brittle shingles, or major storm damage, replacement may be the better long-term option.
Some of the most common repairs we see are missing shingles, lifted shingles, leaking pipe boots, exposed nails, damaged flashing, chimney leaks, loose ridge caps, and small storm-related issues. Many leaks come from the details around roof penetrations rather than the main field of shingles.
We do our best to respond as quickly as possible, especially when active leaking is involved. If water is coming into the home, the priority is to identify the source, stop additional damage, and determine whether a repair or temporary protection is needed.
Yes. We regularly inspect and repair roofs installed by other companies. If we see workmanship issues, we’ll explain what we find and give you an honest recommendation on the best way to fix it.
Sometimes, yes. If the roof is older but still in decent condition, a repair may buy you more time. If the shingles are brittle, heavily worn, or failing in multiple areas, putting more money into repairs may not make sense.
Roof Replacement
Common signs include repeated leaks, missing or brittle shingles, heavy granule loss, storm damage, sagging areas, exposed fiberglass, and shingles that are curling, cracking, or no longer sealing properly. Age matters too, but condition matters more than age alone.
Most residential roof replacements are completed in one day, depending on the size, pitch, weather, and complexity of the roof. Larger homes, steep roofs, repairs to decking, or specialty materials may take longer.
No, you do not have to be home, but many homeowners choose to be available by phone. Before the project starts, we’ll go over access, vehicles, pets, outdoor furniture, landscaping, and anything else that needs to be protected.
Rotten or damaged decking has to be replaced before new shingles are installed. Shingles need a solid surface to be properly fastened. If we find bad decking during tear-off, we’ll document it with photos and explain the additional work before moving forward.
Before the roof replacement begins, we take steps to protect your home and property as much as possible. This may include moving patio furniture, covering landscaping, protecting AC units, and keeping materials and debris organized throughout the job.
During tear-off, roofing debris can fall around the home, so our crew uses tarps, careful cleanup practices, and jobsite protection to help reduce the risk of damage. After the roof is installed, we clean the property and use nail magnets around the driveway, walkways, lawn, and work areas to pick up loose roofing nails.
Our goal is simple: leave your property cleaner than we found it and make the roof replacement process as smooth as possible.
Storm Damage
Hail damage is not always obvious from the ground. On shingles, it can look like bruising, dark impact marks, missing granules, or soft spots. We inspect the roof closely and also check soft metals like vents, gutters, and flashing for impact marks.
Yes. Wind can lift shingles, break the seal strip, loosen fasteners, or create creases without fully removing the shingle. A roof may look fine from the yard but still have wind damage that can lead to leaks later.
Yes, especially after hail, high winds, or if you notice missing shingles, debris, gutter damage, or leaks. A storm inspection can help determine whether the roof is fine, needs a small repair, or may have damage worth discussing with your insurance company.
No. Many types of roof damage require a close inspection to identify. Hail marks, lifted shingles, damaged flashing, and compromised pipe boots are often missed from the ground.
You should have the roof inspected as soon as possible. Missing shingles expose the roof system to water, and even a small exposed area can create interior damage if it is not addressed quickly.
Roof Insurance Claims
In many cases, yes. A roofing inspection can help you understand whether there is actual storm damage before you open a claim. We can document what we find and help you decide whether filing a claim makes sense.
Yes. We help homeowners understand the roof damage, provide photos and documentation, review the insurance paperwork, and make sure the scope of work is accurate. We do not decide coverage — that is up to your insurance company — but we can help make sure the roofing side is clearly documented.
Yes. If you have a scheduled adjuster appointment, we can often meet with the adjuster to point out the damage we found during our inspection. This helps make sure nothing important is missed during the roof evaluation.
That can happen. Insurance estimates may miss code items, materials, labor, steep charges, ventilation, flashing, or other necessary components. If something is missing, we can help review the estimate and provide documentation for supplements when appropriate.
If you have a mortgage on your home, it is very common for the insurance claim check to include your mortgage company’s name along with yours. This is because the mortgage company has a financial interest in the property and may need to endorse the check before funds can be released.
The exact process depends on your mortgage company, but they may ask for documents such as the insurance estimate, signed contract, contractor information, proof of repairs, photos, or a final invoice. Sometimes funds are released in stages instead of all at once.
Revival Roofing & Restoration can help provide the roofing documents your mortgage company requests so the process moves as smoothly as possible. We cannot control the mortgage company’s timeline, but we can help make sure you have the paperwork needed for the roof portion of the claim.
Roofing Materials & Shingles
For most homeowners, architectural shingles are a strong choice because they offer better durability, appearance, and wind resistance than basic 3-tab shingles. We can help you compare options based on your home, budget, neighborhood, and long-term goals.
3-tab shingles are thinner and have a flatter, more basic appearance. Architectural shingles are thicker, more dimensional, and generally perform better in wind and weather. Most modern roof replacements use architectural shingles.
They can be, especially in areas that see frequent hail. Impact-resistant shingles are designed to better withstand hail impact, and some insurance companies may offer discounts for certain products. They cost more upfront, so we’ll help you decide whether they make sense for your home.
Popular choices in this area include weathered wood, driftwood, charcoal, black, and other neutral blends. The best color depends on your brick, siding, trim, gutters, and overall style of the home. We can help you narrow down options before installation.
Yes. Proper ventilation helps reduce heat and moisture buildup in the attic. Poor ventilation can shorten the life of your shingles, increase energy costs, and contribute to decking issues, mold, or condensation problems.
Hiring a Roofing Contractor
A legitimate roofing contractor should be licensed when required, insured, experienced, local, and willing to provide clear documentation. You should be able to verify reviews, see past work, understand the estimate, and feel comfortable asking questions.
Yes, you should verify that your roofer is properly licensed for the type and size of project being performed. A license helps show that the contractor has met state requirements and is operating as a legitimate business.
A good roofing estimate should include the scope of work, materials, labor, tear-off, underlayment, flashing, ventilation, cleanup, warranty information, and any potential additional costs like rotten decking. Vague one-line estimates can lead to confusion later.
Not always. The cheapest estimate may leave out important materials, proper installation details, insurance, supervision, cleanup, or warranty coverage. A roof is too important to choose based on price alone.
A local roofing company is more likely to understand Tennessee weather, local building requirements, common roof issues in the area, and how to service the roof after the job is complete. Local accountability matters, especially if you need help later.
Roof Maintenance
Homeowners should keep gutters clean, trim overhanging branches, check for missing shingles, look for ceiling stains, inspect around chimneys and vents, and schedule routine roof inspections. A little maintenance can prevent expensive damage.
Yes. Clogged gutters can force water to back up under shingles, overflow around fascia, damage soffits, and create moisture problems around the home. Keeping gutters clear is one of the simplest ways to protect your roof system.
Sometimes. Pipe boots often crack before the shingles wear out. A cracked pipe boot is one of the most common causes of roof leaks and can usually be repaired or replaced without replacing the entire roof.
Tree limbs can scrape shingles, drop debris, clog gutters, hold moisture against the roof, and cause damage during storms. Large limbs hanging over the roof should be trimmed back when possible.
Yes, we can help homeowners stay ahead of roof problems with routine inspections and maintenance recommendations. This is especially helpful for older roofs, rental properties, real estate clients, and homeowners who want to avoid surprise leaks.
Pricing, Warranties & Financing
The cost of a roof replacement depends on the size, pitch, height, materials, ventilation, layers, decking condition, and overall complexity of the roof. After an inspection, we can provide a clear estimate based on your specific home instead of a generic guess.
Roofing estimates can vary because contractors may use different materials, installation methods, insurance coverage, labor quality, warranties, and cleanup standards. Some estimates may also leave out items that are needed later, which can make the upfront price look lower than it really is.
Yes, financing options may be available for qualified homeowners. This can be helpful if your roof needs to be replaced but you would rather spread the cost out over time instead of paying the full amount upfront.
That depends on the project. For many roof replacement projects, a deposit may be required to schedule materials and labor. We’ll explain payment expectations clearly before any work begins.
A new roof may include both a manufacturer warranty on the roofing materials and a workmanship warranty from the contractor. The manufacturer warranty covers product-related issues, while the workmanship warranty covers installation-related issues.
Many roof repairs include a workmanship warranty, depending on the type of repair and the condition of the surrounding roof. We’ll explain what is and is not covered before the repair is completed.