Roofing in Huntsville
Huntsville roofs face hail, high wind and very heavy rain. After a major storm, roofers from out of town arrive, and Alabama's license rule is the first thing to check.
Alabama's Roofers License
Since January 1, 2019, residential roofing in Alabama costing more than $2,500 requires a Home Builders Licensure Board Roofers License, along with a $10,000 bond. Almost every roof replacement and many repairs cross that line. Ask the roofer for their license number and check it with the board before you sign anything.
Hail
The National Weather Service in Huntsville describes the May 2, 2003 hailstorm as one of the costliest in Alabama history: hail larger than baseballs in places, over 30,000 insurance claims and more than $50 million in damage, mainly to roofs and cars. Hail damage isn't always visible from the ground. After a hailstorm, a roofer can inspect for bruised or cracked shingles, dented vents and granule loss. Ask about impact-rated shingles; some insurers offer discounts for them.
Wind and rain
NOAA's engineering weather data for the Huntsville airport station lists a 50-year basic wind speed of 90 mph and a 100-year rainfall rate of 3.5 inches per hour. Ask the roofer about the shingle's wind rating, how many nails per shingle they'll use, and how they'll install starter strips at the edges, where wind damage usually begins. Ask about underlayment, flashing at walls and chimneys, and the size of gutters and downspouts for heavy rain.
After a major storm
On April 27, 2011, tornadoes hit Madison County six times, part of 39 in the National Weather Service Huntsville office's area that day. After storms like that, door-to-door roofers appear. Be cautious with anyone who asks for a large payment up front, pressures you to sign that day, or asks you to sign a form giving them your insurance claim. Get your own estimate, talk to your insurer and choose a roofer with a local address and references.
What a good bid includes
Ask for the same details from every roofer: tear-off or overlay, number of layers removed, decking repair pricing, underlayment, ice and water barrier at valleys, flashing, ventilation, drip edge, shingle brand and line, and cleanup. Ask about both the manufacturer's warranty and the roofer's workmanship warranty, and who registers the manufacturer warranty.
Ventilation
Huntsville attics get very hot in summer. Proper intake and exhaust ventilation helps shingles last and reduces cooling costs. Ask the roofer how they'll balance intake and exhaust.