Plain answers about roofing in Sherman
Most roofing questions here land in four places: what to do when water is coming in, how winter and storms hurt a roof, what permits and registration mean, and how to choose and compare a roofer. The answers below are short and honest, and they say where the roofer or your town has the last word.
- Roof repair and full replacement
- Ice dams, leaks and fallen-limb damage
- Connected to an independent local roofer
Get a fast quote
Fastest: call (833) 751-2102. Or send this and we call you back.
When water is coming in
What should I do first when my ceiling leaks?
Catch the water, move belongings out of its path, keep clear of wet fixtures and photograph the stain. Then call and describe where it shows and what the weather is doing. Do not climb onto the roof, which is slippery and often iced.
Should I tarp the roof myself?
Better not. A wet or icy roof is a hard place to work, and a badly fastened tarp can blow off or trap water. Contain the water indoors and let a crew do the cover when conditions allow. See emergency roof leak repair.
Is a tarp the same as a repair?
No. A tarp or temporary seal stops water for a short time. The lasting repair is quoted and scheduled separately, in daylight and dry weather, after the roofer has inspected. Be wary of anyone who sells a full replacement while the water is still coming in.
Winter, wind and storms
What causes an ice dam?
Heat escaping into the attic melts snow on the warm part of the roof, and the water refreezes at the cold eave. Removing the ice relieves a leak; sealing and insulating the attic stops the cause. See ice dam removal.
What do I do if a tree lands on the roof?
Get everyone out of the damaged area, stay away from wires and call 911 if anyone is hurt. Photograph from the ground, then call a roofer to cover the opening. See fallen tree roof damage.
How soon will a roofer come after a storm?
The line is answered at any hour, but the roofer decides whether it is safe and when a crew can come. After a widespread storm many homes need help at once, and no arrival time can be promised from here.
Permits and paperwork
Do I need a permit for a new roof?
A re-roof normally needs a permit from the town building office. Fees and timing vary and change, so ask the town, and ask the roofer who applies. See the guide on permits to re-roof in Sherman.
Does Connecticut license roofers?
Not as roofers. Roofers working on homes register as Home Improvement Contractors with the Department of Consumer Protection, and you can check the registration at elicense.ct.gov before you sign.
What about roofers in New York towns?
New York has no statewide roofing licence. Putnam County requires county registration, and in Dutchess you should ask the county and the town. See roofing across the New York line.
Choosing and comparing a roofer
How do I compare two written quotes?
Line up the scope: tear-off, decking allowance, ice barrier, flashing, ventilation, permit, disposal and cleanup. A lower total that leaves things out is not cheaper. The guide on roof replacement cost lists the lines.
Should I sign at the door after a storm?
No. Unsolicited storm roofers are a known problem, and the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection has warned about them. Take time, ask for the registration number and check it.
Will insurance pay for my roof?
That is for your insurer to decide, and this site cannot say. Keep dated photographs, the roofer's written findings and receipts, and ask your insurer what it needs.
Question not answered here?
Call and ask. A technician will give you a straight answer, even if the answer is that you do not need us.