Once the winter snows melt, it’s going to be a busy roofing season for Roofsmith Restoration

By Mitch Allen

Spring is the ideal time to replace your roof, especially after the single-digit temperatures Northeast Ohio experienced in February. Ice dams—and other problems associated with the freeze-thaw cycle—can wreak havoc on shingles, flashing, chimneys, skylights and more, creating leaks and water damage, especially if your roof is past its prime.

How do you know if you need a new roof? The signs include damaged shingles, missing shingles and evidence of water leaking into your home. If you see these indications, don’t wait too long because this spring is going to be a busy time for local roofing contractors and you’ll want to get on their schedule now.

This is especially true for Roofsmith Restoration founder Mike Farist and his team.

“If a roof is damaged, a little rain or melting snow may be all you need to finally see a leak,” Mike says. “That’s why it’s important to have your roof repaired or a new roof installed as soon as possible. Last year, we were exceptionally busy because so many people stayed home due to Covid and invested in their homes instead of going on vacation, and we don’t see that letting up in 2021. Our schedule is already filling up and we’ll be back on area rooftops as soon as the snow melts. That’s why now is the perfect time to start the process.”

If you’re worried about your new roof being expensive, don’t be. It may be covered by your insurance company.

Fighting For You
If you do have damage, the folks at Roofsmith are absolute bulldogs when it comes to getting your new roof covered by your insurance company. Daily, they are on the phone arguing with insurance adjusters or at the post office mailing another damaged shingle to another industry laboratory.

“They’re going to deny you,” Mike says. “Or they’re going to offer you $300 to replace a few shingles that don’t match the rest of your roof. It’s unconscionable. That won’t even cover your deductible.”

Mike and his team are also Haag-certified inspectors, which means they know precisely how wind, rain, hail and sunlight affect shingles—and insurance companies trust their judgment.

Northeast Ohio’s Best Roofer
According to the independent research firm GuildQuality, which has surveyed virtually every Roofsmith customer over the past seven years, Mike’s company has a 94% referral rate—the best in the country. But let’s put that in perspective. In an industry where Roofing Magazine says 62% of homeowners would NOT recommend their roofer, 94% of Mike’s customers would.

In addition, Roofsmith is a regular Angie’s List Super Service Award winner, including in 2016 through 2020, maintains an A+ BBB rating, and has twice been named Northeast Ohio’s Best Roofer. Plus, the company is an Owens Corning Roofing Platinum Preferred Contractor, which means they can offer their customers an enviable lifetime warranty.

And because Roofsmith employees are salaried project managers instead of commissioned salespeople, you won’t feel pressure to “sign today.”

Roofsmith attracts top-quality employees precisely because of its founder’s work ethic. Mike pays his employees well, trains them relentlessly, and maintains a culture of growth and respect.

Continuous Improvement
Mike and his team regularly attend the International Roofing Expo to stay current on industry trends. Last year, he joined an elite national contractors network, spending two weeks in Baltimore to learn how to implement best practices. For example, instead of their job estimates reading “replace roof,” Mike’s customers receive a multi-page, detailed quote explaining exactly what his company is going to do.

“There should never be any surprises,” Mike says. “Like every business, roofing is all about the customer experience.”

Quality Materials
Mike is also meticulous about the materials he uses.

“Every other roofer I know uses a tar paper underlayment which you can tear with your pinky,” he explains. “We use a synthetic underlayment that you cannot tear with a pair of pliers.”

And don’t get him started on nails.

“We use hot-dipped, ring-shank nails which have double the holding power of smooth-shank nails and will never rust. Nobody else does that. We do.”

And you’ll also find Mike and his team going where most other roofers wouldn’t dare.

In your attic.

“A properly insulated and ventilated attic is important to the life of your roof,” he explains. “But it’s also important to the health of your family. All this matters when your air quality is good and your attic is dry. I can’t tell you how many rusty roofing nails I’ve seen in the inside of damp attics. A proper roof installation is about way more than nailing down some shingles.”

Roofsmith Restoration serves all of Northeast Ohio. For a free estimate or roof inspection, visit Roof-Smith.com and complete an easy online estimate form or call 330-822-4245.