What we verified in “Roof: when to repair it and when to replace it”

Statements and where we checked them

The statements with rules, figures or dates, with the exact place in the source and the date we checked them.

1. According to the EPA, the key to mold control is moisture control; fix leaks and other water problems as soon as possible; if wet materials are dried within 24 to 48 hours after a leak, in most cases mold will not grow; mold can hide in roof materials above ceiling tiles because of roof leaks or insufficient insulation; and it recommends cleaning and repairing roof gutters regularly.

   Sources 1 · EPA, A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home: 'The key to mold control is moisture control'; 'Fix plumbing leaks and other water problems as soon as possible'; 'If wet or damp materials or areas are dried 24-48 hours after a leak or spill happens, in most cases mold will not grow'; 'in roof materials above ceiling tiles (due to roof leaks or insufficient insulation)'; 'Clean and repair roof gutters regularly' · Checked November 6, 2026

2. According to the FTC, someone may knock on your door or call saying they can fix your leaky roof, sometimes after a flood, windstorm or other disaster; they pressure you to act quickly and ask for cash or offer to get you financing; then they run off with your money or do shoddy repairs; the FTC recommends asking people you trust for recommendations, checking that the company has licenses and insurance, getting three written estimates, not starting work until you have reviewed and signed a written contract, and not paying by cash or wire transfer.

   Sources 2 · FTC, Home Repair Scams: 'They say they can fix your leaky roof'; 'They might find you after a flood, windstorm, or other natural disaster'; 'They pressure you to act quickly and might ask you to pay in cash or offer to get you financing'; 'they run off with your money and never make the repairs. Or they do shoddy repairs'; 'ask for recommendations from people you trust and check that the companies have licenses and insurance. Get three written estimates. Don’t start work until you have reviewed and signed a written contract. And don’t pay by cash or wire transfer.' · Checked November 6, 2026

3. According to FEMA, a FEMA housing inspector does not climb on roofs or enter crawl spaces, and FEMA never charges a fee for an inspection; with contractors, use licensed or verified local contractors with reliable references, don't pay more than half the costs of repairs in advance, and demand that they detail the job with guarantees in writing.

   Sources 3 · FEMA, Disaster Fraud: 'Not climb on roofs or enter crawl spaces'; 'FEMA never charges a fee for an inspection'; 'Use licensed or verified local contractors backed by reliable references'; 'Don’t pay more than half the costs of repairs in advance'; 'Demand that contractors detail the job to be done with guarantees in writing' · Checked November 6, 2026

4. According to Ready.gov (FEMA), before a hurricane de-clutter drains and gutters, bring in outside furniture and consider hurricane shutters; afterwards, document any property damage with photographs and contact your insurance company for assistance.

   Sources 4 · Ready.gov, Hurricanes: 'De-clutter drains and gutters, bring in outside furniture and consider hurricane shutters'; 'Document any property damage with photographs. Contact your insurance company for assistance.' · Checked November 6, 2026

5. In Florida, the law (section 627.70132 of the Florida Statutes) says a claim or reopened claim under a property insurance policy for any loss is barred unless notice was given to the insurer within 1 year after the date of loss, and a supplemental claim within 18 months; for hurricanes, tornadoes, windstorms, severe rain and other weather events, the date of loss is the date the hurricane made landfall or the event is verified by NOAA.

   Sources 5 · Fla. Stat. §627.70132(2): 'is barred unless notice of the claim was given to the insurer in accordance with the terms of the policy within 1 year after the date of loss. A supplemental claim is barred unless notice of the supplemental claim was given to the insurer in accordance with the terms of the policy within 18 months after the date of loss'; (3): 'the date of loss is the date that the hurricane made landfall or the tornado, windstorm, severe rain, or other weather-related event is verified by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration' · Checked November 6, 2026

6. In Florida, section 553.844 of the Statutes says that if a roof or roof section was built, repaired or replaced in compliance with the 2007 Florida Building Code or a later edition, and 25 percent or more of it is being repaired, replaced or recovered, only that portion must meet the code in effect; and, for single-family homes, a roof replacement must include secondary water barriers and strengthening or correcting roof-decking attachments.

   Sources 6 · Fla. Stat. §553.844(5): 'if an existing roofing system or roof section was built, repaired, or replaced in compliance with the requirements of the 2007 Florida Building Code, or any subsequent editions of the Florida Building Code, and 25 percent or more of such roofing system or roof section is being repaired, replaced, or recovered, only the repaired, replaced, or recovered portion is required to be constructed in accordance with the Florida Building Code in effect'; (3)(a): 'A roof replacement must incorporate the techniques specified in subparagraphs (2)(b)2. and 4.'; (2)(b)2: 'Secondary water barriers for roofs'; (2)(b)4: 'Strengthening or correcting roof-decking attachments and fasteners during reroofing' · Checked November 6, 2026

7. The My Safe Florida Home Program helps Florida homeowners strengthen their homes through free wind mitigation inspections and grant assistance for approved upgrades; after the inspection, the report covers recommended improvements and potential eligibility for up to $10,000 in grant funding, and upgrades include roof improvements, impact windows and doors, and garage door reinforcement.

   Sources 7 · My Safe Florida Home: 'helps Florida homeowners strengthen their homes through FREE wind mitigation inspections and grant assistance for approved upgrades'; 'Recommended Improvements to Strengthen Your Home & Potential Eligibility for Up to $10,000 in Grant Funding'; 'Roof Improvements | Impact Windows and Doors | Garage Door Reinforcement' · Checked November 6, 2026

8. According to the DOE, a cool roof reflects sunlight; standard roofs can reach 150 °F or more in the summer sun, and a cool roof can lower the roof temperature by up to 50 °F and save energy on air conditioning; it can be made with highly reflective paint, a sheet covering or reflective tiles or shingles, it doesn't have to be white, and on an existing home you can re-cover the roof or replace it with a cool roof.

   Sources 8 · Energy Saver Guide (2022), 'Cool Roofs': 'A cool roof reflects sunlight and efficiently emits heat'; 'Standard roofs can reach temperatures of 150°F or more in the summer sun'; 'lower the temperature of your roof by up to 50°F'; 'highly reflective type of paint, a sheet covering, or highly reflective tiles or shingles'; 'A cool roof doesn’t have to be white'; 'Re-cover the roof with a new waterproofing surface'; 'Replace the old roof with a new cool roof' · Checked November 6, 2026

9. In Chicago, the Home Repair Program, formerly the Roof and Porch Repair Program, provides roof or porch improvements for income-eligible homeowners, for households earning up to 50 percent of area median income; its page says that, due to overwhelming demand, registration will not be opening in 2026.

   Sources 9 · City of Chicago, Home Repair Program: 'Formerly known as the Roof and Porch Repair Program, the Home Repair Program (HRP) provides roof or porch improvements for income-eligible homeowners'; 'Households earning up to 50 percent of area median income (AMI) may be eligible'; 'Due to an overwhelming demand from previous years, Home Repair Program registration will not be opening in 2026.' · Checked November 6, 2026

10. The District of Columbia's weatherization program lists roof repair among its typical measures.

    Sources 10 · DOEE, Weatherization Assistance Program: 'Typical weatherization measures may include insulation, duct sealing, heating, and cooling systems repairs or replacement, air infiltration mitigation, roof repair, mold remediation' · Checked November 6, 2026

11. Indiana's weatherization program says it is not an emergency or a home repair program, so things like roofing, siding and window replacement are typically not allowable.

    Sources 11 · IHCDA, Weatherization/Energy Conservation: 'This is not an emergency or a home repair program, so things like roofing, siding, and window replacement are typically not allowable expenses through this program.' · Checked November 6, 2026

12. According to the FTC, consider only contractors who are licensed and insured and confirm the license with your state or county government; a written estimate should include a description of the work, the materials, the completion date and the price; don't pay the full amount up front, and some states limit how much a contractor can ask as a down payment: ask your state or local consumer agency.

    Sources 12 · FTC, How To Avoid a Home Improvement Scam: 'Consider only contractors who are licensed and insured. Check with your state or county government to confirm a contractor’s license'; 'A written estimate should include a description of the work to be done, materials, completion date, and the price'; 'Don’t pay the full amount for the project up front. Some states actually limit the amount of money a contractor can ask for as a down payment. Contact your state or local consumer agency to find out the law in your area.' · Checked November 6, 2026