T-lock shingles were one of the most unique roofing designs to come out in years. The reason was due to the manner in which each shingle inter-locked with one another and was considered cutting edge technology for high wind areas like Colorado. The weak link though could also be found in that same unique design during installation.
The T-lock shingle created its own inevitability because of the amount of nails called for in the design. The roofers used the required amount of nails called for by the manufacturer’s specifications. The installation design did not use enough nails to hold down each shingle allowing entire sections of the roof to become vulnerable to tearing up and blowing off the roof decking. Much collateral damage to vehicles and other properties would occur when these sections would blow off. In typical roof shingles several roofing tiles may blow off due to lack of roofing nails but not entire sections.
Most people will logically conclude that a current roofing company can be paid to repair the roofing mistakes but the shingles themselves have become so brittle because of age and exposure to the weather that new shingles cannot be successfully linked to them. Repairs are no longer being authorized by insurance companies. Complete replacement is the only option. For a time, though, the T-lock shingles have held strong.
Once it became evident that the T-lock shingle held on to one another allowing entire sections to blow off as soon as the wind exploited the mistakes made by the roofers then insurance companies began giving the manufacturers product feedback because of the high number of claims. This allowed the Research and Development sections of major shingle manufacturers to develop several other alternate roofing products. Where does that leave you?
If you currently have T-lock shingles as your main roofing shingle then it is highly recommended to get a roof inspection. The roofer will look for hail damage and tears in the shingle itself caused by wind. If the inspection finds either hail damage or tears in the shingle then the integrity of the shingle itself has already begun to deteriorate. Your roofer will then show documented pictures of the damage to you so you can call your insurance claims adjuster to schedule an inspection by your insurance company.
Your insurance company will look at this as a priority because once the T-lock shingles integrity has began to fade then other issues become the focus of the insurance company. Their concern then goes to excessive collateral damage that leaks can cause. Homeowners can easily experience leaks which they will usually see staining the ceiling of their home. If not stopped in time expensive damage can occur to the interior of the home.
If you have concerns about T-lock shingles then educate yourself and take action.
