It's that time of year again. Home and Garden Show Time. Spring is in the air and it begins at the Fairgrounds in Columbia.

Come on, don't we all need a reason to eat "fair" food and look at what's new and up-and-coming in the Home Remodeling industry.

March 8-13, 2013 the Homebuilders Association of Greater Columbia is having their annual Home and Garden Show, and this year should be fantastic. Companies from all over the Midlands, and beyond, will be there to show off what they are most passionate about. Whether you are replacing your roof, adding an addition or building and outdoor fireplace, this is the place to get started.

Take this time to get educated on your project.

We are excited about seeing you there.

If you can't wait that long to see us, and need us to come out and look at your house quickly, click here to fill out a short form, and a representative will get back with you shortly.

Roy Bauer

If you live in Chapin, S.C, or any of the surrounding areas of South Carolina, then you were hit by a pretty powerful hail storm Sunday, July 1, 2012. We are currently working with homeowners in subdivisions near downtown Chapin, as well as Lexington, West Columbia, Columbia and Batesburg-Leesville.

The question coming up  a lot, obviously, is, "What does hail damage on my roof look like?"

Well, the easiest way to describe it is to show you pictures of houses that have hail damage. These pictures were all taken from houses here in the Midlands of South Carolina.

I certainly don't advise you getting up on the roof to check for damage, unless you absolutely know what you are doing because once a hail storm hits, it knocks the granules (little rocks all over your shingles) loose and you can slide right off if you aren't careful. Please contact a professional. It is what we do and we are very good at it.

If you think you might have damage, or just aren't sure, click here or give me a call at 803-955-0374 to come out and look at it. I'd be glad to at least look at it and see if it is worth contacting your insurance company over.

Roy Bauer

Bauer Roofing

Haag Certified Roofing Inspector

Tonight at roughly 7 p.m. a hail storm hit Lexington, Batesburg-Leesville, Chapin, Irmo and Columbia. Based on what part of Lexington and Richland county you live in, the storm lasted from 30 seconds to 25+ minutes and ranged in size from that of a blueberry to a couple inches. This information is based on reports from homeowners in the area.

The questions we are being asked, just like all the other times hail has hit, is "what do I do?" "Should I call the insurance company first or a roofing company?" " How do I know if I have damage or not?"

The answer to these questions is, call a local roofing company, but not just a random company. Call one who has Haag Certified residential roofing inspectors working for them. Haag is the entity that sets the guidelines for determining what is and what isn't hail and storm damage. It is the same certification your insurance adjuster will have if he is called to your property. You can call your agent first, but all he/she is going to do is tell you to have someone local look at it and determine if there is any damage.

Lastly, beware of Storm Chasers. They are in the area like a disease, infecting neighborhoods all over the Midlands of S.C. Please do your homework when choosing who to look at your property. Choosing the wrong shingle may be a little bit of a hassle, but choosing the wrong roofing contractor can lead to lawsuits and leaks in your kitchen or kid's bedroom.

Here are two articles for you to read on dealing with storms and choosing contractors.

Beware of the Storm Chasers.

Things to Look for When Buying a New Roof.

Would you like your questions answered by someone who lives in Lexington county and has been roofing houses here since the 1980's, then click here or call 803-955-0374.

Roy Bauer

Bauer Roofing

Haag Certified Residential Roofing Inspector