Did you know that storm-related disasters between 2018 and 2019 caused more than $1 billion in damages in the US?
For many homeowners, dealing with roofing damage after a storm is more stressful than seeking roof repair. This is because roofs protect your household’s valuable belongings against harsh weather conditions.
Your roof is the first line of defense against weather elements directed at your home. But it is difficult to predict when your property will be affected by disastrous weather.
If you suspect that a storm has damaged your roof, you need to know the appropriate steps to take. You wouldn’t want the cumulative effect of massive snowfall, heavy rains, and strong winds to take a toll on your roof. Follow these six tips to understand how to respond to storm-related roof damage.
1. Assess the Damage
Take time to assess the roof damage after a storm before considering any other steps. The damage assessments can help you avoid unexpected discrepancies or costs. You can use them to discuss your compensation and needs with an insurance company or roofing contractor.
A pair of binoculars can help you get a closer view of your roof’s damaged parts from the ground. Carefully estimate the measurements of the damaged area while noting down the specific details. Check again to see if some roof areas are missing certain parts.
Document the exposed or visible materials with their respective colors and shade. Cross-check again to ensure you have all the details of the roof damage.
2. Take Safety Precautions
It’s common for a heavy storm to result in physical hazards like window damage, collapsed roof materials, and water pooling in the basement. Moisture may also seep into the building materials, carpeting, and furniture, stimulating mold growth that can put your health at risk.
As a safety measure, shut off your main gas line even if you can’t smell gas. You should also watch out for exposed nails and broken glass, among other sharp objects on your property. Wear safety gear to prevent injuries if you have to move around the house after the storm.
Depending on the extent of roof damage, you can find a temporary place to live. Ensure that the place is close to your home to be able to monitor the progress of any restoration processes going on.
3. Make Temporary Fixes
Before reaching out to a professional to restore your roof to its original state, there are certain temporary fixes you can do. For instance, you can place a bucket under any water leaks in the house to prevent water from flowing into your living spaces.
If the storm roof damage is serious, you need to waterproof it faster with strapped tarping. A skilled roofing contractor can help you repair the shingles if they are damaged.
Either way, these temporary fixes shouldn’t do away with the need to contact an expert. They simply help you to access parts of your home that you still need.
4. Schedule a Professional Roof Inspection
For expert damage assessment, contact a professional roofing contractor. The contractor will know how to assess damage to your roof and recommend appropriate measures.
Expect the contractor to visually assess the damaged roof by taking note of any signs of storm damage. They will also ask you to narrate the events that occurred before the damage.
During the inspection, the contractor will look for dents on roofing accessories such as vents and gutters. They’ll also inspect the windows for torn screens, loose weather strips, and cracks.
Other areas covered by the roof inspection include ceilings and the attic. Water spots and leaks in these areas may help determine the intensity of the storm damage to your roof.
5. Consult Your Insurance Company
Once you detect storm-related damage to your roof, contacting your homeowners’ insurance provider will be a good idea. Your insurer will need detailed notes and several supporting photos of the damaged parts of your roof. The documentation can give your insurance claim a strong foundation and improve the chances of compensation.
Report the roof damage (and other kinds of damage to your home) to your homeowners’ insurance provider immediately. Since time is of the essence here, you only have up to a year since you experienced the damage to submit a claim. You can reach out to your insurer through email or phone to inform them about the claim.
Remember to keep a copy of your conversations with the insurance company stored safely. The dates and details of the claim also need to be in order for you to have a compelling case. Get quotes from roofing repair companies to have a benchmark for the repair costs before meeting an insurance adjuster.
Once the documentation is in order, book an appointment with a qualified insurance adjuster. The adjuster will visit your property and assess the level of roof damage.
6. Review the Warranties
Besides insurance, you can turn to warranties to cut the costs of restoring your property. To be specific, warranties on roof products such as insulation, guttering, shingles, and tiles can help. Most of these products have guarantees depending on the manufacturer.
The good thing about warranties is that they entitle you to a replacement or refund if the product fails before its intended lifespan. Ensure that they cover storm-related damage on your roof, especially if the products were still new at the time of damage. You should also consult with the manufacturer on their warranty policy.
Schedule a Roofing Damage Inspection Today
While roofs are designed to withstand weather elements, they can incur damage during a storm that isn’t easy to see. You need to spot signs of roofing damage quickly to restore your property’s comfort, safety, and privacy. If you fail to do so, your home may suffer significant structural damage, costing you thousands of dollars in the long run.
Count on Mid-State Roofing for residential and commercial roof inspections and repair. Our roofing contractors take great pride in project supervision and quality assurance to ensure that your roofing project is done to perfection. Get your free roof inspection to get started with our services.