Storms can be unpredictable, and so can storm damage to your roof. As a homeowner, it’s hard to determine what kind of damage you might have on your hands following a severe storm. It doesn’t matter the type of storm, all storms can lead to unfortunate roof damage.
The best thing you can do is understand the correct steps to take following a storm. Taking the right steps will expedite insurance claims and repairs. This can mean you get your house back to a safe and secure condition as soon as possible.
Remember these steps when it comes to storm damage to your roof.
A. Assess the roof damage – but only when the coast is clear.
Resist the urge to look at your roof until after the storm has completely passed and the sky is clear. Wet or icy spots or debris on the roof can cause you to trip, slip and fall. Of course, you must also consider even more dangerous issues such as downed power lines and unstable roof surfaces.
Once you are sure the area is safe, go ahead and assess the storm damage to your roof as best as you can. This will help you to communicate your needs with your roofing company and insurance agent right away. Of course, wait until daylight, because it’s impossible to really assess what’s going on without proper lighting. Then:
- Use binoculars to get a closer look without having to climb all the way on top of the roof.
- Estimate the size of the area and collect specific details about the damage.
- Make note of any exposed sections of the roof, specifically looking for plywood, ends of missing shingles or tarpaper.
- Identify any missing shingles and the severity of the damaged areas.
B. Begin temporary fixes to minimize the damage to your property.
If the roof has suffered extensive damage directly above your living space, you will need to take immediate measures to prevent property damage from leaking water and/or falling debris.
- Place buckets or garbage cans under leaks.
- Remove any treasured items or valuables away from the leaks.
- Place plastic or trash bags over furniture, rugs and other items that may be in line of the leak.
C. Contact your insurance company and/or roofing company.
You may be able to determine for yourself if the storm damage to your roof is severe enough to require a call to your insurance company. In some cases, it makes more sense just to contact your roofing company directly for repair. If there was widespread storm damage throughout your area, it is a good idea to contact your insurance agent first. You may find that the roofing professionals are tied up handling emergencies.
However, if you reach out to a roofing company, keep in mind you may find traveling roofing teams. These teams come around storm-damaged areas to pick up clients. The problem is that in a desperate situation, they can take advantage of panicked homeowners who need help right away.
A better plan is to choose a local, certified roofing company that has proven experience repairing roofs in your area. While they may be swamped with repairs in the face of widespread storm damage, a reputable roofing company will get in touch with you as soon as possible. They will let you know what they can do to help or will at least refer you to another reliable company.
Pro Tip: Never Neglect or Put-Off Roof Damage
Even if you find you are able to patch up the damage to your roof, it is important to get a professional roofing assessment and repair as soon as possible. While you may be able to stop a visible leak, there’s no telling what kind of damage could be happening behind the scenes. The last thing you want is for a hidden leak to cause problems like structural damage or mold in your home. It happens all the time following roof storm damage that doesn’t receive the proper professional repair.
Ensure your roof and home are as safe and secure as possible by following through with professional roof inspections from a roofing team you can trust. At Hopewell Roofing and Restoration, we are proud to be a GAF Master Elite Roofing Contractor team. You can count on us for the highest quality workmanship and a commitment to your satisfaction with each and every roof damage repair.
Call us at (678) 771-5372 to get help with your storm damage roof repair.
