During a severe storm, you may hunker down inside your home with your loved ones to stay safe. Your home is your primary source of shelter, and you rely on all aspects of the exterior to hold up to any forces that Mother Nature brings your way. The roof of your home may be designed to withstand very strong winds, hailstones and heavy rain. However, there are instances when the natural forces inflicted on your home are more significant than what your roof can tolerate. In some cases, roof damage may be related to a roof that was already aging or otherwise is in poor condition from previous damage that was not repaired. In other cases, a brand new roof may be damaged because of how severe the storm was. If you believe that your roof has been damaged, it is important to address the situation as soon as possible. After all, you never know when the next storm will strike, and you need your roof to be in prime condition when a storm does pass through your area.
Assess the Damage
The first step to take when dealing with a possibly damaged roof is to assess the damage. Avoid climbing onto the roof yourself. This can be dangerous, and you run the risk of injuring yourself and potentially causing more damage to your property. From the ground, peer up at the roof. Look for shingles that appear to be missing or that are not laying flat and in a uniform pattern. Look on the ground for signs of shingles as well as asphalt pebbles. These are all signs that your roof needs professional attention. To confirm your findings and to determine the extent of the damage, an inspection from a licensed roofer is necessary.
Find a Roofer
Finding a reputable roofer may seem easy enough to do. After a serious storm, some roofers may even knock on your door in search of business. The rates, experience level and quality of work vary from roofer to roofer. Therefore, spend ample time comparing the options to find the most qualified and affordable roofing contractor to hire, and do not feel inclined to use the first roofer who you stumble upon. You may need to request multiple quotes before you make a final hiring decision. Always ensure that the contractor who you hire is properly licensed and insured. In addition, ensure that they will secure your property with a special tarp or other feature until the repair work can be completed.
File a Claim
While you are searching for a roofing contractor to hire, you also should think about filing a homeowners insurance claim. Many property insurance policies cover roof damage related to a severe storm or strong winds. When you file a claim, you will need to pay your homeowner’s insurance deductible. This deductible may be a flat fee, such as $1,500. It could also be a percentage of your home’s replacement value, such as one to two percent. In many cases, this is a rather large expense. Compare your deductible amount against the cost to repair or replace your roof to ensure that it is cost-effective to file the claim.
Prevent Future Damage
Many types of roof damage are caused entirely by Mother Nature. For example, a storm with 70-mile per hour winds may have torn a section of your roof off. However, other types of storm damage may have been related to other factors. For example, if a tree branch is hanging over the roof, the branch may have caused the roof damage as it blew in the wind. Trimming back this branch can prevent future damage. Identify the specific factors that resulted in roof damage so that you can properly address them.
Roof damage can be expensive to repair. However, when damage is not properly repaired, you may run into issues related to water damage, pest infestation, energy loss and more in the future. A damaged roof generally should be covered promptly as needed, and it should be repaired as soon as possible. Whether you know that your home needs roof repair work or you have a hunch, getting a professional opinion from a licensed roofer is a great idea.
