Severe weather can do a number on even the sturdiest roof. Shingles and flashing can be loosened by hail or strong winds, and large trees can fall and cause catastrophic damage to a roof. If something like this has happened to your roof after a storm, here are the steps to take to fix the damage.
1. Inspect Your Roof
When your home has been hit by severe weather, the first thing you should do is inspect your roof once it’s safe to do so. You don’t need to climb up to your roof for a thorough inspection, but you should look up at it from the ground, preferably with a pair of binoculars if you have one. Look for things such as divots in the metal flashing, bare shingles, or spots on your roof with missing shingles. Take photos and document any damage that you see that is related to the storm.
Keep in mind that not all damage to your roof will be apparent from a quick inspection from the ground. If you suspect that you have any damage to your roof, contact a roofing company and have them take a closer look.
2. Contact Your Insurance Company
Once you’ve documented the damage to your roof, your next step is to contact your insurance company to find out if it is covered by your homeowner’s insurance. You usually have a limited amount of time to submit a claim, so be sure to do this as soon as possible.
3. Find a Reliable Roofing Contractor
After you’ve documented the damage to your roof and submitted a claim to your insurance company, it’s time to find a roofing contractor to make repairs. This will require some homework on your part. After all, you’re hiring professionals to make major repairs on your home, so you’ll want to make sure that you can trust them. Begin your search by asking your friends and family members for recommendations; you probably know someone who knows of reliable roofers in the area. After that, start searching on Google for roofing contractors near you who specialize in storm damage repair. When you find a contractor, speak with them directly to find out what they charge, whether they are licensed and insured, and how quickly they can repair your roof. Roofing repairs should always be completed as quickly as possible if you want to avoid issues such as water damage or damage from additional severe weather.
4. Don’t Trust Storm Chasers
Finally, be on the lookout for storm chasers. These are fly-by-night roofing companies that go to neighborhoods that have been hit by severe weather and offer to inspect and fix damaged roofs. Many of these “roofers” aren’t licensed or insured, and they often do shoddy repair jobs if they complete them at all. They’re only interested in taking advantage of homeowners and scamming them out of their money, so turn them away when they come knocking at your door after a storm.
Storm damage to your roof can be serious, and it should always be repaired as quickly as possible if you want to avoid further damage to your home. Follow these steps if you suspect any damage to your roof, and make sure that you hire a roofing contractor that you trust.
