Hurricane season is still in full swing, and even without hurricanes looming, we get plenty of rainstorms on a weekly basis. Constant exposure to harsh weather, including scorching hot days, can take its toll on your roof, making it prone to leaks and other damages. Before the next big storm hits, you should make sure to inspect your roof and get any roof repair completed if needed so your roof doesn’t experience larger issues later.
If your roof does get damaged due to a storm, here’s what you should do.
Steps to Follow When You Have Storm Damage to Your Roof
Under your homeowners’ insurance, you should have coverage for storm damage. You’ll want to move as quickly as you can because the process can take a few weeks and sometimes longer, especially when many homeowners are dealing with storm damage at once.
1. Inspect your roof and assess the overall damage.
When it’s safe to do so, the first thing you need to do is to make an overall assessment of the nature of the damage that’s been done to your roof. You don’t need to be an expert to do this. By assessing your roof damage following the storm, you can have a more informed conversation with your roof contractor or insurance company. After a storm, it’s not safe to hop up on your roof, so you can start off by inspecting the general square foot area on the roof. Using a pair of binoculars can help you better see the damaged areas.
Here are a few common signs of roof damage to watch out for:
Rain damage: Mold, stains, leaks, and rot are the most common signs of rain damage after a major storm. If you don’t notice these issues right away, you may notice them in due time and need roof repair.
Hail damage: In the event of hail, you should look for small round dents on your roof to indicate where the hail hit. If these spots are left without repair, your roof will crack over time and cause leakage.
Wind damage: Wind is easily noticeable because missing shingles are hard to miss! Common signs include debris falling on your roof and damaging it, as well as punctured and missing shingles. Other signs to look for include loose or peeling sealant, and missing flashings.
2. Prevent further property damage.
After documenting the damage done to your roof, you can perform some quick fixes. For example, place a bucket under areas that are leaking rain water. Remove valuables from those areas so the rest of your property can remain safe and secure. You should also cover up any broken glass, such as windows or skylights. If the damage is severe, you may need to find somewhere else to stay until the repairs are completed.
3. Submit your claim to your contractor or insurance company
This is an important step that should not be put off. Be sure to contact your insurance company as soon as you have documented all the damage. Usually insurance companies have a limited time duration during which you can file a claim, so you’ll want to do this as soon as you can if you want it to be covered. Contact the insurance company however you can and as fast as you can, both calling and emailing them.
4. Set an appointment with a roof adjuster.
Once your claim has been filed, your insurance company will send over an adjuster to make an inspection and assess the overall damage caused. A roof adjuster can be tricky because they’ll arrive at your home to examine the damage and determine if anything was wrong with your roof before the storm hit; if the storm clearly caused the damage, you can move forward in the claims process. You should take the time to have different adjusters out so you can get a more accurate estimate of the overall project cost.
5. Contact a roof contractor and start roof repair.
Once the damage has been reviewed, you’ll either need to have roof repair completed or invest in a roof replacement. Depending on how your claim works out, the terms of your policy will determine the outcome. Make sure you get different quotes before you go ahead with your roofing project.
Keep Your Roof Protected in Nocatee, FL
Storms can be unpredictable, and you never know if you’re going to end up with storm damage once the storm passes. If you believe a storm has damaged your roof, don’t compromise your home or safety. Contact a roofing company right away for assistance. At HW Roofing, we provide roof repair for those in St. Augustine, Nocatee, Ponte Vedra, Jacksonville, and the surrounding communities in Northeast FL. To get started, request a free roof inspection.