All homeowners know that one can not always predict what is going to happen to their homes and when they can sustain damage to their properties as a result of damaging weather conditions. It is critical to understand and follow the appropriate steps once the roof of your home was damaged due to a storm. Severe rainstorms, ice storms or windstorms can cause substantial damage to a shingled roof. Here is more information about what you should do next if this happens to you.
Step 1 – First Evaluate The Damage Cause To The Roof
The initial step when you have sustained substantial damage is to evaluate the level of damage caused. Estimate damage assessments can assist you with discussing your requirements with your insurer or contractor and prevent unforeseen discrepancies or costs. This can typically be done in daylight, and in some instances, you might need to jump straight to the second phase listed in this post before an evaluation of the damage can be performed.
When evaluating the roof to identify which areas are damaged, make use of a pair of binoculars. You can start by estimating the general square footage and particular details of the areas where the roof was damaged. Check if you can determine the severity of the damage and pay attention to areas that have missing shingles. It may be possible that only a few missing shingles is the case. Document all the missing materials that are exposed and in plain sight.
Also, be on the lookout for signs of tarpaper, ends of missing shingles and exposed plywood. Write down the approximate shade and color of the material. Lift Construction is a roofing company that specialize in roof repairs and replacements. Be sure to contact them to help you with the assessment.
Step 2 – Try Doing Temporary Repairs To Minimize Property Damage
If you have severely damaged areas in the roof that is directly overhead of a living space, your interior property can also sustain damage due to water leaks. Place a garbage can or bucket underneath water leaks and store valuables somewhere else to avoid further damages to your interiors. Severe damage may necessitate waterproofing by using the strapped tarping method or a water and ice membrane, while the lesser repairs can be shingled right away.
Step 3 – Contacting Your Insurance Company
The third step in the process is phoning your insurer. Make sure that the damage is substantial enough to be covered by your home insurance or if it would be more cost-effective to hire the contractor yourself to carry out the required repairs. In instances of natural disasters, when substantial areas were hit by the storm or alternative weather conditions, it can be advantageous to make use of your homeowners insurance since the contractors can have their hands full in accommodating everyone.
If Necessary, Contact A Reliable Contractor To Repair The Roof.
If you decide to hire a private contractor, always hire a professional certified roofing contractor. Avoid contractors who are in the area because of a natural disaster. Traveling contractors who follow storms have no reputation to uphold and may provide sub standard workmanship. Click here to learn more about how to hire a properly qualified roofing contractor.