What Should I Do If My Roof Has Storm Damage?

Storms can be a force of nature, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. One of the most vulnerable parts of your home during a storm is your roof. High winds, hail, and torrential rain can all cause significant damage to your roof, compromising its integrity and potentially leading to leaks and further interior damage.

We understand that experiencing a storm can be overwhelming, and the outcome often leaves homeowners facing the difficult task of addressing roof damage. Understanding the steps to take when your roof has sustained storm damage is essential to preventing further issues and ensuring a smooth repair process. 

This blog post will guide you through the essential steps to take if you suspect your roof has sustained storm damage. We’ll cover identifying different types of storm damage roof repair, performing a roof inspection, selecting a reliable roofing contractor, and how to work with contractors and insurance providers.

What To Do After a Storm Damage?

Firstly, when the storm hits, your main goal is to ensure your family’s and property’s safety. Later, after the storm has gone, taking a look at the breakages and deciding on the course of action are the next steps. Here are the first steps you should take:

1. Ensure Your Safety:

• Stay informed: Listen to local news regarding weather status, alerts, and safety instructions. It is not allowed to get outside until security workers confirm that it is safe and legal now. 
• Downed power lines: Stay away from downed power lines and puddles of water near them. Please just assume that at least one of them is alive, so do not touch them, and mostly respect such lines. 
• Structural damage: If your home has sustained structural damage, leave the home immediately and find a temporary shelter as soon as possible.

2. Assess the damage:

• Once it’s safe: If you have already made sure that the storm has gone away and checked your safety, you will start by surveying the neighborhood. Start from a low point with a quick look around the house for any visual cues. 
• Look for: Inspect the surroundings for indications of damage to the top of your building (missing tiles, cracks in the ceilings), the glass of your windows (broken glass), the beams or sidings of the house (holes, malfunctions), and the trees or branches on the ground near your house. 
• Document the damage: Photograph or record a video of the damage to show to the insurance company as part of your claim. To cover your back when submitting your claim for insurance and at the time of the adduction, it is widely recognized as the best practice to take pictures of the damage.

3. Secure Your Property:

• Board up windows: If windows are broken, board them up with plywood or other substantial materials to prevent further damage from the high speed of wind and/or rain. 
• Use the tarp to secure the roof: If your roof has sustained damage, the temporary solution is to cover the gap with a big tarp so that your house does not leak until you are done with the repairs.

4. Contact Your Insurance Provider:

• File a claim: When you suffer some damage from storms at home, you should take a picture and claim insurance as quickly as possible. Keep records, and save the receipts. 
• Documentation: Have photos and videos of the damage along with the claim to your insurance company.

6. Start Cleaning:

• Safety first: Protection of the skin (gloves and eyewear), and feet (a suitable type of shoe) are important things you should have on you when you pick up the trash
• Start small: Try to deal with the most urgent requirements first, like the removal of small trees or the cleaning up of the whole surrounding area of your house from air and rain debris.
• Heavy lifting and repairs: It is advisable to find a qualified professional when dishing out major repairs or doing heavy lifting.

Types of Roof Storm Damage

Roofs are susceptible to a variety of injuries due to the storms. It is imperative to understand the various kinds well, as it can help you note the exact issues and convey them to your contractor easily in terms of practical recommendations that may be considered.

Wind

Winds with high velocity can lift shingles, completely tear them off, or curve them. The outer roof layers have an exposed edge and heat leaks. Find missing shingles, flashing that is not tight, and chimney or vent approach issues.

Hail

Hailstones that are big can even damage your roof. It is common for hail to crack or puncture shingles, which subsequently cause water to enter the roof. Among the visible problems, the main ones I would like to point out are dents, cracks, or loss of granules on your shingles beside, gutter, downspout, skylight, etc.

Standing Water

Especially during heavy rain, the extreme amount of water can cause the water to stand on your roof, mostly if it doesn’t drain properly. Continuous water exposure to the roof can cause weakening of the structure and leakage. Notice places where the water is gathering, parts of the roof that are hanging, and if there are any indications of water damage in the house.

Debris

Thundering storms precipitate the deposit of waste such as branches, leaves, and other things that can hurt the roof. Some great boughs can pierce through the summit of a building, meanwhile, a stack of garbage may clog the drain and spout, causing the water to be damaged. Look for signs of debris and damage from certain roof aspects that may have occurred as a result.

Schedule and Conduct a Roof Inspection

Once you have done the preliminary checks as instructed, proceed to make a firm date with a well-regarded roof inspector for the final inspection of your property. A roofer who has been suitably trained and has the necessary experience will be capable of spotting any absent components and other issues that may not be easy to detect from the ground. Below is what you may experience during the roof inspection:

• External Inspection: The entire roofing cover will be examined, and any drafts on the roof will be checked. On the other hand, hardcore contractors will search the façade for any broken or absent roof system components, including the attic’s rafter, subroof, and roof overhang. 
• Interior Inspection: Also, the contractor will pierce the walls to scan the interior and approach swiftly with the infrared camera, the one that is closest to detecting any water leakage 
• Detailed Report: After the thorough check, you will get a complete report where the damage and repair options will be suggested. Your task is to interpret these damages and fix them.

Hire a Dependable, Trusted Roofing Contractor

The selection of a reliable roofing contractor is a critical issue you should pay attention to for the successful repair of a storm-damaged roof. Here are some tips for selecting the right contractor:

• Check Credentials: The prior requisite to holding these items is first to check the license, insurance, and material guarantee of the contractor. They should be able to provide you with real-time analytical information by getting everything in real-time. At Turtle Roofing, we are certified with Certainteed (roofing company material), so we can offer a longer warranty using top-shelf material. 
• Read Reviews: Search the website for online reviews and ask for references from previous customers. A reputable contractor will have a track record of satisfied clients. 
• Get Multiple Quotes: Employ a contractor whose operations would render him in a position to make you the most accurate claims and offer you the kind of breakdown of each service cost he/she provides. One good way to compare prices and quality of a business is through quotes received from various companies. If a bid is exceedingly low, it could be a reflection that they are using substandard materials or doing shoddy work.

Talking to a Trusted Roofing Contractor

Determine the best candidate for your roof repair by familiarizing them with your project, providing 

them with adequate information, and asking the following questions:

• Experience: Where have they been in business? Whether they are experienced with damaged roof repairs?
• Materials: What are the materials of which they are made? Are they top-of-the-line, unyielding in terms of quality, and did the insurance company guarantee the material?
• Timeline: How long does the whole repair work take? Can they be so patient as to give a clear schedule?
• Cleanup: Will it be possible for them to dispose of the waste materials and clean the place after the work is over?
• Warranty: Have they talked about their workmanship with a prescribed warranty? How long is the warranty they are giving to the client?

Call Your Homeowners Insurance Provider

Getting in touch with your homeowners’ insurance provider is a crucial step in the storm damage roof repair process. Here’s how to navigate this step effectively:

• Report the damage: Notify the insurance provider of the storm damage as soon as you can. Call a meeting and present them with the images and videos you took to obtain the necessary paperwork. 
• Schedule an Adjuster Visit:  To assess the damage and repair costs, your insurance provider will most likely send an adjuster out. 
• Review your policy: Even if you understand the coverage and deductions of your policy, you still have to look into it for further clarification. This will enable you to know what you will pay in terms of out-of-pocket expenses. 
• Get Estimates: Show your home insurance adjuster the bids from your contractor so that the insurance company will realize that there is no need for long and tiring legal procedures to reach your settlement and that you will have the opportunity to get your money back without delays, thus, your quotation can be approved this way.

Frequently Asked Questions

Que: How soon should I schedule a roof inspection after a storm?

Ans: After the storm, you should quickly do a roof inspection only if it is secure. Your home can be saved from needing more costly repairs after it is already fixed completely and quickly.

Que: What should I do if my insurance claim is denied?

Ans: Examine the denial letter to find out the precise grounds for the denial of your insurance claim. You might be able to file an appeal with the court or present more proof of your claim.

Que: Can I perform temporary repairs myself?

Ans: If you are a homeowner, you can do the smaller patchwork work that homeowners do; try to put a tarp on yourself for leaks. Nonetheless, you should leave the latter to the professionals to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the entire process.

Que: How can I prevent future storm damage to my roof?

Ans: By performing regular maintenance work, say, overgrowth removals, and proper attic ventilation, you would be able to avoid the majority of such problems.

Que: What are the signs of hidden roof damage after a storm?

Ans: You should be notified that some hidden damage could be water stains on ceilings, mold growth, raised utility bills, and a musty smell in the attic or in other rooms.

The Conclusion

It is natural to feel stressed out when dealing with roof storm damage, but with these guidelines, you will be able to get through it without much pressure. To achieve restoration results, you must recognize the kinds of storm roof damage and follow the correct guidelines. Make it a point to document the damages, get a specialist examination, hire a good contractor, and be close to your insurance provider.

If a storm has destroyed your roof, then don’t overlook a single minute and do something about it right now to protect your house and the safety of your loved ones. Locate a trustworthy roofing contractor and launch the repair as early as possible to regain your peace of mind.For expert assistance and reliable service, connect with us at Turtle Roofing. Our experienced team is here to help you with all your storm damage roof repair needs. Reach out to us today to get started on securing your home and restoring its integrity.