Storms can be devastating, sometimes causing damage worth thousands or even millions of dollars. If you’re a homeowner, getting caught in such a storm could mean expensive roofing repairs. You can contact AlphaOne Exteriors to help you deal with any roofing issues due to storm damage.
As a homeowner, you’ll need to know certain things about storm damage to your roof. Keep these things in mind as you deal with the aftermath of such an event.
Identifying Obvious Signs of Roof Damage
If the storm that wrecked through your neighborhood was strong enough, signs of roof damage will be obvious. These could include;
-Missing or cracked shingles
-Curled flashing
-Splintered eaves
-Water damage through the ceiling or leaks
-Discoloration marks on the ceiling
These are some of the common things you can identify immediately after a storm damages your roof. Strong storms can tear large tree branches off the main trunk and hurl them onto your roof, causing damage in the process. If you have trees near the house, inspect them for missing branches.
Large pieces of hail can also do significant roof damage. This is especially the case if your roofing material is of low quality.
Identifying many of these features of storm damage on your roof may be difficult from the ground level. This may require you to get on top of the roof for a more exhaustive assessment. If the storm has been strong enough yet you do not see any obvious signs of roof damage, it may be time to call professionals for a thorough roof inspection. Such technicians are trained to identify roof damage even when it’s not obvious to the trained eye. While this may cost you some money, it’ll be worth it in the long run if hidden roof damage is identified early and addressed promptly.
Whether you’re doing the roofing inspection yourself or calling in professional roofers, it’s important to document everything. This will help you later on when you file a claim with your home insurance provider.
Dealing With Your Home Insurance Company
Severe storms tend to cause significant roof damage. You have to notify your home insurance provider as soon as possible when such damage occurs. While your first thought will be to contact a professional roofing company, never forget that your home insurance provider is supposed to cover part of the roof repair or replacement costs. Of course, this assumes that your home insurance policy covers storm-related roofing damages. Always review your home insurance policy to ensure that storm damage coverage is a part of it.
For minor repairs like displaced shingles, you may be tempted to perform them yourself. However, this may be inadvisable if there is a clause in your home insurance policy that prohibits such do-it-yourself repairs. That’s why it’s always wise to read through the terms and conditions of your home insurance policy. Attempting repairs by yourself could void any insurance coverage. If the storm-related roof damage was extensive and you attempt to repair it yourself, you could find yourself in a situation where you have to sue your insurance provider because they refused to cover the costs. This could lead to an unnecessary legal battle that could cost you more in the long run.
Sometimes, your home insurance provider may want to send an adjuster to conduct an independent assessment of the roof damage before covering any costs.
Repair or Replacement?
Depending on the extent of the roof damage due to a storm, you may need to repair or replace your roof. However, it’s difficult to make this determination without calling in professional roofers.
It’s also crucial to remember that your insurance company may have to collaborate with a roofing company when determining the cost of roof repairs or replacement. If you’ve chosen to hire a roofing company to inspect your roof after a storm, it’s always best to keep a receipt of everything they do, from the inspection itself to any repairs or replacements. These will come in handy when filing and processing your claim with your home insurance provider.
Safety
If you choose to inspect your roof after a storm, always be mindful of your safety. This is especially true if you choose to get on top of your roof to do the inspection. Sometimes the roof may sustain significant underlying damage without being visible. You may end up falling through the roof as a result of such underlying damage. That’s why it’s advisable to call professional roofers for the inspection. It’ll save you a lot of trouble and possible injuries.
