Hard Work & Innovation: The Job of a Roofer

Your roof is designed to protect you, your loved ones, and your valuable possessions from the elements. But when a severe storm strikes, it may not be strong enough to withstand the impact. Turbulent weather, including heavy rain, wind, hail, and ice, may tear away some parts of the roof or even cause internal roof damage. 

When the storm ends, it's time to think about roof storm damage repair. Here are four steps to follow to ensure everything goes back to normal. 

Assess the Damage

Before everything else:

• Assess the damage caused by the storm
• Walk around your house's perimeter and note any visible damage to your roof
• Check if you can see damaged/missing shingles, exposed plywood or tar paper, damaged gutters, and vents.
• Check the roof from inside the house to see if there is any visible damage, such as leaks and damaged ceiling. 

As you carry out these assessments, ensure you record everything and take photos where necessary. This will help you when communicating your needs to a roofing contractor or insurance company to avoid discrepancies or unforeseen costs.

Make Temporary Fixes to Reduce Property Damage

You may realize there is something you can do to protect your property. Perhaps there is a minor leak that is allowing water inside the house, in which case, you can position a bucket under the leak and remove any valuables around that area to prevent further damage. You may also use a tarp to cover the leaks. 

However, these measures shouldn't be taken as long-term solutions, no matter how effective they are. They are only temporary fixes until professional roofers arrive. 

Contact a Roofing Contractor

Even if there is no visible damage on your roof, it's always a good idea to contact a roofing contractor after a storm. They will inspect your roof to give an accurate assessment of the damage. With their experience, you can be sure no problem will be overlooked, even if it's invisible to your untrained eyes.

Correct damage assessment means they will also provide an accurate estimate of roof storm damage repairs. This will be helpful, especially if you need to file insurance claims. When inspections are over, you can rely on the contractors for high-quality repairs to get your roof back in shape. 

Inform Your Insurance Company

Upon receiving a roofing repair estimate from your contractor, you should inform your insurer about it immediately. If storms are covered in your policy, the insurer may offset some or all of the repair costs. 

Your insurer may send an adjuster to check the roof damage. The damage report and estimate from your roofing contractor will be essential to you getting a fair assessment. You can even ask your contractor to be physically present to ensure everything goes smoothly. 

To get more information, contact a company near you that provides residential roofing services.