The force of storms may affect roofs severely or not at all. Nobody can interfere with Mother Nature’s old tricks, but everybody faces a small or major problem at one point, especially when the roof is old, some damage is not fixed, or the storm was merciless. After a heavy storm, it’s wise to have the shingles inspected by a roofing pro as a precaution. You can never tell with roofs, unless they start leaking or parts of them collapse. But how would you know if your roof is damaged or not after a storm if you don’t check it? So, here’s the 5 steps to take after a storm.
Evaluate roof damage
If you feel that you can check the roof alone, that’s fine. If not, hire a roofing contractor. Evaluating roof damage down to the last detail is not easy. And things get tougher and much more complicated when the roof is large or has an odd shape. Your attempt to check the roof might not be fruitful if you don’t have any experience with roofs at all and it might become risky if you lack the physical capacity – let alone that it might not be safe to step on the roof if there’s a suspicion for damage. But if you feel like climbing up there to check the condition of the roof yourself, make a note of the following:
• How many shingles are missing?
• Is part of the roof dented? Are some shingles broken?
• Check the flashing around the chimney, vents, skylights, etc. It might be missing or damaged.
• Will you need gutter repair too? Check the gutters – their condition, if there’s still water trapped in them, if some sections are damaged, etc.
• Try to estimate the square foot area of damage and how severe the damage is.
• Take photos of the roof damage.
Assess damage inside the house
One of the first things to check inside the house is possible roof leaks. Pay attention to the attic, but don’t miss checking all parts of the house. Water might find its way through cracked window sealants, doors, drywall, etc. It won’t necessarily drip from the ceiling. But when you go up in the attic, check the structure of the ceiling – in case, there’s damage.
Check the yard and the surroundings
Walk around the yard to see if there’s any sign of roof storm damage. Clay tiles and asphalt shingles, for example, might have be blown off during the storm and fallen in the yard. The downspout might be damaged. Part of the gutters might be hanging.
Document everything for your insurance company
If there’s roof storm damage, it’s best for you to call your insurance company. It’s critical that you file a claim quickly so that you’ll be compensated for the required repairs and any roof service that will be necessary due to the storm. Pictures of the roof storm damage provide good evidence for insurance companies. Although they come to take pictures too, do take some photos of the damage done due to the storm.
Contact a local roof contractor
If there’s damage, there’s also a need for roofing services. And it’s important to find a reliable local contactor with the experience to fix the type of your roof and the storm damage. Avoid roofing contractors, who promise a quick fix, charge a lot, and hardly do any work. A storm can really take its toll on the roof and so the roofer must have the expertise to fix the damage so that you won’t feel the repercussions of the storm next time it rains. From the flashing and the gutters to the shingles, anything may be wrong up there and only a reputable pro should be trusted for the roof repair. So, make thorough research before you hire a contractor to be sure you get your roof fixed without extra headaches.
