Mother nature can be hard predict, and as a homeowner it’s hard to know when disaster will strike your roof. In those situations it’s important to stay calm and make sure you know what steps need to be taken. Whether it be wind, rain, snow or hail – all can damage a shingle roof.
What To Do After A Hail Storm?
Once the storm has passed, the first thing to do is to evaluate the damage. Once you have an idea of what the damage might be it will be much easier to talk about it with your insurance company/contractor. This helps to avoid any unnecessary costs or discrepancies. Be sure to examine your roof during the daylight so you can clearly see the damage. Using a pair of binoculars can be extremely helpful. Try and estimate the square foot area of the roof that has been damaged. Really look carefully to see if there are any missing shingles, and if there are missing shingle, how many.
Document everything that you see. This includes all parts beneath your shingles that are visibly exposed. This could be exposed plywood, tar paper, and even the ends of missing shingles. Note the color and condition of the material.
Dealing With The Insurance Company
If your roof has extreme damage above a living space, such as a leak, place a bucket or garbage can under it and remove anything around it. If the damage is too severe, it may need to be waterproofed. Using a strapped tard method or ice and water membrane, could work as a quick fix until you can have a professional fix it.
Next you will want to contact your insurance company. You will need to evaluate whether or not the damage is able to be covered by your home insurance. It could end up being more economical to hire a contractor for repairs due to a natural disaster. However when nature strikes a large residential area, it can be beneficial to use your homeowners insurance as contractors can become busy.
And finally, if it is necessary – contact a reliable contractor to repair the roof. Avoid travelling contractors who follow storms. Many of these contractors provide substandard work and end up scamming people desperate to have their roof repaired.
