Facts, Opinions, and Everything In Between: Roofing Edition

Posted on: 17 June 2022

After your roof is damaged by a storm, there are several things you can do before repairs start to keep your home safe. Clearing out affected areas of your home, removing potential sources of damage outdoors, and protecting your home from more storm damage in the meantime can help keep things from getting worse before major repairs begin.

Remove Valuables From the Area

Before anything else, it's important to clear out spaces in your home near damaged parts of your roof. There are two main reasons for this: the first is that this will help prevent any more of your belongings from being damaged in subsequent storms or from current leaking. The second reason is that it's helpful for safety purposes to keep the area as clear as possible. This makes repairs easier for your roofing contractor, and decreases the likelihood of injury should anything fall or collapse.

Call for an Inspection

After a storm, getting a professional inspection is useful regardless of the extent of the damage. Some damage, like that caused by hail, might not be very visible at first. However, if you have asphalt shingles, hail can cause heavy granule loss, and this damage can build on itself even during normal weather as shingles expand and contract due to heat. Getting a close inspection in cases like these can make it much more likely that you'll catch possible damage early on and have it fixed before it can get worse.

Take Temporary Measures

It can take some time for repairs to even begin, especially if a storm has caused damage to many roofs in your area. To that end, taking temporary measures to prevent flooding and to prevent current damage from getting worse is very important.

One effective way to do this is to tarp your roof. When done properly, this can provide protection against even strong storms.

Another thing you can do is clear the surrounding area of things that might cause a problem. For example, if you have large trees with branches that hang near or over your room, you can make sure they're preemptively trimmed so there's less of a risk that any branches will fall or scrape against your roof. Ask your roofing professional during inspection if there's anything nearby that could pose a risk to your roof; they may be able to take care of it for you immediately.

Document Damages

Before you get too far along in the process, document the extent of the storm damage as meticulously as possible. This is primarily for the purpose of filing an insurance claim, but it can also help your roofing contractor as well when it's time for inspection.

At this stage, it's also a good idea to get a few estimates on how much repairs will cost, and it can help you to have as much written down as possible, such as estimates and receipts. Further, when filing your claim, take your cues from what your insurance representative tells you; that is, before accepting any offers for repairs or replacements, make sure you're following your insurance's guidelines. This can help you avoid any confusion and help you make sure you are paid or reimbursed for everything you need.

For more information, reach out to a company such as Bauer Roofing Siding Windows & Doors Inc.