Recent reports of storm damage and devastation from hurricanes hitting the state of Florida have many homeowners wondering what should be done in the event of a weather catastrophe. While preparation is key to minimizing the damage, there are times when Mother Nature's onslaught is simply too much to handle, and your home may incur structural damage that will need to be repaired.
Your Roof: Holding It All Together
Quite often, your roof is one aspect of your home that takes the most significant beating after a catastrophic weather event like a hurricane or tornado. Knowing what to do after the storm is the first step toward protecting your most valuable asset. A quick visual inspection of both your roof and property should give you a good idea of what needs to be done next.
Damage From Wind
High winds' most significant danger is their ability to rip shingles and tiles right from your roof. Other parts of your roof and home may be torn into and punctured, leaving spots wide open and vulnerable to running water and driving rain.
Damage From Hail
Even quarter and pea-sized hail can cause significant damage to your roof and home if it is blown about by driving wind. Holes created by falling hail can cause problems immediately, or they may weaken a roof just enough to cause issues that won't make themselves readily apparent until the next big weather event.
Damage From Rain
Rain and water damage are the most common types of storm damage. Stained ceilings, mold, leaks, and other structural damage are all classic signs that water has entered your home, and your roof will likely need to be repaired or replaced. When leaks spring due to storm damage or even old age, your roof will expose the inner layers of its structure to moisture, and that is where the real problem begins.
Looking For Signs Of Weakness
There will be times when damage from a storm is obvious, like ceiling leaks or missing tiles and shingles. You might also see broken flashings and pooling water in areas that were once dry and clean. There are also unseen dangers lurking after a storm, issues only a trained roofing contractor might see. Having a qualified, professional roofing contractor look at your home and property is a wise idea to protect your home from further damage.
Next Steps After The Storm
Once you have determined that a significant storm has damaged your home and roof, take these steps to ensure you move through the repair and insurance claim process with minimal hiccups.
Document storm damage–take detailed notes and photos if you can safely do so. This documentation will be needed as you file an insurance claim.
Remove safety hazards–If you see broken tiles, shingles, and glass lying around your property, do your best to clean them up safely to not cause harm to you or your loved ones.
Submit an insurance claim–Report your damage to your insurance company as soon as possible. Time is of the essence when determining the authenticity of a claim, and your insurance company is likely to work more cooperatively with you shortly after a storm.
Call in a trusted roofing contractor–A good roofing contractor will assess the condition of your roof and make necessary documentation to help move you along in your claims process. If possible, schedule an assessment while you have your insurance adjuster look at the roof so they can work together to get you a fair representation as you move forward with claims and repair.
With Len's, Clean Up Is A Breeze!
While no one wants to deal with cleaning up after a storm, finding the right contractor to help with the job can certainly make the process easier. Len's Roofing professionals have all the necessary tools and experience to help you navigate the cleanup, repair, and restoration of your roof. Let us help you weather a difficult situation and take you through every step to find home security and peace of mind once more. Visit https://www.lensroofing.com/ or call us at 941-896-7897 to make an appointment today.