What to Do in Case of Roofing Disasters
As a homeowner, you can rarely predict when bad weather will affect your home, especially if the storm will damage your roof. It’s important to understand the right steps to take when your home roof is damaged. Windstorms, severe rains, and snow and ice can damage a shingle roof.
1. Evaluate the roof damage.
After severe weather, the first step is to assess the damage. Approximate damage estimates will help you negotiate your needs with your client or contractor and avoid unexpected costs or inconsistencies. This is usually only possible during daylight, so in some cases, you may want to skip the next step before start evaluating the damage.
Use binoculars as you look at your roof to find damaged areas. Estimate the total square foot area. Be aware of damage extent and see if patches of damaged shingles remain. Few odd shingles are missing in some situations. If some materials are visible or exposed, then there may be roof damage. Find bare stone, fabric, or broken shingle ends. Remember the original color of your shingles and the new asphalt product color. In the past, there are some extra shingles included in the kit to be used as a replacement.
2. Apply temporary adjustments to mitigate property damage.
Dripping rain can affect the interior of your home. If the roof is severely damaged in an area that is directly above the living area, then you’ve got a problem. Use a bucket to catch the leaking water to prevent further damage indoors. Remove all valuables in the room. Using an ice and water membrane or a strapped tarping procedure, serious damage can be quickly water-resistant, while minor repairs can be shingled immediately.
3. Contact your insurance company.
Tell your insurance provider about the situation. It would be more economical to assess whether the damage is large enough to get the insurance company involved or to hire a contractor directly for the necessary repairs. In natural disasters, when storms or other harsh weather hit large residential areas, homeowners’ insurance can help greatly.
4. Hire a reliable contractor to repair the roof.
When hiring a private contractor, always employ a certified professional roofing contractor. Avoid companies that are only around when a natural disaster strikes. Traveling companies that follow the storms are unreputable and usually provide low-level work.
Where to Get the Best Roofing Services
If you want to make sure that you get only the best roofing services, you must find the most experienced asphalt roofing contractors in your area. Make a shortlist of these companies, preferably five or more of them.
Then do your research or background check. Verify with independent organizations like the BBB and the local government to determine how reputable the companies are. You also want to request a quote from these companies so you can compare their rates side by side.
Pick the best roofing company from your shortlist. Choose the one that you’re confident that will provide great services at the least possible rate. It would help if you ask trusted people and other experts for help when deciding.
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