Many different types of storms can damage your roofing. Some of the larger weather events that can impact your home include tornadoes, heavy rain and even strong winds. Just as you would have a plan for your family during a severe weather event, so should you have one after the event occurs. A big part of the post-storm process is assessing the exterior of your home. Many times, that starts with your roof.
How to assess storm damage to your roof
After a storm, start by walking around the perimeter of your home to visually assess any storm damage. Document dents, missing elements on your roof or home, items in the yard that may have moved, causing damage to your home, etc. it is important to know what to look for in damages so when the time comes you can make a list and take photos to document the damages.
Roof and other external home areas to assess after a storm
Shingles
Leave scaling your home or building to the professionals when assessing your roof. We recommend you stay safe by looking at your roof from the ground or from a window inside your home. See if you can spot any cracked or missing shingles which can lead to water leaking into your attic or home. Keep an eye out for hammering or denting on your valley metals, roof vents and flashing around plumbing pipes as you assess, too.
Debris
You will also want to look for any debris, leaves or big sticks that have fallen onto your roof. If you spot any of this, it’s recommended that you remove it (if you are able to do so safely) as soon as possible so that it doesn’t ruin the integrity of the roofing materials. You don’t want debris to end up in your gutters; this can cause them to clog. If the debris is too large to clear on your own or in a precarious position, call a professional.
Attic
A good place to check for underlying water intrusion is in the attic. If you have relatively easy access to a scuttle, pop your head up with a flashlight and camera. Many undetected water leaks take life off your roof decking (the wooden surface underneath the shingles or roofing system) and cause rot and further issues without you even knowing it’s happening. Rotted decking can cause significant rippling in the roofing system and will create a hazard for anybody working on or inspecting the roof. Rotted decking can also add thousands of dollars in cost when it comes time to replace your roof.
After you’ve assessed your storm damage
Once you have done all your examinations of the roof, attic and surrounding external areas of your home, the next step is to reach out to a general contractor you can trust who specializes in external home repairs. You’ll need the assistance of an exteriors contractor who is familiar with the insurance process.
A trusted, professional contractor can assess the damage safely and professionally; getting onto your roof without the proper tools and experience can be dangerous. Contractors will assess the damage, take pictures, explain what they see and provide you with an estimated cost to repair. A quality roofing contractor can also help you navigate the insurance process, removing the headaches of attempting it on your own.
If you are unsure if your home needs a storm damage assessment, you are stressed about the insurance process or have general questions about the storm damage repair process, please get in touch. We are here to help from start to finish providing as much guidance and explanation along the way as you need.
Grab a copy of our FREE Storm Damage Checklist to walk you through the process of assessing your home after a storm.