Disasters, unfortunately, happen all of the time. But because mother nature is not always so kind, we are prepared for natural disasters. When they happen though, we do not always know what to do. It can be overwhelming when something such as roof damage occurs. We at Varner Roofing are here to help you though and guide you through what to do when roof storm damage happens to you.
Assess All Damage
The first thing you need to do when you fall victim to roof storm damage is to find all the damaged spots. You should go around your whole home looking for damage. Check not only the outside but also inside of the attic, and the ceilings and at light fixtures looking for leaks or physical damage. As you find damage make sure to document it by taking pictures and videos, while also making note of how damaged certain areas are. This will help you down the line when you need to relay information about the damage.
Make a Temporary Fix
Once you have assessed the damage, it is important to work quickly to patch up anything you can. Using tarps you can cover any holes that there can be in the roof itself. If you are experiencing leaking as well you can use buckets or bowls, or whatever you have lying around that can catch any water that could come through your roof. You also should clear the area that has damage. If you have a hole in your roof in a living area, clear the space so as to not damage anything else with water. Try to just make it as waterproof as you can.
Contact Your Insurance Company
With your home now as watertight as you could make it, it is time to contact your insurance company. File a claim and then decide whether to use your homeowner’s insurance, or hire a contractor directly. Weigh out your options before deciding. Also take into account that in times of natural disaster where many homes are damaged, contractors can be booked solid, so the quickest option is sometimes using your insurance.
Find a Reputable Contractor
If you do decide to hire a contractor directly, it is important to know what kind of things to look for in one. For starters, you want to make sure you are hiring a certified roofing contractor. As well as being certified, you want to pick someone reputable with good references. You, for instance, do not want to hire a traveling contractor who happens to be in town after a big storm. Instead, take your time looking for someone who will get the job done right.
We at Varner Roofing pride ourselves in our seasoned and professional contractors. With honest evaluations and transparent pricing you will get excellent service and peace of mind knowing that your roof was serviced by contractors who care. Get a free quote today!
All in all it is important to take the right steps when it comes to dealing with roof storm damage. It can feel like a lot at once, but with guidance it is a lot less overwhelming. Really you just have to find all the damage, temporarily fix what you can at least enough to keep out the elements, contact your insurance, and then if you decide to, hire a contractor. Storm damage is scary, let us help you out at Varner Roofing.