Chances are you’ve encountered some effects of rough weather, no matter which state you live in. Heavy rainfall, falling hailstones, and strong winds result in devastating damages like ripped shingles, falling trees, and damaged fences. And after all these unexpected disasters, you are left wondering what step to take. Here are 9 steps to follow as you seek the best storm damage service.
Step 1: Assess the Damage
The first thing to do after your roof sustains significant storm damage is to assess it. Identify the cause to document all the damage signs. The first cause of roof storm damage is the wind, like the hurricane, which can move at around 157 miles per hour, according to National and Central Pacific Hurricane Centers. Winds can remove and tear shingles, leaving the roof deck, waterproofing material, and underlayment exposed to the elements.
The second cause of roof storm damage is hailstones, which last only 15 minutes. Hailstones knock shingle granules loose, leaving dents and pockmarks on the surface. This damages the aesthetic look and also exposes the inner shingle layer to sun and rain damage. Hailstones also weaken the shingle edges, making them fall off the roof.
The third cause of the roof storm damage is the standing water due to heavy rain. Standing water can penetrate the roof, causing moisture to the inner parts. This can lead to mold and mildew growth between the roof underlayment and the attic. Standing water is also caused by clogged gutters due to loose shingle granules.
The last cause of the roof storm damage is the falling debris, which is normally the tree leaves and sand from the neighborhood. Debris hits the shingle surface, causing dents that allow moisture penetration afterward. Leaves can also rot on the roof and damage the aesthetics.
To determine the best storm damage service and preventative measures, you must understand which of the above storms causes has damaged your roof. First, observe safety and walk around the house perimeter to visually inspect the roof. Check the shingle condition using a ladder and later assess the gutter for granules. Finally, check the attic and the ceiling for leaks and water spots as you take photos.
Step 2: Do Temporary Repairs
It’s not always right to contact a roofing contractor before doing some temporary repairs because they can show up late. If the storm has caused damage to your roof, you may not be the only homeowner facing the problem. Several homeowners in your area may call roofers due to the same disaster. So, the roofers may be busy and respond to your calls later.
Ideally, check if the water is pooling on the gutters and find a way to remove it. If gutter drain pipes are clogged, find a smaller steel construction metal and try to unclog any debris inside. This will allow pooling water to drain, and the water leakages will stop. Pooling water left for an extended time will leak and damage the interior deco or cause mold growth.
The second step in temporary repairs is using a tarp to cover the roofing if rain is still falling. This will prevent further damage to the interior deco. However, if you don’t have a large-size tarp, you can move some of the house items to a safer place like the shed. If you have children and pets, you can find a safer room or rent a roof in a nearby hotel for them.
Finally, you’d want to stay safe from electrocution as you seek the best storm damage service for your home. So, switch off the electricity at the main switch because leaking water coming into contact with the wiring can result in further damage. If the basement is flooded, you can start finding a solution to remove the water and save the floor from further damage.
Step 3: Seek a Roofers Advice
Contact a trusted and professional roofer to help you assess the damage and determine who to call later. For instance, roof shingles can sustain damages due to storms, but your local home builder may have poorly installed them. Because it’s the installation fault, the contractor’s insurance can cover the replacement or repair costs. In the same case, if it was the shingle manufacturer’s fault; the manufacturer will be responsible for the repair if you have a warranty.
Experienced roofers can help you with inspection and prepare a good report that you can use to file a claim to the insurance for the best storm damage service. Luckily, if you have a good connection with the roofer, they can offer this service for free. For example, if you call the roofer who performs regular roof maintenance for your home, they can help you assess the damage for free.
On the other hand, if they are a reliable residential or commercial asphalt contractor, you can get their estimate and present it to the insurance company for consideration. If the insurance company chooses them, they’ll get the contract. However, ensure you get reasonable prices; else, avoid if the deal is too good or the prices are exaggerated.
Step 4: Call Your Roof Manufacturer
Roofing warranties don’t cover damages caused by natural disasters like the storm. However, the warranty can cover repairs if you provide evidence that faulty roofing materials caused the damage. For example, if the roofing shingles could withstand the storm, but due to manufacturing defects, they were ripped off, that’s the manufacturer’s fault, and you have the right to claim the warranty.
Mostly, the warranties are valid for a few years after the installation. Whenever you notice damage due to the manufacturer’s fault, they assess it and give you replacement materials for free. The only thing you do is hire a contractor whom you will pay from your pocket.
Step 5: Call Your Insurance Company
If the damage wasn’t a result of the manufacturer’s or the roofing contractor’s fault, you can call the homeowner’s insurance at last. Homeowner insurance might pay you to find the best storm damage service if your claim is viable. There are a few things you should ensure they are in order to prevent your insurance claim from being denied.
You must have taken all the preventative measures before the storm damage happened. For instance, you must remove any rotten tree within your yard before it causes damage. If the tree falls during the storm and the insurance company assesses and notes it has a rotten stem, they can deny your claim.
Also, ensure your roofing was well maintained before the storm damage happened. For example, check for any rusted shingle nails regularly. When they visit for chimney servicing, you can request the chimney cleaning company‘s professionals to help you check any missing nails on the singles.
The other thing you need to confirm is the gutter’s condition. Ensure the gutters were not clogged by the tree leaves by the time the damage happened because if they caused water to pool, your claim might be denied by the insurer. Ideally, call gutter companies after the autumn season to clear the gutters and drain pipes before winter knocks.
Before you can file a claim with your insurer, you must understand the type of policy you purchased. There are two roofing insurance policies for the roof. The first one is the Actual Cash Value(ACV). ACV means the insurance company will pay your roofing damages for its current state value. For instance, if the roofing was valued at $100000 at the time of installation but has depreciated to $65000 at the time of damage, you will be paid $65000.
Unfortunately, you must cover the depreciated cost from your pocket with the ACV. The claims adjuster calculates the depreciation after assessing the roof condition. Afterward, the adjuster estimates its remaining lifespan to determine its current value. ACV insurance policy is recommended for older roofs.
The second policy is the Replacement Cost Value(RCV). The insurance company agrees to pay you what it would cost to replace the roof with a comparable new roof. So, if your roof was valued at $100000 at the time of installation, you will receive $100000 to purchase new materials and seek the best storm damage service. Some companies may involve the claim adjuster to research new materials comparable to your roofing materials.
RCV is better because if the adjuster finds that the prices of the materials have gone high due to inflation, you will receive a higher amount to cater for the project. The RCV policy costs more than the ACV and is normally purchased for newer roofs. Once you understand the policies, you can file the claim.
Most of the time, you’ll find the insurance company intimidating when filling a claim. But fear not because the policy outlines the perils clearly. A peril is a type of damage that the insurance would pay, for example, storm-related damage. There are some damages that most insurers don’t cover, for example, the earthquake. Confirm the peril and document it with photos for evidence.
The insurance company will send the claim adjuster to your home and later ask you to provide estimates from reputable roofing contractors. A good contractor must have certifications, liability insurance, and worker’s compensation coverage. Normally, the insurance chooses the one that will offer the best storm damage service at a lower estimate.
Step 6: Get Roof Repairs Done
If you have the RCV policy, the insurer will give you a cheque worth the ACV, and later after confirming the project was done as per the claim, you’ll receive the second cheque to cover the rest of the amount. Ensure you get a reliable shingle supplier to deliver the exact shingle type the claim adjuster documented.
The insurance should cover the roofing cost as well as other related damages. For instance, if the fallen trees damage the siding, you’ll also find a siding contractor to repair the siding. The siding materials will be included in the compensation if you document everything as required when filing the claim.
A reliable material supplier will offer you warranties if the material gets damaged due to a manufacturing fault. On the other hand, your contractor’s insurance will cover the repair costs if you get future damages due to their installation fault. After the roofing repairs, inspect the roof and ensure everything is in order. Take the photos and send them to the insurer for confirmation.
Step 7: Repair Other Damages and Do Maintenance
Your home would look better with a new roof and some additional renovations. You can decide to do the paving service to completely give your home a new look. The benefit of doing these services after the insurance claim is that you’ll spend less.
Mostly, the roofing is the most costly part of home remodeling you can do. It involves tampering with the whole structure, which consists of the deck, waterproofing, and underlayment materials. You can also do garage door repair and home repainting, which are minor projects that can create a big difference to your home.
The other important thing you can do to increase your home comfort is floor coating services. Hire a floor coating company to improve your basement floor. This will help reduce mold and mildew growth as well as save energy. A well-coated basement floor will be water resistant in case of another storm or roof leakages.
Step 8: Prepare for Future Storms
After performing the best storm damage service, you must apply preventative measures to ensure you are safe from future predictable storms. The first step to take is to trim the trees surrounding the house. Tree branches can severely damage the roof when a storm happens.
After performing the best storm damage service, the second thing is to invest in a good home fence. A good fence will act as a wind blocker when a storm comes with strong winds. Ideally, plant trees around the fence line because they also help block the wind. Moreover, invest in hurricane screens to protect your window panes from flying debris.
Step 9: Review Your Homeowners Insurance Policy
After swapping the old roof for the new roof and doing some other repairs, you’d want to review the insurance policy. Knowing that your most prized investment is protected will give you peace of mind. But your insurance premiums will go up because of the home’s value increase.
Consider the above steps for the best storm damage service and preventative measures as a homeowner. Ensure you have the warranties and the homeowner insurance to protect your investment. Additionally, hire reputable contractors for roofing and other home projects. Finally, invest in a home alarm system to seek help if storms pose a life danger to your family.