What to Do if a Storm Damages Your Roof in Slidell

When it comes to dealing with inclement weather and the elements, your roof is your home’s first line of defense. And as much as you’d love to, predicting when damaging weather is coming for your home and where it will hit is far more fantasy than reality. So what should you do if you suspect your roof has been damaged? It’s important to have a clear understanding of the proper steps that should be taken when the roof of your home has been damaged.

1. Safely Assess The Roof For Damage.

The first step after you experience severe weather is to assess the damage. An approximate damage assessment from a trusted local roofing team can help you discuss your needs with your insurance company or contractor and avoid unforeseen costs or discrepancies. It’s important to make such assessments in daylight after inclement weather has passed. If the storm clears at night, you may want to consider moving to the next step below and come back to this one before assessing the damage.

Identify Damaged Areas.

Gather your best estimate of the general square foot area and specific details of the area that has been damaged. Note the severity of the damage, and look carefully to see if there are areas of missing shingles. Depending on the severity of some cases, only a few random shingles will be missing. Check for and document visible or exposed materials such as exposed plywood, tarpaper, or the ends of missing shingles. If you have additional shingles from past roofing projects, the shingle color may be stamped on the end of the package.

2. Make Short-Term Patches to Minimize Property Damage.

Interior property can be severely damaged by leaking water if the roof is severely damaged in an area directly above a living space. To prevent further interior damage, be sure to place a bucket or garbage can under leaks and remove any valuables in the area and store them in a dry location. Serious damage may need to be waterproofed quickly using a strapped tarping method, while smaller repairs can be shingled immediately.

3. Contact Your Insurance Company, They Can Help!

Once you’ve assessed the damage and made the necessary fixes, it’s time to contact your insurance company. If an evaluation of the damage deems that it’s large enough to be covered through home insurance, it can be beneficial to use your homeowner’s insurance as contractors can become busy, particularly in times of natural disaster when large residential areas are hit by a storm or other severe weather. In evaluations of lesser damage, it would be more economical to hire a contractor directly for any necessary repairs.

4. Contact A Trustworthy Contractor To Repair The Roof.

If you decide that a private contractor is the best solution for your roof and your budget, make sure to always hire a professional certified roofing contractor in Slidell. Avoid contractors who are in the area because of a natural disaster. These traveling contractors, also known as storm chasers, may not have a trustworthy reputation to uphold – if they have a reputation in your area at all – and may provide substandard workmanship. The last thing you need is to hire a second contractor to repair the shoddy work of a storm chaser, so choose the right local team for your job!

If you are experiencing any of these signs in Slidell or are concerned about your roof, please contact the experts at Bergens Roofing for a free roof evaluation.