Rain,
hail or even wind can cause roof
damage during a storm. And in northeast
Ohio, we get a lot of storms—during every season of the year. So it's
imperative you know when to call the pros and get repairs done before damage
seeps indoors.
Here, Cleveland, Ohio, roofing pros share their
top tips for assessing and repairing roofs following a Northeastern storm.
7 Reliable Storm Damage Restoration Tips
Unfortunately,
there are many ways your home can suffer storm damage: trees falling, siding
being torn off by high winds, lightning strikes and hail. If you find yourself
in one of these situations, the best thing to do is act fast and stay safe.
Tip #1 Have a Plan in Place:
The rain doesn’t stop just because there is a
hole in your roof. By having a trusted storm damage restoration professional to
turn to, you can get immediate service. The company will board or tarp your
roof to stop any further water from entering your home.
Tip #2 Check for Damage Indoors:
If you have an attic, check it for leaks or water
stains. Water in your home will likely lead to structural repairs and roofing
patches or replacement.
Tip #3 Identify the Damage:
Without putting yourself in harm’s way, look for
missing shingles and exposed or missing metal fascia. If you can see your
chimney from the ground, look to see if there were any metal pieces displaced
there, as well. Finally, look for damage done to areas where the roof meets the
outside walls of your home, as well as to any exhaust pipes.
If
your home was hit by lightning, look for evidence of burns or fire damage. If
there was hail during the storm, assess your roof for hail damage.
Tip # 4: Document the Damage:
Take photos as close as you can without causing
further damage to you or your roof, and also back up to get images of the
entirety of the damage. These photos can help with your insurance claim later
on.
Tip #5 Have Your Roof Professional Present During
an Insurance Review:
When it
comes to analyzing damage, you will want a seasoned pro available to help your
insurance broker assess the damage and ensure all your costs will be covered.
While insurance agents may have your best interests at heart, they may not be
trained contractors. Storm damage can cause seen and unseen damage. Your
roofing professional will be able to help identify any hidden issues that may
lead to the weakened structural integrity of your home.
Tip #6 Remove Debri Carefully:
Should there be a tree or large branches on your
roof, you will want to remove them with extreme caution, as to not endanger yourself
or your home further. In fact, it is best to let the professionals remove any
debri to lower the risk of further damage. Your insurance company may require
professional removal to keep costs down.
Note:
If
a tree fell on your roof, you will want to avoid the affected area of your home
until a professional can inspect the structural damage.
Tip #7 Hold on to Everything: Keep receipts of all work done, either by
yourself or vendors. If you cover a window or fill a hole, that counts. Your
insurance policy may cover reimbursement when you file a claim.
Final Touch Construction is just a phone call away.
Contact us for emergency storm damage service.
