What to Do When You Suffer Roof Damage From a Hurricane

Hurricanes have caused nearly $150 billion worth of damage each year over the past five years! That’s a lot of cash to spend on recovering from a storm.

One of the most common issues people experience is hurricane roof damage. Not only can this be expensive, but it can even prove to be a danger to your family.

If you’ve experienced hurricane damage, there are steps you need to take to:

• Assess the situation 📝
• Make the right repairs 🛠
• Take precautions in the future 👷
• Get your life back on track 🏠

Let’s explore this topic in detail below so you can take action and make roof repairs as soon as possible!

Assess the Damage

First, you’ll need to take a look at all the damage. There’s a good chance there are more than just a few missing shingles.

After a hurricane, it’s even possible to have entire sections of your roof missing! You should document this damage as best as possible.

Using a camera or smartphone is a great way to do so. If you choose to get on the roof, be careful!

You never know what parts might have been weakened by the storm. You should also avoid getting on your roof until the weather has cleared up. Strong winds can come out of nowhere and send you to the ground.

Make Temporary Fixes (If Necessary)

You might need to make temporary fixes before the professionals show up.

This is especially true for people who have leaks in their homes. Do your best to work around the problem until you can find a permanent solution. You could attempt to plug a leak, for example.

Or, you could use the tried-and-true bucket method to catch the water. No matter how you do it, or member that it’s only temporary. The real fix will come soon enough.

Call Your Insurance Company

Not all roofing damage is something an insurance company will cover. After a hurricane, though, there’s a pretty good chance that you can file a claim.

Unfortunately, many insurance companies are constantly looking for ways to pay as little money as possible. Some might even look for ways to outright deny your claim.

The sooner you get in touch with them, the better. You should also provide as much evidence as you can, such as photographs of the damage.

Leveraging your homeowner’s insurance coverage is a great way to get repairs started after huge storms, as many local companies often become overwhelmed with customers.

Look For a Contractor

Once you’ve contacted your insurance company, you can start looking for contractors. However, be careful how you source them! Not all workers are created equal, and you don’t want to find this out the hard way.

Search for someone who is highly experienced and has great attention to detail. The last thing you want is to pay for them to fix your roof and still have problems shortly after.

If you choose to work with a firm, contact their customer support team and pay attention to how they communicate with you. They should have no trouble connecting you with the right options.

If they seem dismissive or uninterested in helping you reach your goals, you should shop around for other options. You should also be sure that they offer a warranty on their work!

Take Preventive Measures

Believe it or not, there are ways to help prevent roof damage from hurricanes in the future.

One of the best steps to take is to cut down large bushes or trees near your home. When a big storm comes through, you run the risk of these plants falling on top of your roof and damaging it.

High winds could also cause branches to break off and turn them into projectiles. Using a durable roofing material is also essential.

When you hire a contractor for roof repairs, be sure to ask them how durable the replacement material is. You should also have them assess the current integrity of your roof. For example, let’s assume that you purchased your house five years ago, but your roof is 15 years old.

They might recommend that you replace your entire roof over the next few years so you can better prevent damage in the future. Although a situation like this can be expensive, you could end up paying even more money if a hurricane hits your home later on.

Ask For Advice

You might be new to a state that deals with hurricanes. Or, you may have never dealt with roof-related storm damage before. If you find yourself having issues with your situation, don’t be afraid to ask for advice.

You could ask friends, family, etc. what they did in the past to manage roof damage.

You could also ask the contractor you work with what your best course of action is. As long as you hire someone reputable, you won’t have to worry about them staring you in the wrong direction. This can go a long way when it comes to helping you get the best results.

Repair Your Hurricane Roof Damage

Left unchecked, hurricane roof damage can cause a large number of issues that you’re better off avoiding. Keep the above tips in mind so that you can take the appropriate course of action.

This will help keep your home looking beautiful and keep your family safe. Get in touch with us today at Buckworth Roofing to see how we can help. Our expert team is ready to get you back on track as soon as possible!