Residents of Alabama, especially those living along the Gulf Coast, understand that they can never be too prepared for severe weather. The average hurricane season produces intense storms with high winds, tornadoes and coastal and inland flooding, which can cause tremendous roof damage to your home.
The question now is: How to deal with roof damage after a natural disaster? When this happens, it is crucial to contact a company that can provide emergency residential roof repair services to repair the storm damage as quickly as possible.
In this blog post we’ll cover what you need to do immediately following a severe storm, how to document the damage for your insurance company, and how High Tide Contracting and Roofing can help you through the roof repair process.
Assess the damage to your roof
Once the storm has passed and it is safe to enter your home, you can inspect the storm damage to the roof from the ground.
Common signs of roof damage include missing shingles, dents in metal roofs or vents, visual leaks and a variety of debris blown onto your roof.
These need to be addressed as quickly as possible to avoid further, costly damage to your home and its contents. Hiring an emergency roof repair company is your next step to protecting your home and its structure.
Take temporary measures to mitigate roof damage
High Tide Contracting and Roofing offers temporary roof repair and tarping services for homeowners who have sustained damage to their roofs.
There are a variety of temporary measures including installing large, blue tarps or temporary patches that can stop additional damage and help keep the interior of your home dry. These need to be put in place immediately to avoid more costly repairs.
Document the damage for your insurance company
If your home is insured, you will want to take extensive photos of the damage caused by the storm as well as detailed documentation and photos of any damaged possessions. It is also a good idea to take photos of the exterior and interior of your home along with any personal property items prior to the storm for additional documentation and proof of damages caused by the storm.
Make sure to capture all damage caused by the wind and rain to your home’s structure and roof. This information will be used when you file the claims with your insurance company.
File a roof repair insurance claim with your insurance company
You will need to file a claim as soon as possible. Check with your insurance company to understand the steps necessary to file a claim.
Typically, the insurance company will send out a representative to assess the damage and determine what was caused by wind, rain (flooding) or both. When possible, always be present during this assessment.
It is also a good idea to be familiar with what weather-related damages are covered by your policy and information about a deductible (even before a storm hits).
In Alabama, some insurance policies have different coverage for wind damage versus other damages. Check your policy!
Hire a professional roofing contractor
Insurance fraud is a real thing! It is very important to avoid contractors that inflate their costs, want to collect money in advance and not complete a job or go door-to-door for work.
Check a contractor’s credentials before hiring them to do any work and request a detailed contract without any incomplete blanks. Always ask about the warranty for the work completed and if the workers are licensed and bonded. You can search the State of Alabama’s online website to verify the license status of an individual or entity.
As a GAF Certified Plus Contractor, our work has been recognized for excellence in the industry. That designation allows us to offer the GAF Silver Pledge Warranty, which extends the Manufacturing Defects Warranty and covers both materials and installation labor.
It also covers a 10-year Workmanship Warranty plus an additional 5-year Non-Prorated Coverage on their 30-Year StainGuard Plus PRO™ or 25-Year StainGuard Plus™ Algae Protection Limited Warranty, taking the non-prorated period to 15 years.
The roof repair process
Once a contractor has been hired, the process of repairing your roof, or replacing it, begins.
Be sure to ask about the timeline for the repairs, a written contract and any warranties. Make sure to understand each repair that is needed and the timeline for completing each.
A knowledgeable contractor will also work to ensure that local building codes are followed. The contractor should communicate any changes to the repair process with you and be open to any questions you may have.
Our roof repair (or replacement) process begins with a full inspection of your home and assessment of all damage.
Our team provides documentation that includes a proposal for the project’s details and a contract for the work to be completed.
At this point, the repair process will begin. All the materials needed will be delivered the day prior. Your property will be prepped for the work to ensure the safety of everyone.
Our team will arrive on time and perform the work. Once the job has been completed, the team will do a final inspection of each task and perform a thorough clean up. We always want to leave your property in “better” condition than when we arrived.
Preventative measures to prevent roof damage
Preventative maintenance provides peace of mind now and protects your investment long-term. Regular roof maintenance ensures your roof stays in good condition and extends its life.
Cleaning your roof’s shingles 1-2 times per year is important for maintaining their condition and ensuring the overall health of your roof.
Another step you can take to prolong the life of your roof is to have it FORTIFIED™. These are structural improvements designed to hold up to the extreme weather conditions to help lessen the impact and damage from local storms.
In addition, homeowners in Alabama can save up to 55% on homeowner’s insurance with a FORTIFIED™ roof.
Strengthen Alabama Homes grants of up to $10,000 are available to homeowners on a first come, first served basis with rolling dates throughout the year (the next dates are Oct. 1st/Oct. 3rd).
High Tide Contracting and Roofing can help you navigate this process and get your home FORTIFIED™! Contact us today to get started.
Conclusion
Handling roof damage following a hurricane, tropical storm or other natural disaster can be stressful and costly.
The high winds, wind-driven rain and possible tornados from local storms can really leave an already damaged home exposed to additional damage if repair is not completed as quickly as possible.
Following a storm, it is crucial to assess the damage and hire a trusted and experienced contractor like High Tide Contracting and Roofing to repair or replace your roof.
Keep in mind, this is the perfect time to have a FORTIFIED™ roof installed. So, the next time a storm blows in, your home and its contents will be better protected. Our customers know who to call when replacing or repairing their roof. We are happy to make a satisfied customer out of you too!