What To Do If Your Roof is Damaged in a Storm?

What Does Storm Damage to Roof Look Like?

Storm damage to the roof of a building can have a wide range of impacts, from minor cosmetic damage to extensive structural damage. Minor damages can include small cracks in the tiles or shingles, as well as areas of discoloration or faded paint caused by rain, hail and wind. More serious storm damage can include broken tiles or shingles; large dents from hail or debris; and twisted metal flashing that has been bent by high winds. In extreme cases, entire sections of roofing may be torn off by hurricane-level winds. In cases where there appears not to be any visible damage caused by a storm event, it is always advisable to contact a qualified roofing contractor who will be able to assess any hidden issues that could put your home at risk in future storms.

What To Do If Your Roof is Damaged in a Storm?

If your roof is damaged in a storm, it is important to take immediate action. Depending on the extent of the damage, you may need to have your roof completely replaced or simply patched and repaired. Regardless of what type of repair is needed, hiring a professional roofing contractor is essential for ensuring that your roof is properly fixed and up-to-code.

First things first, assess the severity of the damage. If there are large sections of shingles that have been torn off or major structural damage, it’s best to contact a professional roofer even before contacting insurance companies. A roofer will be able to provide an accurate assessment of the damage and recommend any necessary repairs or replacements that need to be done. They will also be able to inform you on whether or not filing an insurance claim is necessary and provide insight into how much coverage you can expect from your policy.

If possible keep samples of the original materials used on your roof so that when it comes time for a replacement you can ensure accuracy in color matching and the overall quality of materials used. It’s also essential that your chosen contractor provides a warranty for their workmanship so that if there are issues down the road you can have them quickly resolved without having to pay extra costs out-of-pocket. Following these steps will help ensure that any repairs made after damaging storms meet safety standards and last for years to come.

Get a Qualified Roof Storm Damage Contractor

When looking for a qualified roofing contractor, it’s important they are licensed, insured, and certified by one or more national trade organizations like The National Roofers Association (NRA). Additionally, ask around for recommendations from family members or friends who have had similar experiences with storm damage. When meeting with potential roofers in person, make sure they fully understand the job that needs to be done as well as any safety requirements related to working on roofs after severe weather conditions such as high winds or hail storms. Once you have selected your contractor, read over all contracts thoroughly and discuss payment terms prior to beginning any work.

Does Insurance Cover Roof Damage From Storm?

Typically yes, but it depends on the specific policy and the type of storm. Generally speaking, most homeowners’ insurance policies will provide coverage for damage to your home due to a storm or natural disaster, including roof damage from hail or wind. If you experienced significant roof damage from a storm or other natural event within the past few years, it’s important to review all relevant documentation and contact your insurer for clarification.

It is important to note that not all policies are created equal; some may provide more comprehensive coverage than others depending on what is included in the coverage plan. For example, a policy that includes Replacement Cost Coverage (RCC) will typically cover the full cost of replacing a roof damaged by hail or wind storms, while an Actual Cash Value (ACV) policy may only cover the depreciated value of your roof at the time of loss.

Additionally, certain types of storms may be excluded in certain geographic locations. Florida homeowners may find that their policies exclude hurricane-related wind and water damages due to their frequent occurrence in this particular region. Before purchasing any type of homeowners’ insurance policy, it is important to understand what kind of perils are included in your coverage plan as well as any possible exclusions.

Once you determine that your roof damage is covered under your policy, most insurers require you to file a claim within a specified amount of time after the incident has occurred; if this step isn’t taken promptly enough then you could forfeit coverage for damages incurred during the incident. After submitting your claim paperwork and undergoing an inspection process with an adjuster assigned by your insurer, they will generally take care of paying for repairs or providing compensation up to your agreed limit outlined in the policy.

In conclusion, most typical homeowners’ insurance policies should cover damages caused by hail or wind storms; however, it’s essential to read through any related documentation carefully prior to filing a claim in order to make sure you have sufficient coverage and don’t miss out on potential reimbursements due to missing deadlines or keywords used within policies.

How Do You Prove Storm Damage to Roof?

Proving storm damage to a roof can be difficult, as it requires careful inspection and attention to detail. One of the best ways to assess damage is to look for signs of physical distress such as cracked shingles or missing pieces; these are often clear indicators that there have been strong winds or other severe weather events. If a thorough examination reveals evidence of wind-related damage, it must be documented with photos and notes so that the extent of the problem can be accurately assessed.

Inspections should also include looking for evidence of water damage inside the home. This may include staining on walls and ceilings or dampness in crawl spaces. In addition, any warped or discolored wood should be noted. These signs combined with external observations can help build a case that storm damage has occurred and not just age-related wear and tear.

The next step in proving storm damage is finding an expert inspector who has experience dealing with insurance claims related to weather events. They will be able to provide an estimate of the cost associated with repairing the roof, which can then be used when applying for coverage from your insurance provider. Additionally, they may recommend further steps such as obtaining a professional appraisal if needed.

Finally, once you have all documentation gathered and submitted your claim, it is important to follow up regularly with your insurance company to ensure that you have adequately proven storm damage to your roof in order to receive coverage for repairs or replacement costs. It is also advisable that you keep detailed records including receipts and invoices throughout the process in order to minimize delays in receiving payment from your insurer.

Super Roofs is here to help with your storm damage roof in St. Petersburg, FL. Call 727-821-4332 to schedule an inspection.