The first few hours after a storm passes are the most critical ones. As a homeowner, thinking about how much roof repair is needed and making sure your family has shelter can be stressful. In today’s post, local roofing company Vista Roofing Inc. shares a quick guide on how to deal with a storm damaged roof.
Ensure Your Family’s Safety
Before anything else, make sure your family is safe and has shelter. Storm damage that extends indoors may present hazards like exposed electrical lines or broken glass. You’ll be tempted to clear paths at this stage, but don’t; we’ll explain why later. Depending on the extent of the roofing damage, your family may need temporary accommodations, so you have to tend to this before handling the damage to your home.
Make Two Phone Calls
Your next two phone calls should go out to your roofing contractor and insurance provider. If you’ve already had a roofing contractor install emergency roofing during the storm, call and update them on your situation. Among the documentation required by insurance providers for damaged shingle roofs are an assessment of the roofing damage and an estimate of the repair cost.
Your insurance provider will send an adjuster to perform an independent inspection of the damage. The reason why you shouldn’t touch anything yet is because they have to see the full extent of the damage. If you must clear areas that may present danger to you and your family, make sure you take photos and video for documentation.
Filing Your Claim
Your insurance adjuster will discuss details about your claim, its expected timeline for processing, and how much the expected amount will be. A typical insurance claim is paid in two checks. The first covers the downpayment that will let your roofing contractor begin repairs. The second check covers the rest of the approved claim amount after deductibles. The entire process may sound overwhelming, but having familiarity with the process—and with the help of a capable roofing contractor—you can have your roof restored after a devastating storm.
Vista Roofing Inc. is your leading provider of residential sloped and flat roofs. Give us a call at (803) 392-0441. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment.