Has the thought of a roof replacement got you down? Did your roof get into a fight with mother nature and lose?
Remember, all is not lost. If you need an emergency roof repair from hurricane damage or storm damage, there are steps you can take to make the process go smoothly.
You can even take steps right away to mitigate the damages and save yourself a lot of money and stress.
So don’t panic if hurricane damage has ravaged your roof! Sit down, read this guide, find out precisely what you should do and how to sort through the insurance mess!
What to Do First
The first thing you need to do is stay calm. You can’t sort anything out when you’re running around and panicking. Often the damage looks worse than it is.
Your next step is to protect your home as best you can and minimize damage to the inside of your home. Cover any holes in your main living areas with plastic tarps, and for more significant leaks, set up buckets to collect the water.
If there is a lot of water seeping from all areas of your roof, then it’s a good idea to find your breaker and switch the power off. You don’t want water getting into your electrical system, costing you even more money!
Now you can thoroughly assess the damage to your home and how safe it is to remain there. You may need to find somewhere safe to stay in the meantime.
And remember, if you’re not a professional roofer, don’t go up there trying to fix things by yourself. An emergency roof repair is a situation when you need to call a professional company that knows precisely what they’re doing.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Next, contact your insurance company and file an insurance claim. Most of the time, standard homeowner insurance policies will cover at least some roof damage caused by a storm.
You’ll need to talk to your insurance company about what your specific policy covers. Depending on the area you live in, you could pay a higher deductible.
A good thing to know is if your policy offers a hurricane deductible, it only applies if the National Hurricane Center declares a hurricane warning.
Don’t forget that insurance companies won’t cover all types of roof damage, and not all insurance companies will pay for a complete roof replacement. Some may only pay for a patch job or minor roof repairs.
Once you contact your insurance company, they’ll send out an insurance adjuster to perform a complete roof inspection.
Next, most insurance companies will ask you to get at least three estimates for a roof repair and a replacement cost.
Though sometimes, insurance companies will directly work with a company to make the repairs for you.
Choosing a Company for Roof Repairs
When it comes to your roof repairs, make sure you find a licensed residential roofing contractor.
Do your research. You want to avoid companies that pop up overnight after a major storm rolls through.
They’ll appear in neighborhoods and try to convince people they can offer inexpensive roof repairs. And once they get your deposit, they hit the road, never to be seen again.
While there are no national licensing requirements for roofing contractors in the US, individual states require roofing contractors to have a license. You can check out your state’s requirements here to get started.
Once you find three companies you like, take your research to Google. Find out what their past customers are saying about the quality of their work.
Now you’ve found a company you like, make a list of questions to ask like:
- How long the company has been in business
- If they have references or examples of their work
- How much do they charge for an estimate
- What their safety record is like
- If they offer a way for you to terminate the contract
Don’t be afraid to ask all the questions you need to ask. A good roofing company won’t hesitate to explain everything thoroughly.
Your Roof Estimate
It’s also important to know what’s involved in a roof estimate. A knowledgeable roofing company will provide you a detailed estimate with information like:
The total cost, including materials, labor, permits, and cleanup and removal, should be listed clearly on the estimate.
A roof estimate should also list all payment information that clearly explains what your insurance company covers costs. Every payment detail should be included, from down payments and insurance payments to payment methods.
Next, it should include the estimated time it will take to complete the project. Keep in mind, though; this can change if more damage is found after the repairs begin.
An excellent company will list the materials and explain in detail what types of shingles, underlayment, and sealants are used. They’ll even include the types of fasteners, nails, and product brands too.
You should also see a complete description of the work they plan to do and what days the repairs will occur.
Warranty details are a must, so don’t sign any contracts without them. Usually, lifetime warranties offer the most coverage when the roof is still new, and the coverage decreases over time as your roof ages.
Finally, be sure to check for the company’s licensing and liability insurance information. This is important to remember as you want coverage in case any accidents or injuries occur.
Emergency Roof Repair
When you need an emergency roof repair from hurricane damage, then talk to the professionals at Trinity Roofing and Restoration.
For over ten years, Trinity Roofing and Restoration has provided roofing services in Houston, Texas.
So don’t let your roof repair problems get you down. We offer free exterior roof inspections and can guide you through the complicated insurance process.
Make sure you contact us today for a new and improved roof tomorrow!
