Ritco Group, Inc.

Your asphalt shingle roof is meant to protect your home and its assets from the weather and all sorts of elements. For it to stay effective throughout its lifespan, regular care and maintenance must be conducted by roofing professionals as they can identify even the smallest forms of damage and make the necessary repairs. They’ll also ensure that your roof can keep the rest of your home intact even if it suffers sudden major damage from storms and other extreme weather.

Weather can sometimes be unpredictable and harsh even if you have a well-built roofing system. From heavy rains to fierce snowstorms, almost any kind of severe weather can cause great damage to your roof. While it’s often unavoidable, the best thing you can do is to be aware of the different kinds of damage your roof can suffer during and after a severe storm hits your area.

It also helps to learn and understand the right steps to take following severe weather. Doing this will help you effectively expedite the filing of insurance claims as well as make the necessary repairs on your roof and the rest of your home. Here are some ABCs to keep in mind.

A – Assess the Roofing Damage

The roof is one of your home’s primary defenses against severe weather, which means it will often suffer the brunt of the storm while keeping the interiors safe and dry. If you think that you should go out and check the amount of damage your roof has suffered, only do so when the storm’s passed. Even if it’s safe to go out, you should still watch out for downed power lines, trees or even branches that may fall from the roof’s surface. 

Once you make sure that the area is safe, you can proceed with assessing the storm damage with caution. Unless you think it’s necessary to climb up your roof, you can use binoculars to get a closer look at the damage. You’ll need to document the damage in detail as you assess your roof, which can be done through photos or videos. These pieces of information will be proven vital when you decide to file an insurance claim with the assistance of one of the local roofing companies.

B – Begin Mitigating the Damage

Emergency roof repairs can help you save a lot of money from having to pay for additional water damage. You’ll also need to mitigate the roof damage as much as possible if you want to salvage any property that was affected by the weather. This means clearing out debris, placing plastic or trash bags over furniture near the leaking areas and storing rugs and valuables in a dry place. 

Another way to mitigate damage is to cover the exposed area with a plastic tarp. This can come in handy whether you’re unable to schedule a roof repair in time or you’re still waiting until they come to your home at the scheduled date. This can also prevent active leaks from entering your home while your roofer hasn’t arrived yet, but keep in mind that they’re only designed to protect your home momentarily until you get your roof fixed. 

When attempting to attach the roof tarp yourself, you need to have the right tools and safety equipment for the job. The tarp has to be the kind that’s meant for the outdoors and large enough to cover the entire affected area. As you pull the tarp tightly down onto the roof, nail down the edges, and cover the nail heads with a roofing cement to prevent water from entering through them.

C – Contact Your Insurance Provider (And Trusted Roofing Contractor)

Sometimes, it may be ideal to call in one of your local roofing companies before your insurance company. The team can thoroughly inspect the roofing damage and give you a detailed report on how much needs to be repaired. This can be compared to the report your insurance agent makes after they inspect the roof themselves and see if the cost is within the same range. If your policy entitles you to fair trade pricing, the company is more likely to accept the damage report by your contractors since they’re licensed and experienced in the roofing industry.  

If the roofing damage isn’t too severe, you could also choose to shoulder the repair costs without calling your insurance company. Just be sure that you keep a record so that your warranty and homeowners insurance stay intact! You should also avoid traveling roofing teams who suddenly appear in storm-damaged areas offering quick fixes at cheaper prices. They’re often just in the area for a quick profit while giving a less-than-satisfactory job of fixing your roof. Make sure to work with trusted local contractors who already have a good reputation within the community. You can even check their websites for their service areas. 

D – Don’t Delay Professional Repairs

Don’t assume that you can patch up the roofing damage yourself. Even if you have some experience in home improvement, the temporary fixes to your roof won’t guarantee a successful repair. DIY repairs can also void your warranty as well as your insurance while putting your home’s safety and security at risk. You’re better off following the right steps in addressing the storm damage on your roof so that you won’t have to worry about water leaks and other damage once the professionals get the job done!

Restoration work for your storm-damaged roof and home is nothing to scoff at, so you might be interested in filing an insurance claim. The process is fairly straightforward but is not always guaranteed to be in your favor. Fortunately, the roofing pros at Ritco Group, Inc. know restoring your property back to its original form is important to you so we are here to assist you in filing a claim.

As a leading roofing new construction contractor, we help ensure you have everything you need to initiate claim. This way, we can increase the chances of your claim being approved and getting the fair compensation you deserve. Call us today at (931) 381-0175, or fill out our contact form to learn more. We serve Columbia, Franklin and Brentwood, TN.