After any presence of a storm (thunderstorm, hurricane, tornado, or hail storm) a homeowner should check for any damage to their roof. Storm damage is most often caused from strong winds or hail that accompany storms. It is important to identify any damage as soon as the storm has passed, document it, and contact a reliable roofing contractor and your insurance provider.
EMA Construction, an experienced roofing contractor in Cincinnati, specializes in repairing damage from wind and hail storms. We deal with insurance adjusters personally from start to finish. We have outlined below the steps to take after storm damage has occurred.
Spotting Roofing Damage After a Storm
Storms with strong winds and hail can tear off roofing shingles and tear down tree branches near your roof. A few initial signs of storm damage can include:
- Leaks or water damage in your home.
- Shingles, fascia, or other roofing materials may have been stripped from the roof during the storm and are now on the ground.
- Lifted shingles from wind damage.
- A tree or any large limbs have fallen on your home.
- Missing shingle granules around gutter downspouts and valleys caused by hail.
After a storm, do not attempt to get up on your roof to inspect its condition. There can be serious storm damage that is not noticeable to the untrained eye so call a qualified contractor to perform a full inspection. Damage that a homeowner may consider as minor, with a few shingles missing, can escalate to severe issues.
Contacting Your Insurance Company
If you do notice any storm damage, contact your insurance company. You will want to have a clear understanding of your insurance policies, so if able to make sure to have documentation in front of you when speaking with a claim representative assigned to you. Typically once you have paid your deductible, your policies will cover the damage. This may, in some instances, take a few months.
Document any storm damage possible with photographs, especially if your homeowners insurance only covers certain types of damage. Include any potential issues such as mold, drywall crumbling, or power line exposure.
Choosing the Right Contractor
After storm damage, it is critical to address and work on correcting the damage as soon as possible to reduce any further damage from occurring and potential health risk to the inside of your home. You want a timely, professional, and trustworthy contractor fixing your home back to the state that you and your family expect. Read our tips on hiring the right contractor.
At EMA Construction we have experience in storm damage repair, we will start the process by giving you a free cost and time estimate to fix the damage left behind. Call EMA Construction today at (513) 279-8362 or contact us.