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Homeowners Guide to Storm Damage Restoration
#1 Guide to dealing with roof damage and storm damage insurance claims
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About this Guide
We have seen the damage that intense storms and weather systems bring to homeowners here in Northern Georgia. Moreover, we understand that storm season can be a stressful time, especially if you don’t have confidence in the stability of your roof. At Pro Roofing and Siding, we want you to be certain that your roof is solid enough to take what Mother Nature throws at it.
Therefore, our team of expert residential roofing contractors put together this guide to help Atlanta homeowners be better prepared for storm season, explain what you can do to reduce your roof damage, and next steps after your roof has already received storm damage.
In case you need immediate help, don't hesitate to contact Pro Roofing and Siding today to get a free inspection and free roofing estimate that can also be used for your insurance claim.
How to Get Ready for Storm Season in Georgia
Here in Northern Georgia we can get hit by various storms and weather systems that can cause severe damage to our homes. Furthermore, our subtropical climate in Metro Atlanta opens us up to thunderstorms year-round, hailstorms, and occasionally we get hit by hurricanes. That’s why, we recommend that you take the necessary precautions to ensure that your roof can weather the storm. Proper preventative maintenance on your roof means being aware of signs of damage and keeping your roofing systems clean.
Types of Storms and How They Cause Damage to Your Home
Thunderstorms
Atlanta is in a particular area of the US that gets frequent thunderstorms throughout the year. This consistent exposure to a wet climate could damage or at least lead to the deterioration of the materials on your roof. Shingles can break down over time when they are incredibly damp, leading to more significant problems if not correctly taken care of.
Rain Damage
Rain damage can harm both the exterior and the interior of your home. There are ways to prevent roofing water damage, but if you are not regularly doing roofing maintenance, leaks, mold, and other signs of damage can start to show up. Homeowners need to keep their roof clean of growth and debris so that there are no areas of your roof that water can collect and sit.
These pools of water can create rotted wood or plant growth in your home. If you can identify the signs of water damage and prepare your roof for the storms, your roof will stay in good shape.
Hailstorms
Thunderstorms and heavy rain can be bad for your roof, but hail can be even more harmful. Sometimes hail pellets can fall at a size of 2 inches in diameter,
which at this size can put some severe dents into your shingles. After there’s an intense hailstorm in your area, do your best to inspect your roof to see if there
are any visible damages. Additionally, it is always a good idea to contact a local roofing contractor to do a free inspection of your property.
Hail damage obviously can be incredibly damaging to anything and everything on our property. Thus, it is vital not to neglect your roof after a massive hailstorm. If you ignore the small dents, they could grow into a more costly problem after the next storm.
Hurricanes and Wind Damage
Although it’s not very common around Northern Georgia, hurricanes and heavy winds are the real tests to a roof’s quality and stability. Just because Atlanta
doesn’t often get hurricanes, doesn’t mean that we are entirely safe from them.
Homeowners should conduct regular roof maintenance to make sure that it is in good shape for storm season. If preventative steps are not taken before the storm season, hurricanes can surely harass your roof. Most notably because of all the damage that incredibly high winds can cause to an older roof. Moreover, high winds from a particularly intense storm can be incredibly harmful to your roof, especially if it is older or poorly constructed. These winds can loosen and possibly even lift asphalt shingles from your roof, creating bare spots that are aesthetically unattractive and welcoming for leaks.
Seeing loose or fallen shingles is something that should be repaired right away. Ignoring a bald patch on your roof can only lead to further problems, at an even higher cost to repair. If you see any of these signs of wind damage on your roof, contact a local roofing contractor to do an inspection. They can recommend exactly what your roof might need.
Debris
During storm season, winds can become so strong that they can rip branches off trees and cause other lightweight objects to go flying. Often times, that just means that your garbage bin ends up down the road from you, but in the worst case, it could mean a tree branch going through your roof. It is crucial to make sure that debris on your roof is promptly removed as objects on your roof can impede water flow.
If there are just some loose materials such as leaves or shingles, a common way to remove them is simply to blow it off with a leaf blower. But if a big storm sends larger debris onto your roof, such as tree branches or electrical poles, please contact your local roofer to remove and dispose of it.
Remember that half the battle for protecting your roof is conducting preventative maintenance before the storm, but it is also equally important
to know what to do after.
5 Common Issues Resulting From Weather Damage
When a severe storm passes through with high winds, torrential rains, hail or tornado activity, you can be left facing an emergency roof repair to fix issues like the ones listed below
Proactive Measures to Help Prepare for Stormy Weather
Although you’ll hear on the weather report when a storm is heading toward metro Atlanta, it’s impossible to predict whether your roof will suffer any harm. You can make the situation less worrisome and lower the risk of roof and/or interior damage by taking these measures in advance:
Find a reliable roofer
You’ll find a roof damage ordeal less stressful if you’ve already connected with a reliable roofing contractor. Make sure the roofer you choose is licensed, insured and reputable with good references and reviews. Also, look for a contractor who offers roof emergency repair services and is certified by a recognized roof system manufacturer.
Make any needed repairs
Have your chosen contractor inspect your roof and get any issues taken care of immediately. Knowing that your roof is in good shape can bring peace of mind that it’s ready to ride out whatever stormy weather Mother Nature sends your way.
Evaluate your coverage
Read through your policy so you fully understand the specific types of events you’re covered for, and whether you have full or prorated replacement coverage. Plus, talk with your insurer to get well versed in their claims process so you don’t have to figure it out when you’re stressed and dealing with a damaged roof.Although you’ll hear on the weather report when a storm is heading toward metroAtlanta, it’s impossible to predict whether your roof will suffer any harm. You can make the situation less worrisome and lower the risk of roof and/or interior damage by taking these measures in advance:8
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What to do After a Storm Hits
When severe weather moves through the Atlanta area delivering tropical storm-strength winds and torrential rain, it can wreak havoc on your roof even if you do all the necessary preventative measures to protect your home.
After a storm strikes, your immediate priorities after such a storm hits are ensuring your family’s safety and protecting your home and its contents from further harm. Here is some advice on what to do after a damaging storm, so life can get back to normal as quickly as possible:
Get Immediate Help
If a fallen tree limb has gone through your roof, or a large area of shingles or tiles have been torn off by the wind and water is pouring into your attic, call a dependable roofer who offers 24-hour emergency service. A skilled licensed roofer like Pro Roofing and Siding can take appropriate steps like tarping the damaged section to keep additional water from entering over the short term.
Investigate Additional Damage
For your safety, don’t climb up onto the roof, but instead, walk around the outside of your home to check for less obvious damage from ground level. Look for patches of bare underlayment or decking, lifted, curled or torn-off shingles or tiles, damaged or missing edge, eave and penetration flashing, or dented or loose metal panels. Back indoors, go up to the attic armed with a flashlight and look for water drips, fresh stains on the underside of the sheathing, or soggy insulation.
Schedule a Roof Inspection
If you find concerning signs of storm damage or you’re unsure about conditions up on your rooftop, contact your roofer for a thorough inspection. Just a few cracked shingles or tiles can result in slow leaks that cause costly interior damage if they’re not identified and addressed promptly. Trustworthy Atlanta roofers will take photos and document the damage, and provide you with a detailed inspection report and advice if you need a roof repair or roof replacement.
Call Your Insurance Company
Once you know your roof has sustained damage, call your insurer to let them know. They’ll advise you on the process for filing a claim, and set a time to have an adjuster visit. If you have an inspection completed by a reputable and experienced roofer, they should be more than willing to assist with the claims process so you have peace of mind that your roof will be repaired or replaced fully, with quality workmanship and materials.
Choosing the Right Roofing Contractor
When you notice storm damage on your roof, your first instinct is to fix the issue as quickly as you possibly can. However, we urge you to be careful while doing this. There are people that travel from state to state to quickly “fix” roofs for homeowners in vulnerable situations.
Often times these roofers are unlicensed and don’t care if their work only lasts an hour after they leave. They already have your money and are gone as quickly as they came. These people go by a lot of names but are most commonly known as Storm Chasers.
We understand that if you find a leak in your roof or signs of more considerable damage during a storm, it could be incredibly startling. However, it is important to stay level headed and make sure that you contact the right roofer for emergency services. When you do your search for a roofing professional, it shouldn’t just be anybody with a hammer and a ladder. Choosing a local roofer is the best choice for storm damage restoration.
ProRoofing and Siding is a trusted roofing contractor that is local to the Metro Atlanta area. If you were just hit by a massive storm, reach out to our team, and we will be there to make sure your roof stays sturdy and secure.
5 Reasons choose a local Contractor
Filing an Insurance Claim
The one thing that should not be procrastinated is filing your claim for storm damage with your insurance company. If your current roofer cannot walk you through the process of filing a claim, you may want to speak with one of our ProRoofing and Siding representatives. We are happy to help guide you through each step in the process and explain what your exclusions and limitations of your coverage area.
Exclusions and Limitations of your Coverage
You should be aware of what your insurance policy may include or exclude in its coverage. Not all policies will cover roof repairs and replacements. There may be some clauses in your coverage that point to exclusions to what your insurance company would pay for. This is why we need to know what insurance company you are with, and which costs your policy will cover. We will also need to clarify if your coverage includes other aspects of your home, such as gutters, siding, windows, etc. From this point, we can help you through a smooth, hassle-free insurance claim process.
5 Steps for Hassle-Free Insurance Claims
Once we have verified with your insurance company which services or costs are covered under your policy, we can get to help you through the process of filing your insurance claim.
If you follow these steps, your deductible should be your maximum out of the pocket expense to get your restoration work done.
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Storm Restoration FAQs
Do you work directly with insurance companies with hail/storm damage claims?
Yes, here at ProRoofing, we work with nearly every insurance company to ensure that you get the compensation that your coverage entitles you to. With our thorough roofing inspection, we can make sure that no damages go overlooked, and the appropriate solutions are put into place.
If I file a storm damage claim with my insurance, will my premiums automatically increase?
No, insurance companies cannot legally penalize you for making a damage claim caused by forces out of your control. It would be counterproductive for the insurance company to increase your premium every time you made a claim. If they did that, nobody would make a claim, and the purpose of insurance is irrelevant.
My roof looks fine from ground level, how can I tell if I have enough damage to file a claim with my insurance?
From the ground level, you might not be able to see all the signs of storm damage. Often times hail damage in a roof looks like small dents or divots in your shingles, and if ignored can lead to more significant issues down the line. That is why it is valuable to hire a local roofing company to get up on your roof and do a comprehensive inspection.
What should I do first? Call a roofer, or file my damage claim?
It is crucial that you call a storm restoration roofer as soon as you notice the damage. This is so that the leak or water damage can be first taken care of and not lead to further damage. At the same time, you shouldn’t wait to call your insurance company about the damage. But it is unrealistic to wait for an adjuster to come to look at the damage before fixing the leak. When you go to file a claim, they will need an assessment of the damage and an estimate to fix it anyways. Call our team today to be proactive and make sure your roof stays in good shape.
The damage to my roof wasn’t that bad. Can I just leave it?
We urge you that even if you don’t think the damage is that bad, you should still have it taken care of. Damages on your roof will only worsen over time when neglected. That’s why it’s so essential that you get a local roofer to come and do the necessary repairs that will last.
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