2 Types Of Damage Roofing Contractors Look For After A Bad Storm And Repairs They Might Make
If you have an asphalt roof that appears to have received damage from a bad storm, you should probably call a roofer as soon as you can since they may be getting many calls and will book up fast. Roofing contractors are especially busy after a big storm, so don't wait too long to call for a roof check.
While you wait, you can talk to your insurance agent about how to proceed with the roof check and file a claim so you can take quick action if the roofer says your roof needs to be repaired or replaced. Here are common types of storm damage and what the roofing contractor might recommend for repairs.
1. Hail Dents In The Shingles
Hail is destructive to roofing since there's often nothing to absorb the impact but the shingles. The size of the hail and the speed of the wind affect how much damage your roof gets. If there are a lot of dents in the shingles, your insurance company may want to replace your roof instead of replacing only the bad shingles.
Your roofing contractor may assess the roof to see if it is at risk of leaking right away. Sometimes, it takes quite a while for hail damage to start leaking. If that's the case with your roof, you may not be looking at the need for an emergency roof replacement. However, your insurance policy probably has an expiration date for when you can file a claim, so you don't want to wait too long to get started on your new roof.
If your roof is leaking, then you'll want a new roof as soon as possible. However, you may need to wait if every other homeowner is in the same position. If the roofer can't get to your home right away, they might cover the leaky area while you wait on a roof replacement so at least rain won't leak in.
2. Missing Or Loose Shingles
Missing and loose shingles are common after a storm with strong wind. If your roof is fairly new, the underlayment might still be in good shape, so it should stop rain from getting on the deck and causing water damage. However, it's still important to repair loose shingles because the next storm might tear them off completely and escalate the damage.
Missing shingles can be replaced with new ones and loose shingles can be nailed and cemented back in place so the risk of a roof leak and further damage is eliminated.
Go to sites of roofing contractors in your area to learn more about storm damage.