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What Should I Do If My Roof Has Storm Damage?

Late May thunderstorms left behind shredded trees and plants and tons of hail stones, much of it stacking up like snow and many stones being quarter sized as well as pea sized, much of it covering the sidewalk in the background.

If you have damage to your roof because of a storm, you should do the following:

1. Take photos and document the damage*

2. Call your insurance company and follow their procedures to initiate a claim

3. Contact a roofing contractor to inspect your roof properly

4. Take temporary measures to prevent further damage

Roofs are designed to “weather” storms and fluctuations in climate. However, roofing materials
are more susceptible to storm damage if a storm is severe in intensity or duration or if your roof
is aging. Roof damage from bad weather is not just from a tree falling on your roof. High winds,
hail, snow, and heavy rain can cause serious roof problems, including:

1. Damaged or missing shingles

2. Dents or cracks in the roof caused by debris impact

3. Water leaks

4. Excessive shingle granule debris (deteriorating the shingle & protective surface)

Roof Repair or Roof Replacement?
After contacting your insurance company, the insurance adjuster will order an inspection to
formally assess the damage. The inspector will file a report with the insurance company, and
the adjuster will review your coverage and determine the repair or replacement allowance.
A complete replacement may be authorized if your roof has been widely damaged. If the
damage is isolated, a repair may be the recommendation. If your roof is near the end of its life
span, it may be wise to replace the entire roof, even if the insurance company will only cover the
repair cost.

Insurance Coverage Not What You Expected?
An insurance company may not provide replacement or repair coverage if there is a
questionable weather event. Was the damage caused by hail or some other event? An
experienced, reputable roofing company with storm damage expertise can assist you in filing a
claim for maximum coverage. First Choice Roofing can assist you in filing an insurance claim.
We partner with Hailtrace, a service that provides hail, wind, and tornado maps with detailed
information about each weather event. This information is utilized to substantiate all weather-
related claims.
Roof damage is not just cosmetic. When any damage to a roof or roofing material occurs, other
structural damage inside and outside the home will develop if the damage is not addressed
promptly. This will not be the last storm you encounter!

* Assess the damage without putting yourself in harm’s way.

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