Roof Repair: Don’t Wait Until After A Storm

Hurricane Irene left many people along the east coast without a home and many more facing high costs for repair and rebuilding of their homes. Before a storm people tend to focus on boarding up windows and gathering belongings, but many people neglect to check their  roof  for any weak spots. Unfortunately, many people have returned to their homes after the storm to learn a very valuable lesson: always check the integrity of your  roof  before a major storm.

Preparation Is Key

In general, many people go months or years without ever checking their  roof  to ensure it is in good working order. People tend to wait until they see a problem or experience a leak before checking their  roof . Routine  roof  inspection and maintenance can save you money in the long run in preventable repairs.

Inspection and maintenance before a storm can protect the  roof  and home from avoidable damage and costly repairs. Additionally, your insurance company may not approve a claim if they deem that preventative maintenance could have protected the  roof  from damage and saved money. Before ending up with the bill for unnecessary  roof  repairs, make sure your  roof  is prepared for a weather event by:

Routine Inspections. A good rule of thumb is to inspect your  roof  every 6 to 12 months regardless of any weather events. You can inspect the  roof  yourself, looking for missing or damaged  roof  materials. Typically, missing or damaged  roof  materials can be repaired easily by a homeowner. However, if there is a significant portion missing or damaged, it is a good idea to call in a professional  roof  contractor.

*Always have your  roof  inspected by a professional before a may weather event.

*Obtain a copy of the inspection report to show your insurance company, in the event you need to file a claim.

Get in touch with your insurance company. Many homeowners do not know the specifics of what is and is not covered in their policies. It is a good idea to contact your insurance company before a major storm to ask about your coverage. You may be able to purchase additional coverage or get advice on how to protect your home during a storm.

* Ask your insurance provider about any maintenance requirements or exclusionary clauses prior to filing a claim

* Find out what documentation will be needed in order to process any potential claims.

Take pictures. Whenever you are dealing with an insurance company, the more proof you have the smoother the claims process. Paperwork that documents any  roof  repair or replacement may be required by your insurance company in order to process a claim. It is important that you have evidence of what the home and  roof  looked like prior to the storm in order to support your insurance claim.

* Always keep copies of repair work, inspection reports and  roof  warranty information on hand when filing a claim with your insurance company.

* Take before and after pictures of your  roof  to submit along with your claim.

Don’t be left empty handed after a storm, get the most from your insurance company by being prepared. When unfortunate events devastate our neighborhood, there is no reason to end up in debt over repair costs. Homeowners insurance is a helpful resource for home protection, but you have to ensure you have done your part to protect your home and family.