Regardless of where you live, it is likely that your home will endure some rough weather over the years—and your roof will bear most of the burden. As a result, your roof could undertake some serious damage, and fixing up a damaged roof can feel like a daunting task. Repairing your roof really isn’t as hard as it seems, and the information we have provided can help you determine how to proceed with your roof repair after a storm.

Types of Weather Damage

Before contacting a roofing contractor, you should identify what type of weather damage has been inflicted upon your roof.

Wind

Typically, when we think of roof damage caused by a storm, wind damage comes to mind since it is incredibly common. High winds can destroy or remove shingles which leaves the underlayment, roof deck, or waterproofing material below exposed and susceptible to future storm damage. It is especially important for Alabama residents to keep high wind damage in mind. Since tornado season typically occurs during the spring, Alabamians are not strangers to the effects of severe storms.

Less severe storms can cause shingles to lift and curl, destroying the water-tight seal that is used when shingles are laid and overlapped on your roof. This will leave the underlying layers of your roof vulnerable to storm damage like wind-driven rain.

Hail

Though hail storms tend to be short lived, they can still quickly cause damage to any roof. In the last twelve months alone, Auburn was under 26 severe weather warnings and there were 7 reports of on-the-ground hail.

Hailstorms can leave dents or cause pockmarks in shingles and can knock shingle granules loose. This is an issue because these granules are integral to protecting your roof from rain and sun damage.

Hail damage is unique when compared to other types of damage, so if you believe your roof has suffered from hail damage, there are more specific steps you should take to managing damage resulting from hail.

Standing Water

If your roof does not have proper drainage, it is possible that it will collect standing water during rainstorms. Clogged gutters cause standing water to run beneath the shingles which can cause damage to the underlayment or the roof deck.

Debris

If the storm was especially destructive, branches, large tree limbs, and other debris can end up on the top of your home. These objects can dent the surface of the roof, specifically the shingles, which will leave that portion of the roof susceptible to moisture and rain.

It is imperative that damage caused by a storm is treated immediately. Otherwise, greater damage could occur since your roof is now much more vulnerable to severe weather and other environmental factors. Without proper maintenance, you could end up needing to replace your roof. Though, sometimes roof damage can be a blessing in disguise since a roofing contractor will be able to identify other issues with your roof during the repair that could serve as signs for a full replacement.

What Do I Do Next?

After you have assessed the type of damage your roof has endured, the next step is to figure out how you’re going to fix it. The best place to start is with your homeowner’s insurance. Although it can be a bit confusing to find out what your homeowner’s insurance does and does not cover, damage caused to your roof that is outside of the homeowner’s control is typically covered. Fortunately, weather damage from hail, wind, and rain is often included in your policy as are “acts of God” like hurricanes or tornadoes.

Once you establish what your homeowner’s policy will cover,you will need to find the right contractor to complete the work.

You should be careful to avoid “storm chasers,” or contractors that prey on homeowner’s whose property has endured weather damage and seek to exploit this. Oftentimes, they will “make false promises, insist on full payment before work begins or is completed… [sometimes] they will even create damage where none existed,” says the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety after Denver’s record-breaking hailstorm in 2017.

Our team at Preferred Contractors understands the importance of a durable, visually appealing roof that provides both safety and comfort. Our roofing specialists are trained extensively to pinpoint any issues in your roof to decide on what type of service is necessary—and nothing more. Owner, Thomas Cole, attended Auburn University and is committed to supplying the Lee County area with exceptional and honest roofing services.

No matter your roofing needs, Preferred Contractors are here for you every step of the way. Contact us today for a free quote today!