1. Self-Assess
Once the storm is over, the first thing you’ll want to do is assess your property.
Stay Safe
Safety is the number one priority after a severe weather event. There are many dangers involved in the aftermath of a storm, and, before you can do anything about inspecting and repairing your home, you need to make sure the property is safe. Some of the hazards to look out for are:
- Flood Waters
- Downed Power Lines
- Broken Gas Lines
- Downed Limbs and Trees
- Dangerous Debris Like Broken Glass
If you see signs of danger, particularly downed power lines or broken gas lines – GET AWAY. Do not attempt to fix these things on your own. Call the appropriate authorities and wait for help.
Signs of Storm Damage
Hurricanes and other storms with high winds will leave some tell-tale signs of damage on your Lafayette roof. When you’re inspecting your property, take note of these signs of storm damage:
- Bent or Broken Shingles
- Missing Shingles
- Excessive Granules in Downspouts
- Visible Holes or Dents in the Roof
- Damaged Flashing, Fascia, or Gutters
Signs of Severe Weather
In addition to visible damage, you’ll want to take note of signs that the storm was strong enough to produce the damage suspected. This will be important as you navigate potential insurance claims. There are a few signs of severe weather that can help.
- Displaced Items Like Trash Cans and Patio Furniture
- Damaged Windows and Siding
- Damaged Exterior Structures Like Fences and Pole Barns
- Local Lafayette News Reports of High Winds and Hurricanes
2. Take Inventory
As you’re performing your assessment of your property, you’ll want to inventory everything you’re seeing. Write down anything that you can see is visibly damaged and make note of those things that you think might be damaged but you aren’t sure. Also note the news reports you may have seen and write down the wind speeds that were reported. Take pictures of EVERYTHING. You’ll never have too many pictures, but you could potentially not have enough. You want to make sure you have a thorough record of the damage directly after the storm, before any cleaning or repair efforts have taken place.
3. Call Your Insurance Provider
Call your insurance provider to get started with the claims process as soon as possible. Your provider will likely send out an adjuster to inspect your roof and assess the damage, though they may be willing to accept the inspection report from a qualified roofing contractor in Lafayette. When you call your provider, be sure to be prepared with all of the necessary, preliminary information including:
- Name and Address
- Policy Number
- Suspected Damage
- Any Questions or Concerns
Take heed: if the storm was very large and a lot of people were affected, this process could take a while. You do not need to wait to contact a roofing company to inspect your roof. Contacting your insurance agency and a roofer can happen at the same time, and, in fact, it’s a good idea to get going in case you need to get on any wait lists.
4. Hire a Trusted Lafayette Roofing Contractor
Once the damage has been inspected and the scope of the loss determined, you’ll want to hire a trusted, local, Lafayette roofing company to perform the roof repairs or replacement on your home. Burford Roofing & Construction is well versed in the intricacies of storm damage roof repairs and we can help take the pain and uncertainty out of the process for you, even coordinating directly with your insurance company to ensure nothing is missed.
If you’ve experienced storm damage to your roof in Lafayette, don’t hesitate: call Burford Roofing & Construction to schedule your free estimate, today!
