How to Deal With a Damaged, Leaking Roof
Roof Damage
Severe weather can cause damage to a home and stress to a homeowner. Peak Custom Remodeling offers the steps to take to assess the damage and navigate the process of getting a roof repaired or replaced as soon as possible.
Check for damage and document it
If there has been a storm or you notice something wrong, look for signs of damage both inside and outside your house. Write down and photograph what you find.
Look for water damage in the attic and elsewhere in the house. Check your yard for signs of damage, such as large tree branches or stray shingles. Look at chimneys, exhaust pipes, and areas where roof and walls meet. If there is major damage, such as a tree falling on the roof, stay out of your home until a professional checks for structural damage.
Even if you think there was only minor damage, do not go up on the roof yourself. Wait for an experienced inspector or contractor.
Contact your home insurance company
Check the details of your home insurance before deciding whether you want to file a claim to get a new roof. If your deductible is low and the company will pay for most of the cost of a new roof, it may be a good idea to go ahead with the claim. If there is less damage and a high deductible, however, then it may not be worth it to go through the insurance company.
When filing a claim and following up with your insurance company, be sure to follow the proper procedures. Otherwise, the company may delay or even refuse to reimburse you. Be sure to submit all photos and other documentation you have on the damage.
Find the right roof contractor
Whether you have your roof fixed or replaced before or after you get the insurance company involved, it is important to choose the right contractor to help the process go smoothly.
Ask for recommendations and check online reviews and Angie’s List. Look over the estimates and contract carefully before you sign off on them. Keep all bills, receipts, and other paperwork to submit to your insurance company, if you do file a claim.
Get a leaking roof taken care of
Do you have a leaking roof that needs to be fixed? Contact the experts at Peak Custom Remodeling to get started on the repair process.