Your roof is one of the most important parts of your home’s structure. Any damage to it could cause problems both inside and outside your house. There are a number of things that could cause loose or broken shingles, as well as other problems. If any of them occur, it’s essential to spot the issue and take care of it as soon as possible. You should check your roof after storms and heavy rain or wind, but it’s also important to do it regularly once or twice a year, just in case. Here’s what to do to determine if there’s any damage to your roof, and how to deal with it.
Survey the Roof from the Ground
First of all, if you’re not a trained roofer, you shouldn’t be climbing onto your roof. Always look for any damage from the ground. If you can’t see very well, use a pair of binoculars, or even the zoom on your camera, to get a better look. There could be missing shingles, or loose and curled ones caused by wind. Hail can also leave dents on your roof, removing the coating that protects against rain and sun damage.
Check Gutters, Skylights and Roof Vents
As well as looking at the tiles on your roof, don’t forget to survey the other parts of your rooftop. For example, your guttering plays an important role in drainage, so you need to check that it’s intact. You should also look for damage around roof vents, as well as skylights and attic windows.
Check Inside
It’s also essential to check your attic, roof space and ceilings inside too. There could be holes or leaks that you need to take care of. If you aren’t careful about the damage that could affect the inside of your house, you might end up with mold or damp. Even if you didn’t see anything broken on the outside of the house, there could be a problem that needs seeing to inside.
Call a Contractor
If you find any problems, the next thing you should do is call a contractor for a quote. Look for someone like Ferguson Roofing Company with lots of experience in roof repairs. You might decide to compare quotes from several companies so you can pick the best one. Make sure you keep any quotes that they give you. When you file a claim with your insurance provider, they will want to see them.
Make an Insurance Claim
Before making an insurance claim, first check your policy to make sure it covers the damage. You should take photos of anything you find and write down some notes as evidence to show your insurance provider. Most companies will allow you to open a case over the phone or online. Once you have filed the claim, they will then look at your evidence and send someone to inspect the damage.
Damage to your roof is an inconvenience, but if you take care of it right away, you can avoid disaster. Check it after storms, heavy rain or high winds, as well as once or twice a year to be on the safe side.