You’re hunkered down in your home waiting out the storm when you finally hear it – the sudden tumult of what sounds like rocks pummeling your home. That’s right, you’ve just found yourself in the middle of a hailstorm. You might think that hail damage is harmless, especially since it can be difficult to detect on your roof. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Over a period of time, you may find yourself with a seriously damaged roof – so much so that it breaks down and rain begins leaking into your home. If you find that you’ve had hail damage to your roof, follow these 4 steps to protect your roof and the interior of your home:
Gather Plenty of Evidence After the Storm
As soon as the storm clears out and it seems safe to do so, step outside and check your surroundings. You don’t necessarily have to get onto your roof either. If you’d rather stay on the ground, inspect other aspects of your property to see if they’ve sustained hail damage. If they have, your roof more than likely did, too.
Look for noticeable dents and damage to the following:
- Gutters and downspouts
- Siding
- Mailbox
- Windowsills
- Doors
- Window and door screens
- Air conditioning condenser and heat pump
- Outdoor furniture
- Outdoor lights
- If you do get on the roof, inspect your metal caps or wind turbine, if you have them.
Make sure you inspect these items as soon as possible after the storm! Taking action right away will help you avoid leaks in your home, which could occur even months after the storm visited your house. Also, you will want to document everything you see. Take plenty of photos and videos of the damage you find on your property. This will help later on when you file a claim with your insurance company. Note the exact date and time as well!
Have a Roofing Company Inspect Your Roof
Finding signs of hail damage on your roof can be difficult and sometimes even dangerous, especially right after a storm rolls through the area. At this point, feel free to call an expert in the field to help you find signs of hail damage on your roof. A professional roofing company like Ferguson Roofing can help you get the job done safely, quickly, and accurately. Once the roofing company of your choice verifies that your roof has indeed sustained damage, you can begin filing a claim to justify repairs or a new roof.
Avoid Storm Chasers
You probably know who these guys are. Storm chasers are the ones who suddenly appear into town right after a nasty storm, knocking on doors and leaving flyers about their business. The vast majority of these out-of-town storm chasers are there to prey on homeowners with deceptive sales practices. Don’t fall for it! If any roofing company appears on your doorstep offering to pay your insurance deductible, turn them away – this is a scam and you will be committing insurance fraud if you commit to this. Instead, select a reputable contractor you can trust to provide a fair estimate and work with your insurance company.
File a Claim for Hail Damage
Now that you’ve verified you have hail damage, it’s time to contact your insurance company to file a claim. Organize your records, photos, and videos so your insurance agent receives the correct information. You’ll need to fill out some paperwork to begin the claim process; remember to include all the relevant details and document the estimates, bills, and receipts you receive.
Don’t wait too long to put in your claim. If there’s a time lapse between when the storm occurred and when you filed your claim, your insurance company could deny your report. Besides, a damaged roof can break down in time and cause leaks to develop, which often leads to more extensive damage to your home, especially the interior. That’s a nightmare that’s best to avoid if at all possible.
Call Ferguson Roofing Today
If you suspect your roof may have hail damage, call on Ferguson Roofing to not only repair your roof but also protect your home’s interior while your claim gets processed. We also offer a temporary repair program that will help keep you dry. We can repair damaged roofs, siding, windows, gutters, soffit and fascia, and more. Call us today at (314) 521-6917 to learn more or get started!