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A storm-damaged roof can be an eye sore at best and can lead to far greater damage at work. Do you know what to do when a storm blows through Great Bend and causes damage to your roof?
6 Steps to Take after a Storm Damages Your Great Bend Home
Storm damage to your home is an overwhelming experience and it can feel hard to know what to do in the aftermath. Following these six, simple steps will help take the guesswork out of the process for you, so you can feel confident that your home is being taken care of properly.
Stay Safe!
The first and most important step in the process is to put your safety first. Severe weather in Great Bend can cause hazardous conditions, and you should always make sure your home is safe for you and your family before you take steps to move forward with any repairs. Some of the most common dangers of severe storms are:
- Downed Power Lines
- Broken Gas Lines
- Dangerous Debris Like Glass and Nails
Perform a Self-Assessment
Once you’ve determined that your property is safe you can move on to the next steps. The first thing you’ll do is perform a self-assessment of the property to get a general idea of the possible damage and the conditions that led to the damage. Some of the things you will want to look for are:
- Broken, lifting, or damaged shingles
- Dents and holes in the roofs
- Granules in the downspouts
- Damaged siding, gutters, flashing, and fascia
- Interior leaks
- Damaged structures like sheds and fences
- Displaced lawn furniture or trash cans
- Reports of high winds or hail sightings in Great Bend
Create an Inventory
As part of your assessment in the previous step, you’ll want to create an inventory. Take as many pictures as you can of any damage you see or signs of severe weather. Also, make a list of any damaged property including your belongings to accompany the photographs. Write down the information you gathered about the storm including wind speeds or hail size. Keeping all of this information organized and easily accessible will be invaluable in the long run as you manage your insurance claim and the repair process.
Schedule Professional Inspection
Even if you’re not 100% sure that there is damage to your roof it’s a good idea to hire a local, professional roofing contractor like Shull Roofing to perform a professional inspection of your roof. They will be able to thoroughly inspect your property with a trained eye and identify damage that you may not have noticed as well as advice you on the best steps to take for your roof.
Call Your Insurance Provider
Don’t wait to call your insurance provider. Even though this falls at number 5 on our list, it can and should be done as soon as you suspect there is damage to your home. The claims process can be tedious and time-consuming and it’s best to get it started as quickly as possible. Your insurance company will likely send out an adjuster to perform their own inspection, although some companies are happy to accept reports provided by your contractor. Your specific coverage will be dependent on your company and your policy. When you call your insurance provider, be prepared with:
- Name, Address, and Phone Number
- Policy Number
- Overview of the Damage
- Your Contractor’s Report If You Have It
- Any Questions or Concerns About Your Policy
Hire a Trusted, Local Roofing Contractor
Whether your damage will be covered by an insurance claim or not, your final step in the process will be to hire a trusted, local Great Bend roofing company like Shull Roofing. We will be able to help guide you through the entire process even coordinating directly with your insurance company so you don’t have to. We will promptly perform whatever work needs to be done on your roof whether that’s a minor repair or full roof replacement, and we’ll have you back to normal in no time.
Was your roof damaged in the most recent storms to blow through Great Bend? Call Shull Roofing, today, to schedule your free estimate!