Simple Strategies to Deal with the Aftermath of a Hailstorm

When considering the vagaries of nature, hailstorms do not lag too far behind on the list. Locations that are more prone to experiencing hailstorms than others need to be better prepared for this unforeseen turn of events.

One of the major issues with hail is how potentially damaging it can be, especially to roofs. Since the roof is the first measure of horizontal cover to your home or office, it often receives quite a beating in a hailstorm. Issues like dings and dents to the roof of a building can easily reduce the value of the structure while also compromising the integrity of the roof. So here is a look at some ways to deal with the aftermath of a hailstorm.

Evaluate the damage

Hail damage is not always easy to spot from the ground so you may need to go up to the roof to assess the damage. If your property has recently been exposed to hail, look for possible roof damage by looking for visibly bruised shingles, dents on parts of the roof like flashing, valleys, and gutters as well as residue from mineral granules.

It is important to know that even minor damage can trigger more serious as well as expensive damage in the future, so look carefully yourself first and if you are not sure about the extent of the damage, then call for some professional assistance from professional roofers in Fort Worth.

You may also grab your camera and take photos of hailstones on the property, and set hailstones next to a measuring tape since the size of a hailstone is directly reciprocal to the extent of damage to the shingles and roof.

Get an evaluation from a roofing contractor

Insurance issues aside, it is recommended to get a hailstorm damage repair expert to come and take a look at the damaged roof. It is best to know what you may be dealing with before calling in your insurance agency and giving them an accurate description of the damage. Many certified roofers will offer a free inspection after a hailstorm, so it doesn’t hurt to get a professional’s opinion. Plus at this point, there is no risk or obligation to get your roof checked. The contractor will inspect the roof to evaluate if adequate hail damage has been sustained to reasonably validate a claim.

Just be sure to choose a certified contractor to prevent fraud and unwarranted work. Also, it doesn’t hurt to be clear that repairs are not to be made at this time and don’t be cornered into signing any papers.

File a claim

The most important thing when filing a claim is to know exactly how long you have to do this. Most insurance companies set a duration on claiming hail damage done to the roof, so do not prolong making that claim with exact details of when the damage happened. Call as soon as possible and file a claim within the allowable time.

Also, check with the company to see if there are any costs associated with having the roof inspected. When an adjuster is assigned your case, any photos or videos you may have recorded earlier can come in handy to back your claim.

Hire a contractor

Once a claim for hail damage has been approved, you can move on to finding a hailstorm damage repair expert to work on the roof. For a professional roofer in Fort Worth, look for a contractor who is certified, can provide references, and carries a Certificate of Liability Insurance. Other pointers to keep in mind are the company’s business longevity, its training manual, and the duration of the prospective job.