When a roof is professionally installed, it will hold up well to harsh weather conditions. However, when the winds, rain, and hail are extreme or when the roof is already in poor condition, a bad storm can wreak havoc and cause thousands of dollars of damage or more. Regardless of whether you’re dealing with a few missing shingles or a huge hole in the roof, responding quickly and properly could prevent additional damage.

Inspect the Roof

After the storm passes, walk around the perimeter of your home. Inspect as much of the roof from the ground level as possible. Look for missing or dislodged shingles, damaged fascia, and other signs of damage. Take photos of any areas of concern. Remember that personal safety is essential. Don’t venture onto your roof to inspect it on your own. If there is debris or downed power lines, steer clear.

Check Out the Attic

When you have completed a survey of the destruction, head up to your attic. Look for sunlight shining in through damaged areas of the roof. Turn your attention to the floor of the attic and look for moisture. Document any broken areas you find. If you notice personal belongings that have been damaged by water, take photos of these as well. This will help you file your property insurance claim.

Protect the Damaged Areas

After identifying as much of the damage as possible while remaining safe, turn your attention to protecting your home from additional damage. Use tarps or other comparable, waterproof coverings to keep pests out of your home. These will also minimize the amount of water that gets into your home if another storm passes. If you don’t feel safe doing this yourself, hire a roofer to do this work for you.

Contact Your Insurance Company

As soon as possible after the storm, get in touch with your home insurance company. When you file a claim, provide your photos to your insurer. The insurer will also send out an adjuster to determine the scope of the damage and to assign a claim amount.

Schedule Repairs

While you’re waiting for your insurance company to process the claim, contact a roofing company. Roofers are often very busy after a major storm, so getting on their schedule as soon as possible is essential. Your roofer will provide you with a quote, and you can compare the quote with the claim settlement to determine if negotiations are needed.

To prevent further damage, prompt roof repairs are necessary. Contact Findlay Roofing in Atlanta, GA today for an inspection and storm damage repair.