Hail Damged Roof: What do you do?

Who doesn't love summer? Warm sunny days, beach trips with the family and backyard parties! But with summer comes summer storms and sometimes hail. Hail damage can be detrimental to your roof. It can damage shingles, flashing and other important parts of your roof. If your roof gets damaged in a hail storm, getting it fixed as soon as possible is essential. If you wait too long to fix it, more damage can occur, and it can get very expensive to repair. So, what steps do you take when your roof is hail damaged? We have some tips on what to do next:

If your roof has become damaged by a hail storm, you must contact your insurance company first. They usually send out an adjuster who can inspect the damage and give you a quote for repairs. They will also tell you if your policy covers the damage and how much of it can be paid for by insurance. How much damage is covered by your home insurance will vary by policy, so it's always best to contact your insurance company as soon as you notice any hail damage to see if it is covered.

This step is pretty self-explanatory. Do your best to take pictures of the damage from all angles before and after. If you can't get before pictures, contact your insurance company and see if they can do without them. Try to get pictures of the damage from as many angles as possible. If you can, take pictures from atop your roof, though you may not be able to do this yourself. If you can't take your own photos, consider contacting a professional roofing contractor. An experienced roofing contractor can spot all problems caused by hail damage and ensure you have everything you need for an insurance claim.

After contacting your insurance company and starting the claim process, it's time to start looking for a roofing contractor and getting quotes on fixing the damage. Some insurance companies have contractors they work with, but it's still a good idea to get your own quotes. When you start searching for a roofing contractor, you should ensure that it is a reputable company. Ask each roofing contractor to provide a list of references, including customers they've worked with in the past, so you can call them and ask about their experience. It's also a good idea to ensure they are licensed and insured. A reputable roofing company will have no issues disclosing this information to you. 

Whether a small or large hail storm, you should keep a few things in mind when deciding on your next steps. First, ensure any damage is inspected by an insurance company as soon as possible. If your home was damaged in a hail storm, you might be able to file a claim and receive compensation for the repairs. Insurance companies will often tell you how long you have before they investigate how much damage was done to your property and whether or not they will pay for repairs. As such, if your roof is suffering from hail damage—whether in one area or throughout—you must act quickly before time runs out on making an official claim with your insurer. Many companies require that claims be filed within 30 days of the incident; this means that if there's an immediate need for repairs after getting hit with a storm (and there usually is), something needs to be done immediately! Waiting on repairs can also cause the damage to become more substantial and lead to leaks and possibly structural damage to your roof or your entire home. 

So there you have it: the basics on what to do if your roof is hail damaged. Of course, there's much more to consider when choosing a contractor, but these tips should get you started. If your insurance company isn't covering all of the damage, or if you don't have insurance, it's time to start looking for quotes from local roofing companies who can help with everything from repairs to installation. At United Roofing and Exteriors, we have years of experience with roof repairs. Our roofing contractors are all licensed and insured, and we have many satisfied customers. We even offer emergency roof repairs if your roof needs immediate attention! If you are in need of roof repairs, contact us today! We'll have it fixed in no time!