What storm damage is covered? How much should I expect insurance to pay? Both are great questions!
What Is Storm Damage?
Most policies cover:
1. Wind Damage
It’s more than strong winds that can cause damage to your roof. Even moderate winds can cause severe damage. if the roof is made with lighter materials, such as asphalt shingles.
Wind Damage will start to form cracks, and shingles may be missing completely after a strong wind storm. Unfortunately, minor damage is harder to spot after wind storms. So, you may need to inspect the shingles for signs of creased and tears.
Granule loss from the shingles, is another sign of damage and reduced protection. If you have concern that a recent storm caused damage,, you should consider calling us for a free inspection. After a significant wind storm, it’s not uncommon to see cracks and holes in your roof or even a water leakage. This is something we can help you with, we’ll make temporary repairs to keep the damages at bay until your insurance company agrees to pay for the repairs.
2. Heavy Rains and Thunderstorms
Heavy rainfall can prove to be extremely hazardous for roofing systems. They can make the entire structure fail and, in worst-case scenarios, collapse. In addition, standing water can create holes in your roof and weaken the adhesive between shingles.
If your property’s roof doesn’t have a proper drainage system, then rainstorms can cause irreplaceable damage to the deck of the roof.
3. Hail Damaged Materials
Hailstorms are usually shorter than wind and rainstorms; however, the damage caused can be more severe. Hailstorms are hard to miss but if you want to find out whether they caused any damage, look for these signs:
- Dented and bruised shingles
- Round-shaped marks on the shingles
- Granule loss
- Piles of granules at the bottom of the roof, in the gutters, or at the outlet of the gutter downspout
If you see any visible signs of hailstorm damage, most insurance companies allow a claim to be filed 1-2-years after the weather event but its always best to check your policy.
4. Ice Storms
We dont experience ice storm’s yearly in Michigan, but they do happen and based on the amount of damage caused, you may need a professional to add a protective layer to your roof. Ice storms can cause structural damage to a roofing system. In addition, if you don’t get the damage repaired on time, the water from ice storms can find its way into your home. Leaking and cracking are some of the common signs of ice storm damage.
What Do I Do After Storm Damage Occurs?
Storm damage should be taken care of as soon as possible. RoofAdvisor has the experience and expertise to provide solutions for any type of storm damage. In addition to this, you should also get homeowners insurance providers involved in the process.
The insurance providers will delegate the task of inspecting and analyzing your damage After evaluation, they will provide you with the required compensation for the damage caused.
It’s always best to hire a professional roofer to inspect the roof damage first. They will help you estimate the cost of repairs or the replacement cost for a new roof. At RoofAdvisor we always help to ensure all the materials needed to make the repairs are covered by your insurance claim.
Is My Roof Storm Damaged?
If it sounds like you may have storm damage on your roof, it’s critical that you contact an expert as soon as possible to come out and conduct an onsite inspection. In the meantime, consider contacting your insurance company as well to figure out what your policy covers.
If you’re on the opposite side of the spectrum, and you didn’t feel as though you could relate to any of the examples in the article, don’t panic!
If you still feel lost, are having a hard time locating the answer to your question, or want to know more about storm-damaged roofs, schedule an inspection. When you fill out the form, one of our friendly experts will contact you right away.
