5 Steps to Take After a Storm Damages Your Plano Roof
North Texas is familiar with the woes of wind, hail, and severe storm damage and Plano homeowners might find themselves feeling scared or overwhelmed when their roof is damaged in a storm. If your roof was damaged in a recent storm, following these five steps will give you a clear purpose and sense of control and peace while you navigate the storm damage restoration process.
1. Self-Assessment
Once the storm is over, you’ll want to take a little time to assess your property and the surrounding areas. Visible damage as well as signs that the storm was strong enough to cause damage will be important to note. After a storm passes through Plano, you’ll want to take a look at your home for obvious signs of roof damage as well as other signs of storm damage.
Signs of Roof Damage
When a severe storm passes through Plano, there are some obvious signs of roof damage that you’ll want to look out for:
- Missing Shingles
- Lifting or Damaged Shingles
- Missing Granules
- Punctures in the Roof
- Interior Damage Like Leaks
Other Signs to Look For
Sometimes there is a chance your roof was damaged, but you aren’t able to see the damage yourself, or you just aren’t completely sure what you’re looking at. In this instance, it’s important to note signs of both potential damage and signs that the storm was strong enough to cause damage even if you can’t see it.
- Visible Damage to Neighboring Properties
- Bent and Broken Gutters
- Damaged Siding
- Damaged Fences, Decks, and Sheds
- Fallen Tree Limbs
- Displaced Patio Furniture and Trash Cans
2. Inventory and Catalog
As you’re performing your self assessment of your property, you’ll want to make a written inventory of the things you’re seeing. Note any signs of potential damage to your home and the surrounding area as well as anything you’re certain has been damaged. Before moving anything, take pictures of the area exactly as it stands after the storm has passed. It’s also a good idea to take note of the severity of the storm as reported by local Plano news sources to verify that the storm had the strength to cause the damage being seen.
3. Call Insurance
Armed with your self assessment information, pictures, and inventory, it’s time to call your insurance agent. If there is damage to your roof, you’ll likely want to file an insurance claim to cover the cost. When you call your insurance provider you’ll want to be well prepared with the following:
- Your Policy Number
- Your Contact Information
- Your Inventory and Photographs
- Any Question You Have Regarding Your Policy or the Damage
After you speak with your provider, they will send out an adjuster to perform a professional inspection of your roof to start the claims process. Some agencies will skip this step and use the information provided by a roofing contractor of your choosing.
4. Start Cleanup
Once you’ve taken photographs and spoken to your insurance provider to detail the damage there’s no reason to leave your Plano home looking a mess. Assuming the area is safe for you, you can start cleaning up to get a head start on the work ahead.
5. Hire a Trusted Plano Roofing Contractor
Hiring a trusted, local Plano roofing company will be the final and most important step of your storm damage recovery process. A local contractor like Lumen Construction understands the ins and outs of handling storm damage recovery and roofing insurance claims in Plano and will be able to expertly guide you through the process of your roof repair or replacement.
