All homeowners have been there – a big storm comes through and you hear a loud “BOOM” in the middle of the night. Maybe it was thunder or maybe it was a big limb falling on your house. Not all roof damage occurs so obviously. The sooner you can document the damage, the easier the insurance claim will be. We’ll walk you through how to best check your roof after a storm to make sure your investment is safe and you won’t be dealing with any costly leaks or damage.
Safety
Safety always comes first. Do not go up on your roof during a storm, or if conditions are slippery, or if you feel unsafe. No one wants damage to their home, but a fall would be even worse. If you feel uncomfortable, it’s OK to trust your instincts and either wait for safer conditions or call a professional. Our reps at Husker Hammer are more than happy to come by for a free quote and inspection of your roof.
Inside Your Home
If you want to investigate on your own, start where it’s safest – inside your home. Walk around the house, checking the ceilings and walls for leaks, stains, or other signs of a leaky roof. Next, you can proceed to the attic. This is easiest to do on a relatively sunny day because you’ll be looking for light coming through holes, cracks, or gaps in your roof. You should also look for leaks, streaks, or wet spots.
Outside, from the Ground
Next, it’s time to walk around the house, seeing what you can from the ground level. Look for any fallen branches or limbs, missing shingles, or dark patches. A small branch might not seem like a big deal but can cause damage if left to rub on your roof. You can also look at the end of your gutter spouts for any loose granular runoff from your roof.
Up the Ladder
If you feel safe, now is a good
time to go up the ladder to look around. Whether it is you or one of our inspectors, we’ll be looking for loose nails or raised nail heads – the next storm might finish off these shingles. We’ll also be checking for loose or missing shingles. The gutters are another area that will be inspected – debris can cause ice dams in winter. Finally, we’ll look over all your flashing, especially the parts you couldn’t see from the ground, like behind the chimney. Bent or detached flashing can let water in. Hail damage can be fairly subtle. A trained eye can spot dents on your gutters, siding, and flashing. All of the concerns will be photographed and documented for your insurer.
If We Find Damage
If we find damage, we’ll help you submit the quote with your insurance and assist with the claim to make it a seamless process for you.
Are you concerned you might have damage or need a professional to inspect your roof? Contact us for a free estimate at (402)-894-9525 or reach out to us here.
