Hurricane Damage: Steps to Take Before and After 

A hurricane doesn’t come without leaving its mark, which is usually unpleasant. In addition to being a threat to one’s safety, it causes a lot of damage to properties. Hence, it is vital to have a program or strategy that protects your property from hurricane damage, helping you begin a storm restoration process.

In this article, you will learn about the plans to put in place ahead of a hurricane, making you prepared for the worst. Stay with us to discover the steps to take in case your home is damaged by a hurricane.

5 Steps to Take If You Are Affected by Hurricane Damage

Access Your Roof, But Safety First

Your safety is paramount. Hence, after a hurricane, you should immediately assess your roof to determine its condition. You don’t want to compromise your safety and that of your property. However, this doesn’t mean you should get on the roof and expose yourself to danger. You should leave that to the professionals. Not only do they know the safest way to examine your roof, but they will also examine it thoroughly without missing any details that you may miss. 

Assess the Damage

During the thorough examination, your roofing contractor will detect every damage the hurricane caused to your roof. It won’t be included in your insurance claim if they miss any details. Although filing a new claim along the line is possible, we advise that you avoid it. We suggest this because proving that the damage is a result of the storm is an almost impossible mission. It will only cause you unavoidable stress.

Therefore, it is essential that you hire an expert skilled in storm damage repairs. They will do a thorough job and document all damage resulting from the storm, providing you with all the requirements for your insurance adjuster.

Protect Your Home Temporarily Against Secondary Problems

Roofing companies are usually highly engaged after a storm. This could cause a delay in the appointment with your roofer. Hence, choosing a local roofing company is the ideal way to get a prompt appointment. However, there is no assurance that you will get complete repairs immediately; you will have to wait. Therefore, temporary measures like tarping before the repairs will help protect your home.  

File Insurance Claim

Filing an insurance claim as soon as you can after the storm is essential. However, it has to be after you’ve taken note of every damage and documented it. Ensure you do not neglect your home’s interior after the storm during inspection. You need to look out for leaks in your ceiling. If there are leaks and you do not attend to them early, it will lead to mold, making the claims process more challenging. Your insurance company will only cover the mold removal if you can prove it is connected to the claim. 

8 Steps to Prepare Your Roof Against Hurricane Damage

No one wants to experience a natural disaster, as it can be an extremely unpleasant experience. However, there are some things you can do to minimize the damage to your roof. Below are eight steps to prepare your roof for hurricane season:

Seek Professional Help From a Reputable Roofing Company

You need to pay more attention to your roof during harsh weather conditions. Get your roof inspected by a skilled roofer to ensure it’s in good health. You don’t have to experience a destructive weather condition like a hurricane before you pay attention to your roof. Addressing problems before the hurricane will save you from unplanned expenses on extensive repairs.

Replace or Repair Damaged or Missing Shingles

Strong hurricane winds can blow any loose or broken shingles off your roof, leading to exposure of your roof to leaks and water damage. That is why replacing or repairing missed or damaged shingles before you experience a storm is crucial. Doing this will give you some level of assurance and peace of mind during a storm.

Clean Gutters and Downspouts

Functional gutters and downspouts are necessary for adequate water drainage during rainfall. However, when they become clogged, they restrict water movement, causing it to pool on the roof and exposing it to leaks and damage. Hence, regular cleaning of your gutters and downspouts benefits your roof’s health, especially during intense weather conditions. 

Fix Loose Flashings

Roof penetrations, such as vents and chimneys, usually have flashings around them. These flashings can become loose or ruined over time, creating an opening for water to access the roof. When this happens, it can lead to some severe damage if you do not seal the flashings properly. So, before the hurricane season, check that the flashings surrounding your roof penetrations are secure and in good condition. 

Trim Overhanging  Branches and Trees 

Overhanging branches and trees put your roof at risk of damage, especially during a hurricane. The force of high winds can make the tree or branches break off and fall on your roof, causing your shingles to crack, or any other damage. To prevent such accidents and clogging of gutters due to tree debris, experts recommend trimming branches that hang over your roof

Install Hurricane Clips or Straps

Hurricane clips or straps are connectors (metals) that secure your roof to the building’s walls, giving it extra stability during intense winds. Suppose you do not already have them installed. In that case, you should do so before adverse weather conditions with the help of a professional.

Document the State of Your Roof Before Hurricane Damage

Documenting your roof’s current state by taking photos and writing notes is wise. These will come in handy during your insurance claims process. Having evidence of the state of your roof before a storm will give your insurance company something to compare the post-storm documentation to and support your claims. After documenting, be sure to save them in a safe space.

Have an Emergency Roof Repair Contact For Hurricane Damage

You might hate to hear this, but you may follow all of these steps, and the hurricane will still cause damage. Hence, you shouldn’t skip this step: have a reliable roofing company’s contact on the ground so that you can get help quickly.

Conclusion

Hurricanes are not friendly. Hence, it is vital to protect your home and family from them. You should never let one catch you off guard. So, it’s a good thing you came across this article, as you’ll leave here knowing how to prepare your roof for adverse conditions like hurricanes. We also shared some steps to take if eventually a hurricane affects your roof. So, no matter the case, you know how to handle it well now.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you temporarily cover a damaged roof?

Cover the damaged area with a roof tarp and secure it with a screw to prevent access to water and debris. 

Can you replace parts of a roof?

Yes, you can, depending on the degree of damage. If the damage is limited to a specific part of the roof, you can replace that affected area without replacing the entire roof. However, professionally, I do not recommend it due to some drawbacks.