It’s storm season again, and the southeastern U.S. has already seen the devastating impact that strong winds and rain can bring to a community, even without flooding. One of the best ways that we provide “more” to our customers is by arming their homes with products that can stand up to the elements, but we also want to provide “more” by offering important knowledge and skills that homeowners should have to keep their investment in great shape. With more storms traveling up the East Coast, knowing how to assess for storm damage after a hurricane or strong winds can help prevent future, costly damage to your home.

Examining Your Exterior

The best way to determine if any damage has been made to your home is by simply walking around your property and examining the roof, siding, foundation and windows. Though it may feel like you won’t know what you’re looking for, you, as the homeowner, are the one person who can spot even minor changes after a strong storm. If you notice any peeling siding, window cracks, missing or lifted shingles or leaks, take photos and detailed notes of your findings.

Even if you aren’t sure what you’re looking at or how it happened, you’ll be able to tell your insurance company generally what was caused by the storm. Examples: “There is a piece of siding missing from the side of my house,” or “Something blew off my roof. I’m not sure what it is but I can see that something is missing.”

Filing an Insurance Claim

You should also look at any potential dangers to your home after the storm occurred by checking any trees that surround your property. You should also walk around the inside of your home if you have older windows or noticed pieces missing from your roof. A leak that goes unnoticed can turn into a much bigger issue later on with water damage or even mold.

The last step is to file a claim with your insurance company for any storm damage you notice. The insurance company will send an adjuster to inspect your home and provide an estimate for the damage, and you can begin the process of hiring a contractor.

Choosing a Contractor

When deciding on a contractor, remember that you always have the option and the right to choose the contractor that you want to work on your home. At Roofing & More, Inc., we are trained to work with you and your insurance company every step of the way to ensure that you receive a quality installation and the exceptional experience that we provide every day to our clients. If you experience storm damage, contact us for help by calling (703) 467-0206 or submit our online form to schedule a FREE, no-obligation in-home consultation and estimate.