4 Steps to Take After Storm Damage in San Antonio
Heavy winds and hail damage are all too common in San Antonio. Handling storm damage to your roof can feel like an impossibly overwhelming task, but using the following steps is a sure way to help you confidently navigate the process and ease your mind.
1. Assess the Damage
The first thing you’ll want to do after a storm has damaged your roof in San Antonio is take stock of the damage. You’ll want to look at the roof and surrounding areas for obvious and subtle signs of damage as well as keep track of your findings.
Signs of Roof Damage
It might seem obvious, but the first place you’ll want to look is your actual roof. Keep an eye out for visible signs of wind and hail damage to the roof and gutters like:
- Dents and Dings
- Missing Granules
- Missing Shingles
- Granules in Downspouts
- Bent or Broken Gutters
- Lifting Shingles
Other Signs of Damage
When a storm blows through it might not be immediately obvious if there is damage to your roof or not. You can take a look at the surrounding areas for signs that the storm was severe enough to cause damage to your roof. Some of the things you’ll want to look for are:
- Visible damage to surrounding roofs
- Debris on the roof
- Damage to other structures like fences and decks
- Items like patio furniture and trashcans misplaced
Catalog the Damage
One of the most important parts of assessing the potential storm damage to your roof is cataloging the damage. You’ll want to take pictures and make lists of everything you see to properly prepare for your next steps. First and foremost, though, stay safe! If there are downed electrical lines or a compromised structure, stay away and wait until the area is safe.
2. Contact Your Insurance
Once you’ve taken stock of the situation and determined that you think you have roof damage from the storm, it’s time to call your insurance company. This is where the previous step of taking pictures and making lists will become important. Keeping meticulous records will allow you to make sure you’re getting the coverage your entitled to by your policy. Also, keep all receipts for anything relating to the damage so you can seek reimbursement if necessary. Once your call your insurance they will send out an adjuster to assess your roof and instruct you on your next steps.
3. Start Cleanup
There’s no need to leave your home a disaster while you wait on the insurance. Once you’ve taken pictures and spoken with your insurance you can start to clean up. Be careful to avoid further damage and, as always, stay safe! If you can’t safely handle the project on your own, leave it to a professional.
4. Hire Your Trusted San Antonio Roofing Contractor
The final step in handling storm damage to your roof is calling your trusted San Antonio roofing contractor. Your contractor will perform an inspection to determine whether the roof should be repaired or replaced and coordinate with your insurance company to get your property put back to rights. The storm damage repair specialists at Rhino Roofers are always ready to help our customers successfully navigate the storm damage repair process. Call us today for a free inspection!