What to Do If Your Roof Was Damaged by Hurricane Ian

As Floridians, we are all too familiar with the threat of hurricanes. And as recent events have shown us, even homes that don’t seem to be in the path of a storm can take a beating from flying debris. If your home suffers damage during a hurricane, here are some steps you should take to protect your roof and keep yourself and your family safe. 

Step 1: Safety first. Before you begin your inspection, it is important to ensure that it is safe to do so. If there are any loose or damaged shingles on your roof, there is a chance they could fall and injure you while you are inspecting the rest of the roof. For this reason, we recommend that you hire a professional roofing contractor to inspect your roof for any damage. They will have the proper safety equipment and training to do so safely.

Step 2: Look for missing shingles or tiles. Once you have determined that it is safe to inspect your roof, the first thing you should look for is missing shingles. Missing shingles indicate that your roof has sustained some level of damage and needs to be repaired as soon as possible. 

Step 3: Check for cracked or broken shingles or tiles. In addition to missing shingles, you should also look for any cracked or broken shingles. Cracked or broken shingles are another sign that your roof has sustained damage and needs to be repaired. 

Step 4: Look for signs of water damage. Finally, you should also look for any signs of water damage on your roof. Water damage can occur even if there are no visible holes in your roof, so it is important to be on the lookout for things like water stains on your ceiling or walls, mold or mildew growth, or musty smells in your home. If you notice any of these things, it is important to have your roof inspected by a professional as soon as possible as water damage can lead to further problems down the road if left unaddressed. 

If you find damage, document it with photos or video

It’s important to document damages to your roof as soon as possible after they occur. This will help ensure that your insurance company can process your claim quickly and efficiently. The following are some tips on how to best document roof damage:

Take plenty of photos: Be sure to take plenty of photos of the damage from different angles. This will give the adjuster a good idea of the extent of the damage.

Video is also helpful: In addition to photos, videos can be very helpful in documenting roof damage. A video walk-through of the damage with a commentary explaining what is being shown will give the adjuster a much better understanding of the situation.

Keep a detailed record: In addition to photos and videos, be sure to keep a detailed record of the damages. This should include a description of the damages, when they occurred, and any other relevant information. This will help the adjuster assess the situation and make a decision on your claim. 

Call your insurance company and report the damage

The sooner you call your insurance company after a storm, the sooner they can send an adjuster out to assess the damage and begin processing your claim. That way, you can get the money you need to repair or replace your roof as quickly as possible. 

Schedule a time for a roofing contractor to come to inspect the damage and give you an estimate for repairs

All reputable roofing contractors will be extremely busy following a hurricane, but you still need to call and start the process of getting estimates on the repairs that will need to be done.

Make sure the contractor is licensed and insured

Hiring a licensed and insured roofing contractor is one of the most important things you can do when you need roofing repairs or a new roof. A licensed contractor is up to date on the latest code requirements and has been vetted by the state to ensure they are qualified to perform the work. An insured contractor has coverage in case something goes wrong and someone is injured or your property is damaged. 

There are several reasons why you should always make sure your roofing contractor is licensed and insured. First, a licensed contractor is up to date on the latest code requirements. This is important because the building code requirements for roofing have changed over the years and your contractor needs to be aware of these changes to ensure your repair or replacement project meets current code. 

Second, a licensed contractor has been vetted by the state to ensure they are qualified to perform the work. The licensing process requires contractors to take exams and prove they have experience in the roofing trade. This ensures that you are hiring someone who knows what they are doing and will do a good job on your project. 

Third, an insured contractor has coverage in case something goes wrong and someone is injured or your property is damaged. This protects you from being held liable if something happens during the course of the project. Make sure you ask to see proof of insurance before hiring a contractor and never work with someone who does not have insurance. 

When a hurricane hits Florida, seems like roofing contractors come out of the woodwork.  People are desperate to get their repairs done and end up paying someone who is not insured or licensed.  The best case scenario is that they do a poor job.  The worst case scenario is that someone gets hurt on your property or takes your money but doesn’t complete the job.

If you have damage to your roof after Hurricane Ian, we hope our tips will help you through this difficult time. Many people are in the same situation and by working together we can all get through this. Please don’t hesitate to reach out for help.  We are here for all your roofing needs. We wish you all the best during this trying time.