Storms are a big part of life in Alabama and Louisiana. In Birmingham, spring and summer storms often bring hail and strong winds. In New Orleans, hurricane season brings heavy rain and high winds. After a storm passes, one of the best things you can do is check your roof. Small problems are much easier to fix before they turn into leaks.
Here is what Capstone Roofing recommends you do after a storm.
Step 1: Stay Safe
Do not climb on your roof after a storm. Wet shingles, loose pieces and weak spots make roofs very dangerous. Watch out for downed power lines, hanging tree limbs and broken gutters. Keep kids and pets away from fallen debris.
If water is coming into your home, move your valuables out of the way. Put buckets under any drips. If water is near outlets or lights, turn off the power to that room.
Step 2: Look for Damage From the Ground
You can spot a lot of damage without a ladder. Walk around your home and look for:
- Shingles that are missing, lifted, bent or torn
- Small grains from your shingles piling up in gutters or at the bottom of downspouts
- Dents in gutters, vents, metal trim or window screens (this often means the hail was big enough to hurt your roof)
- Missing or damaged caps along the top ridge of the roof
- Tree limbs on or near the roof
- Bent or loose metal around chimneys, skylights and walls
- Cracked wood shakes, or broken slate or tile
Then check inside. Look at your ceilings and attic for water stains, wet insulation, drips, or daylight coming through the roof.
Step 3: Know How Hail and Wind Hurt a Roof
Hail damage can be hard to see from the ground. Hail knocks the protective grains off shingles and can crack the layer underneath. Your roof may look fine for months. Then it starts to leak as the damaged shingles break down in the sun. Hail can also crack slate, split wood shakes and dent metal roofs.
Wind damage usually starts at the edges, corners and peak of your roof. That is where the wind pulls the hardest. Strong winds can break the seal that holds shingles down, so they lift and flap. Wind can also tear shingles off or push rain under the metal trim. Once shingles are loose, the next storm can do even more damage.
Want to learn more about hail? Read our guide on how to deal with hail damage in Birmingham.
Step 4: Take Pictures of Everything
Good records protect you, especially if you plan to file an insurance claim.
- Take photos and videos of any damage you can see, inside and outside
- If it is safe, take a photo of hail stones next to a coin or ruler
- Write down the date and time of the storm
- Keep receipts for tarps, supplies or emergency repairs
- Save weather reports or news stories about the storm
Step 5: Stop More Damage
Most home insurance policies expect you to take simple steps to stop more damage after a storm. That might mean putting a tarp over a hole or having a roofer make a quick, temporary fix. Keep track of what you do. If you plan to file a claim, wait to make permanent repairs until your insurance company has looked at the damage.
Step 6: Get a Roof Inspection
A trained roofer can find damage you cannot see from the ground. This includes bruised shingles, broken seals, cracked metal trim and damage to the wood under the shingles. A professional roof inspection tells you what was damaged, what needs to be fixed now, and whether insurance may cover it.
At Capstone Roofing, we take photos of what we find. That way you can see the damage for yourself and share it with your insurance company.
Step 7: Decide Whether to File an Insurance Claim
If your roof has real storm damage, your home insurance may help pay for roof repairs or a full roof replacement. Before you file, check your policy and your deductible. The deductible is the amount you pay before insurance pays. In Louisiana, many policies have a separate hurricane deductible. It is often a percent of your home’s value instead of a set dollar amount.
We explain the whole process in our step-by-step guide to roof insurance claims. You can also see how we help homeowners on our Insurance Claims Made Simple page.
Watch Out for Storm Chasers
After big storms, out-of-town crews often go door to door offering quick repairs. Some do good work. But many leave town once they are paid. That can leave you with no warranty and no one to call when problems show up.
Protect yourself:
- Choose a local roofer with a real office and a good track record
- Ask to see their license and insurance
- Be careful of pushy salespeople or anyone who wants a large cash payment up front
- Be careful of anyone who offers to pay or skip your insurance deductible. Paying your deductible is your job, and deals like this can get you in trouble.
- Get the work plan and warranty in writing
Learn about more warning signs in our article on “free roof” deals.
Think About a Stronger Roof
If you need a new roof, it may be a good time to upgrade. Impact-resistant shingles, metal roofs and roofs built to the FORTIFIED standard are made to handle high winds and hail better. Alabama (Strengthen Alabama Homes) and Louisiana (the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program) both have grant programs that help some homeowners pay for a FORTIFIED roof. Some insurance companies also give discounts for them. Visit each program’s website to see if you qualify. Ask your insurance agent how a stronger roof could lower your bill.
Storm Damage? Capstone Roofing Can Help
Capstone Roofing serves homes and businesses in the Birmingham, AL and New Orleans, LA areas. If a storm hit your neighborhood, we can check your roof, take photos of any damage and give you an honest answer. That might be a small repair, a new roof, or nothing at all.
Contact us today for a free estimate. Or call 205-453-1803 (Birmingham) or 504-302-0204 (New Orleans).