What Every Homeowner Should Know About Emergency Roof Repair
As strong and durable as it may be, your roof was not designed to withstand extreme weather conditions. The strong winds and torrential rains that accompany most major storms can cause severe damage to essential structure, not to mention lightning, hail, and falling trees. What should you expect when requesting an emergency roof repair? Let’s find out.
When to call
Before discussing repairs, it is important to explain what is considered a roofing emergency. As we mentioned, damage to the structure is to be expected during a severe storm. But not all damages require immediate attention. Missing shingles, small leaks, and overflowing gutters are not considered emergencies. If you contact a service provider with such issues during or after a storm, it is highly unlikely that they will respond immediately. After all, those are issues that can be addressed on a scheduled visit.
As a general rule, immediate attention is needed when the structure is compromised and allows water infiltration. In this case, the service provider will install a temporary protective covering, such as a tarp, to prevent further interior and structural damage. Permanent roof repair can be completed at a later date.
When to expect service
If you call during a storm, don’t expect an immediate response. Honestly, a crew can’t do anything when there are high winds and heavy rain all around them. In most cases, they should wait until the storm passes before beginning to make house calls. Depending on the damage and the time of day, the team can cover the exposed area with a tarp or make a temporary mosaic. For example, they could use aluminum flashing to cover missing shingles, small holes, and other exposed areas.
Permanent repairs
When the damage is caused by fire or a downed tree, timely roof repair may be impossible. Since both events are likely to cause structural damage, the entire roof may need to be removed and replaced. To determine if a complete replacement is required, inspections must be performed on the structure before any work can be performed.
How to proceed
If your phone still works, you can contact a local contractor and request an emergency roof repair. As we mentioned, they probably won’t show up on your doorstep until the storm passes. You can also report the damage to your insurance provider. This can help speed up the claims process when submitting an estimate for repairs. You should also explore your options once the contractor has completed the initial inspection. Lastly, it is very important to document all damages in writing and with photographs. This information should be sent to your insurance provider in a timely manner.
A word of warning
We should also add that trying to repair the roof on your own is an incredibly bad idea. Hundreds of homeowners are seriously injured each year because they believe they can fix a minor problem with a little effort. In the end, this dangerous work is best left to the professionals. This is doubled when the structure has been compromised and needs immediate attention.