6 Things To Do When A Roofing Disaster
Strikes Your Leesburg, VA, Roof
Be Prepared So You Can Handle Any
Roofing Emergency
Preparing for a disaster in Leesburg, VA, is more than just having an emergency kit with canned foods, bottled water, and a medical kit. Do you know what to do if your home’s roof fails? Having a plan can mean the difference between minor repairs or a costly replacement. Luckily, our expert team has compiled a list of six things you need to do when a roofing disaster strikes.
High winds and tornadoes are not unheard of in the Loudon County area, but that doesn’t mean you can’t prepare. When you have a post-storm plan, you can ensure that your roof is quickly and safely repaired.
Check out these six steps for mitigating a roofing disaster on your Leesburg, VA, home.
1. Safety First
Remember, no matter what type of roofing emergency you are dealing with, you need to ensure everyone is safe. If your roof is half gone or has caved in, everyone in the home must move to safety.
Also, while you may want to investigate the roof, it’s best to wait for a professional. After a storm, your roof could shift and collapse, posing a serious danger to you and your family.
Instead, head to a neighbor or family member’s home and call a professional roofing company in your area. An expert will know exactly what measures to take to keep you and your home safe and secure throughout the process.
2. Stay Calm
We know – it can be difficult to stay calm when you know your roof is damaged. However, it’s best to be practical in these types of emergencies. There’s no amount of stress that will undo what has already been done, so try to keep a level head.
Plus, it’s easier to make sound decisions and ask the right questions when your mind isn’t racing. You’ll need to have all your faculties to inform your roofing contractor about the nature of the disaster.
3. Tarp The Roof If Possible
If you can safely tarp the roof to avoid further damage to the interior of the home, then go ahead and do this. However, remember, safety comes first!
The importance of safety cannot be overstated when it comes to anything dealing with your asphalt roof. Downed power lines, a weakened structure, and even lightning strikes all pose a threat.
If you cannot tarp the damaged area of your roof without harming yourself, leave the heavy lifting to the professionals. In addition, if you do not have the proper tools to adequately do this (such as a ladder to reach the roof), let the professionals handle it.
4. Make A Call To The Professionals
Whether you’re able to tarp your roof or not, a call to the professionals should be the next step to protect your Loudon County home. Even if you can see the damage, having professionals inspect the roof is always a good idea.
Not only can they inspect it, but they should be able to give you an answer on whether repair or roof replacement is necessary. Depending upon the damage, most homeowners find replacing their roof is the easiest path forward.
Your asphalt roofing contractors will give you an estimate on the price and when they can have materials ordered and the work completed. Be sure the assessment is in writing so you have the information for the future and your insurance company.
Also, you should never pay for an estimate. During times of bad weather, many roofers may try to take advantage of homeowners by charging them for just looking at their roof.
Don’t fall victim to this type of scam – a trustworthy company will offer a free assessment for your home.
5. File An Insurance Claim
If the weather has damaged your roof, chances are your home insurance policy will cover a portion of your asphalt roof replacement. In most cases, you will only have to pay the deductible, which is, on average, $1,000 for most Leesburg, VA, homeowners.
The process for filing your claim will be much smoother if you have an assessment from a licensed contractor. Therefore, it’s crucial to call the professionals before you start the claims process.
Once the claim is filed, an adjuster will come to your home and examine the roof to give their professional opinion.
Filing insurance claims can be stressful and challenging, especially if you work with an insurance company that is not on your side. However, your asphalt roofing contractor can help you navigate the process and ensure you are treated with respect.
6. Have Your Roof Replaced
Once your insurance claim has been approved, and you are given the funds to make your roof replacement happen, it is time to start. Of course, if you are paying for the replacement out of pocket, you can have your asphalt roofing contractor get started as soon as they can fit you into their schedule.
The roofing crew will remove the old roof, fix any damage that may have occurred, then lay the new asphalt roof that you have chosen. The entire process should not take more than a few days, depending on the size of your roof.
A reputable company will stick by their estimate, adhering not only to the price but also to the timeframe they quoted. In addition, they will take the time to ensure they clean up their mess and avoid causing more damage to your property.
Once your new roof is on your home, you can breathe easy as the disaster has been rectified, and you are back to normal!
When A Roofing Emergency Strikes, We Are Your
Leesburg, VA, Roofers To Call
If your Leesburg, VA, area roof has succumbed to a disaster and needs replacing, we are the professional asphalt roofers to call for help. We are ready to get your roof back into working shape safely so you can stop worrying about your home.
Give Milcon Design & Build a call today at [tel] to set up an appointment for an estimate!
