Prepare Your Roof For Storm Damage ![Roof Storm Damage]()
Storm damage can be devastating. When a tree falls into your and roof rain starts spilling in, it can compromise your family’s safety and destroy everything on the inside of your home. Although some circumstances are unavoidable, you and your family can be ready when the storm hits. By taking a few key steps you can be adequately prepared in order to handle any situation as soon as it happens. Below is a quick guideline to help you.
Key Steps To Preparation
If you are a homeowner, it’s important to protect your most important financial asset, which is your home. Although you can’t predict the weather, you can take some practical steps to making sure you are ready when a major storm hits. High winds, heavy rains, tornadoes, and other major events can quickly cause your safety and security to unfold, leaving you in a dangerous situation. By taking these measures, it will help you to deal with disaster in a more efficient manner, and make your road to recover go much more smoothly. Observe the following checklist:
- Consult with your insurance agent and learn the details of your insurance coverage. Find out what your insurance covers and the exact amount. Be specific with questions about storm damage.
- Locate a reputable roofing contractor in your area. It’s important to find a company that specializes in roof and structural damages. Make sure they are Michigan state licensed and certified.
- Secure all pertinent documents regarding your home. Items may include blueprints, mortgage agreements, home insurance, and other related documents. Keep them in a storm and fire proof safe.
- Have a plan of action immediately after the storm. Knowing what you will do, where you will go and other specifics, will ease your mind.
- Have a list of all relevant phone numbers. Emergency agencies, family, friends, work, insurance, and your construction company, FEMA, and emergency food and shelter checkpoints.
- Have a safety storage unit filled with food, weatherproof clothing, blankets, and all other supplies.
Create A Safe Environment
A practical preventative measure that you can take is to secure the area around the outside of your home. There are several things you can do. For instance, take a thorough assessment of every tree in your yard. It’s never a good idea to assume that any tree will hold up in a storm with major winds and heavy rainfall. While some trees may need trimming and branches cut, others will need to be completely removed. Inspect all structures and small buildings around your home for the possibility of flying debris. Cleanup your yard and store all tools and other items in a safe storage unit. A clean yard will minimize impact and destruction to your roof.
Document All Storm Damage
When storm damage has occurred, the first few hours are the most important. Once your family is safe, then the next step is document the damage. This includes videos, photos, and taking down notes that are either written or typed on a computer if possible. Make sure you get photos and videos from multiple angles in good lighting. Document everything that is damaged including your roof, your home’s structure and everything inside. If anyone is injured, it is important to document this as soon as you are able to. A good rule of thumb is go overboard with documentation. It’s important to do too much than not enough. As you are documenting try to think like an insurance agent. What questions do you think they would ask, and then have documentation prepared to answer those questions. Try to recount the entire event as best as you and everyone in your home can remember it.
If you are looking for a Roofing Company in the Grand Rapids area, please call Above Roofing & Exteriors at 866-798-3523 or fill out our online request form.
The post Preparing For Roof Storm Damage appeared first on Above Roofing & Exteriors.