Winter storms in Sandy Springs can be devastating to your roof. With wind, snow, ice, and hail, your roof has to put up with a lot, and even the strongest ones often get damaged by harsh weather. If you discover roof damage, it’s important to have it repaired as soon as possible so your home isn’t at risk from water damage and cold air seeping into your house. Follow these steps to get your roof back into shape.
Clean It Off
If your roof is damaged, clear away any snow or debris blown onto it from the storm. This will make it easier to get a better look at the damage, and removing the extra weight will take some of the strain off your damaged roof. If you can’t safely clean off your roof yourself, hire a team of roofing contractors to get the job done.
Inspect the Damage
Once the roof is cleared off, do a thorough inspection to find any signs of damage. In addition to obvious punctures, look for damaged or missing shingles, wet or moldy patches, or places where the roof seems to sag. Don’t forget your gutters, chimney, and anything else attached to your roof. Take pictures of any damage you find. These will be especially useful if you can compare them with pictures of your undamaged roof before the storm.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Most homeowner’s insurance policies cover certain types of roof damage, so be sure to contact your insurance company once the storm is over. Show them the pictures you took of the damage. They will probably send a representative to your home to inspect the roof as well, and help you figure out what steps to take next.
How to Fix Your Roof
Many homeowners prefer to fix minor damage such as missing shingles themselves. If you feel safe working on your roof, this may be an option if the damage isn’t too severe. Roofing supplies are widely available at home improvement and hardware stores. However, storm damage that extends deeper into your roof should always be handled by experienced roofing contractors. Your insurance company may also require that the repairs be completed by a roofing contractor.
Look for Additional Damage
In addition to the obvious damage to your roof, the storm may have caused addition problems that are harder to spot. Check the inside of your attic for leaks and other signs of water damage. If they are small, it may take several days or weeks before they are visible, so be vigilant about inspecting your attic after a storm. Pay attention to discoloration or water spots that appear on your ceiling, or a dank, musty smell in your attic. All of these may be signs of additional damage.
