As tough and durable as it may be, your roof was not designed to stand up to extreme weather. The high winds and driving rains that come with most major storms can do serious damage to the essential structure – not to mention lightning, hail, and falling trees. What should you expect when you request emergency roof repair? Let’s find out.
When To Call
Before we discuss repairs, it’s important to explain what qualifies as a roofing emergency. As we mentioned, damage to the structure during a strong storm is to be expected. But not all damage requires immediate attention. Missing shingles, small leaks, and overflowing gutters do not rate as emergency situations. If you contact a service provider with those problems either during or after a storm, it is highly unlikely they will respond immediately. Those are, after all, 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 instance, the service provider will install a temporary protective covering, such as a tarp, to prevent further interior and structural damage. Permanent roof repair can then be completed at a later date.
When To Expect Service
If you call during a storm, do not expect an immediate response. There’s honestly nothing a crew can do when high winds and heavy rain are raging all around them. In most cases, they must wait until the storm passes before they start making house calls. Depending on the damage and the time of day, the team may either cover the exposed area with a tarp or perform temporary patchwork. They might, for example, use aluminum flashing to cover missing shingles, small holes, and other exposed areas.
Permanent Repairs
When the damage is caused by a fire or a fallen tree, timely roof repair may be impossible. Because both events are likely to cause structural damage, the entire roof may have to be removed and replaced. To determine if complete replacement is required, inspections must be performed on the structure before any work can be done.
How To Proceed
If your phone is still working, you can contact a local contractor and request 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 may help expedite the claims process when you submit the estimate for repairs. You should also explore your options once the contractor has completed the initial inspection. Lastly, it is extremely important to document all damage in writing and with photos. This information must be submitted to your insurance provider in a timely manner.
A Word Of Warning
We should also add that attempting any roof repair on your own is an incredibly bad idea. Hundreds of homeowners are seriously injured each year because they think they can fix a minor problem with a little elbow grease. In the end, this dangerous work is best left to the professionals. This goes double when the structure has been compromised and is in need of immediate attention.
