How Roofing Pros Assess Storm Damage

The sooner your storm-damaged roof is inspected after a storm, the sooner your insurance claim will be initiated. Having a grasp of the inspection process can help you make informed decisions and anticipate potential roadblocks on the road to roof restoration. In today’s post, Done Right Home Improvements shares a look at how professionals inspect storm-damaged roofs.

Why Are Roof Inspections Necessary?

While insurance adjusters perform their own inspections, they still need a roofing professional’s inspection as the equivalent of an independent expert’s opinion. This helps ensure accuracy, and should fill in any detail the insurance adjuster may have overlooked. More importantly, the roofer is the only one who can provide an estimate of the repair or replacement costs — their estimate becomes the basis for the insurance payout.

It’s also important to note that insurance providers do not issue checks to the homeowner, but to the roofing contractor. Once approved, an initial check will be issued to cover the downpayment and get repairs started. The second check covers the rest of the approved claim amount, after deductibles.

What Happens During a Roof Inspection?

A typical storm roof inspection begins with a visual inspection. The roofer will thoroughly document the extent of the roof as it was found, taking photos and making notes of potential hazards like broken glass and live wires. If hail damage is involved, the roofer will mark the parts of the rooftop with apparent impact damage. All of this information will be used later to assess how much material will be needed, and whether the roof will require repairs or replacement.

The roofer will then climb into the attic and inspect the framing and decking for signs of water infiltration. Signs that indicate the presence of damage, such as damp insulation and water stains, will be taken into account. Your roofer may also find signs of long-term damage like mold growth and “bleeding” nail heads, the latter of which is caused by rust.

What Happens Next?

After the inspection, the roofer will submit their findings to the insurance adjuster. Both will meet with the homeowner to discuss important information such as the repair timeline and, if roof replacement is required, options like roofing materials and styles. At the end of the meeting, the roofer will submit the estimate of the repair or replacement costs and initiate the insurance claim.

Don’t wait for a storm to find a roofing professional — save our contact information at Done Right Home Improvements. You can reach us at (402) 714-3104, or you can fill out our contact form to schedule a consultation.