After a storm, your home becomes fragile, especially your roof and siding – the first line of defense against the rough weather. High winds, heavy rains, hailstorms, and debris can weaken the structural integrity, causing expensive repairs if not immediately addressed. In this blog, we will share tips to assess storm damage, take immediate protective measures and prevent long -term issues. Whether it is a minor repair or a large roofing restoration, knowing the right steps, you can save time, money and energy. To keep your house safe and secure, dive into the best practices for post-storm roof and siding recovery.
Here are five expert tips on inspecting, repairing and keeping roof and siding safe after a storm.
1. Inspect The Visual Damage
- Once the storm has passed and it is safe to go out, start with visual inspection of your roof and siding.
- Look for missing or loose shingles– High winds can rip off shingles, and expose underlayments which increase the risk of leaks.
- Dented siding – hailstorm and flying debris can leave dent, cracks, or even holes in your siding, weakening its protective function.
- Water stains on the walls or roof – these indicate possible roof leaks that cannot be visible from the outside.
2. Evidence of Damages For Insurance Claim
- Evaluate, photograph, and detail the visible damage before any repair work is performed. This is very important for an insurance claim. Take the pictures from multiple angles so that all affected areas are captured in the photographs.
- Prepare a list of damaged or missing roofing materials and siding sections.
- If you can find records of past maintenance, see if you can compare the condition of the house before and after the storm.
- Call your insurance company as soon as possible to initiate the process and send in all documentation. This makes for an easier approval process for roof repairs or replacements.
3. Make temporary improvements to prevent further damage
- While waiting for professional repair, take temporary measures to reduce further damage:
- Cover missing shingles or damaged siding with heavy duty tarps to prevent water from getting into the exposed area.
- Debris – Clear away the branches, leaves or other material that may clog the drainage systems.
- Seal Minor Leak – Use roof sealant or waterproof tape for small cracks or intervals to prevent moisture from seeping.
- These quick reforms do not replace permanent repair, but can help protect your home from damage while waiting for professional assistance.
4. Hire a roof and siding contractor whom you can completely trust
Hurricane damage is often a type of damage that can only be fixed by specialists. Hence the need to only employ a contractor that comes highly recommended and certified. The contractor you are considering tells you that you should not hesitate to have a trust.
Look for:
- Licensed and insured professionals – it ensures accountability and quality work.
- Local Experience – Contractors familiar with the climate of your area will provide better solutions.
- Good reviews and reference – check online reviews before hiring or ask for customer references.
- Assistance with insurance claims – Many reputed contractors help homeowners navigate the claims process and work with adjusters to ensure fair coverage.
5. Strengthen your roof and siding against next storms
- After the repair is finished, actively work to fortify your house against coming storms.
- Think about improving durable siding materials like engineered wood and fiber cement as well as impact-resistant shingles.
- Trim tree near your home: during storms, overhanging branches can destroy things.
- To avoid water damage, aim the gutter from the foundation.
Conclusion
While storms may be unexpected, what you do about it can make a significant difference. If you inspect for damage, document them to request insurance, make temporary fixes, hire a reputed contractor, and enhance your home from future storms, then these activities will keep your home safe and reduce the repair cost. If your home has incurred damage in the storm, do not delay the repairs.
