Your commercial roof can withstand weather elements and storms up to a certain degree. However, severe storms can be overpowering, leaving your perfectly conditioned roof with severe damage. So what do you do first after storm damage? Do you call your insurer, inspect the roof yourself, or call local storm damage services?
Storm damage is often a nightmare for commercial building owners and managers. Thus, knowing what to do immediately after helps get your roof back in pristine condition quickly. It also enables you to budget for commercial roof repairs or replacements your policy does not cover.
Call a Roofer
Before calling your insurer, contact a trusted, local commercial roofing contractor to conduct a thorough inspection. A detailed assessment will uncover the extent of damage and whether your flat roof requires storm damage repair or replacement. The roofer will also do on-the-spot repairs to help prevent further damage.
Do not, under any circumstances, attempt to have the roof inspected by your maintenance team or yourself. A damaged roof is an accident waiting to happen when an inexperienced person gets up there to inspect it. It can also cause further damage.
Call Your Insurance Company
Make your next call to your insurer to file a claim, even if you are not sure of the extent of the damage. You can talk about your policy and what it covers, plus any deductibles required to give you an idea of moving forward without hampering your claim.
Provide all the relevant details of your claim. Next, collect relevant business records and photographs of the damage (from your roofer) to help prove your claim. Finally, have the insurance adjuster meet with your roofer.
Prevent Greater Extent of Damage
Do not wait or delay action after a storm damages your roof because it could lead to further damage and increased repair costs. Besides, roofing contractors often operate on a first-come basis, and you could be left waiting for days for an inspection since storms tend to ravage entire areas.
Avoid Storm Chasers
Always contact a local contractor because they are trusted and reliable. Storm chasers swoop in after a storm and offer to make repairs often at “more affordable prices.” Essentially, they are not interested in providing quality storm damage services, selecting quality materials, or upholding their reputation. When a storm damages your commercial roof in Fremont, OH, contact Damschroder Roofing, Inc. – a local and reliable roofing expert. We offer expert pre-and post-storm inspections and storm damage repair and replacement services.
