Hurricane Ida roof damage is a severe issue. In the past, roofing was considered an easy repair because it just involved replacing shingles and roof boards.
However, these days roofers have to contend with more complex repairs such as removing water from the inside of a house or repairing a roof that high winds have blown off.
This article will discuss Hurricane Ida roof damage and how you can get your roof back up and running as soon as possible!
What roof damage is and the different types of roof damage
Roof damage comes in all shapes and sizes. If you have damage to your roof, it means that your roof is no longer watertight or structurally sound. You want to inspect your roof for anything unusual. Here are some things to look for:
- rips in the roofing material
- missing shingles exposing rafters
- roof boards that have been broken or ripped
- roof boards that are warped and bowed
- nails poking out of roof decking
- water leaks of any kind.
Roof damage can be a result of many things, including high winds. When there is roof damage, your roofing will not be able to stand up against rainwater which can cause a water leak.
As we’ve seen during Hurricane Katrina and the Great Flood of 2016, flood damage leads to mold – a hazard for you and your family.
Guess what else can cause mold?
A roof leak.
Having your roof inspected after a storm is so important, that we wrote an article about it! You can read our article on why you need to get your roof inspected after a storm to learn why.
Or if you’re like us, and prefer to be prepared, here’s how you get your roof ready before the storm.
How you can prevent roof damage
The best roofing practice to prevent roof damage is roof maintenance. Make sure that your roof is inspected regularly to ensure that there are no leaks, no broken boards, and no missing shingles.
What you should do if Hurricane Ida has damaged your roof
If Hurricane Ida has damaged your roof, you have some roof repair options. If you have roof damage from a hurricane, the first thing that you should do is contact your roofing or home insurance company to file an insurance claim.
If you find leaks in the roof after Hurricane Ida, don’t ignore them because it will cost you more in the long run.
If your roof is still intact, but you find roof damage after Hurricane Ida, act immediately! You don’t want roof damage to compound and cause additional roof problems down the road.
Here are some things that you should do if Hurricane Ida has damaged your roof:
Document Everything for your Insurance Company
Make sure to save all receipts, including hotels, food, gas, supplies, and other expenses you incur while away from your home. You should also take pictures of everything!
Please take a picture of your roof and interior structures before emptying any refrigerators or freezers if there are damages to them.
You will need to do this before the insurance company sends a representative to inspect your home.
Before You File Your Insurance Claim
Review your policy before filing a claim because the claim process can be tedious and time-consuming.
All policies are different with their specific terms and coverage options for loss of use, additional living expenses, etc., so it is vital to know the specifics about yours.
Be sure to read the fine print!
Read our recent blog post to learn about what your insurance won’t tell you about roof damage.
The roof repair timeline
Once you have filed your insurance claim, your home insurer will send someone out to inspect your roof damage.
The roofer will do a roof inspection and give you their opinion on what repairs are needed. Once the roofer has completed their assessment, they may choose to schedule additional inspections depending on your roof and roof damage.
They will order roofing materials and repair your roof. The roofer will let you know the roof repair timeline needed for your roof after Hurricane Ida.
Don’t try to fix roof damage on your own
Roofers are trained professionals with years of training and experience in fixing roofs after natural disasters. If roof damage is evident, you should have roof repairs completed by a roofing professional.
Don’t try to fix the damage on your own because plenty of things can go wrong if you don’t know what you’re doing – this could cause more problems and even make the situation worse.
Contact Your Insurance Agent
If there’s any way you can file your claim without calling the insurance companies directly, do so. The most important thing is to get a quote ASAP because your agent has 30 days after you call them to approve it.
If their office is damaged or inaccessible due to Hurricane Ida, use an online service instead of contacting someone who may not even be able -or willing to help over the phone if they’re busy with other things.
In Louisiana, you have the right to record all phone calls with an insurance company. In your email documentation of each call/meeting between yourself and the adjuster, include a summary and any agreed-upon actions or documentation they provided during your conversation.
Get Estimates
Get repair estimates from Louisiana licensed and insured contractors in writing. It is best to get at least three estimates on the work. Make sure they are in writing and that everything is clear before signing or agreeing to anything.
If the insurance company requires you to have roof repairs done by a specific contractor, but you choose to go with another, it is your right to do so.”
If you need an inspection, we’ve got you covered. Complete the form below, and we’ll get you taken care of:
Use Local, Licensed, and Insured Contractors
The most important thing for homeowners to do while their insurance company estimates is to work with licensed and insured contractors.
A homeowner should never pay over 50% of the cost upfront when hiring a contractor because demand will be high, but so are options for roofing contractors!
There’s no substitute for good research before hiring someone!
If your roof has sustained damage from Hurricane Ida, contact us today. We can help your home get back to being your home!
We have experience in dealing with insurers and know what it takes to get you a fair settlement.
Contact us at (225) 369-1119 to get your free roof inspection.
Apply for FEMA Benefits
Federal Officials can help with your property damage. Register for FEMA disaster assistance at www.disasterassistance.gov.
You may be denied your claim, but you can reapply when more resources become available and provide benefits for damage not covered by insurance.
To complete the application process, submit any documentation of denials from an insurer to the federal government agency directly through their website: www.disasterassistance.gov.
Has Hurricane Ida caused damage to your home?
Hurricane Ida’s destruction is devastating, but it’s not the end of the world. Roofs are often damaged when severe storms pass through an area, and high winds cause roofing materials to fly off or roof shingles to come loose.
Even though Hurricane Ida has left devastation everywhere, there is hope for your roof repair with some help from some roofer friends!
If you need assistance repairing your roof after Ida has passed through, contact us today at (225) 369-1119 to get a free estimate on how much repairs will cost.
We’re Baton Rouge’s leading roofing contractor for a reason, so call us for roofing services that are unmatched in quality and price. We serve Baton Rouge, Livingston Parish, Ascension Parish, and beyond.
We’ll help you save time and money by minimizing out-of-pocket expenses and costs before the next storm hits.
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