As you will know, it is vitally important that your roof is maintained in a good condition as this will help ensure optimum protection for your home. However, despite your best efforts, circumstances beyond your control can still sometimes result in an emergency roof repair. For this reason, it is always best to be prepared for any eventuality.
Typical Causes of Roof Damage
There are many causes of damage that can lead to an emergency roof repair. For example:
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- Strong winds can displace the tiles and cause the material underneath to be exposed to rainwater
- Nearby tree limbs could possibly fall on your roof
- Lightning strikes
- Wildlife, such as squirrels and other small animals, can make their home on your roof
- Fire
Tips for Dealing with a Roofing Emergency
As the majority of roofing emergencies are a matter of “when” and not “if”, it pays to have some knowledge of precisely what to do before a problem arises. In this way, you can mitigate the damage and ensure the safety of your home.
With this in mind, we have provided some guidance that should prove useful if a problem does indeed occur.
1. Always remain calm
It is important to always remain calm during a roofing emergency, as wise decisions are difficult to make during a state of panic. To a layman, the damage will often appear worse than it actually is, which is why it is imperative that you seek advice from a professional roofing company such as Kingsley Roofing Services.
2. Protect your home’s interior
If your roof has sustained serious damage during a storm, you should try to protect your home’s interior as much as you can. To prevent water seepage, you should cover any holes with tarps or other waterproof materials. If you don’t have enough tarps to cover everything, place buckets under the leaks to try and mitigate any potential damage.
3. Contact a professional roofer
One of the first things you should do is call a reputable roofing company as soon as possible. However, it is worth noting that they are unlikely to send anyone out if the storm is still ongoing, as it could put them at risk. Nevertheless, because you have made contact as soon as you spotted the problem, you can rest assured they will send a roofer once the storm has subsided. Meanwhile, you should try to remain where you are while you wait for them to arrive. Never be tempted to climb on the roof to assess or fix the damage yourself. Always prioritise your safety.
4. Document the damage
If conditions allow, you could document the damage as you wait for the roofers to arrive. Take some photos or video footage and make notes about the extent of the damage. It is also a good idea to retain any estimates and invoices you receive from the roofing company, as this will make it easier for you to file a claim with your home insurance company.
5. Get in touch with your insurance company
Unexpected roof damage can be expensive to fix. Therefore, you should contact your insurance company as soon as possible and determine what is covered under your policy and whether they will shoulder all or part of your emergency roof repair costs.
Choose Your Roofing Company Carefully
When dealing with unexpected roof damage, it is imperative that you hire a reputable roofing company to carry out the repairs. Try to steer clear of cowboy roofers who are just looking to take advantage of some recent bad weather. Ideally, you should inquire whether the company complies with the following criteria.
1. Is the company licensed and insured?
To ensure you are dealing with a legitimate business, only use roofing companies that are licensed. This will make it easier for you to reach out to them if you need any advice after the repairs have been completed.
In addition, make sure the roofers have insurance. At Kingsley Roofing Services, our insurance is comprehensive and up to date, which means there won’t be any unnecessary expenses if an accident occurs while one of our roofers is fixing your roof.
2. Are they a member of a trade association?
It is also a good sign if your roofing company is a member of a prominent trade association, such as the National Federation of Roofing Contractors. This type of accreditation usually means the company has undergone a rigorous vetting process to verify the quality of their work as well as their customer service. By opting for an accredited roofer, you can rest assured that your roof repairs will be in good hands.
3. Do they have extensive experience?
The roofing company you hire must have relevant experience in dealing with emergency roof repairs. It goes without saying that roofers who have been in the business for many years will be more adept at fixing all types of roofing problems than those who are just starting out.
Therefore, if you want high-quality workmanship and excellent value for your money, you should only hire experienced roofers. For this reason, you need to conduct some thorough research and ask your potential roofers lots of questions in order to gauge their skills and reliability, especially during an emergency.
4. Will they provide a written estimate?
If you are in the middle of an emergency, you may think that a written estimate is unnecessary. However, even if they are dealing with an emergency roof repair, an honest and reputable roofing company will still provide you with a written quotation. The quote should set out in detail the pricing structure of the repair work. It should also inform you how they have calculated the price. Accordingly, in order to protect yourself from unnecessary expenses, only hire a roofing company that provides a written estimate and which is transparent about its fees.
5. Do they have a good reputation?
A roofing company’s reputation is often an indication of how well they do their job and treat their customers. Therefore, make sure you pay particular attention to this factor before you make a final decision. You should always read the company’s customer reviews and testimonials to determine the quality of work they usually provide.
Let the Experts Handle Your Emergency Repairs
Dealing with unexpected roof repairs can be quite a challenge. Nevertheless, with the right preparation, you can mitigate any problems. Remember, never be tempted to do the emergency repairs yourself. To protect your safety, it is always wise to leave this type of work to a professional roofing company.
At Kingsley Roofing Services, our team of highly experienced and reliable roofers are always ready to provide you with the emergency roof repairs you need. Please get in touch with us today if you have any questions about our services.