Do You Know What to do After a Storm Hits?

By Cass Jacoby.  

All your storm-related questions get answered in this episode of the AskARoofer podcast. 

What do you do after a storm hits your home? Panic? Not anymore, the AskARoofer Podcast asks experts Mike Vaughn from DaVinci Roofscapes and Mark McMillan of Horn Brothers Roofing to guide us through the proper steps to take following a roof getting damaged in a storm. 

So what is your first course of action when a storm damaged your roof? “The first couple things to do are to either contract your contractor or call your insurance company,” says Mark McMillan. “Maybe calling your insurance company's best to have them direct you on what the next step is.” 

“They're also a great resource or can be to ask for a referral for a contractor,” agrees Mike Vaughn. The two discuss the importance of having the roof inspected by vetted, qualified and licensed contractors or insurance adjusters. The two both highly recommend getting a contractor out to inspect the roof. 

“The biggest and best thing that a homeowner can do is to make sure that they contact their contractor and have him meet with the adjuster, "says Mark. “Then there are two sets of eyes, instead of one. If the roofing contractor misses something, the adjuster usually catches it. If the adjuster misses something, the contractor usually catches it.” 

That is why so often it is preferred by homeowners to go to a contractor first. "Once you get the adjuster out there, your claim is open,” says Mark. “So start off with the contractor to actually let them know where they stand and get an honest opinion on what your damage is.” 

Mike adds that having a reputable contractor in your corner will make them your best friend throughout this process since they have so much more expertise. “They can walk the homeowner through each process and then to the point where they can start the claim form. They can meet the adjuster out there and walk the roof with them. They can be there for every process that goes through,” says Mike. “Having an honest, reputable contractor on your side can save so much time and also heartache.” 

Listen to the podcast to learn more about how to properly do your homework as a homeowner and for more expert advice on what to do should your roof get damaged in a storm. 

Have a question? AskARoofer.   

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About Cass  

Cass works as a reporter/writer for RoofersCoffeeShop and AskARoofer. When she isn’t writing about roofs, she is writing about movies for her master's degree and dancing with her plants.