Handling the aftermath of a storm

By Emma Peterson. 

Learn about what to do after a storm to make sure your roof is secure.  

In the inaugural episode of the AskARoofer podcast, Megan Ellsworth met with Mike Vaughn from DaVinci Roofscapes and Mark McMillan of Horn Brothers Roofing about storm safety and your roof. Taking the first step out of your door after a storm can be intimidating, things like fallen trees and damaged property can be frustrating to find. But it’s important to check on the areas that might not be as visible from the ground, such as your roof. Mark explained, "If you walk outside and all your leaves on your trees are in your yard, you probably have some sort of damage.” From there, you need to make a few phone calls.  

Depending on your plan and your area, you need to call either a contractor or your insurance, or both, to get an inspection. There are multiple ways to find a trustworthy inspector. Mike explained, “Insurance companies can be a great resource to ask for a referral for a contractor.” There are also usually contracting associations in your surrounding community. For Mark, in Colorado, there’s the Colorado Roofing Association. He elaborated, “They have a list of people that are already vetted that are upstanding contractors.” Additionally, the associations on there are held to specific standards and are well established in the community, not what Mark called storm chasers, who, “jump on a plane, find the hailstorms, say let me do your roof as fast as I can, and then leave.” 

Getting a trusted contractor out for an inspection is key to determining how much damage has occurred, before making an insurance claim. Mark explained, “Once you get the adjuster out there, your claim is open. And if you do have a small repair and your deductible's $10,000, you're not going to get anything for that repair.” This is why it is crucial to have a trusted contractor to guide4 you through the process. Mike put it best, “Having an honest, reputable contractor on your side can save so much time and heartache. 

Read the transcript or Listen to the podcast to learn more about what to do when a storm comes to your area.