Month: May 2023

Roof replacement insurance is part of your homeowner’s policy, but will insurance pay for a new roof if you need one? With the storms we see in the South, it’s not uncommon for a homeowner to file a damage claim. However, ensuring insurance covers it is a different story. Dealing with companies when you need to file a claim can often be the worst part of managing roof damage. Here’s how to get insurance to pay for roof replacement.

 

Document the Damage

 

Don’t wait weeks after a storm to document any damage to your roof. As soon as it’s safe, get video and photos of any damage you see to the gutters, shingles, roofing materials, or flashing. Whether or not the insurance company needs your photos, having proof is never a bad idea. Be sure to capture images of damage to the roof itself and any interior damage, including leaks, water damage, or issues with your insulation. Include any information that might prove helpful, including the date and time of the damage and if others in your area also had the same experience.

 

Understand Your Insurance Policy

 

Annual reviews of your insurance policies, especially your homeowner’s insurance, is a great idea. If you haven’t done that recently, be sure to look at your coverage to see if your policy covers the damage to your roof. Every policy is different, and not all include full roof replacement or repair. You should be able to tell from your policy if your claim is legitimate and if your insurer is likely to cover it. Most policies that cover replacement require the roof damage to be severe enough that repair is not an option.

 

File a Claim

 

Filing a claim is a necessary part of the process when you need a new roof. The good news is that it’s easier than ever to submit a claim with most insurance companies. You can start with a phone call to your agent, or, in many cases, you can submit the claim online through their website.

 

Find a Reliable Roofing Company

 

Even before you file a claim, speaking with a roofing company or contractor is a good idea. They can do a thorough roof inspection and evaluation, can take the documentation photos for you, and will provide a report on the state of your roof as well as work with your insurance company on the claim process. Additionally, most insurance companies allow you to select a roofing contractor when you receive claim approval. You want to find one with licensing and insurance, good reviews online, and recommendations from friends and family. They should provide a free roof inspection, a free estimate, and assistance with handling all the insurance company details and information.

 

Don’t wait to act if you have roof damage after a storm or high winds. Start with a reliable roofing contractor who can determine the extent of the damage to your roof, help you with your insurance claim, and provide quality roof installation. Reach out to Premiere Roofing, the best roofing team in the region, for help with all your roof replacement coverage and professionals you can count on.

Water damage can wreak havoc on your home and cause catastrophic issues if not handled quickly. Water damage from your roof is even worse, as it all trickles down and can lead to destruction on all the floors below it. Anyone who’s previously dealt with water damage knows that this could be a nightmare. If you have signs of water damage in your home coming from your roof, an essential first step is to find the roof leak. Knowing where it’s coming from is the best way to stop the water and halt the damage. Here’s how to find it.

 

Start In the Attic

 

Because the attic is directly under the roof, it’s a reasonable place to start the search for a roof leak. If your attic doesn’t have a light, take a flashlight, and scan the space for signs of roof leak water damage. Look for wet insulation, puddles of water, or darkened wood where the water hits it. Mold or mildew is another sign that the water is coming in from the roof to the attic. If you can’t find the entry point with a flashlight or the light in the attic, try turning the lights off. Allow your eyes to adjust, and then look at the roof to see if there are any spots of light. If you see any, that could be your roof leak site.

 

Inspect the Roofing Materials

 

When looking for where a leak is coming from, move from the attic to the roof. Try to stand above where the water damage shows up and inspect the roofing materials. If the interior damage is close to a wall or where a wall meets the roof, it could be from a gutter or damaged roof flashing. Things to look for include:

 

• Damaged, torn, or missing shingles
• Holes around solar panels, where you hang holiday lights or decorations, or the installation point for security cameras or satellite dishes
• Space around exhaust fans and vents where roofing material may have pulled away
• Leaks around skylights due to age, wear and tear, or poor installation
• Damage from trees, branches, or debris that landed on your roof during a storm or high wind
• Areas where someone attempted DIY repair instead of using a professional roofing contractor

 

If you still can’t find it, you can have someone stand in the attic while another person hoses down the roof. The person inside can watch for leaks or drips as the water from the hose hits the roof.

 

Hire a Professional

 

Many homeowners love a good DIY project, but sometimes it’s best to leave things to the professional, especially when it comes to a roof project. A roofing professional can inspect your roof, from the shingles to the flashing, the interior damage to the insulation, to find the leak and assess the damage.

 

Before climbing on the roof and risking injury or frustration from not being able to locate the source of a leak, consider enlisting the help of a roofing expert. Contact Premiere Roofing for a trustworthy roof inspection and a free estimate on repairs or replacement.