No homeowner likes discovering a leak or other damage to their roof after a storm, but it just happens sometimes despite your best efforts. If a storm has recently rolled through your area and you believe you may have sustained some damage, here are some initial tips to follow while you work on getting in contact with a residential roofing service to discuss your options.

Make Sure the Storm Is Done Before Going Up Top

First things first, if your roof springs a leak or some other obvious damage occurs, your first instinct might be to run up top and see if you can do anything to slow the leak or otherwise fix the problem. But walking around on a roof that's still wet or has debris on it can be dangerous, especially if it's still windy out. Make sure the storm is completely gone before you even attempt to go up on the roof. Start on one end of the roof and remove any debris you find as you walk in order to avoid tripping over it on the way back.

Place Buckets to Limit Damage From Leaks

Because you might not be able to get up to the roof immediately as soon as you notice an issue, you should take other steps to limit the damage inside your house or to your home foundation. Put some buckets anywhere inside where water is dripping down. Put a bucket or two around the house exterior if you believe there is a clog in the gutter or downspout causing water to fall immediately to the ground instead of away from your foundation.

Photograph Any Damage Immediately

Once you have mitigated the damage, your next move is to start thinking about repairs. If you have homeowners' insurance that will cover your roof, the next thing you should do is photograph any roof damage like missing or loose shingles or any other area where there is clearly a problem that was caused by the storm. Timestamp the photos if possible to make it clear they were taken immediately after the damage occurred. Let your insurance agent know you have the photos and be prepared to print them out and mail them in to the insurer if needed with your claim.

Reach Out to a Residential Roofing Expert Right Away 

Once the storm is gone, you've put in some work to stop any leaks and you've begun talking to your insurer, you'll need to find a local roofing expert to actually come out and help you make any needed repairs. You don't have to wait for your insurer to respond either, you can pay the roofing expert first and then be reimbursed by your insurer after the repair is complete.

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