71 MPH windstorm causes record-breaking power outages and home damage

Last night, a wind storm pummeled the Northwest killing three people, uprooting thousands of trees, tearing off roofs, and leaving a million people without power. Wind gusts reached speeds of 71 MPH, just 4 MPH short of hurricane force.

In the wake of the storm, thousands of homeowners are left with structural damage to their homes and roofs. This is a good time to go over some roofing tips when it comes to windstorm damage.

First things first: Locate and read over your insurance policy

In the event your roof has been damaged by severe weather, there’s a good chance some or all of the damage can be covered by your insurance policy. If you don’t know where you can find this information, you can always call your provider. The amount of damage your policy will cover will most likely depend on the age and condition of your roof before the weather damage.

Provide documentation for your claim

It’s crucial that you are able to provide as much documentation as possible to your insurance provider. Hopefully, you already have some “before” photos of the exterior of your home to show the condition of your roof. You should definitely take “after photos as soon as possible to document the extent of the damage. Keep a record of all estimates, invoices, and bills you incur as a result of the damage.

Choose an experienced roofer and get a quote

After a major storm, local roofers are going to be slammed with calls so you may need to wait a while before a roofer can come do an inspection and provide you with an estimate. But don’t settle for an amateur. If you have to, you can use a heavy duty tarp to cover any damaged part of your roof until a professional, experienced roofer can make it out to your home. Get a quote for the repairs in writing. If the damage is severe enough, you may be quoted for a total roof replacement. This quote is another type of documentation you’ll need to provide to your insurance company so don’t lose it.

File a claim

Now you’re ready to file a claim with your insurance company to hopefully get your repairs paid for. If your roof was quite old before the wind damage, you may be disappointed to learn that your insurance provider will only cover a small percentage of the cost. If this is the case — or if the damage to your roof was minimal and the repairs aren’t too costly — you may decide not to file a claim in order to avoid a higher premium or to avoid being dropped by your insurance provider.

Home improvement news brought to you by bartonroof .com

Source: seattletimes .com/seattle-news/northwest/record-power-outages-after-71-mph-windstorm-pummels-spokane-killing-2/