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What Do I Do if My Roof is Leaking During a Hurricane? (Includes Next Steps)

February 2nd, 2024 | 3 min read

By Jeffrey Linta

Do you have damage on your roof from a recent hurricane or tornado in your area?

Are you concerned about leaking and staining on your ceiling from an extreme weather event?

With extreme weather comes concern about how to navigate this stressful situation.

We get it. Having helped with around 300 insurance claims every year, we at Linta Roofing know that dealing with roof damage from a hurricane or tornado can be stressful. 

Whether you are currently experiencing roof damage from an ongoing natural disaster, or recently experienced one, knowing these 3 key steps to fix your roof will eliminate unnecessary stress. This article covers everything, from immediate actions you can take to mitigate storm damage to full recovery after a storm.

Let’s delve into the 3 steps you can take to reclaim the integrity of your roof.

Before anything else, you will want to mitigate interior damage to the best of your ability.

If you have significant wind damage to your roof, then it is likely that you have rain water entering your home. If you have easy access to your attic space and can navigate your attic safely, there are a few things you can do. 

You can check your attic for leaking areas and place buckets and/or tarps down. This will help mitigate water damage to the ceiling and flooring inside your home. It is important to note that this can be dangerous, so if you do not feel comfortable walking around an attic space, then please do not do this. Ultimately it is not worth hurting yourself in any way to mitigate damage from your attic space. 

There are still actions you can take to help avoid further damage to the interior of your home if you are not able to access your attic space. We suggest placing tarps, towels, and buckets on the floor if you see water entering the home. If you live in an area where hurricanes and tornadoes are frequent, it may benefit you to keep large buckets and old towels around in the event that your roofing system fails during a storm.

For your safety, we recommend avoiding rooms with large ceiling stains or leaks during a storm before a roofer can make temporary repairs.

While it may seem intuitive to call your insurance company first, we suggest contacting a trusted roofer before you begin the insurance process. 

To emphasize the importance of this, consider your homeowners insurance similar to your car insurance:

When your car is rear-ended, you take your car to the mechanic. The mechanic assesses the damage and provides an estimate for the repairs. This estimated amount is then submitted to the insurance of the at-fault car. 

Insurance claims on your roof are similar. It is important to speak with a trusted roofing contractor and receive an estimate before you contact your insurance carrier. Not only that, but an honest roofing company will offer a fair and reasonable estimate.

There are three other vital reasons to contact your roofer before your insurance carrier:

  1. Efficient Storm Damage Management:

For instance, at Linta Roofing, we are able to streamline the process of handling storm damage. An example of this is our regular collaboration with tree removal companies. We can contact a tree removal company for you, so you don’t have to. At this time we will also inspect, offer you a roof estimate, and make temporary repairs to prevent further damage to your home before your roofing project begins.

  1. Guidance Through Homeowners Insurance Claims:

Navigating the insurance process can be complex, especially for those not accustomed to making claims. As any trusted roofing company, we know what kind of roofing solutions you need after a storm. This expertise allows us to assist our customers through the insurance claims process. [link: how linta guides you through the insurance process]. 

We work towards restoring the integrity of your roof and working on your behalf with your insurance company to make sure that you are made whole from the damage that you incurred.

  1. Support for Cost-Efficient Decisions:

Depending on your insurance coverage and deductible, we help you make informed financial choices. For example, if your deductible exceeds the repair cost, it may not be worth involving your homeowners insurance for  your repair or replacement. We will help you be prepared to make the best financial decision regarding your roof.

Whether you have been approved through an insurance claim or you are paying for the damage out-of-pocket, the next step would be to have repairs made to your roof.

The scope of this is largely dependent on how much damage you had on your roof. 

If the damage to your roof is not urgent, it is important to take your time comparing roofing contractors to determine which company is right for you. Once you feel comfortable with a reliable roofing company, you can move forward with making repairs and regain a sense of assurance in your roofing system. 

Roof issues from an extreme weather event like a hurricane or tornado can bring up plenty of questions. Not only is it overwhelming, but it can also be time sensitive. 

Now that you know how to mitigate storm damage right away and contact a reliable roofing company after a storm, you can protect the rest of your home from any further damage. 

As you move forward, it may be helpful to know how we at Linta Roofing guide customers through the insurance process. Whether you choose Linta Roofing for your roofing project or not, this information gives you an idea of how a trustworthy roofing company will help you make your insurance claim.

Don’t let a storm get you down. There are ways to bounce back after a natural disaster, and we’re here to help you.

Contact us and let us help you combat these issues efficiently and safely!

Jeffrey Linta

Jeffrey Linta is a 3rd generation roofer who grew up working in his family's roofing business (Linta Roofing, Inc.). He got his start tearing off roofs during the summer while attending North Myrtle Beach High School. Now running one of the most successful roofing businesses in the Grand Strand area, Jeffrey has lived and breathed roofing for his entire working career. Some of his accolades include GAF Master Elite Contractor, SC Safehome certified contractor, Group 5 SC Licensed Commercial Contractor, and GAF Master Commercial roofing contractor. Under his leadership, Linta Roofing, Inc. has served thousands of homeowners and business owners in the Grand Strand area. Linta Roofing achieved awards like the Sun News’s “Best of the Beach” and A+ Rating with the Better Business Bureau all while receiving hundreds of 5-star reviews year after year. Jeffrey is a Grand Strand born and raised local. When he is not running Linta Roofing, he spends time fishing with his wife Erica and walking the beach with his dog Dixie.