Do you know what to do next when a storm strikes out of nowhere? If you own or operate a business and manage a commercial building, you must have an effective action plan. Otherwise, you jeopardize your business’s well-being and vitality. Unfortunately, countless business owners learn an expensive and time-consuming lesson from not understanding the alternatives to address a roof damaged by a storm. Indeed, a commercial roof storm damage repair is a possibility to consider. An additional option involves hiring an experienced roofing contractor to perform a roof restoration. This process takes an existing roof and adds years of life. This viable solution is a cost-effective alternative to installing a new roof.
Prioritizing Commercial Roof Storm Damage Repair
Procrastination. We’ve all done it. None of us are immune to putting off something we need to do, but we devise “plausible” reasons for doing it later. Unfortunately, in the real world, procrastination can lead to dire consequences.
If you own or operate a business, you understand that delaying the resolution of a situation requiring your immediate attention can materially harm your business. You cannot afford to put off addressing a necessary repair promptly.
Types Of Roof Damage Due To Outside Elements
Your roof faces constant exposure to weather-related forces. Consider the following causes of damage to your roof:
Fire Damage
Even if a roof possesses fire-retardant qualities, the heat from an intense lightning strike or fire can break down roofing materials or components, including the structure.
Hail Damage
Identifying hail damage may not always be apparent. Hail strikes a roof randomly with no discernible pattern and requires a trained professional to identify.
Ice Damage
The formation of ice dams on a roof can weigh down the roof substantially. As a result, roof leaks and structural issues often arise if not addressed promptly.
Snow Damage
Heavy snow accumulation may cause a roof to sag, buckle, or collapse. This excess stress on a roof also can produce long-term structural problems.
Storm Damage
Signs of storm damage to a roof include loose, cracked, or missing roofing materials. Without addressing these issues promptly, a domino effect can occur.
Tornado Damage
A rapid-moving tornado will strike instant catastrophic loss to a roof. Unfortunately, in this instance, a roofing system can be destroyed beyond recognition.
Wind Damage
Powerful winds can bring down trees and power lines, damaging a roof. Extremely windy conditions also may cause direct damage to the roofing material itself.
Working With The Insurance Company After A Storm
Navigating the insurance process requires diligence. Closely adhere to these common-sense steps following a storm:
- Document The Damage And Your Roof’s Condition
Immediately following a storm, safely take ample photographic and video evidence of the damage to your building and the roof’s condition in its current state.
- Know Your Insurance Policy Coverage
Your insurance policy dictates your coverage limits, including any exclusions. It also spells out the process for filing a claim following a catastrophic event.
- Notify Your Insurance Company Regarding The Situation
Contact your insurance provider as soon as possible after a storm. Avoid speculating. Provide known factual information about what happened to your agent.
- Involve Your Commercial Roofing Contractor
Contact your roofing contractor to perform a comprehensive inspection of your roofing system. Discuss with them the prudence of filing an insurance claim.
- Submit An Insurance Claim
You have a limited time to file an insurance claim. Once you know it is advisable to proceed with a claim, submit it and provide the necessary documentation.
- Work With The Insurance Adjuster
An adjuster will inspect your building to determine your claim’s validity and the extent of damage. Have your roofing contractor present for that inspection.
- Negotiate A Settlement With Your Insurance Company
If the compensation offered by your insurance provider is unfair, negotiate an appropriate settlement using the evidence provided by your roofing contractor.
Professional Commercial Roof Restoration Services
If you find that your commercial roof needs more than a repair, consider roof restoration services, if applicable. Replacing commercial roofing requires a substantial expenditure of precious financial resources. An aging roof can extend its life expectancy and experience improved performance by facilitating a targeted or comprehensive restoration instead. This option makes sense when the existing roof remains structurally sound but has relatively “minor” issues that a knowledgeable roofing contractor can restore.
In effect, a restoration operates as a partial or complete makeover of your roof. Consider that a roof restoration is not a repair. Although repair work may be a part of the equation, the overriding objective is to add years of life to an existing roof using commercially accepted techniques such as adding a roof coating. Restoration also is less disruptive to your business and more eco-friendly than a full replacement. Talk with your contractor at Point to determine if this might be a good choice for your circumstances.
At Point Roofing & Restoration, in addition to standard commercial roofing repairs and replacements, we offer commercial roof restoration. This option is the perfect solution to make your roof watertight. Over 70% of commercial roofs qualify for roof restoration. Not only is roof restoration a fast answer for your business, but it also has no meaningful adverse impact on the environment.
To learn more about commercial roof restoration services in Boise, ID, contact Point Roofing & Restoration today to schedule a free initial consultation.
