How To Prepare Your Home For Hail Damage In Fort Collins

Monday, 09 March 2020 11:49

Kansas may be called the “Hail State,” but Colorado’s Front Range is undoubtedly the “Hail Capitol.” The cities along the Colorado Front Range receive on average 13 hail storms per year! From Colorado Springs to Fort Collins, our Front Range gets pummelled by hail annually. And those Colorado hail storms continue to become more destructive, dangerous, and expensive. Fort Collins can often get the worst of those hail storms, which can severely damage your property. Hail season is right around the corner, so how can you prepare for and prevent hail damage in Fort Collins?

As it turns out, there are plenty of things that you can do to prepare yourself and prevent hail damage on your property! In the months, weeks, and days leading up to the next hail storm, you should take care of some of the following tasks. You’ll thank yourself later when you have fewer exterior elements to repair and replace on your home.

Get Familiar With Your Insurance Policy

Have you ever read your homeowner’s insurance policy from start to finish? Probably not. Only a few homeowners will actually read their insurance policies with a fine-tooth comb. We know that your insurance policy is not the most invigorating read. However, that is not an excuse to be unfamiliar with your homeowner’s insurance.

Even if you have a rough idea of your policy, you should take the time now to develop a detailed understanding of it. With a stronger comprehension of your policy, you’ll be more prepared when disasters strike!

Have you overlooked something in your policy? Has your insurance changed within the last few years? Are you certain that you fully understand your policy? It’s better to leave nothing to chance and have definitive answers to any policy questions. Carve out an afternoon to review all the minor details of your homeowner’s insurance policy. You should consider questions like:

  • Does your policy have an “inflation guard” feature in place?
  • Are you absolutely sure that your policy will cover all types of storm damages?
  • Do you have a flat deductible or a percentage deductible?
  • Have you purchased the right amount of coverage for your home?
  • Do you have any secondary protections in place for your windows and doors?

After your review, are you still unsure about a few questions? Then you should contact your insurance provider to get your questions answered. It pays off later to figure out all of the minute details of your policy now! This is also a good time to develop a thorough understanding of the roof insurance claim process too. It’s better to be overprepared than underprepared.

Inspect Your Property For Pre-Existing Issues

In some storms, your property may suffer additional harm from other elements aside from the hail. You should take a few steps to minimize your potential storm damage by addressing your pre-existing issues. We’d recommend that you survey your property to spot any potential hazards that could be amplified by a hail storm.

Are there any mature trees on your property? If so, check out the positioning of the tree branches. Hail storms can weather and break tree limbs, which can then cause significant damage to your home. Trim those overhanging branches now and keep them clear of your roofline.

Are your gutters blocked up or clogged? Then clean them out now! It might not seem like a big deal, but the hail can add on weight to the gutter debris. All that extra weight can further damage your gutters. If your gutter systems worsen, future property damages can occur as well.

Do you have any unsecured furniture or playsets outside? You might want to take the necessary steps to protect those landscape elements now as well. It would be wise to take your furniture pieces into the garage until the storm blows over. At the very least, you should secure your patio furniture with a bike cable lock and cover them with a protective tarp.

Hail storms can cause monumental damages on all fronts, so you should take the threat of hail seriously. If you want to avoid as much hail damage in Fort Collins as possible, then you need to minimize your risk upfront!

Upgrade To Hail-Resistant Materials

The upcoming hail season is currently looming in the distance. We are experiencing the calm before the stormy season right now. So, why not take advantage of those calm and clear skies? You can prevent future hail damages by upgrading your roof materials now. Newly installed shingles can be much more resistant to hail than your current older shingles.

Not all shingles are the same though! Many shingles and roofing materials are far more durable than the cheaper options. In fact, there are a number of shingles that are manufactured to be more resistant to impacts! When you upgrade your roof with stronger materials, you minimize your risk of hail damage later.

Vet Local Hail Damage Contractors

Does your roof function perfectly right now? Even if it does, you can guarantee that your roof won’t last that way forever. Sooner or later, your property will suffer from some hail damage in Fort Collins. When that hail storm strikes and you need repairs, you’ll quickly scramble to find a reputable contractor! Those repairs need to be addressed before the next storm, so you have little time to conduct contractor research. That speedy turnaround might force you to select a sub-par contractor, which may result in poor craftsmanship and improper repairs. This is definitely a situation that you should strive to avoid.

Use your time wisely now to start your search for the right local hail damage contractor. It will pay off to have a trusted contractor in your back pocket when you experience hail damage in Fort Collins.

You should begin by conducting some online research of various local contractors. As you weigh their reputations, services, and client testimonials, you’ll start to narrow down your selection. Our handy guide to roofing contractors in Fort Collins can help you make the right decisions on the most important criteria.

Protect Your Home From Hail Damage In Fort Collins With Ethos

The notorious hail season of Colorado is practically here. Is your home prepared for the intense hail storms of this coming spring and summer? Ethos can help you prepare and repair your property.

Our roofers and contractors have been addressing hail damages all along the Front Range for numerous years. We understand the common signs and how to best restore your home to its former glory. With exceptional craftsmanship and unparalleled customer service, we’ll do our best to meet your roofing and restoration needs.

Contact Ethos today to prepare your home and prevent future instances of hail damage in Fort Collins.