From mid-April to mid-September, the Colorado Front Range can experience severe hailstorms. These intense storms never fail to inflict serious damage to properties all across Colorado. But when your roof has suffered hail damage in Denver, CO, it's not always clear what you should do next. Do you know what steps you need to take to repair that hail damage?
Today we will break down the various steps behind the hail damage repair process. Follow these 6 steps and your property will be fully restored in no time at all.
Step 1: Verify The Damage With A Contractor
First things first: you'll need to verify the full extent of your hail damage in Denver, CO. And only a reputable roofing contractor will be able to accurately evaluate the total scope of your property's storm damage. So, you'll want to book an inspection with a trusted and local roofing contractor.
If you're worried about cost, fear not; most reputable roofers will offer FREE roofing inspections. In fact, you can actually book multiple inspections with a handful of contractors without having to worry about any fees.
During their 30-45 minute inspection, your roofer will look for key signs of storm damage, such as:
- Large accumulations of shingle granules in your gutters and downspouts
- Cracked, dented, loose, or missing roof shingles
- Patterns of small divots and impacts across your entire roofing structure
- Interior signs of water damage (e.g., moisture in the attic space, moss or mold growths, water rings on your ceilings, etc.)
Your contractor may even check for signs of damage elsewhere on your property, like your windows or siding. At the end of their inspection, your roofer will provide you with a clear outline of all your hail damage in Denver, CO, and recommended next steps.
Step 2: Protect Your Property From Further Damage
Like we mentioned earlier, hail can inflict serious damage on your property. And you won't be able to fix that damage overnight. For that reason, it's a good idea to take steps to protect your property and avoid further damage.
Consult with your roofing contractor (and insurance policy) about any temporary repairs that you can make. Your temporary repairs may include:
- Placing tarps over the damaged areas on your roof
- And covering any broken windows to keep out additional stormwater
Remember to keep your receipts for any of those temporary repairs, as they may be needed when filing your claim.
Step 3: File Your Hail Damage Claim
Did you know that in the last 10 years hailstorms have caused more than $5 billion in insured damage in Colorado? And according to the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association, Coloradans can count on roughly three or four "catastrophic" hailstorms every year.
If your contractor verifies that your roof damage is due to a recent hailstorm, then you should file a claim with your insurer ASAP. The roof insurance claim process is relatively straight-forward, but there are few things you'll want to keep in mind:
- File your claim quickly - You have a small window to submit your claim to cover your storm damage. Make sure you get the claim submitted before your policy's deadline.
- Submit as much documentation as possible - The more documentation that you can provide in your claim, the stronger it will become. Gather documentation from your contractor and be sure to submit any photos, videos, and other pieces of paperwork that you may have.
- Every homeowner's policy is different - Take some time to familiarize yourself with your insurance policy. That way, you'll understand the specifics of what your policy will cover.
Step 4: Meet With Your Insurance Adjuster
To verify the details of your claim, your insurer will send an insurance adjuster to your property. Also called a "claims adjuster," this individual will determine a fair settlement for your claim by speaking with you, assessing the damage for themselves, and reviewing other documents (Lemonade).
It's a good idea to have your roofing professional on-site for your adjuster's inspection. Why? Because they will act as your advocate during that inspection. They'll be able to voice any concerns that may arise with your adjuster's findings. By having your contractor on-site, your claim will likely have a better chance of being approved and you may receive a larger settlement as well.
Step 5: Confirm Your Storm Damage Repairs
Once your claim is filed and approved, it's time to get repairs underway! At this point, you may have gathered a handful of estimates from various local roofers. Decide on one of them and request a contract for the repairs. That contract will include a variety of details, including:
- The project timeline (start and end dates)
- The materials to be used
- Warranty offers
- Payment schedule
- Installation methods
- Provisions for unforeseen circumstances (e.g., inclement weather, discovering of additional roof damage, etc.)
- And any additional restoration services (e.g., siding upgrades, gutter repairs, window replacements, etc.)
Don't sign your contract before you read through its entirety. If you notice any details that weren't properly communicated, reach out to your roofer to fix those issues. Once the details of your storm damage repairs are all correct, remember to sign your roofing contract.
Step 6: Repair The Damage
With the contract signed, there's only one thing left to do: sit back and let the repairs commence!
Your roofing contractor will supply all the materials, handle all the repairs, and clean up all the work debris on your property within a matter of days. Soon enough, your roof will be in tip-top shape once again.
Once your roofer submits the final invoice to your insurance provider, your insurer will then send the final reimbursement check to you. And just like that, the project will be all done.
Restore Your Hail Damage In Denver, CO With Ethos
For decades, our roofing professionals have been widely recognized across Colorado as the go-to option for hail damage repairs. At Ethos, our roofers have been expertly trained to spot the obvious and subtle signs of storm damage on properties of all shapes and sizes. We promise to deliver unparalleled craftsmanship and top-tier customer service for you.
If your property has suffered from hail damage in Denver, CO, contact Ethos Roofing & Restoration today to schedule your FREE property inspection.