How to Handle Storm Damage Repairs
Whether it’s a microburst or a full-fledged hurricane, storms can wreak havoc on roofs. Especially strong winds. They can easily uplift shingles and tear roofs apart. The resulting wind damage shingles can fly off the roof or be left dangling at odd angles. That’s when it’s time for storm damage repairs to your roof.
How to Get Started
After any storm, the first priority is to make sure to secure your family, pets and valuables. Once they’re all safe, then you can assess the wind damage to the roof and your home. You’ll also want to note the exact date and time of the storm, because your insurance agent will ask for that information.
“It’s a natural instinct to want to start cleaning up and fixing things right away, but hold off,” says Mike Vaughn with DaVinci Roofscapes. “Actually, you want to take pictures and video first of what Mother Nature did to your home. This way storm damage repair can be assessed by an insurance adjuster.”
After contacting your insurance company, follow their lead. They may tell you to have a roofer come out and do an initial assessment. Or they may tell you just to have the roofer cover any problem areas with a tarp and wait for them to come out. Either way, you’re going to need a roofer.
Why Did Wind Damage My Shingles?
This is the $10,000 question many people ask after a storm. And, it’s the question that leads people to really try to understand the composition of a roof.
Of course, there are many kinds of roofing — natural shake, asphalt shingles, metal, composites, cement, etc. Each type has its own features and benefits. However, they also have challenges. For example, thinner asphalt shingles, that may not be attached securely to a roof underlayment, can experience “uplift” and be torn off a roof during severe winds. This can also happen with other types of roofing.
Is There a BETTER Roofing Shingle Than What I Have?
As you prepare to repair or replace your storm-damaged roof, you’re faced with the question of what roofing material to use. Now that you’ve experienced first-hand how your old roof poorly handled the storm, perhaps it’s time to invest in a smarter, sturdier roofing material.
At DaVinci Roofscapes, our manmade composite shake and slate tiles are created (and certified) to withstand winds up to 110 mph. Those are the kind of winds you’ll find during a Category 4 hurricane. In addition, if there’s hail coming down during that storm, you’ll have no worries. That’s because DaVinci tiles are Class 4 impact resistant.
“When installed per installation guidelines, wind damage shingles really don’t exist at DaVinci,” says Vaughn. “Installers should take special care in high wind areas to take proper steps in securing roofing tiles to roofs to assure they are securely installed. Our DaVinci experts are available to give guidance in this area. Once securely installed, our products won’t randomly blow off roofs. Plus, they should not get damaged by severe weather like other roofing products. That’s what brings peace of mind to homeowners.
“In addition, these tiles are so dependable that many insurance companies give homeowners discounts on their insurance policies. They simply know they won’t be paying out on storm damage repairs when it’s a DaVinci roof overhead.”
Seeing is Believing
Carol and Ray Knoff truly love their DaVinci roof. In 2012 they chose a custom color to top off their 121-year old home. Then came the true test — August 10, 2020.
That’s the date when a derecho raced through Iowa. The equivalent of experiencing a Category 4 hurricane, the wind gusts hit 130 mph where the Knoffs live. Hail, sustained high winds and rain lashed the home for 45 minutes.
When the storm ended, the Knoffs fell in love with their roof all over again. Their roof was in perfect condition. Just one roof tile was raised a tiny bit. Otherwise their home was in great shape.
“This was so different than other storms we experience,” says Ray Knoff. “With the derecho, there are sustained winds over an extended period of time. They’re power storms produced by long-lived thunderstorm complexes that produce bow echoes. It happens so quickly that there’s really little way to give the public advance warning.”
“Our initial efforts to find the right roofing product were worth it. And now, we are experiencing even more benefits. This composite slate roof really held up to the derecho. That gives us confidence that the DaVinci roof can stand up to Mother Nature.”
Check out more “Wild, Wild Wind” stories and testing and certification data on the DaVinci website.