ROOF MAINTENANCE TIPS AND WHAT TO DO IF DAMAGE ALREADY OCCURRED

Few people think about the roof protecting their home or business until there is a problem. In fact, roof maintenance is rarely performed by most property managers or owners until someone notices a problem.

Even a small issue with a roof can result in costly repairs and having to file an insurance claim. To help prevent damage, a roof should be inspected for signs of aging and other telltale signs of potential failure at least a few times each year. The insurance claims and building science experts at Hudson Douglas Public Adjusters provide the following roof inspection tips:

• Inspect the attic for signs of leaks and moisture and be sure there is proper insulation and ventilation.
• Check for missing, cracked, curled, brittle, blistered or other damaged roofing materials.
• Examine for any signs of puddles on the roof.
• Inspect the roof flashing and seals around skylights.
• Look for cracked mortar around chimneys.
• Be sure gutters are free or debris and properly draining away from the building.
• During cold weather, watch for the formation of ice dams.
• Check for overhanging branches that could damage the roof and clear away any debris that has collected on it.

“Spending a few moments a couple of times per year to make sure your roof is in good condition could easily prevent thousands of dollars in damages if a problem has already developed that wouldn’t have be recognized until the next big storm,” said Douglas Waldie, President of Hudson Douglas Public Adjusters, LLC. “For anyone who does experience roof damage that requires an insurance claim to be filed, it’s important that the situation is examined thoroughly for any hidden damages that may have occurred.  Our experts work on the behalf of policyholders to comprehensively document any roof issues and damages that may have occurred throughout the property.  This ensures that nothing is overlooked and the policyholder receives the full benefits of their insurance policy to repair both the visible and hidden damages.”

Policyholders in Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey can turn to Hudson Douglas Public Adjusters for help with roof and other types of insured property damage issues.