How to Handle a Roofing Emergency in a Minnesota Winter
Roofing emergencies happen at the absolute worst times. When severe Minnesota weather rolls in and threatens your roof integrity, the result is most likely a massive headache and a heavy chunk of change escaping your wallet.
However, there is a way to mitigate the chaos and damage. Here is Trinity Exteriors' guide on how to handle a roofing emergency!
Common Causes of Roofing Emergencies in Minnesota
There are many ways a roofing emergency occurs, most of which tend to be caused by severe weather. Here are some common signs of storm damage:
Falling Branches
Heavy winds knock objects and even vegetation around with ease. If you have branches overhanging your home, the next heavy wind can snap them off or crack your roof's shingles. Fallen trees are a common storm damage occurrence.
Ice Dams
Ice dams are a result of poor attic insulation. Ice dams will create a year-long cycle of destruction and degradation of your roof and your attic if not taken care of. It’s important to remove ice dams promptly to avoid further damage.
Hailstorms
Thick chunks of hail falling from the sky is a roofing nightmare. Hailstorms cause cracks and dents in your shingles, leading to further water damage over time. After a storm, inspect your roof for signs of hail damage.
Additionally, there are other ways roofing emergencies occur that don’t pertain to weather:
Improper Installation
Due to improper DIY work or incompetent professional mistakes, the roof will show significant damage signs if shingles aren’t installed properly.
Neglected Maintenance
A roofing emergency can occur if a homeowner fails to regularly clean and inspect their roof at least once or twice a year. Your gutters become clogged, causing improper drainage. Debris, such as leaves, branches, and twigs on your roof, will retain moisture and rot, which will promote mold and mildew growth.
Important Steps to Take During a Roofing Emergency
Of course, when a roofing emergency occurs, roof repair or replacement is the route you must take. However, what do you do to mitigate this emergency in the meantime?
Inspect Your Roof From the Ground
After a roofing emergency, the first thing you should do is inspect your roof from the ground level. A damaged roof is dangerous, so you should avoid going up there yourself. Contact a trusted professional for further inspection.
Take Pictures
If you can do so safely, take pictures of the damage with your phone. This will help during the insurance portion of the repairs.
Cover Your Interior
Since damaged roofs most likely offer places for moisture and other elements to intrude on your home. It’s a great idea to cover your interior attic area with a waterproof tarp for a temporary seal.
Call Trinity Exteriors
Once you have isolated the problem, make sure you call a reputable roofing company like Trinity Exteriors. We can send a professional to your home to assess the damage and create an estimate for repairs. We will work with you and your insurance company to handle repairs and make your home look new again.
Call Your Home Insurance Company
After you receive a quote from Trinity Exteriors, you can call your insurance company and inform them of the damage and quoted repairs. They may have you send pictures of the damage, or they’ll send our an agent to observe the damage.
Contact Trinity Exteriors for MN Roofing Emergencies
The most crucial step during a roofing emergency is to find a trusted exterior contractor for the job. That’s why you can count on Trinity Exteriors. Get a free quote online or give us a call at 952-920-9520 today!