One of the most common claims for homeowners’ insurance in Salt Lake City and elsewhere in Utah or even around the country is for roof damage. Depending on where you live, damage to your roof can happen from hail, wind, or snow. As a roof gets older, it is more likely to sustain damage, which could lead to other structural damage. Here are some tips to help you check for damage to your roof. http://www.asainsure.com/

1. How to CheckforRoof Damage
One of the mostcommonclaimsfor homeowners’insurance inSaltLake Cityandelsewhere inUtahor
evenaroundthe countryis forroof damage.Dependingonwhere youlive,damage toyourroof can
happenfromhail,wind,orsnow.Asa roof getsolder,itis more likelytosustaindamage,whichcould
leadto otherstructural damage.Here are some tipstohelpyoucheck fordamage to your roof.
While it’sagood ideato have a professionalinspectyourroof,youcan do an initial inspectiononyour
ownif you feel comfortablegettingona ladderandontoyour roof.Make sure youplan enoughtime to
lookoverthe entire roof.
What to Look For
The firstthingyou shouldnotice isthe actual roof itself.Lookatthe shinglestosee if anyare brokenor
missing.Lookforthose thatare curling,buckledordon’tseemtobe secure.Notice the gutterstosee if
any piecesof shingle have slidoff intothem.You’ll alsowanttolookaroundventsandflashingfor
cracks or rustedareas.Pay attentiontohow secure the ventsare.If theymove,it’sasigntheymay have
missingscrewsandare allowinginwatertothe attic.
If you see mosson yourroof,it’sa sign thatthe roof isdecaying.Rustand wornshinglesare twoother
signsto lookfor,whichindicate anagingroof.While age isn’t a coveredissue formostroof claims,it
doeswarnyou of the needforreplacementbefore furtherdamage occurs.
Look Inside YourHouse
You alsowant to checkfor roof leaksfrominside yourhome.Notice waterstainsonthe ceilingorwetor
moldyinsulationinthe attic.If the paintis crackedor bubblyor wall paperpeels,it’sasignof moisture
gettinginfromthe roof.
Mold isoftena seriousindicatorof olderdamage.Itneedstobe dealtwithrightaway,andit may
require aprofessional forremoval.
The Cost of Repairs
Minor damage to a roof isofteninexpensive.Replacingafew missingshinglescanbe lessthan$200.
Replacingflashingonthe roof can be lessthan $500. Ignoringthe damage will ensure thatitcosts more
lateron.
If your roof is still underwarranty,youwon’tbe able tomake the repairsyourself oryou’ll voidthe
warranty.Most insurance companieswon’tcoverDIYrepairseither.If youmustfile aclaim, youwill
onlybe responsibleforthe deductible andthe insurance will payforthe restof the expense.
The besttime to checkfor damage is aftera storm.You don’twant to waittoo longor youriskfurther
damage to your home.Itonlytakesa few minutesforaninspection,oryoucan hire a professional.
Gettingyourroof repairedafterbeingdamagediscritical topreventingfurtherissues.Inaddition,it’sa
goodideato inspectyourroof everyspringandfall to ensure itdoesn’tneedreplacementorrepairs.

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