02 Oct 3 Roofing Recovery Steps to Take After the Hurricane Has Passed

On September 23, 2022, Hurricane Ian formed out in the Atlantic Ocean. In less than a week, it swept in to wreak havoc on Florida’s west coast.

That being said, even Floridian residents living in Central and Northeast Florida found themselves battered by hurricane-force winds and relentless rains. In other words, the whole state was affected in one way or another.

And if you’re wondering what you should do in the event that your roof has sustained damage, we’re here to help guide you with these three steps:

Step One — Start Your Survey

First and foremost, you need to survey your property to determine whether or not your roof may have actually been impacted by the force of the hurricane.

Your roof may have sustained different types of damage, including

• Water/rain damage
• Wind damage
• Hail damage
• Debris-related damage

Consequently, you should “check your surroundings for fallen trees, debris in your yard … and any other foreign objects that may have hit your roof during the storm,” the Florida PACE Funding Agency (PACE) recommends. “If you suspect there could be roof damage, it’s critical to take a look and investigate your roof up close to assess what exactly needs fixing. “

However, we urge you to never climb into the roof yourself. As you do not know if or how your roof’s structure has been impacted, it would not be safe and you should instead complete your survey from a distance.

Step Two — Hope for the Best, Prepare for the Worst

In the worst scenarios, you need to be prepared to ask for help.

“If your home sustained damage as a result of the storm, your local State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) program office may have recovery assistance available to help with temporary relocation, rental assistance, debris removal and/or home repairs,” the Florida Housing Finance Corporation explains.

Otherwise, if you are able to stay put, you can continue your recovery efforts by scheduling a roofing inspection.

According to Owens Corning, you should always “contact a trusted, professional roofing contractor to schedule an inspection and help you with damage assessment. Many contractors offer free inspections and will know how to safely look for roof damage.”

Step Three — Call Universal Roof & Contractors

Hurricanes have the ability to shake us all, both literally and figuratively — and you deserve to come home with the utmost confidence.

That’s why, here at Universal Roof & Contracting, our licensed and certified team of roofing experts has been serving homeowners like you for over 30 years! Throughout both Central Florida and Jacksonville, we have long sought to be there to help our neighbors and communities recover from the top down after the storm has passed.

You don’t have to go it alone. Contact Universal Roof & Contracting at 1-855-ROOF-HELP today to schedule your FREE roof inspection today! When you work with us, you’ll find the difference is universal.