What You Need to Know to Save Time, Money
& a Great Deal of Frustration
If you have experienced a severe house fire, it is highly likely that your roof has sustained damage. This can greatly influence whether you choose to embark on substantial repairs or opt to sell your fire-damaged house as is.
Often, even if a fire doesn’t reach the roof, the fire department may need to punch holes in it to ventilate hot air, smoke and gas or to get a better view of what is happening inside.
Of course, if your roof is fire damaged it is something that you are going to want to take care of sooner rather than later. Repairing the roof can prevent weather (like snow or rain) and animals from getting inside and doing even more damage to your home.
Following are some tips for dealing with a fire-damaged roof.
Initial fire-damaged roof tips:
The first thing you need to be aware of is that you should not attempt to make roof repairs yourself – unless you are a licensed contractor or experienced builder.
Another thing to keep in mind is you shouldn’t make any repairs until a contractor and insurance adjuster have been able to come to the site and assess the damage.
If absolutely necessary you can use a tarp to cover damaged areas and keep out the rain.
Additional fire-damaged roof tips:
- Always contact your insurance company immediately after a fire. Most companies require this and it will also benefit you by getting the reimbursement process started as soon as possible.
- Wait several hours after a fire before entering a fire-damaged house to determine what repairs are needed. When you do go inside be aware of smoke or sparks that can indicate a fire is not totally extinguished.
- To avoid breathing in smoke and soot particles wet down loose debris and damaged areas. Of course, be aware that water can lead to further damage and more repairs. It can also cause harmful black mold to start to grow in a home.
- Before doing any repairs it is always best to have an inspector come in and fully inspect the house. The inspector can tell you more about the damage that was sustained and may even be able to discuss how expensive the repairs may be.
How to select a roofing company to repair your fire-damaged roof
As they age many homes require roofing work. As a result, you may be able to get recommendations from your neighbors. You may also be able to recommendations from nearby friends and family who have had their roofs worked on in the past.
Look for a provider that has established a reputation for providing homeowners with quality roofing services at fair prices.
After all, the last thing you want is to run into project delays or pricing hassles when problems with an existing roof could lead to costly damage inside your home. You want a company that is capable of getting your roofing issue solved quickly and satisfactorily.
What should the roofing company do?
A company expert should come to your home and thoroughly analyze your roof and then offer solutions to fit your budget and time frame. Ideally, the company should also provide a wide variety of roofing services such as: roof repair, roof installation, roof replacement, and more.
In addition, the company should use the highest quality materials and the best work procedures to ensure your satisfaction when the job is complete. It should even use special equipment to protect your landscaping and minimize the mess that can occur during the repair and replacement process.
Common roofs installed after a fire
Look for a company that can repair, replace and install all of the following types of residential roofs:
- Tile Roofing
- Shingle Roofing
- Wood Shakes
- Single Ply
- Foam Roofing
- Modified Bitumen
- Metal Roofing
- Walk Decks
- Siding
- and More
Depending on your needs, you may also want to look for a company that has experience working with a variety of commercial shingle and flat roofs, such as: built-up, modified bitumen, EPDM/rubber, PVC, TPO and more.
How the fire-damaged roof repair process works
As we mentioned previously, your first step should be to call your insurance company. Next you should contact multiple roofing companies to get estimates for the project. Each company should send a roofing expert, who is fully insured and licensed, to inspect your roof and perform a full damage assessment.
Then the company you select should work closely with you and your insurance company to ensure that you are reimbursed for the cost of the repairs. Some companies may even meet with an insurance adjuster at your home to go over the details of their inspection, if necessary.
If/when your claim is approved, the company’s team of roofing installers will then get to work replacing or repairing your roof. The entire process should be as stress-free and drama-free for you as possible!
Things to look for when selecting a roofing company to repair your fire-damaged roof
Look for a company that understands how stressful unexpected roofing expenses can be. You want to find a company committed to providing a high-quality solution and maintaining honesty throughout the process.
Integrity is also very important. If you invite a company to inspect your roof, you want to be able to count on them to not just provide an expert opinion but also an honest opinion.
The company shouldn’t try to sell you something you don’t need. Look for companies that have established a strong reputation in your area. The company should be committed to ensuring each homeowner gets the best possible solution and to providing unmatched customer service.
The roofing company should also use the highest quality materials and have a strong employee safety program that includes:
- Creating a “No Entry Zone” perimeter around each house prior to work starting
- Outfitting all roofers with retractable fall protection devices
- Adhering to a 100% tie off policy
- Providing employees with continuous training and ground-breaking safety education
How to avoid a stressful fire-damaged roof repair process
To avoid repairing a fire-damaged roof and enduring possible project delays or budget overages, you could sell your fire-damaged house directly to We Buy Fire Damaged Houses.
We offer great prices and pay in all cash so you get your money fast. To see if you quality for a free, no obligation quote on your fire-damaged house, fill out the short form below.