As Hurricane Dorian continues its slow march to the northeast, thousands of damaged roofs have been left in its wake. Heavy winds and rain are natural enemies of good roofs, and many will need to be repaired. Here are some tips if your roof sustained any damage:

Work with professional roofing contractors. The National Roofing Contractors Association suggests you only work with contractors who:

• Are licensed, in states where licensing is required.
• Have a permanent place of business so they can respond to problems that may arise later
• Have evidence of general liability and workers compensation insurance
• Are approved by roofing material manufacturers to provide roof warranties
• Belong to local, state or national trade associations

Work directly with your insurance provider. Don’t fall victim to contractors who ask you to sign over your insurance rights and tell you they will “take care of everything.” A professional roofing contractor can help you manage a claim, and provide you with repair options, but should not act on your behalf.

Manage your roof warranty. If your damaged roof is under a manufacturer’s warranty, a professional roofing contractor can help you manage the claims process. Many manufacturer warranties contain exclusions for excessive winds; most will require that repairs be done only be contractors approved by the manufacturer.

Make sure the workers on your roof are employees of the roofing contractor. Many contractors use “independent contractors” or “subcontractors” to do their roofing work; too often they are not properly trained – or even insured.

Check references. Professional contractors will gladly provide you with a list of their customers. Be wary of contractors who won’t.

Tri-State Roofing & Sheet Metal Group has been serving communities – through good times and bad – since 1923. We are licensed, insured and approved by virtually all major roofing material manufacturers. Our professional team stands ready to help you manage your roofing needs.