After a windstorm or other disaster, as a business owner, you should check your building’s roof for damage, and if any is found, decide whether to get repairs done or to replace the roof altogether. Business insurance may provide financial compensation if you file a claim for damage, but it’s also vital to help prevent the situation from worsening.
A visual inspection may indicate whether the damage is extensive or not. Where the damage is confined to a small area, repairs may only be required. However, if the damage is extensive or if the roof is old, replacement may be necessary.
There are tests that can be done to ascertain the extent of the damage. These include:
• Moisture surveys – which indicate the degree of moisture that has penetrated through the roof cover to the materials below. When the roof is being replaced, moisture surveys help to determine whether a different type of roof cover should be installed.
• Wind-uplift tests – to reveal resistance to wind-uplift forces. In some instances, adding extra fastening along the edge and corners of the roof may be required to provide more resistance to wind-uplift forces. In other cases, replacement may be necessary.
To correctly diagnose repairing or replacing your roof, you should engage a professional roofing contractor who has the required expertise, skills, equipment, and liability insurance. For more information on roof inspections, see the Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS). To find out more about how business insurance can provide financial protection for your enterprise, contact us.
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