Once you've noticed your roof has been damaged by a storm, there are several measures you can take to protect your home while you wait for the installation date of your new roof. These measures can help you avoid further damage, ensure you have plenty of documentation for insurance claims, and better prepare you for the installation of your new roof itself.
Have It Covered
Before anything else, it's important to have your damaged roof covered, especially if you're expecting any more inclement weather. One of the easiest ways to do this is to use a tarp. If you feel comfortable doing so, you can do this part yourself, and if not, a roofing specialist may be able to get this done while you wait for the date of your roof replacement.
It's important to make sure the seal created by the tarp is as weatherproof as possible; the tarp should be placed over exposed areas in a certain way to ensure there are no leaks, so if you want to try this yourself, it helps to know the best way to lay it down.
Get a Thorough Inspection
A thorough inspection of your entire home is a good next step. Damage to your roof is often easily visible, but there can be other damage to your home from the same storm that isn't so evident. For example, heavy rains have the potential to damage your foundation or the area around it, especially if you don't have gutters installed or if they were also damaged. Further, if the roof was damaged such that water was allowed inside your house, it's not always easy to detect where all that moisture went. If any of it has gotten into your walls or ceilings, it can quickly cause damage to insulation or cause wood rot, so an inspection is important to help you locate just how far water has traveled inside your home.
Document Damage
Documenting the extent of the damage can help you in several ways, from letting you keep better track of what repairs are necessary to assisting you with insurance claims. Along with taking photos of the damage, it can help to write down some other details as well, such as the extent of the damage, how it was caused, and any professional assessments you may get from anyone inspecting your house, such as any risks posed by the damage caused.
Remove Water-Damaged Objects
While you wait for your roof to be replaced, water-damaged items should be removed as quickly as possible once you're through documenting the damage. Moisture inside your house can encourage mold growth, especially if any porous materials that soak up water have been affected; this can include everything from curtains to clothing to wood to insulation.
The exception to this is if removing any items may present some risk. For example, you may not be able to safely get into your attic to remove water-damaged insulation. If this is the case, ask your roofing professional what measures you can take to prevent the spread of damage in the meantime.
Contact a roofer for more information about preparing for a roof replacement.
