October 1, 2023 at 12:00 p.m.
By Dani Sheehan.
Hurricane season arrives unexpectedly yearly. When a home-owner is unprepared or the climate proves too unpredictable, see how one can forestall additional misery by offering reduction.
Based on the Nationwide Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30, is projected to have elevated exercise with 14 to 21 storms seemingly. Whereas not all storms will change into full-blown hurricanes, and never all will attain land, the above-average season doubles the chance of a hurricane hitting the East Coast in comparison with different seasons in keeping with NOAA’s Local weather Prediction Heart.
In August, three tropical storms made landfall and Hurricane Idalia hit Florida as a high-end Class 3 hurricane. On the time of scripting this, Hurricane Lee is predicted to make landfall all through New England mid-September.
We could not be capable of forestall hurricanes, however we can assist mitigate the harm by informing householders with tricks to put together their houses. And if catastrophe has already struck, we will maintain them comfortable by providing the precise assist and merchandise for his or her roof alternative wants. Right here’s how one can go above and past to supply distinctive customer support to distressed householders.
1 – Encourage householders to get a number of quotes for his or her repairs
All of us need to shut the sale, however constructing belief with the home-owner is essential to good enterprise. Owens Corning gives an awesome storm harm guidelines to supply householders in instances of disaster. Sadly, some folks will attempt to reap the benefits of disasters. Educate householders on these potential dangers in order that they verify {that a} contractor is licensed and insured earlier than agreeing to any work on the house. Greater than seemingly, they’re going to name you first!
2 – Use aerial imagery to examine roofs after the storm
Your security and the security of your crew are simply as essential as repairing the roof. With advancing expertise, it’s now potential to evaluate harm and take extremely correct measurements of a roof with drones. For instance, TAMKO® and EagleView just lately teamed as much as present drone providers to contractors to shortly visualize roof harm. Nearmap equally has aerial imagery options and recommends proactive post-catastrophe methods that may help in making the insurance coverage declare course of a breeze as an alternative of a headache.
3 – Present short-term fixes to make sure the house is livable
In instances of catastrophe, it’s not at all times simple to entry the supplies or time wanted for a immediate restore. There are answers that operate as long-term, short-term safety, akin to Stormseal, that may stand up to future storms, not like tarps which regularly blow away. Fort Myers, Florida is an ideal instance of the necessity for these kinds of options. Amidst a brand new hurricane season, they’re nonetheless attempting to rebuild from Hurricane Ian in October 2022.
4 – Contemplate acquiring a blue roof contract for your online business
Whereas we would like to have the ability to assist communities in instances of want, it’s additionally essential to maintain your online business protected. Cotney Consulting Group counsel having an present blue roof contract in place throughout catastrophe reduction efforts. This can guarantee you possibly can present ongoing assist when your clients want you essentially the most.
5 – Supply sturdy options to cut back future threat of injury
Metallic roofing is the new place to be! Hopefully you’re already providing steel roofing options in areas vulnerable to catastrophe to make sure their sturdiness and longevity towards excessive winds and different excessive climate situations. Dupont™ Tedlar® movie is especially becoming for coastal areas, as one Roofing Highway Journeys podcast episode discusses.
Nonetheless new to the steel business? Sherwin-Williams’ MetalVue Program has all of the sources it’s good to get began. There are additionally further roofing options to contemplate, akin to artificial roofing from DaVinci Roofscapes, or slate or tile techniques. Making certain that you’ve in depth data of quite a lot of options can assist you inform your clients to make the very best choices for his or her roof restore or alternative and additional builds your relationship with them.
Dani is a author for the Espresso Retailers and AskARoofer™. When she’s not writing or researching, she’s coaching for path races and dealing on her yoga instructing certification.