Storm Damage Roof Repair Guide

Here we are going to talk about the first forty-eight hours since this situation occurs as it is very crucial for the next steps.

The first step in solving the problem is doing a visual inspection of your property. Remember, you are not a spider-man and climbing up to a wet and damaged roof is highly dangerous and not recommended. So do not climb up to your roof to see what happened! Just go outside and take a close look at the damage done to your roof. Look for missing shingles, dented gutters, broken branches that are resting on your roofline. Look for any holes and dark stains on your roof. In case your area recently went through a hailstorm, you need to pay special attention to such damages.

It is important to start documenting everything. Take pictures and shoot a video if possible. This is tedious but necessary for future processes with your insurance company. Otherwise, you are risking to make your claims delayed or even refused, and arguing with your insurance company about roof damage is no fun at all. It is about as exciting as going to the dentist for a root canal performed by an amateur who has never visited the college. Take pictures of fallen branches, broken parts of your ridge cap and roof flashing. All these pieces will tell the story of your home’s fight with the storm.

Here is where timing becomes important. Call your insurance company within twenty-four to forty-eight hours since the damage has been found. Every policy has a reporting window, and failure to follow it may cause you to void your claim. No matter whether it is State Farm, Allstate, USAA, or Farmers. Every insurance company has different ways of handling storm claims, but none of them reward you for delay. When you file a claim, be as concise as possible. Provide date of the storm, date of observable damage and your policy number. Don’t speculate about repair costs or blame anyone.

This is one of those pro tips that can save you tons of money every year. Do not sign anything provided by the first roofing contractor that appears in your neighborhood after the storm. After major storms occur, contractors flood the affected neighborhood like seagulls on an unattended sandwich. Some of them are honest, but many are not. Those who are honest will still be in your neighborhood in a week. Those who are dishonest will want you to sign everything today because they won’t come back tomorrow. Contractors that act in such a way are known as storm chasers. The latter got their name due to their ability to leave after collecting deposits or performing poor-quality work using low-quality materials. The best way to protect yourself is by asking for proof of insurance, checking their license number in the state’s contractor’s board and reading reviews on Google and the Better Business Bureau. It is a wise choice to deal with contractors who are certified installers of GAF or Owens Corning as the installation of these manufacturers is preceded by a thorough review of their experience.

After your adjuster visits and estimates the repair works, compare his estimate to estimates of two to three reputable local roofers. If the numbers differ greatly, ask why. Sometimes the damage that has been overlooked by insurance adjuster is noticed by the roofer during the closer inspection. Hail hits on asphalt shingles may look like small bruises or dark spots and it is easy to miss them during the inspection from a ladder twenty feet above. Good roofers use chalk circles to mark impact and photograph it. This procedure is tedious but valuable as hail hits shorten the lifespan of shingles a lot even when they look minor on day one.

It is crucial to remember the role of materials that will be used in repairs. If your roof is covered with standard three-tab shingles like Owens Corning Supreme or GAF Royal Sovereign line, then it is a perfect opportunity to upgrade your roof to architectural shingles. There are many impact-resistant options like CertainTeed Landmark IR or GAF Timberline HDZ. These shingles have Class 4 hail rating and many insurance companies provide premium discounts for installing them. The difference in price compared to standard shingles is usually between fifteen to twenty percent more. But in the long-term perspective, such decision is worth it. It is one of those home improvements that pay off. 📈

While the repairs are carried out, do not just hide from view and watch Netflix. Walk the property with the crew foreman to make sure that the scope of work matches the insurance estimate. Ask about underlayment, ice and water shield in vulnerable places and whether the damaged deck will be replaced or shingled. Honest contractor will answer your questions without getting defensive. Dishonest will make you feel like you are annoying him. You are not annoying him. You are protecting your biggest investment.

After the repair works are finished, do the final walkthrough. Make sure that roofline looks good from the street. Make sure that the flashing around chimneys and vents looks clean and well-sealed. Ask for a written warranty from the manufacturer and contractor. Good contractor provides workmanship warranty for at least five years. Some of them provide warranties for ten or even twenty-five years.

Final thought. Storm damage repair is emotional. Your home seemed to be safe place, and now it is not. And this feeling is very unsettling. Allow yourself to feel frustrated. Write down the checklist and start working on it methodically. Hundreds of thousands of roofs are repaired after every storm season. Yours will be among them. Shingles will be put on your roof again. Gutters will hang straight. Life will return to normal boring rhythm which, after a storm, seems great. 🏠