Storm Damage Roof Repair: What to Do After a Storm Hits

# What to Do When a Storm Damages Your Roof Pennsylvania and New Jersey weather doesn't mess around. Nor'easters, summer thunderstorms, hail, ice storms—we get it all. When a storm damages your roof, what you do next matters. ## Right After the Storm ### First: Make Sure Everyone's Safe Obvious but important. If you suspect structural damage—sagging, major holes, anything that looks dangerous—get out and call professionals. ### Second: Document Everything Before you touch anything, before you clean up, before anyone shows up: - **Take photos and videos.** Multiple angles. Close-ups of damage. Wide shots showing context. - **Note the date and time.** Your insurance will want this. - **Keep damaged materials.** If shingles blew off, keep them if you can safely collect them. This documentation supports your insurance claim. The better your evidence, the smoother the process. ### Third: Prevent More Damage If your roof is actively leaking: - Put buckets under leaks - Move furniture and valuables - Call for emergency tarping if it's serious Insurance policies typically require you to "mitigate further damage." That means taking reasonable steps to prevent things from getting worse. Keep receipts for anything you spend—that's often reimbursable. ## Types of Storm Damage ### Wind Damage What it looks like: - Missing shingles (blown off entirely) - Lifted shingles (still there but unsealed) - Exposed nail heads - Damaged ridge caps - Impact marks from blown debris Wind damage is often obvious. You can see missing pieces from the ground. ### Hail Damage What it looks like: - Circular dents on shingles - Granule loss in specific patterns (not random) - Dented metal flashing or gutters - Cracked vents or skylights - Damaged siding (often accompanies roof damage) Hail damage can be subtle. Looks okay from the ground, but the shingles are compromised. A professional inspection matters here. ### Ice Dam Damage What it looks like: - Water intrusion at eaves (where roof meets wall) - Gutters pulling away - Interior water stains near exterior walls - Lifted shingles along roof edges Ice dams form when heat escapes through the roof, melting snow that refreezes at the cold eaves. The ice blocks drainage and water backs up under shingles. ### Fallen Debris What it looks like: - Obvious impact damage - Punctured or crushed sections - Broken rafters in severe cases - Associated siding damage If a tree or large branch hit your roof, you likely know it. The question is how far the damage extends. ## Dealing with Insurance ### Step 1: Report Quickly Most policies have time limits for reporting claims. Don't wait weeks. Call within a day or two. ### Step 2: Keep Documenting Continue taking photos throughout the process. Document conversations with dates and names. ### Step 3: Get a Professional Inspection A contractor's documentation carries weight with insurance adjusters. We can identify damage you can't see and document it in a format insurance companies understand. ### Step 4: Be Present for the Adjuster Visit When the insurance adjuster comes, be there. Have your documentation ready. Walk the property with them. Ask questions. ### Step 5: Understand Your Coverage Know what your policy covers: - **ACV (Actual Cash Value)** — pays depreciated value of old roof - **Replacement Cost** — pays to replace with similar materials - **Code upgrade coverage** — pays for bringing repairs up to current codes - **Deductible** — what you pay out of pocket Not all policies are equal. Understanding yours prevents surprises. ## Avoiding Storm Chasers After every major storm, they show up. Out-of-town trucks, door-to-door solicitation, pressure to sign contracts on the spot. ### Warning Signs **They showed up uninvited.** Legitimate contractors don't cruise neighborhoods knocking on doors. **They want you to sign immediately.** "This price is only good today" is a pressure tactic. **They want big money upfront.** Large deposits before work starts? That's concerning. **They offer to "work with your insurance."** Some help is legitimate. Offering to waive your deductible? That's insurance fraud. **They can't show local references.** Ask for local jobs from the past year. Storm chasers don't have local history. **No physical address.** P.O. boxes and cell phones only? They'll be gone when problems arise. ### What to Look for Instead - Local company you can visit - Verifiable licenses for PA, NJ, or NY - Manufacturer certifications (GAF, Owens Corning) - Recent local references - Written estimates and contracts - Proper insurance certificates Storm chasers do cheap, fast work and disappear. When problems show up in a year, good luck finding them. ## Temporary vs. Permanent Repairs ### When Temporary Makes Sense - Actively leaking during ongoing weather - Waiting for insurance approval - Scheduling permanent work (material orders, crew availability) ### What Temporary Looks Like - Emergency tarping - Temporary patches - Buckets and plastic sheeting inside Temporary repairs buy time. They don't fix the problem. Don't let anyone convince you a tarp is a long-term solution. ## Our Storm Damage Process ### Emergency Response Storm damage doesn't wait for business hours. Call us for emergency tarping and immediate assessment. **** ### Inspection and Documentation We'll assess damage thoroughly and document everything in a format that supports insurance claims. We can meet with adjusters on your behalf. ### Permanent Repairs Once your claim is approved, we complete repairs properly. Quality materials, trained crews, manufacturer warranties. ### Follow-Up We walk through completed work with you, answer questions, and provide warranty documentation. ## Don't Wait Storm damage gets worse over time. Small leaks become big leaks. Compromised areas let in more water. What could have been a repair becomes a replacement. If you've had a storm come through, get your roof checked. Even if it looks fine from the ground. **Call ** for inspection or emergency response. --- *Based in Easton, working throughout the Lehigh Valley and into Jersey. GAF Master Elite certified. Licensed in PA, NJ, and NY.*