Roof problem
Storm damage roof repair: document first, repair second
After wind, hail or falling debris, the useful sequence is safety, documentation, temporary protection, then a permanent repair. Getting that order wrong is how homeowners end up paying twice.
The short answer
Storm damage is rarely uniform. One slope can lose shingles while the rest of the roof is untouched, and hail damage is often invisible from the ground. Photograph what you can see safely, keep any fallen material, arrange temporary protection if water is getting in, and have the roof examined before you accept any assessment — including one from a door-knocking contractor.
First: what not to do
- Do not climb onto the roof, and do not lean a ladder against storm-damaged material.
- Stay clear of overhanging branches, sagging gutters and any part of the structure that looks displaced.
- Do not stand under a ceiling that is bulging or dripping heavily.
- Do not sign anything on the spot, and do not let anyone start work before you have a written scope.
- Do not move fallen roofing material to the curb before it has been photographed — it is evidence.
Documenting damage from the ground
- Photograph the whole elevation, then close-ups, so the position of any damage is clear.
- Note the date and time of the storm and when you noticed the damage.
- Photograph gutters, downpipes, fascia and any debris that landed.
- Photograph interior stains with a ruler or coin for scale, and note whether they are spreading.
- Keep any shingle fragments or granules that came down, in a bag, with a note of where they were found.
- Write a simple timeline: storm, observation, temporary protection, inspection, repair.
Your insurer will usually ask for photographs and dates, and a written scope from a contractor. Doing this once, properly, saves a lot of argument later.
What different storm damage looks like
| Cause | Typical signs | What is usually needed |
|---|---|---|
| Wind | Lifted or missing tabs, torn ridge caps, displaced ridge vents | Localised shingle and ridge repair, or a slope repair where damage is widespread |
| Hail | Granule loss, dents in metal, bruised shingle mat | An on-roof inspection; localised replacement where the mat is compromised |
| Falling debris | Punctures, cracked panels, broken tiles | Panel or tile replacement plus a check for deck damage |
| Water driven sideways | Staining at walls, windows and penetrations | Flashing and seal repair, not necessarily shingle work |
| Ice and snow load | Gutter damage, ice dams, sagging | Gutter repair, insulation and ventilation review, structural assessment if sagging |
Hail damage in particular cannot be judged from the ground. Granule loss on its own does not prove the shingle mat is damaged, and a bruise that is not visible may still have shortened the shingle's life. If hail is suspected, ask for a written inspection that describes what was found and where.
Temporary protection, and what it is worth
If water is entering, temporary protection limits the damage inside while a permanent repair is scheduled. It is not a repair, and it should be documented as temporary on the invoice.
- Ask what material is being used, how it is fixed, and how long it is expected to last.
- Ask for photographs of the temporary work before it is covered or removed.
- Expect to pay for it. Temporary work is labour and material, and some policies treat it separately.
- Plan the permanent repair now, because temporary protection degrades faster than most homeowners expect.
Working with contractors after a storm
Storms attract out-of-area crews. Some are excellent; some collect deposits and leave. The signals are consistent and easy to check.
- A written scope that names materials, quantities and exclusions, not a single number on a card.
- A physical business address and a registration you can look up with your state or local licensing authority.
- A certificate of insurance you can verify with the insurer, including workers' compensation where required.
- A payment schedule that does not require a large deposit up front, and no request for payment in cash only.
- A willingness to let you get a second written quote. Pressure to decide today is a warning, not a discount.
Our quote comparison tool is built for this moment: it puts two to four written quotes side by side and flags the scope differences that make totals incomparable.
Insurance: what we can and cannot tell you
We cannot tell you whether your policy covers a given event. Coverage depends on your policy wording, your deductible, the cause of loss and your insurer's assessment. What we can say is that a clear timeline, dated photographs and a written scope make any claim easier to discuss.
What to ask a roofing professional
- What exactly did you find on the roof, and where?
- Is this a temporary repair or a permanent one?
- Which materials and quantities are included?
- Are you registered and insured locally, and can I see the certificate?
- What does your workmanship warranty cover, and for how long?
Questions this page answers
Should I file a claim before getting a quote?
Many homeowners find it useful to have a written scope and photographs first, so the conversation with the insurer is specific. Some policies have notification deadlines, so check your own policy wording rather than waiting.
Can missing shingles wait until next month?
Exposed underlayment degrades, and wind-driven rain can get under adjacent courses. A small missing area is worth repairing promptly rather than waiting for a convenient date.
Sources
Accessed 2026-11-10. Listed as general references for the organisations behind the guidance on this page; the page itself is our own explanation.
- Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association — residential roofing resources — ARMASupports: Industry reference material on shingle systems, roof components and maintenance.
- National Roofing Contractors Association — consumer and contractor resources — NRCASupports: Professional standards context and guidance on scoping roofing work.
- Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety — wind and hail research — IBHSSupports: Research context on how wind and hail affect roofing materials.
- Ready.gov — disaster safety and preparedness guidance — FEMASupports: General household safety guidance after a storm.
Occasional, and only when there is something worth sending. The checklist and worksheet resources are free on this site whether you subscribe or not.
This page is general guidance, not an inspection of your roof and not a quotation. Roof Repair Roof does not perform roofing work or dispatch contractors.