What to Do After Storm Damages a Roof?

When a storm damages your roof, it can be difficult to tell how serious the problem is or what needs to happen first. You may see roof shingles in the yard, notice a new ceiling stain, or have no visible signs at all. 

Before checking the house for missing roof shingles or water stains, make sure the property is safe to approach. Storm damage may affect more than the roof, especially when high winds, lightning, falling trees, or heavy rain are involved.

When the storm has ended, walk around your property, but be sure to stay away from:

If a tree landed on the house, part of the ceiling has collapsed, or you hear cracking or shifting inside, leave the affected area and contact emergency services immediately. Do not climb onto the roof. Even an experienced homeowner cannot always see where roof shingles have loosened or where the roof decking underneath has weakened. 

Wet roofing materials, loose granules, punctures, and uneven surfaces make a storm-damaged roof very dangerous to anyone on the roof as well as inside the home. 

Once you have confirmed that there are no immediate electrical or structural hazards, it’s time to protect the inside of the house to reduce further damage while arranging for an emergency roofing service.

Place buckets or other containers beneath active drips, and move furniture, electronics, rugs, artwork, and other personal belongings away from wet ceilings, walls, and floors. If water from a residential roof leak is spreading across the floor, keep people and pets out of the area until you are certain there is no contact with electrical outlets, appliances, or wiring.

Since water from a storm-damaged roof can reach electrical wiring, saturate drywall, or weaken ceiling materials without warning, it’s important to stay out of your attic until it’s inspected by a professional. If you notice the ceiling is bulging, cracking, or dripping near a light fixture, leave the room and contact a roofer or electrician. 

Before removing debris or making permanent repairs to your roof, make sure you take photos of all damage. These records will help your roofing contractor understand what happened and may also be useful when you contact your insurance company.

Begin by recording the date and approximate time of the storm. From a safe location, photograph each side of the house along with any visible damage.

Try to capture both wide views and closer details of:

Keep receipts for emergency tarping, water removal, hotel stays, or other storm-related expenses. Your insurer can tell you which costs may be considered as part of the claim.

You do not need to climb onto the house to spot possible problems. From the yard, a window, or another safe vantage point, look for signs of roof damage, including:

The next step is to contact your insurance company and explain what happened so you know how to proceed. Request a claim number and keep notes from each conversation, including the name of the person you spoke with, the date, and any instructions you received.

Ask your insurer:

Visible roof damage does not always show the full extent of the problem caused by a storm, or whatever issues may have been hiding beneath the surface that led to structural damage. Wind can loosen roof shingles without tearing them away, flashing can separate slightly around a chimney or vent, and hail or falling debris can damage shingles, underlayment, or roof decking beneath them.

A professional roof inspection gives you a clearer understanding of which areas need immediate work and whether the rest of the roof remains serviceable.

The roofer should inspect more than the area where you noticed a leak. A complete evaluation will usually include looking closely at: 

Targeted roof repairs may be enough when the storm damage is limited to one area and the materials around it remain in good condition. For example, a roofer may be able to replace several missing roof shingles, repair localized flashing, or address a small impact area.

Damage to the roof decking deserves particular attention because it supports the top layer of roofing materials and provides the surface to which the system is fastened. Soft, rotted, delaminated, or punctured decking are signs it’s time to replace your roof before any new roofing materials can be properly installed. 

After a major storm, unfamiliar roofing crews may begin visiting affected neighborhoods. Some are established local roofers helping with the increased demand. Others, commonly referred to as “storm chasers,” move from one damaged area to another and may have no permanent presence in your region.

The U.S. Department of Labor warns homeowners about storm-chasing roofing companies that may lack proper insurance, use unsafe crews, or pressure property owners to sign contracts before they get the chance to research the business.

Before allowing any roofing contractor to begin work, ask for the license or registration required by your state or municipality. 

The contractor should also be able to provide current proof of:

Seci Construction Inc. is a bonded and insured roofing and exterior home services contractor. Homeowners can request our licensing, registration, and insurance information prior to signing any contract or beginning work. 

Look for a contractor with an established business address, a working local phone number, and a history of completed projects in your area. A roofing company with easy to find evidence of serving the same region for many years is more likely to understand local weather, building requirements, permit procedures, and the roofing materials commonly used on nearby homes.

Local history also becomes important after installation. You should know how to contact the company if you have a question about the work or need help with a future warranty issue.

Seci Construction Inc. is a family-owned roofing company with more than 50 years of industry experience. We serves homeowners throughout New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania with storm-damaged roof repairs, roof inspections, full roof replacements, gutter installation, home siding installation, and related exterior home services.

Research roofing companies by looking for independent sources, not just claims on the business’s personal website or online profiles, before signing a contract with them. Start by finding the roofer on the Better Business Bureau, where you should be able to confirm accreditation, rating, complaint history, and any available licensing information. 

Then read a mix of recent and older customer reviews. Rather than focusing only on the star rating, look for repeated comments about:

A few critical reviews are not unusual for an established contractor. Pay attention to the substance of the complaint, how the company responded, and whether the broader review history shows consistent service.

Seci Construction Inc. is a BBB Accredited Business with an A+ rating. Homeowners can also review our online customer feedback on Google, where we are rated an overall 4.9 stars, verify our status as a HomeAdvisor Screened and Approved contractor. 

Ask whether the roofing company holds certifications from the manufacturer of the roofing products installed on your home. Some roofers may be able to purchase shingles without completing the training or qualification process required for higher contractor credentials.

Depending on the program, manufacturer certification often require:

These credentials can sometimes determine whether a roofing contractor can offer enhanced manufacturer warranties. Membership in an industry organization, such as the National Roofing Contractors Association, can provide another sign of professional involvement when the contractor is an active member.

Seci Construction Inc holds several advanced roofing credentials. This includes being a: 

These credentials show that the our roofing company has completed manufacturer qualification requirements and can install eligible roofing systems with access to higher levels of warranty protection.

Do not approve a roof repair or full roof replacement project based only on a verbal price quote. A written proposal for roof work should explain exactly what the contractor will remove, repair, install, and protect in full transparency without adding room for any hidden roof replacement costs. 

Review the estimate for details about:

When reviewing a FREE estimate for roof work from Seci Construction Inc, your project representative will walk you through the roofing system, repair scope, materials, decking allowances, cleanup plan, timeline, and available warranties.

This gives you an opportunity to understand what your storm damaged roofing project includes and ask questions before scheduling your roof repairs or a full roof replacement.

Roofing warranties usually fall into three categories: 

Before selecting a warranty, confirm:

A limited lifetime material warranty does not cover every roofing problem for the homeowner’s lifetime. The contractor’s stability also matters. Even a long workmanship warranty has limited value if the company does not have an established business location or a history of returning to completed projects.

These manufacturer designations give our eligible customers access to enhanced warranty options that are not available through every roofing contractor in the area. 

Depending on your selected roofing system and project requirements, qualifying customers may gain access to: 

Once the roof inspection, insurance review, and written estimate are complete, you can schedule the recommended work. Your roofing contractor should confirm the scope of your project scope, materials that will be used, warranty coverage, expected project timeline, and any preparations needed before the crew arrives to get started. 

For storm-damaged roof repairs, Seci Construction Inc identifies the source of the problem and recommends only the work the roof needs. Repairs may include replacing damaged shingles, correcting flashing, or repairing roof decking.

You may be able to remain home if the damage is minor and there are no structural, electrical, or water hazards. Leave the affected area if the roof or ceiling is sagging, a tree struck the house, water is near wiring, or the structure is shifting. Major roof damage can make a home temporarily unsafe.

After making sure everyone is safe and documenting visible damage, contact your insurance company for claim instructions and schedule a roof inspection with a reputable roofer. If water is actively entering the home, call a roofer for temporary protection while notifying your insurer as soon as possible.

If you suspect your home suffered roof damage after a storm, it’s best to notify your insurance company as soon as possible. Your insurance policy may include notification or claim deadlines, so prompt reporting helps document that the damage occurred during the storm. 

Check for visible damage from the ground, but do not climb onto the roof. Loose shingles, wet materials, and weakened decking may not be easy to see. Seci Construction Inc offers roof inspections to identify damaged areas and provides FREE estimates for the work that follows. 

It depends on your policy and the cause and extent of the damage. Coverage may be available when a covered storm causes direct damage, but the roof’s age, deductible, exclusions, and whether the policy pays replacement cost or actual cash value can affect the amount paid.

Yes. Seci Construction Inc offers flexible financing options for roof repairs and full roof replacements, including 24-month, 0% interest financing for eligible homeowners. 

Seci Construction Inc provides thorough roof inspections, emergency roof repairs, and full roof replacements to fix storm damage and ensure your home is safe for you and your family. To get started today, call us at  866-572-7324 or fill out our contact form for a FREE estimate. 

We proudly serve homeowners throughout New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania with reliable roofing services for long-term home protection.