Storm, hail and wind damage roof repair

After a major storm, fast action protects your home and your insurance claim. Hail and high winds can lift shingles, crack tiles, dent metal, and create leaks that aren’t obvious from the ground. Roof Restore Buddy matches you with roofers near you who are experienced in storm damage and insurance documentation.

A claim-savvy contractor can inspect your roof, photograph the damage, and help you understand your options before the next rain causes more harm.

What to do after storm damage

After a storm, take these steps:

• Stay safe and photograph the damage from the ground, including dents on gutters, siding and cars
• Cover any opening with a tarp to prevent further damage, and keep the receipts
• Get a professional roof inspection to find damage you can’t see from the ground
• Report the claim to your insurer promptly, as most policies have deadlines
• Get a detailed repair estimate from a licensed local roofer

If water is already coming inside, start with emergency roof repair. Most storm repairs then fall in the typical roof repair range; see our roof repair cost guide for prices by type of repair, or the roof replacement cost guide if the damage is widespread.

For commercial or flat roofs, see commercial roof repair.

How to tell if wind damaged your roof

Missing shingles are the obvious sign, but wind damage often starts out subtle. One early clue is a thin horizontal line of missing granules about 1 to 2 inches below the shingle above: it means the shingle’s seal broke and it flapped against its neighbor in the wind. Also look for:

• Missing, torn or creased shingles, especially along roof edges
• Shingles that are loose or lifted at the bottom edge
• Bent or missing flashing, ridge caps or drip edge
• Debris on the roof and piles of granules at the downspouts
• New water stains on ceilings or in the attic

Check from the ground with binoculars rather than climbing up, and have a roofer confirm what you see.

What wind speeds damage shingles?

There is no single number: it depends on the shingle’s rating, its age, and how well it was installed. Manufacturers publish a wind warranty for each product. Owens Corning, for example, warrants its Supreme 3-tab shingle to 60 mph and its Duration architectural shingle to 130 mph with a standard four-nail installation, while CertainTeed warrants Landmark shingles to 110 mph, upgradable to 160 mph when its starter and hip-and-ridge products are used.

Shingles are also lab-tested: in the ASTM D3161 fan test, Class F (the top class) means they held at 110 mph for two hours, and in the ASTM D7158 uplift test, Class H is the top class. Real damage often starts below these numbers, through old seal strips, poorly placed nails, or roof edges, where IBHS notes damage often begins as wind gets underneath. If the wind was below your shingles’ warranted speed, ask the manufacturer about a warranty claim too.

Signs of hail damage

Hail usually hits a whole neighborhood, so dents on cars, gutters and siding are the first clue. On the roof, look for small round divots or bruises where granules are missing, cracked shingles, and a large pile of granules at a downspout (a little is normal on new shingles). Bruised shingles can crack and let water in over time, so get an inspection even when the roof looks fine from the ground.

If you replace the roof, ask about impact-resistant shingles rated UL 2218 Class 4, the top class in that impact test. Insurers in some states, including Texas, may offer a discount for an impact-resistant roof.

Hurricane-rated roofs: Florida HVHZ and FORTIFIED

Where hurricanes hit, the code and the product approval matter as much as the shingle. Florida’s strictest rules apply in the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ), which the Florida Building Code defines as Broward and Miami-Dade counties. Roofing products used there are typically approved through a Miami-Dade County Notice of Acceptance (NOA), so ask HVHZ roofers to show the NOA for the materials they quote.

Anywhere storms are common, ask about a FORTIFIED Roof, a voluntary standard from the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS). It adds a sealed roof deck, ring-shank nails in a tighter pattern (which IBHS testing shows can double the uplift a roof withstands), and a stronger roof edge. An independent evaluator verifies the work, and the designation can qualify you for insurance discounts and, in some states such as Alabama, grants toward the upgrade.

Does insurance cover storm roof damage?

Homeowners insurance generally covers sudden storm, hail, and wind damage, minus your deductible. It does not cover damage from age or neglect. Documenting the storm date and damage clearly is the key to a smooth claim.

How much you receive depends on your policy. Replacement cost coverage pays to repair or replace the roof at today’s prices, while actual cash value coverage subtracts depreciation, which can leave you paying much more on an older roof. Wind can also be treated differently: on the Texas Gulf Coast, wind and hail are usually insured separately, and Florida policies typically carry a separate hurricane deductible. If a claim falls short, see roof financing, roof replacement assistance and affordable roofing options.

What to know about filing a roof insurance claim

A few habits make storm claims go more smoothly:

• Report it promptly. Deadlines vary; in Florida, notice of a property claim is due within 1 year of the date of loss, and a supplemental claim within 18 months
• Photograph the damage before any repairs, and make only temporary repairs until the adjuster has seen it; permanent repairs made first can get a claim denied
• Keep receipts for tarps, materials and emergency work
• Be there for the adjuster’s inspection, ideally with your roofer
• If the damage proves worse than the first estimate, ask the adjuster to revise it

Be wary of door-to-door storm chasers who offer to “handle” your claim. Our guides on how to spot a bad roofer and roof insurance claim and adjuster tips explain what to watch for.