The wind howls, rain lashes against the windows, and you hear the unmistakable thud of debris hitting your roof. For any New Jersey homeowner, this is a moment of pure anxiety. Our state sees its fair share of severe weather, from powerful nor’easters and tropical storm remnants to intense summer thunderstorms. When the storm passes, the big question remains: “Is my roof okay?”
Ignoring potential roof damage is a costly mistake. A small, unseen leak can lead to thousands of dollars in repairs to your home’s insulation, drywall, and even structural framework. The key to protecting your home and family is to have a clear, safe, and effective action plan.
This is your step-by-step guide from Nailed It Roofing, your local NJ roofing experts, on what to do when a storm hits—from the moment the first raindrop falls to the final nail being driven into your brand-new, secure roof.
Step 1: During the Storm – Safety is Paramount
When the storm is raging, your only job is to keep your family safe. This is not the time to be a hero or to try and assess the situation outside.
Absolutely Do Not Go Outside: This cannot be stressed enough. High winds can turn everyday objects into dangerous projectiles. Downed power lines can be hidden in standing water, creating a lethal electrocution hazard.
Do Not Get on Your Roof: Attempting to climb onto a wet, windswept roof during a storm is a life-threatening risk. No inspection or temporary patch is worth your personal safety. Leave this to the professionals after the storm has completely passed.
Stay Informed and Seek Shelter: Keep an eye on weather alerts from reliable sources. Stay in an interior room on the lowest level of your home, away from windows and glass doors.
Look for Interior Signs of Damage: While staying safely inside, you can still be proactive. If you notice water spots appearing on your ceiling or water actively dripping, it’s a clear sign of a roof breach. Place buckets or pans to catch the water and, if possible, move valuable furniture or electronics out of the way to prevent further damage. Note the location of these leaks; this information will be crucial later.
Step 2: After the Storm – The Ground-Level Assessment
Once the storm has completely subsided and you’ve confirmed there are no immediate dangers like downed power lines on your property, you can begin your assessment. Remember, this initial inspection should always be done from the safety of the ground.
Walk the perimeter of your home and look for obvious signs of damage. Use binoculars for a closer, safer look at your roof’s surface.
What to look for from the ground:
- Missing or Damaged Shingles: Look for shingles that are curled, cracked, or completely missing. Check your yard, gutters, and driveway for shingles that may have been blown off.
- Dented Gutters and Downspouts: Hail can leave significant dents in your gutters, which is a strong indicator that your roof likely sustained damage as well.
- Debris on the Roof: Fallen tree limbs and other debris can cause punctures, cracks, and structural damage that compromises your roof’s integrity.
- Damaged Flashing: Check the metal strips around your chimney, vents, and skylights. If these are bent, loose, or missing, your roof is vulnerable to leaks in these critical areas.
- Granule Loss: Look for an accumulation of black, sand-like particles (asphalt granules) in your gutters or on the ground near your downspouts. This indicates that the protective layer of your shingles has been worn away by hail or heavy rain, significantly shortening your roof’s lifespan.
Step 3: Document Everything for Your Insurance Claim
Before you move, clean, or repair anything (other than emergency measures to prevent further water damage inside), you need to become a detective. Thorough documentation is your most powerful tool when it comes to filing a successful homeowner’s insurance claim.
Take Photos and Videos: Using your smartphone, capture extensive visual evidence.
- Wide Shots: Take pictures of each side of your roof from the ground to show the overall scope.
- Close-Ups: Zoom in on specific areas of damage—dented gutters, missing shingles, areas with granule loss, and any visible debris.
- Interior Damage: Document any water stains on ceilings or walls, and photograph the buckets catching drips.
- Time-Stamp Your Photos: Ensure the date and time are enabled on your camera settings. This proves the damage occurred during the specific storm event.
Keep a Written Log: Write down the date and time of the storm. Make a detailed list of all the damage you observed, both inside and outside. This written record, paired with your photos, creates a comprehensive and undeniable picture for your insurance adjuster.
Step 4: Call a Trusted, Local NJ Roofing Contractor
After a major storm, you’ll see an influx of “storm chaser” roofing companies from out of state. These companies often knock on doors, offer suspiciously low prices, and use high-pressure sales tactics. While the offer might seem tempting, hiring a non-local company can lead to shoddy workmanship, voided material warranties, and no one to call when problems arise a year later.
Your best defense is to partner with a reputable, licensed, and insured New Jersey roofing company like Nailed It Roofing.
Why a Local NJ Roofer is Crucial:
- We Know NJ Weather and Building Codes: We understand the specific challenges New Jersey roofs face and are experts in all local building codes and permit requirements.
- We’re Here for the Long Haul: We have a physical presence in your community and our reputation depends on the quality of our work. We’ll be here to stand by our warranties for years to come.
- We Can Help with Insurance Claims: Experienced local roofers are familiar with the insurance claim process in New Jersey. We can provide the detailed, professional inspection report and accurate estimate your insurance company needs to process your claim efficiently.
When you call us, we will schedule a professional, on-roof inspection. Our trained experts will safely assess the full extent of the damage—including subtle issues you can’t see from the ground—and provide you with a detailed report and a clear, fair estimate for repairs or replacement.
Step 5: Navigating the Insurance and Repair Process
With your documentation in hand and a professional inspection report from a trusted roofer, it’s time to contact your insurance agent and initiate the claim.
Key Actions:
- Provide All Documentation: Give your insurer all the photos, videos, and written logs you’ve compiled, along with the detailed estimate from your roofing contractor.
- Meet the Adjuster: Your insurance company will send an adjuster to inspect the damage. It is highly recommended to have your Nailed It Roofing project manager present during this inspection. We can point out specific damages the adjuster might overlook and ensure the assessment is fair and comprehensive, advocating on your behalf.
- Understand Your Coverage: Once your claim is approved, your insurer will provide a breakdown of what they will cover. We can review this with you to ensure you understand the scope of work approved and what your deductible (your out-of-pocket expense) will be.
- Schedule the Repair: With the claim approved, we can schedule your roof repair or replacement. Our professional crew will handle everything from securing permits to sourcing high-quality materials and performing expert installation. We ensure a thorough cleanup, leaving your property looking better than we found it.
A storm-damaged roof is a serious and stressful event, but you don’t have to go through it alone. By following this emergency action plan—prioritizing safety, documenting thoroughly, and partnering with a trusted local expert like Nailed It Roofing—you can navigate the process with confidence and restore the safety and security of your New Jersey home
People Also Ask: NJ Roof Storm Damage
1. What is the first thing I should do if my roof is leaking during a storm? Your first priority is safety. Place buckets under any drips to minimize interior water damage, but do not go outside or on the roof. Stay safely inside until the storm has completely passed.
2. How can I tell if my roof has storm damage without climbing on it? You can perform a safe inspection from the ground. Use binoculars to look for missing or cracked shingles, check your yard for debris that has blown off the roof, and look for dents in gutters, which can indicate a hail storm.
3. Should I hire a roofer who knocks on my door after a storm? It is highly recommended to avoid these “storm chasers.” They are often from out-of-state, may perform subpar work, and won’t be around to honor a warranty. Always work with a licensed, insured, and local New Jersey roofer with a proven reputation.
4. Will my homeowner’s insurance cover storm damage to my roof? Most standard NJ homeowner’s policies cover damage from specific events like wind and hail. However, coverage can depend on your roof’s age and your specific policy. It is crucial to document all damage and contact your insurance agent promptly.
5. How long do I have to file a roof damage claim in NJ? Insurance policies require you to report damage in a “reasonable” amount of time. To be safe, you should contact your insurance company to start the claims process as soon as you have documented the damage after a storm.
6. What is “granule loss” on my shingles? Those black, sand-like particles in your gutters are asphalt granules. They form a protective layer on your shingles against UV rays. When a storm strips them away, it rapidly ages your roof and makes it vulnerable to leaks.
7. Should I get a roof inspection even if I don’t see any leaks? Absolutely. Hail can create small bruises and cracks that don’t cause immediate leaks but will allow water to seep in over time, leading to major problems. A professional inspection is the only way to spot this type of hidden damage.
8. What photos do I need for a roof insurance claim? Take as many photos as possible from the ground. Capture wide shots of each side of the roof, close-ups of specific damage points (missing shingles, dents), any debris on the roof, and photos of any interior water damage like ceiling stains.
9. Can my roofing contractor talk to my insurance adjuster? Yes, and it’s a great idea. A professional roofer from a company like Nailed It Roofing can meet with the adjuster on-site. We can point out all the damage we found during our expert inspection to ensure their assessment is complete and fair.
10. What’s more common in NJ: roof repair or full replacement after a storm? This entirely depends on the storm’s severity and the age of your roof. Minor wind damage might only require a simple repair. However, widespread hail damage or damage to an older roof often makes a full roof replacement the more cost-effective and safer long-term solution.
