As a New Jersey-based roofing company, we at Nailed It Roofing know firsthand the kind of unpredictable and sometimes brutal weather the Northeast can dish out. From the fierce winds that whip across the Atlantic to the sudden, destructive hail storms that seem to appear out of nowhere, our homes are constantly on the front lines. And while our primary service area is right here in the Garden State, we often get calls from or hear stories from our neighbors in Pennsylvania, who experience very similar meteorological challenges. That’s why we felt it was vital to share some crucial advice: what exactly should you do immediately after a severe wind or hail storm damage hits your Pennsylvania home?
When a powerful storm rips through, the aftermath can be disorienting, even frightening. You might step outside to see fallen trees, debris scattered everywhere, and your heart sinks as you spot a few loose shingles or dents on your gutters. In that moment of overwhelm, it’s easy to panic or make hasty decisions. But taking the right first steps can make all the difference, not only in protecting your property from further damage but also in ensuring a smooth and successful insurance claim. So, let’s take a deep breath together and walk through the essential actions every Pennsylvania homeowner should take when the storm clears.
Step 1: Prioritize Safety – Always!
Before you even think about inspecting your roof, your safety, and the safety of your family, must be your absolute top priority. Seriously, put that ladder away for now!
- Stay Indoors Until the Storm Completely Passes: Even after the main winds die down, falling debris, downed power lines, and dangerous conditions can persist.
- Beware of Hidden Dangers: Assume downed power lines are live. Watch out for sharp debris, broken glass, or unstable structures.
- Check for Interior Damage First: Look for obvious signs of water intrusion like ceiling stains, drips, or sagging drywall. If you see active leaks, place buckets to catch water to minimize damage.
- Smell for Gas: If you detect the odor of natural gas, leave your home immediately and call your utility company from a safe distance.
If there’s any significant structural damage, gas leaks, or electrical issues, evacuate your home and contact emergency services (911) and your utility providers immediately. Your roof can wait; your life cannot.
Step 2: From a Safe Distance, Assess and Document (Your Camera is Your Best Friend!)
Once it’s truly safe to venture outside – and only then – perform a preliminary visual inspection. Remember, you’re not a roofer yet; you’re an informed homeowner collecting evidence.
- Do NOT Climb on Your Roof: Unless you are a trained professional with proper safety gear, do not get on your roof. Damaged roofs can be incredibly unstable, and slippery surfaces from rain or residual ice are major hazards. You can get a good initial look from the ground with binoculars, or by standing on a stable, elevated platform like a deck or a second-story window.
- Look for the Obvious Signs of Damage:
- Missing or Displaced Shingles: These are often easy to spot. Note their location.
- Dents or Pockmarks on Metal Components: Check gutters, downspouts, flashing, and even metal vents for hail impact.
- Granule Loss (Asphalt Shingles): Large piles of shingle granules in your gutters or washed down your downspouts are a major red flag. This means your shingles’ protective layer has been eroded.
- Cracked or Bruised Shingles: Hail can create circular cracks or “bruises” that might not be immediately visible but weaken the shingle.
- Loose or Damaged Flashing: Around chimneys, skylights, and vent pipes.
- Debris on the Roof: Fallen branches, tree limbs, or other storm debris.
- Sagging Sections: Any noticeable dips or sags in your roofline.
- Document EVERYTHING with Photos and Videos: This step is absolutely critical for your insurance claim.
- Date and Time Stamp: Use your phone’s camera to capture photos and videos, ensuring they’re date and time-stamped if possible.
- Overall Shots: Take wide shots of your entire home and roof from various angles.
- Close-Ups: Get close-up shots of every damaged area you can safely access (from the ground!).
- Interior Damage: Document any interior water stains, leaks, or other issues caused by the storm.
- Surrounding Property Damage: Include photos of damaged fences, siding, windows, or landscaping, as this can support your claim for roof damage.
- Be Thorough: The more evidence you have, the better.
Step 3: Temporary Fixes (Only If Absolutely Necessary and Safe!)
If you have active leaks that pose a serious threat to your home’s interior, and only if it is absolutely safe to do so from a stable ladder or other safe position, you might consider temporary measures.
- Tarping: The most common temporary fix is to cover the damaged area with a tarp. Secure it tightly with boards and nails (avoiding further roof damage if possible). Be extremely cautious; if it feels unsafe, do not attempt it.
- Never Make Permanent Repairs: Do not attempt any permanent repairs yourself, as this could complicate your insurance claim and potentially void warranties.
When in doubt, wait for a professional. Even a few hours of additional leaking is often less risky than a serious injury.
Step 4: Contact Your Insurance Company Immediately
Once you have documented the damage and ensured immediate safety, your next call should be to your homeowners’ insurance provider.
- Report the Damage Promptly: Most policies require you to report damage within a certain timeframe. Don’t delay.
- Provide Your Documentation: Share your photos and videos. This speeds up the process and provides clear evidence.
- Ask Questions: Inquire about your deductible, the claims process, and what to expect next.
- Do Not Sign Anything from an Adjuster Without Review: An adjuster will visit your property. Be present during their inspection. Ask questions. Do not feel pressured to sign any documents or accept an offer immediately if you have concerns.
Step 5: Call a Reputable Local (or Regional) Roofing Contractor
This is perhaps the most crucial step for securing a proper repair and preventing future problems. While you might be tempted by “storm chasers” who appear after a major weather event, resist the urge. Always choose a local, reputable, and established roofing company.
- Why Choose a Professional (and Nailed It Roofing’s Expertise):
- Safety: We have the training, equipment, and insurance to safely assess and work on damaged roofs.
- Expert Diagnosis: Our team, deeply experienced with Northeast weather (including Pennsylvania’s climate similarities), can accurately identify all types of storm damage – not just the obvious ones. We know how hail “bruises” shingles or how wind can lift entire sections.
- Thorough Inspection: We go beyond a visual check, assessing underlying layers, flashing, and attic ventilation to ensure all damage is identified. We often use drones for safe, high-resolution imagery.
- Insurance Claim Assistance: We can help you navigate the insurance claims process, providing detailed estimates and documentation that your adjuster will need. We work for you, not the insurance company.
- Quality Materials & Workmanship: We use high-grade materials and adhere to strict installation standards, backed by robust warranties, ensuring your repair or replacement is built to last against future Pennsylvania storms.
- Avoid Storm Chasers: These out-of-state contractors often perform quick, shoddy repairs, take your money, and disappear, leaving you with recurring problems and no recourse. A local company like Nailed It Roofing is part of the community and stands by its work.
- Get Multiple Estimates (from reputable companies): While Nailed It Roofing may be based in New Jersey, our expertise extends across the region. We encourage Pennsylvania homeowners to seek out established, local contractors with a proven track record.
Understanding Wind vs. Hail Damage
It’s helpful to know the difference, as they manifest differently:
- Wind Damage: Often causes shingles to lift, curl, or tear off. You might see creased or broken shingles, especially on the edges or slopes facing the strongest winds. Fascia and soffits can also be damaged.
- Hail Damage: Creates distinct, random impact marks. On asphalt shingles, these are often circular “bruises” or pockmarks where granules have been dislodged, or even small cracks. On metal roofs, gutters, and downspouts, you’ll see visible dents. Hail damage can be hard to spot from the ground, making a professional inspection essential.
Proactive Prevention: Before the Storm Hits
While we’re discussing post-storm steps, it’s worth a quick mention of what you can do before the next one:
- Regular Roof Inspections: Have your roof professionally inspected at least annually.
- Trim Trees: Remove dead or overhanging branches that could fall on your roof.
- Clean Gutters: Ensure proper drainage to prevent water backup.
- Review Insurance Policy: Understand your coverage and deductible before a storm hits.
Nailed It Roofing: Your Partner for Peace of Mind in the Northeast
Dealing with storm damage to your roof in Pennsylvania can be incredibly stressful, but by following these steps, you can navigate the aftermath effectively and protect your home from further harm. At Nailed It Roofing, we bring our commitment to quality, safety, and customer satisfaction to every project, understanding the unique challenges homeowners face across the Northeast.
While our primary focus is serving our valued clients in New Jersey, we believe in sharing our regional expertise to empower all homeowners. If you’re in New Jersey and facing storm damage, or if you’re a Pennsylvania resident looking for insights into what makes a truly reliable roofing contractor, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help you get your roof “nailed it” secure, protecting your home against whatever the weather brings next.
Contact Nailed It Roofing today for a comprehensive consultation and a free estimate if you’re in our service area, or for expert advice on choosing a reputable contractor in your locality.
FAQ about Pennsylvania Roof Storm Damage
- What should I do first after a wind or hail storm in Pennsylvania? Your absolute first step after a wind or hail storm in Pennsylvania is to prioritize safety. Stay indoors until the storm fully passes, check for interior damage, gas leaks, or electrical issues, and only venture outside when it’s completely safe.
- Is it safe to inspect my roof myself after a storm in PA? No, it is generally not safe to climb on your roof yourself after a storm. Damaged roofs can be unstable and slippery. Instead, perform a preliminary visual inspection from the ground with binoculars or from a stable, elevated platform.
- How do I document roof storm damage for an insurance claim in Pennsylvania? You should document everything with date and time-stamped photos and videos. Take overall shots of your home and roof, close-ups of any damaged areas you can safely access, and document any interior water damage or surrounding property damage.
- When should I contact my insurance company after storm damage in Pennsylvania? You should contact your homeowners’ insurance provider immediately after documenting the damage and ensuring safety. Most policies require prompt reporting within a specific timeframe.
- Should I attempt temporary roof repairs after a storm in PA? You should only attempt temporary fixes like tarping if absolutely necessary and safe to prevent further interior damage. Never make permanent repairs yourself, as this could complicate your insurance claim and potentially void warranties.
- How can I find a reputable roofing contractor in Pennsylvania after a storm? Always choose a local, reputable, and established roofing company over “storm chasers.” Look for contractors with experience in Northeast weather, proper licensing and insurance, and a track record of quality workmanship and insurance claim assistance.
- What’s the difference between wind storm damage and hail storm damage on a PA roof? Wind damage often causes shingles to lift, curl, or tear off, and can affect fascia and soffits. Hail damage creates distinct, random impact marks like circular “bruises” or pockmarks on shingles, or visible dents on metal components and gutters.
- Can Nailed It Roofing help with storm damage in Pennsylvania, even though they’re based in NJ? While Nailed It Roofing’s primary service area is New Jersey, their expertise extends across the Northeast region, including similar climate challenges faced by Pennsylvania homeowners. They can offer expert advice on navigating storm damage and choosing reputable local contractors.
- What are common signs of roof storm damage after a storm in Pennsylvania? Common signs include missing or displaced shingles, dents on metal components, granule loss in gutters, cracked or bruised shingles, loose flashing, debris on the roof, or sagging sections of the roofline.
- What can I do to prevent future storm damage to my roof in Pennsylvania? To proactively prevent future storm damage, schedule regular professional roof inspections (at least annually), trim dead or overhanging trees, keep gutters clean for proper drainage, and review your insurance policy to understand your coverage beforehand.
