The wind howls, rain pounds against the windows, and tree branches scrape against the siding. Severe weather in New Jersey and Pennsylvania is a stressful experience. When the storm finally passes and an uneasy calm settles, the first instinct is to check for damage. You walk the perimeter of your property, picking up fallen branches and assessing the situation. But what about the most critical part of your home’s defense system—your roof?
From the ground, your roof might look perfectly fine. This is a dangerous assumption. Storm damage, whether from high winds, flying debris, or heavy rain, can be subtle and often invisible to the untrained eye. Ignoring potential issues can lead to slow leaks, hidden water damage, mold growth, and costly structural problems down the road.
Your roof took the brunt of the storm. Now it’s time to take action. This guide will walk you through the essential steps to secure your roof and protect your home after a major storm.
Step 1: Prioritize Safety and Conduct a Ground-Level Check
Before you do anything else, prioritize safety. Storms can leave behind hidden dangers like downed power lines, unstable tree limbs, and scattered debris.
- Never climb on your roof yourself, especially when it’s wet and potentially weakened. Leave this to the trained and insured professionals.
- Be aware of your surroundings. Look for electrical hazards or other dangers on your property before you begin your inspection.
Once you’ve confirmed the area is safe, you can perform a visual inspection from the ground. Walk around your entire home and look for obvious signs of damage.
What to look for from the ground:
- Missing or Damaged Shingles: Look for shingles that are cracked, curled, lifted, or completely missing. Use binoculars for a closer look.
- Debris on the Roof: Large branches or other storm debris can cause significant impact damage.
- Damaged Flashing: Check the metal strips around your chimney, vents, and skylights. Look for any pieces that are bent, loose, or missing.
- Clogged or Damaged Gutters: Storms can rip gutters from the house or fill them with debris. Clogged gutters can cause water to back up under your shingles.
- Granules in Downspouts: Check the area where your downspouts drain. A large accumulation of asphalt granules (they look like coarse black sand) is a sign that your shingles have been damaged by wind or hail and are losing their protective layer.
If you see any of these signs, it’s a clear indicator that you need to call a professional immediately.
Step 2: Address Emergencies with Tarping Services
What if you see a gaping hole in your roof or have water actively dripping into your home? This is a roofing emergency. Your immediate goal is to prevent further water from entering and causing more damage to your home’s interior and structure.
This is where emergency roof tarping comes in. A professional roofing team can quickly and safely install a heavy-duty tarp over the damaged area. This is a critical temporary solution that protects your home from the elements while you arrange for permanent repairs.
Attempting to tarp a roof yourself is incredibly dangerous and often ineffective. Professionals have the right equipment, safety gear, and high-quality materials to ensure the tarp is secured properly and won’t fail in the next gust of wind or rain shower.
At Nailed It Roofing, we understand the urgency. We offer rapid-response emergency services throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania to help homeowners secure their property and prevent a bad situation from getting worse. If you have active leaks or obvious, severe damage, don’t wait. Call us right away.
Step 3: Schedule a Comprehensive Professional Roof Inspection
Even if your ground-level check doesn’t reveal any obvious problems, a professional inspection is non-negotiable. The most serious types of storm damage are often the hardest to spot.
A professional roofing inspector is trained to identify all types of storm-related issues:
- Wind Damage: High winds can lift the edges of your shingles, breaking the adhesive seal that holds them down. Even if the shingle lays back flat, the broken seal creates a pathway for wind-driven rain to get underneath. An inspector will manually check shingles to feel for this looseness.
- Hail Damage: Hail can create bruises or dents on shingles, cracking the underlying mat and compromising its integrity. These small impact points are nearly impossible to see from the ground but can drastically shorten your roof’s lifespan.
- Debris Damage: Small impacts from flying debris can cause cracks and fractures in your roofing material that aren’t immediately obvious.
- Compromised Seals: An inspector will check the seals around all roof penetrations, like pipes, vents, and chimneys, which are common failure points during a storm.
Think of it like a medical check-up after an accident. You might feel fine, but a doctor can identify internal injuries you’re not aware of. A professional roofer does the same for your home’s most important protective layer. Scheduling an inspection with Nailed It Roofing gives you a complete and accurate picture of your roof’s condition, empowering you to make informed decisions.
Step 4: Understand the Insurance Claim Process
If the inspection reveals storm damage, your next step will likely involve your homeowner’s insurance. Navigating this process can be intimidating, but having a trusted roofing partner makes it much easier.
- Review Your Policy: Understand your coverage and your deductible (the amount you pay out-of-pocket before insurance kicks in).
- Document Everything: This is where your professional inspection report is invaluable. The detailed notes and high-quality photos from Nailed It Roofing serve as powerful evidence to support your claim. You should also take your own photos of any interior damage.
- Contact Your Insurer: File your claim as soon as possible. Most policies have time limits for reporting storm damage.
- Meet the Adjuster: Your insurance company will send an adjuster to assess the damage. We recommend having your Nailed It Roofing project manager on-site during the adjuster’s visit. We can point out the specific damage we found, speak the same technical language as the adjuster, and ensure nothing is overlooked. This advocacy helps ensure you get a fair and complete settlement.
A Word of Caution: Be wary of contractors who offer to “cover your deductible” or use other high-pressure sales tactics. These practices are often fraudulent. A reputable company like Nailed It Roofing will provide an honest, detailed estimate based on the work needed and will work directly with the insurance company’s assessment.
Your Trusted Local Partner in Storm Recovery
After a storm, your neighborhood may be flooded with out-of-state contractors known as “storm chasers.” They often make big promises, demand money upfront, and then deliver subpar work before disappearing, leaving you with no warranty and no recourse.
Choosing a local, established, and reputable company is your best defense. Nailed It Roofing is a part of your community in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. We have a proven track record, permanent local offices, and a reputation to uphold. We’ll be here long after the storm is over to stand by our work.
Don’t let a storm compromise the safety and integrity of your home. Take a proactive approach.
- Stay Safe.
- Inspect from the Ground.
- Call for Emergency Tarping if Needed.
- Schedule Your FREE Professional Storm Damage Inspection.
Contact Nailed It Roofing today. Let our expert team give you the peace of mind you deserve with a thorough inspection and a clear plan for moving forward.
FAQs from Nailed It Roofing
1. What is the first thing to do after a storm hits my home? The very first step is to prioritize safety. Before assessing damage, check for downed power lines, unstable trees, and other immediate hazards around your property. Once the area is safe, you can proceed with a visual inspection from the ground.
2. How do I know if my roof has storm damage? From the ground, look for obvious signs like missing or cracked shingles, dented gutters and flashing, or large tree limbs on the roof. Also, check your downspouts for a significant amount of black asphalt granules, which indicates shingle wear and damage.
3. Is a roof leak an emergency? Yes, an active roof leak is an emergency. Water entering your home can quickly cause serious structural damage, ruin insulation, and lead to mold growth. You should immediately call a professional roofer for emergency tarping services to prevent further damage.
4. Should I call my insurance company or a roofer first after a storm? It’s best to call a reputable, local roofer first for a professional inspection. They can assess the full extent of the damage and provide you with a detailed report and photos, which will serve as crucial evidence to support a strong, accurate claim with your insurance provider.
5. How can I spot wind damage on my roof? Wind damage can be subtle. It often lifts shingles and breaks their adhesive seal. While the shingle may lay back down, the broken seal makes it vulnerable to leaks. A professional inspector spots this by manually checking for loose or lifted shingles that are no longer properly sealed.
6. Do I have to get on my roof to check for damage? No, you should never get on your roof yourself to check for damage. It’s extremely dangerous, especially after a storm when the surface can be wet and unstable. Always hire a trained, insured professional who has the proper safety equipment.
7. What is a “storm chaser” roofer? “Storm chasers” are out-of-state contractors who travel to areas hit by severe weather. They often use high-pressure tactics, do shoddy work, and disappear after being paid, leaving homeowners with no warranty. Always choose a local, established company with a permanent address.
8. What does a professional roof inspection include after a storm? A professional inspection is a comprehensive assessment of the entire roofing system. The inspector will check for wind damage, hail impacts, debris damage, compromised flashing around chimneys and vents, and the condition of your gutters and downspouts.
9. What is emergency roof tarping? Emergency roof tarping is a temporary but critical solution where a professional securely fastens a heavy-duty, waterproof tarp over a damaged section of your roof. This service immediately stops water from entering your home and prevents further damage while you arrange for permanent repairs.
10. Do I need a roof inspection if I don’t see any damage? Yes. Much of the most serious storm damage, like broken shingle seals or hail bruises, is not visible from the ground. A professional inspection is the only way to be certain your roof is secure and to catch small problems before they turn into costly leaks.
