Home / News / How Soon Do I Fix My Roof?
So you had a big storm a few weeks ago, and you noticed several nearby neighbors (or businesses) having their roofs inspected. A month later, you notice they’re getting new roofs. Or, perhaps you’ve already had a roofer come to your door and mention that your roof was damaged from the last storm, and they’ve generously offered their assistance.
Watch Out for Storm Chasers
First, beware of strangers offering help; “storm chasers” in this industry prey on unsuspecting home and business owners. With local roofers often backed up for weeks or months, they swoop in, offer to repair your roof, take your money and vanish, leaving you not only with the same roofing problem, but a whole lot poorer. Because these companies are usually fly-by-night operations, it is almost impossible to track them down once they’re gone.
In the event that you’ve found a storm chaser that is truly going to fix or replace your roof, please keep the future in mind as well. If you have a problem a year down the road, or find a defect that should be covered by warranty, will they still be around to assist?
Reduced Life vs. Urgent Repairs
Second, assess the damage. Not all roofing repairs are created equal. Some storms may not damage your roof to the point where you need repairs. For instance, a strong storm with small hail may wash away a bunch of granules from the asphalt shingles (thus reducing the life span of your roofing materials) but otherwise leaving a sound roof. However, a whopper storm with damaging winds and hail and leaves you with missing, cracked or damaged roofing material is a matter of some urgency to get repaired. If you don’t have it done within a few days or weeks, another storm may come along and add to the problem.
Here are some things to watch for…
Asphalt shingles, the most common form of roofing materials for residential properties, can take damage from wind, hail, heavy rain and debris. Common types of damage include:
For low-slope roofing systems (common on commercial and industrial properties), in addition to dimples, hail often punches through coatings, and even right through membranes in some cases. It’s not unusual for secondary damage to follow, including:
Metal roofing tends to hold up fairly well, although the protective coating can be damaged and, of course, the impact dimples don’t look all that pretty.
Built-Up roofing tends to hold up fairly well since the granule (often small gravel) tends to deflect or absorb the damage.
Clay & concrete tile generally hold up well in hail storms, although hail stones larger than 2 inches can break off or chip tile or cause cracking.
Gutters, flashing and vents are exceptionally prone to hail damage on any type of roof, both weakening and loosening the metal. Loose flashing and gutters can be the start of big water leaks later on, while roof vents can be flattened, thereby reducing airflow to your attic, again, reducing roof life (remember, roofs must breath).
When should I report my claim?
Most insurance policies require you to give prompt notice of a claim, and they usually have the right to inspect all damaged property any time during the claim process. So before you start any repairs, talk to your insurance company. If the situation is urgent, they will generally authorize you to make any needed repairs to stop water leaks and prevent further damage, often before they’ve viewed your property. Moreover, most insurance companies offer 24/7 phone numbers to assist with claims any time of day or night.
Most policies include a statute of limitations - 2 years is pretty common - so be sure to consult your agent or policy about filing within the allowed time.
It is worth noting that while some damage may be more related to a reduced lifespan than urgent repairs, it is often still worth filing an insurnace claim. A new roof may not be necessary for a few more years, but new roofs are a substantial investment, and if the last storm cut the lifespan in half, it may be worth utilizing insurance coverage if you have it available.
Not All Roofs Are Created Equal
When damaged, some roofs need quicker attention than others. For example, as we mentioned above, a damaged roof that is flat or low-slope will likely continue to disintegrate as water pools in the affected areas and seeps into the roofing materials.
Happily, the roofing industry is rising to the challenge with stronger, more durable materials and coatings that can take a beating, resisting impacts, fire, wind, hail and more. We’ve written several articles on some of the new polymers and resistant materials coming onto the market, so check them out.
Summing up, if you think your roof may be damaged, it's generally best to start with a professional inspection. Address any repairs that may be urgent, and feel free to weigh your options if your roof's lifespan has only been reduced by a few years.
