Roof Repair
oct 21 25

Key Takeaways

  • Do not climb up there, and not only for safety reasons. Wet shingles and hidden decking damage make a storm-damaged roof genuinely dangerous, and weakened decking can give way underfoot. Separately, many policies do not cover damage caused by an untrained homeowner attempting their own inspection.
  • Call the roofer before the insurance company. A licensed contractor can identify damage an adjuster might overlook, so calling them first means you enter the claim with photos and documentation already in hand. A good roofer will also meet the adjuster on site so nothing gets missed.
  • Filing a claim is not automatically the right move. If the damage traces to pre-existing wear rather than the storm, the insurer may deny it, and an unnecessary claim can affect your premiums and claims history. A contractor can help you decide whether filing makes sense before you make the call.
  • The damage you can see is not the full picture. Small hail impacts and slightly lifted shingles are easy to miss without knowing what to look for, and they are exactly the findings that support a claim. Professional documentation is the difference between a partial claim and a complete one.
  • A storm chaser can leave you holding the liability. Out-of-state crews going door to door after a storm are often unlicensed, uninsured, and unfamiliar with local codes. If an uninsured worker is hurt on your property, you may be responsible for the medical bills, and getting them back to fix poor work is close to impossible.

Major storms can do a number on your roof, and when that happens, those first few hours really matter. It’s important to take the right steps quickly, like scheduling an inspection. But just as importantly, there are a few things you’ll want to avoid so you don’t put yourself in danger, make the situation worse, or unintentionally complicate a future insurance claim.

Climbing on the Roof

Even if the damage looks minor, climbing onto your roof right after a storm is never a good idea. Wet shingles, steep slopes, and unseen damage make roofs extremely dangerous. All it takes is one slip to cause serious injuries. If the roof was already leaking, parts of the decking underneath could be weakened or rotten. Stepping in the wrong spot could lead to a fall straight through the roof.

It’s also worth noting that many insurance policies don’t cover damage caused by an untrained homeowner attempting their own inspection. Between the safety risks and the chance of making the damage worse, it’s best to leave roof inspections to trained professionals.

Failing to Document the Damage

Documenting storm damage is a big part of making sure your insurance claim goes smoothly. The most reliable approach is to have a professional roofing company do a thorough inspection and document everything for you.

Some types of damage, like small hail impacts or lifted shingles, are easy to miss if you don’t know what to look for. Even if you did climb up there, you might not spot all the issues. A professional’s eye is your best chance at getting the full picture.

Calling Your Insurance Company First

It may seem natural to call your insurance company right away after roof damage. But calling before you’ve had a licensed roofing contractor inspect the roof can sometimes cause headaches later. Adjusters may overlook certain types of damage, while roofers have the training to identify harder-to-spot issues.

When you call a roofer first, you’ll already have photos and documentation to help support your claim. Our KPost Representatives always make sure to meet with the adjuster on-site to make sure nothing gets missed during the inspection.

A professional roofing contractor can also help you decide whether filing a claim makes sense in the first place. If the damage is tied to pre-existing wear and tear, your insurer may not cover it, and you don’t want to file a claim unnecessarily if it could affect your premiums or claims history. A trusted roofer can help you understand your options before making a decision.

Hiring a Local Company not “Storm-Chaser”

After a major storm, it’s common to see out-of-state contractors going door to door offering quick roof repairs or replacements. In the roofing industry, these companies are known as “storm chasers.” They travel from state to state following severe weather, and many are not properly licensed, insured, or familiar with local building codes. Hiring one of these temporary crews can lead to problems with insurance claims and future repairs, especially if the work wasn’t done correctly.

There’s also a significant liability risk. If a worker is injured on your property and the company doesn’t carry proper insurance, you could be held responsible for their medical bills. And if they cause damage or perform poor-quality work, getting them to return and fix it can be nearly impossible once they move on to the next storm-hit area.

Local companies, however, are rooted in the community and committed to long-term service. They protect their reputation, follow local codes, warranty their work, and are available whenever you need them. Choosing a trusted local contractor means choosing accountability, quality craftsmanship, and peace of mind.

While our team does knock doors to connect with homeowners, we do it as a local, established company, not as storm chasers. We live here, we work here, and we’re here long after the storm passes.

Ignoring Leaks

If a storm caused roof damage, it may take some time before repairs can be completed. But one thing you should never ignore is a leak. Even if the roof doesn’t seem to be leaking yet, missing shingles, damaged flashing, or compromised underlayment can quickly allow water inside.

Experienced roofers can apply temporary fixes to prevent further damage, and if the roof has multiple leaks or significant damage, tarping may be the safest way to protect your home until repairs can be done.

While you’re waiting on the inspection, take a look in your attic and check the ceilings under your roof. If you see a leak in the attic, place a bucket underneath to catch the water. If a ceiling starts to bubble or sag, that’s a sign water is collecting behind the drywall.

For over 20 years, KPost Company has been a trusted provider of residential and commercial roofing services in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. We specialize in roofing storm damage repair and replacement, and our experienced team works with a wide range of roofing systems and materials. If needed, we can also help you navigate the insurance claims process. To schedule an inspection and get the help you need after storm damage, contact us today.

Learn more about how to avoid falling for roofing scams!

FAQs

In most cases your own policy handles it, regardless of whose yard the tree grew in, because insurers generally treat a windthrown tree as an act of nature rather than as anyone’s negligence. Your carrier may pursue the neighbor afterward if the tree was visibly dead or diseased and they were on notice, which is why written communication about a hazardous tree is worth keeping. Start with your own claim rather than with a conversation over the fence. Our emergency roof repair team handles the immediate work of getting the opening covered.

Report the date of the event, what you have observed, and that you have arranged for a professional assessment. Describe conditions rather than concluding the extent of the damage, since you have not seen the roof and an early guess can anchor the file. Ask for the claim number, the adjuster’s contact, your deductible for this type of loss, and whether emergency mitigation costs are covered. Take notes with names and times.

Most homeowners policies include additional living expense coverage, sometimes called loss of use, which pays reasonable extra costs for lodging and meals while a covered loss makes the home uninhabitable. It has limits and a time period, and it applies to the amount above what you would normally spend. Keep every receipt. Ask about it specifically during the first call, because it is frequently not mentioned unless the policyholder raises it.

Report it as soon as you discover it and document when you were away, since carriers ask when the damage occurred rather than when you noticed. A gap between event and discovery is normal and expected after travel. Weather data for your address establishes the date the storm actually hit, which is more useful than your recollection. The concern to head off is water that ran unnoticed for days, so have the interior checked as carefully as the roof.

They are usually different parts of the same claim. The roof falls under the dwelling coverage, ceilings, drywall, flooring, and built-ins also fall under dwelling, and furniture, electronics, and belongings fall under personal property with its own limit and sometimes its own deductible. Photograph and list damaged contents separately from the building damage, with approximate age and value, because contents claims are settled from that list rather than from a walkthrough.
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