Dealing With Roofing Damage Caused by Wind-Driven Debris

Excess moisture is the usual suspect behind most roofing issues, but it isn’t the only one. Another possible suspect behind roofing damage is wind-driven debris. 

Summit Roofing & Restoration, Inc., your trusted roofing contractor, explains how strong winds and wind-driven debris can damage your roof below: 

How Strong Winds and Wind-Driven Debris Can Damage Poorly Maintained Roofs? 

Roofs that underwent routine maintenance should be able to withstand gale-force winds. However, strong winds during extreme weather events can easily dislodge shingles and in extreme cases pull up the corners and edges of a roof that wasn’t properly maintained. Strong winds can also pick up heavy debris that can damage your roof through sheer blunt impact. 

How often should you have your roof inspected? As a general rule, your roof should be inspected at least twice a year or after an extreme weather event. Through routine inspections, roofing contractors can detect and fix roofing damage that may be exacerbated by strong winds. 

What Are The Kinds of Debris That Can Damage Your Roof? 

• Tree branches – It’s recommended that you trim overhanging tree limbs to prevent them from damaging your roof. 
• Building components – Strong winds can easily dislodge building components such as antennas, shutters, nails, glass, roof vents, and roofing shingles. If you notice debris from roofing components on your roof after a storm or extreme weather event, there’s a strong chance your roof’s underlayment was damaged and needs to be replaced.  
• Hailstones – The extent of the damage to your roof depends on the size of the hailstone. For instance, hailstones roughly 1.25 inches wide are large enough to dislodge shingles while hailstones bigger than a half dollar can cause more extensive damage.

Important note: keep in mind that not all types of hail damage are easily noticeable. For instance, large hailstones can puncture the lining under your shingles without producing any visible signs of damage. That’s why, as a general rule, you should schedule a roof inspection after a storm or extreme weather event. The sooner storm or hail damage is detected and roof repair is conducted, the better. 

What Are the Warning Signs of Hail Damage? 

It’s important for homeowners to at least have a basic understanding of the common signs of hail damage. The warning signs you should keep an eye out for after a hailstorm are: 

• Plant damage – Small hailstones roughly the size of a quarter aren’t usually large enough to damage your exterior. However, they are big enough to damage delicate flowerbeds. What about the trees in your backyard? Hailstones need to be at least 1.50 inches wide or roughly the size of a walnut to leave dents on wood. 
• Dents in cars and chipped paint – Hailstones the size of a golf ball are large enough to leave dents on your car’s exterior. If you notice golf-ball-sized hailstones on your lawn, we recommend having your roof inspected for signs of chipped or flaking paint. 
• Broken windows and extensive roof damage – Hailstones roughly the size of a tennis ball (roughly 2.50 inches) can break your house or car’s windows and leave behind extensive damage to your roof. 

If you notice any of the aforementioned warning signs, contact your local roofing contractor as soon as possible. 

What If There Aren’t Any Signs of Roof Damage After a Storm or Extreme Weather Event? 

It would still be a good idea to schedule a roof inspection. After all, it takes time for the warning signs of storm damage to appear. And by the time they do appear, it’s already too late to mitigate storm damage. 

What to Do After a Storm 

While waiting for your contractor to arrive on-site, you should: 

• Take the necessary precautions to mitigate damage – Place buckets under leaks and cover your furniture with a plastic tarp to keep them from getting drenched by rain. 
• Avoid attempting repairs – Don’t attempt to fix leaks no matter how minor they may seem. That’s because unauthorized repairs can lower your insurance payout. Remember: it’s best to let professional roofers handle roof repair work.  
• Take pictures of storm damage – You’ll need to present pictures and documentation when you file a claim with your insurer. 

Filing an Insurance Claim 

After taking pictures of storm damage, contact your insurer’s 24/7 hotline as soon as possible. Inquire about the steps and time limit for filing an insurance claim. Standard insurance policies usually allow homeowners to file a claim within one year of determining that your home suffered hail damage, but this may vary depending on your area and insurer. 

Meeting with the Insurance Adjuster 

Once your insurer receives the pictures proving your roof was damaged by a storm, they will send an adjuster who will assess the extent of the storm damage and calculate your insurance payout. A lot of homeowners feel intimidated meeting with an adjuster, but this shouldn’t stop you from raising any concerns you may have. 

Here’s a tip: it’s recommended that you have your roofing contractor on-site when the adjuster arrives. That way, they will be able to compare notes and discuss your home’s repair needs.

Understanding Your Insurance Estimate 

After assessing the extent of the storm damage, the adjuster will give you a statement of loss that itemizes all of the repair costs. 

Here are what the terms on the insurance estimate mean: 

• Replacement cash value (RCV) – The RCV refers to the total amount for the insurance estimate. Take note that the RCV is just an estimate. The final settlement will be calculated by subtracting your deductible from the contractor’s invoice. 
• Depreciation – This refers to the amount that will not be released until the roof repairs are finished or your roof replacement is installed. 
• Supplements – In the event that your adjuster overlooked minor roofing damage, your insurer will make adjustments to your insurance payout. 
• Actual cash value (ACV) payment – Your adjuster calculates the ACV by subtracting your deductible and the depreciation from the RCV. It’s also the amount that you will receive once your claim has been approved. In most cases, the amount is just enough to get the roof repairs started.

Important note: keep in mind that your insurer won’t be paying for all the roofing costs. You will have to pay a deductible that goes toward the cost of an insurance claim. The amount you will have to pay will depend on several factors such as insurance policy, the area you live in, and the type of roofing damage. 

What to Expect During Emergency Repairs 

Upon arriving, your contractor will cover the holes in your roof with a tarp to prevent water from infiltrating your roof. After finishing the preliminary inspections, they’ll come back in the next few days to conduct more comprehensive inspections.

Important note: to ensure your insurance coverage remains intact, you need to have your roof routinely maintained. Remember: your insurer will only cover damage caused by storms and extreme weather events, not negligence on the homeowner’s part. 

One more thing: keep in mind that filing an insurance claim isn’t as straightforward as it seems. If you’re having trouble filing an insurance claim, some contractors offer claims processing assistance services. 

Summit Roofing & Restoration, Inc., a family-owned and -operated roofing company, offers a wide range of professional roofing services, including roof replacement, storm damage repair, and insurance claims processing assistance services. We have extensive experience working with several insurers over the years, so we know the requirements needed to quickly process your claim. To get a free estimate, call us at (731) 206-3821 or (901) 676-7449. You can also fill out this form.