- Serving Southwestern PA
- Mon-Fri: 9AM-5PM
Fully Licensed & Insured · PA #212093
YOUR STORM DAMAGE GUIDE
A straight-talking guide for Southwestern PA homeowners: what storm damage really looks like, what to do first, how insurance actually works, and how to avoid getting scammed by storm chasers. No pressure, no runaround.
Storm Damage, Handled the Right Way
When a storm hits, you want a roofer who shows up fast, tells you the truth, and stands behind the work. That is what we do, and the credentials back it up.
Owens Corning Preferred Contractor
2025 & 2026 Best of Westmoreland County
BBB A+ Rated and Fully Insured
Local Crew, Fast Storm Response
What Storm Damage Looks Like
Not all storm damage is dramatic. The tree limb on the ridge is obvious. The damage that costs homeowners the most is almost always the damage they never saw coming.
Wind Damage
Sustained winds and sudden gusts lift shingles and break the seal underneath. Once that seal is broken, every storm after it pushes water a little further under the shingle.
Hail Damage
Even small hail bruises shingles and knocks the protective granules loose, aging the roof fast. Bigger hail cracks shingles and dents vents, flashing, and gutters.
Fallen Limbs and Debris
Limbs and flying debris puncture shingles and crack the decking underneath. The direct hits are easy to see. The small punctures and bruises are not.
Ice and Snow
Ice dams back water up under the shingles and heavy snow stresses the structure. The spring melt then finds every weak seam, valley, and flashing.
The Signs of Storm Damage
You do not need a ladder for this. Grab a cup of coffee, walk the perimeter of your house, and look for these. If you spot two or more, it is worth a professional look.
Shingles, or pieces of shingles, in your yard or gutters
Granules building up at the base of downspouts, like coarse black sand
Shingles that look lifted, curled, or knocked out of line
Bruises, dents, or dark spots on the shingles from hail
Dented gutters, downspouts, vents, or flashing
Cracked caulking or lifted flashing around the chimney and vents
Water stains on interior ceilings or walls, especially upstairs
Daylight, drafts, or a musty smell in the attic after rain
What to Do in the First 48 Hours
If a storm hits and you suspect damage, the first two days matter more than most people realize. Here is the order of operations.
Stay on the ground
Do not climb up. Wet shingles, hidden damage, and adrenaline are a bad combination. There is nothing up there worth getting hurt over.
Document everything you can see
Photos and video of the yard, the gutters, anything visible from a second-story window, and any interior staining. Date them.
Call a roofer for a documented inspection
A real inspection report means the damage is documented before anyone evaluates it. Calling your carrier first, with no record of your own, does not.
Do not sign with a door knocker
Reputable companies do not chase sirens. Anyone pressuring you to sign on the spot right after a storm is a red flag.
Keep every receipt
Even for tarps and emergency repairs. Insurance reimburses reasonable costs to prevent further damage, so hang on to the paperwork.
How Roof Insurance Claims Really Work
This is the part that costs homeowners the most money and stress, mostly because no one explains it clearly. So here it is, start to finish.
1. Document the damage
Clear, dated photos and video of everything: the roof from the ground, the yard, the gutters, and any interior staining. This is your record if there is ever a dispute.
2. Get a documented inspection first
Have a roofer inspect and document the damage before you file. A real report gives you a complete, independent record of the damage before anyone evaluates it.
3. File your claim
Give your policy number and the date of the storm. Get a claim number and the name of your adjuster, and ask exactly what documentation they need.
4. Meet the adjuster with your roofer
Your roofer walks the adjuster through the damage so nothing gets missed. Carriers now expect high-resolution photos, an inspection report, and a line-item estimate.
5. Understand the payout (ACV vs. RCV)
Most claims pay in two parts. The first check is the Actual Cash Value, enough to start the work. After the job is done and invoices are submitted, the insurer releases the rest, the recoverable depreciation, up to the full Replacement Cost Value.
We do this every week. We document the damage, meet your adjuster on site, and provide a clear, line-item estimate, so your carrier has everything it needs.
Storm Chasers vs. Your Local Roofer
After every big storm, out-of-state crews roll into Southwestern PA, knock on doors, sign people up, do the work, and leave. Six months later, when something is not right, the number on the contract is disconnected. Here is the difference.
The Out-of-Town Storm Chaser
Rolls in after the storm, gone before the rain dries
The number on the contract goes disconnected
Warranty paperwork that is not worth much
Pressure to sign on the spot
Subcontracted crews you never meet
Nail ’Em Down Roofing
We live and work here, all year
A local number that actually gets answered
Manufacturer and workmanship warranties in writing
Honest, no-pressure, documented inspections
Our own crews, on roofs we drive past every week
Our Storm Response Process
From the first call to the final cleanup, here is exactly what working with us after a storm looks like.
1. Fast Response
We answer the phone and get out to you quickly, often the same day after a storm.
2. Drone and Ground Inspection
We document the entire roof with photos and drone footage. No guesswork, no shortcuts.
3. Honest Assessment
We tell you the truth: a repair, a full replacement, or that you are just fine for now.
4. Insurance Support
We meet your adjuster and provide the inspection report and a clear, line-item estimate.
5. Emergency Tarping
If your roof is open to the weather, we protect it right away while the claim moves forward.
6. Quality Installation
Owens Corning materials installed by our own crews, built to handle the next storm.
7. Cleanup and Magnetic Sweep
We sweep the property for nails and debris and leave it cleaner than we found it.
Emergency Tarping and Temporary Repairs
When a storm opens up your roof, water damage compounds by the hour, into your attic, insulation, ceilings, and walls. Emergency tarping stops the bleeding while the insurance process plays out.
Fast, Same-Day Protection
We tarp exposed areas quickly, often the same day, to keep water out before it reaches the rooms below.
Documented for Your Claim
We photograph the damage and the temporary work, so it becomes part of your insurance record.
Usually Reimbursable
Insurance typically covers reasonable steps to prevent further damage. We keep the receipts so you can claim them.
Built to Stand Up to Storms
The best time to think about the next storm is while you are fixing the last one. Here is what actually makes a roof storm-ready, and why the warranty matters as much as the shingle.
130 MPH Wind Resistance
Owens Corning SureNail Technology uses a reinforced nailing zone engineered to hold shingles down through the wind Southwestern PA storms bring.
Owens Corning Preferred
As an Owens Corning Preferred Contractor, every roof we install qualifies for top-tier, non-prorated manufacturer coverage.
Two Warranties, In Writing
You need both: a manufacturer warranty on the materials and a workmanship warranty on the installation. We provide both, every time.
How to Choose a Storm Damage Roofer
Storm season brings out the best roofers and the worst opportunists. Here is how to tell them apart before you sign anything.
They are local and reachable after the job, not just after the storm
They inspect and document before pushing you to file a claim
They give you a written, line-item estimate, not a number on a napkin
They are licensed and fully insured, and can prove it
They install manufacturer-certified systems with real warranties
They put both warranties in writing, materials and workmanship
They use their own crews, not rotating out-of-town subcontractors
They are not pressuring you to sign on the spot
Frequently Asked Questions
Does storm damage always mean I need a new roof?
No. Sometimes it is a simple repair, and sometimes there is nothing to do yet. A real inspection tells you the truth, not whatever gets you to sign a contract.
Should I call my insurance company first?
We recommend getting a documented inspection first. A real report gives you a complete, independent record of the damage before anyone evaluates it.
Will filing a claim raise my rates?
A single weather-related claim is treated differently than an at-fault claim, and the impact varies by carrier. We can walk you through it, but your agent is the final word on your policy.
How much does storm damage repair cost?
It depends on the damage. Our inspection and estimate are free, and if insurance is involved, much of the cost may be covered. You get a clear, line-item number before any work starts.
How fast can you get out after a storm?
Often the same day. Fast response is the whole point, and we live and work right here, so we are not driving in from another state.
What if my roof is leaking right now?
Call us. If your roof is open to the weather, we can tarp it quickly to protect your home while the claim process moves forward.
Do you handle the insurance paperwork?
We document the damage, meet your adjuster, and provide the inspection report and a line-item estimate, so you are not fighting the insurance company alone.
How do I know the damage is not just cosmetic?
That is exactly what the inspection is for. Some damage is cosmetic, and some looks minor but has already broken the shingle seal. We show you the photos and explain what we see.
Storm Damage? Get a Free Inspection.
You do not have to guess, and you do not have to fight the insurance company alone. We will inspect your roof, document everything, and give you a straight answer. No pressure, no games.
STORM DAMAGE? DON'T WAIT.
Wind, hail, and fallen limbs get worse with every rain.
We inspect your roof for free, document the damage,
and meet your adjuster on site.
Thorough roof check at no cost to you.
Detailed photos and reports to support your claim.
We will meet your adjuster on site so nothing gets missed.
No Pressure, No Obligation
Get Your Free Quote
Tell us a little about your roof and we will get right back to you fast.