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Residential and Commercial
Roofing Roof Replacements from
Severe Storms
Severe storms often cause extensive
roof damage, necessitating major
repairs or full roof replacement. Both
residential and commercial buildings
can suffer roof problems like
punctures, wind uplift, hail damage,
and water intrusion after being
subjected to heavy winds, hailstones,
lightning strikes, and other storm-
related impacts. As a home or
business owner, it is important to
understand when to repair storm-
damaged roofs versus completely
replacing them, as well as how to work
with your insurance company to cover
major roof replacement costs.
For residential buildings, storm
damage typically manifests as
cracked, missing, or misaligned
shingles. Punctures and holes in the
roof deck may also occur if tree
branches or debris have impacted the
roof. Some damage, like a few missing
shingles, can be addressed through
spot repairs. But if a significant
portion of shingles are damaged or
the deck is compromised, full roof
replacement is often required to
prevent interior leaks and damage.
The decision between repairing
versus replacing depends on factors
like roof age, extent of damage, and
your budget.
Commercial roofs are also vulnerable
to storm impacts, especially on large,
flat roof structures. Membrane roofs
and built-up roofs often sustain
punctures, tears, displacement of
membranes, and separation of seams
when subjected to high winds. If
skylights crack or flashing gets
compromised, interior water damage
can result. In many cases, extensive
commercial roof repairs are required
after storms. But if damage is
widespread or the roof was already
aged, a complete tear-off and re-
installation may be recommended.
When storm damage necessitates
major roof replacement, contacting
your insurance company to file a claim
is critically important. Homeowners
insurance will typically cover full
replacement cost if the damage is
caused by a covered peril like wind,
hail, fallen trees, or other storm-
related events. The insurer will send
out an adjuster to inspect and analyze
the damage, then write up an
estimate for the roof replacement
scope and cost. It's helpful to get
multiple quotes from roofing
contractors to submit to the adjuster.
Once approved, the insurer will issue
payment for the roof installation
minus any deductible.
For commercial buildings, the claims
process is similar but may be more
complex depending on the policy.
Commercial insurance also covers
storm-related roof damage, but there
may be differences in deductibles,
limits, exclusions, and claims
procedures. It's important for
business owners to review their
unique policy terms and work closely
with their insurer's commercial claims
teams for the best outcome. In many
cases, filing the claim in a timely
manner and providing thorough
documentation of the damage is key.
Regardless of building type, the key is
to partner with professional,
reputable roofers for storm damage
repairs or full replacements. Qualified
roofing contractors will know how to
identify the full extent of damage,
make prudent recommendations on
repair versus replacement, and
provide accurate estimates and
scopes of work. They can also
expertly navigate the insurance claims
process on the home or business
owner's behalf. Make sure any roofing
company you consider has extensive
experience with storm remediation,
positive reviews, proper licensing and
insurance, and manufacturer
certifications.
For residential storm damage, roof
replacement often proceeds on an
emergency basis. The full tear-off and
re-roofing process typically takes 2-3
days. Most of a home's contents can
remain inside if protected. The
process involves bringing in
dumpsters, staging materials onsite,
tearing off the damaged roof
materials, replacing any compromised
decking, installing underlayment and
new shingles/tiles, and thoroughly
cleaning up debris upon completion.
The most reputable roofing
contractors will go the extra mile to
limit inconvenience for the
homeowner throughout the swift roof
replacement process.
Commercial roof replacements
following storms also require careful
coordination by experienced
contractors familiar with large-scale
projects. Safety is paramount when
working at heights on tall commercial
structures, so strict safety protocols
must be implemented. Proper
planning is crucial to minimize
business disruptions for tenants and
customers when sections of a
commercial roof need to be removed
and replaced. Staging materials,
coordinating work crews, establishing
temporary water protection, and
managing noise/dust issues are all
important parts of the large-scale
commercial roof replacement
process.
Severe storm damage often
necessitates major roof repairs or
complete tear-off and replacement.
Both residential and commercial
building owners should promptly
inspect for damage after major
storms, then work with their insurance
providers on covered claims for
necessary roof work. Partnering with
professional, highly qualified roofing
contractors is critical as well. They can
expertly handle storm remediation
through a combination of prudent
repairs, full replacements, and
seamless insurance claims
management. With the right roofing
team, both homeowners and business
owners can get their properties back
in top shape after catastrophic
weather.