The storm passed overnight. This morning there are leaves and shingle pieces in the yard, a dent or two in the gutter, and a neighbor down the street already has a roofer’s sign in the lawn. You’re trying to figure out whether you need storm damage roof repair, whether to call your insurance company and who to trust when three different crews have knocked by lunch.
Take a breath. Most storm damage doesn’t need a decision today. It needs a careful look and someone who’ll tell you what’s actually there.
APC Roofing is a GAF Certified roofing contractor, licensed and insured, in business since 2017, with an office in Shawnee. Storm damage roof repair inspections are free. Call 913-398-5020 to set one up.
What to do in the first day or two
- Stay off the roof. Wet shingles and damaged areas are slippery, and the damage you’re looking for usually isn’t visible to an untrained eye anyway.
- Walk the yard. Look for shingle pieces, granules piled at the bottoms of downspouts and dents in gutters, downspouts, window wraps and the fins on your AC unit. Soft metal shows hail hits more clearly than shingles do.
- Check inside. Look at ceilings, especially in upstairs rooms and closets, and glance into the attic if you can get there safely.
- Take photos. Date-stamped pictures of anything you find will help later if you file a claim.
How hail damages a roof
Kansas City area storms can bring hail big enough to do real harm. When a hailstone hits an asphalt shingle, it can knock the granules loose, bruise the asphalt and crack the fiberglass mat inside. From the ground, the roof might look fine. Up close, those bruises are soft spots that wear faster and eventually let water in.
Hail also dents metal vents, flashing and gutters, cracks plastic vent covers and can chip or crack tile. A hailstorm usually leaves marks on one or two sides of the house more than the others, depending on which way the storm was moving.
How wind damages a roof
Straight-line winds from spring and summer thunderstorms work differently. Wind catches the edges of shingles, breaks the sealant strip that holds them down and lifts them. A lifted shingle often creases across the top, and even if it lies back down, that crease is a weak point the next storm can tear open. Wind also loosens ridge caps and flashing at the edges of the roof. Our wind damage roof repair in Shawnee page covers that in more detail.
Falling limbs are their own kind of storm damage. Even a branch that rolls off can crack shingles or puncture the decking underneath.
Storm damage roof repair or replacement?
When damage is limited to a few shingles, a vent or one slope, a repair is usually enough. When hail has bruised most of the roof, or wind has stripped shingles on several sides, replacement often makes more sense, and it may be something your insurance company considers. You’ll see photos of what we find and an honest read on which way your roof falls. For smaller fixes, see roof repair in Shawnee.
How insurance works
Hail and wind damage are often covered by homeowners insurance, while normal wear and old age usually aren’t. Policies differ, so read yours or call your agent.
If you file a claim, you file it yourself, with your insurance company, and you pay your own deductible. Here’s where APC Roofing fits in: we document the damage with photos and measurements, give you a written estimate and can meet your adjuster at the house so nothing gets missed. Your claim and your coverage decisions stay between you and your insurer. Our insurance roof claims in Shawnee page explains the process step by step.
Watch for storm chasers
After a big hailstorm, crews from out of the area often arrive within days. Some do fine work. Others are gone by the time a warranty issue comes up. Be cautious with anyone who:
- Pushes you to sign a contract the same day
- Offers to cover or waive your deductible
- Asks you to sign your claim over to them
- Can’t give you a local address or a Kansas roofing registration
For more on what to do after a storm and how to spot damage, visit our storm damage page for Shawnee.
How it works with APC Roofing
- Book your free inspection. Call 913-398-5020 or request a free online estimate.
- Get a clear, honest assessment and estimate. You’ll get photos of any storm damage and a written estimate you can share with your insurance company.
- Your roof gets done and the site gets cleaned up. Many residential replacements are finished in a single day, and the crew cleans up before leaving.
If you’d like to spread out the cost of a repair or new roof, financing is available through Aqua Finance, Fortifi, Hearth and Home Run Finance.
Storm damage questions from Shawnee homeowners
How do I know if hail damaged my roof?
Dents in gutters, downspouts and AC fins are good signs the roof was hit too. Bruised shingles are hard to see from the ground, so an inspection is the reliable way to know.
Is there a deadline to file a claim?
Most policies have one, and it varies. Check your policy or ask your agent soon after the storm.
Will you meet with my insurance adjuster?
Yes. We can be at the house during the adjuster’s inspection to point out the damage we documented.
My roof isn’t leaking. Can storm damage still matter?
Yes. Bruised or creased shingles often keep the water out for a while, then fail months later.
Back to a roof you trust
Storm damage that’s left alone tends to show up later as a leak, usually during the next storm, and by then the repair has grown.
Once it’s handled, the next spring storm is just weather again. You’ll know the roof is sound, the paperwork is in order and nobody rushed you. Call 913-398-5020 to book your free storm damage inspection, or start online.
