A storm came through Springfield overnight. This morning there are shingles in the flower bed, a big limb resting on the garage roof, or a drip coming through the kitchen light. Storm damage roofing in Springfield, MO usually starts just like that: something’s clearly wrong, and you don’t know how bad it is or who to call first.
That not-knowing is the hard part. You want the house protected, you don’t want to overpay, and you’d rather not hand your roof to whoever knocks first. You should get a clear explanation of the damage before anyone asks you to sign anything.
APC Roofing has a Springfield office and has been roofing homes since 2017. We’re GAF Certified, licensed and insured, and storm damage inspections are free. Call 913-398-5020 and tell us what you’re seeing.
What Springfield storms do to a roof
The Ozarks get a little of everything, and each kind of storm damages a roof in its own way.
Wind
Spring and summer thunderstorms can bring straight-line winds strong enough to lift shingles. Wind grabs the edges first: the eaves, the rakes along the gable ends and the ridge. A shingle can lift, break the adhesive strip that holds it down and then settle back looking normal. That’s why wind damage is easy to miss from the yard. Once the seal is broken, the next windy day can peel it right off.
Hail
Spring hail bruises shingles, knocks off their protective granules and dents soft metal. It’s common enough here that it gets its own page: hail damage roof repair in Springfield.
Fallen limbs and trees
If you have big trees near the house, a falling limb can crack the roof deck underneath even when the shingles on top only look scraped. Branches that rub the roof every time the wind blows also grind away granules over time, leaving a worn patch that ages faster than the rest.
Ice and snow
Winter ice storms coat trees and gutters with heavy ice, which brings down limbs and can pull gutters off the fascia. Ice dams form when snow melts on the upper roof and refreezes at the cold edge, and the water that backs up behind them can work under shingles and into walls and ceilings.
Wind-driven rain
Rain that blows sideways finds gaps around chimneys, vents and wall flashing that a normal rain never reaches. If a leak only shows up during storms from one direction, that’s usually what’s going on.
The first few hours after a storm
Stay off the roof, especially if it’s wet or there’s a limb on it, and keep well away from any downed power lines. Then:
- Take dated photos of the damage you can see from the ground and inside the house. They help with an insurance claim later.
- If water is coming in, move furniture and electronics out of the way and catch the drip with a bucket. If water is near a light fixture or outlet, shut off that circuit at the breaker.
- If the damage looks significant, call your insurance company, then call a local roofer for an inspection.
You don’t have to make any big decisions that first day. A damaged roof needs attention soon, but a contract signed in a hurry on the driveway is how a lot of homeowners get burned.
Storm damage roofing in Springfield, MO: repair or replace?
Most storm damage can be repaired. A few torn-off shingles, a dented vent cap or flashing pulled loose at the chimney gets fixed by replacing the damaged pieces and resealing what moved.
Replacement comes up when the damage covers most of the roof, when the decking underneath is cracked or soaked, or when the roof was already close to worn out before the storm. Matching matters too. New shingles rarely blend with a roof that’s been weathering for years, and if your shingle has been discontinued, patching half a slope can leave it looking like a quilt. You’ll get photos and an honest explanation of the trade-offs before you decide. If a new roof makes more sense, our Springfield roof replacement page explains what that involves.
Choosing a roofer after a big storm
After a major storm, roofing crews arrive from all over. Some do good work. Others are gone by fall, along with anyone you could call if the repair fails. Before you hire anyone, it’s fair to ask:
- Do they have a local office you could drive to?
- Are they licensed and insured, and will they show you proof?
- Did they get on the roof and show you photos before giving you a number?
- Do they expect you to file your own claim and pay your own deductible?
Be wary of anyone who offers to waive or cover your deductible, or who pushes for a signature the same day. A fair contractor is glad to give you a written estimate and time to compare.
Storm damage and your insurance
You file your own claim with your insurance company, and you pay your own deductible. We inspect the roof, document the damage with photos, give you a written estimate and work with your adjuster. The Springfield insurance roof claims page goes through the steps in more detail.
How it works
- Book your free inspection. Call 913-398-5020 or request a free estimate online.
- Get a clear, honest assessment and estimate. You’ll see photos of what the storm did, hear whether it’s a repair or a replacement and why, and get the estimate in writing. Financing is available through Aqua Finance, Fortifi, Hearth and Home Run Finance.
- Your roof gets fixed and the site gets cleaned up. Many residential projects are finished in a single day.
A shingle that the wind loosened may hang on today and let go during the next storm. Water that slips under it can soak decking and insulation for weeks before a stain shows on the ceiling. Getting it looked at now keeps a small repair small.
Storm damage questions from Springfield homeowners
How can I tell if wind damaged my roof?
Look for shingles in the yard, shingles that look lifted or out of line, bare strips where a shingle used to be, and missing pieces along the ridge. Wind damage hides well, so an inspection is worth it after any strong storm.
A limb fell on my roof, but I don’t see a hole. Is it OK?
Not necessarily. A heavy limb can crack the roof deck under shingles that look fine. Have it checked from the roof and from the attic.
Can ice dams really damage a roof?
Yes. Water trapped behind the ice can back up under shingles and leak into walls and ceilings. If you get ice dams every winter, have the roof checked so the cause gets fixed, not just the leak.
Is a storm damage inspection free?
Yes. The inspection and estimate are free, with no obligation.
Get back to a roof you can count on
The goal is a roof that’s sound again, a dry house and no surprise bill down the road. Call 913-398-5020 or book your free inspection online, and we’ll come take a look. Everything else we do in town is on our Springfield roofing page.
