What to Do After Roof Storm Damage
After hail or wind, the priority order is simple: stay safe, document what you can see, protect the interior if water is entering, and get a roof inspection before assumptions turn into expensive decisions.
1. Start With Safety
Do not climb onto the roof after a storm. Watch for active leaks, ceiling staining, fallen limbs, damaged power lines, or debris that makes access unsafe. If water is entering the home, move valuables and use buckets or tarps indoors until the roof can be assessed.
2. Document What You Can See From the Ground
Take wide and close photos of visible shingle loss, dented vents, damaged gutters, downed branches, interior staining, and any debris field around the house. These initial photos help establish condition before temporary measures or cleanup begin.
3. Protect the Home if Water Is Entering
If the roof is actively leaking, temporary protection matters. Emergency tarping and basic water diversion protect drywall, insulation, and framing while the full scope is being inspected.
If that is needed immediately, go straight to emergency tarping or the broader storm damage roofing page.
4. Get a Documented Roof Inspection
Storm damage is not always obvious from the yard. A proper roof inspection helps clarify whether the roof needs repair, replacement, temporary stabilization, or simply monitoring. It also creates the photo record homeowners often need for insurance conversations.
5. Decide on Repair, Replacement, or Claim Support
Repair
If damage is limited and the system still has life left, targeted roof repair may restore performance.
Replacement
If damage is widespread, material matching is poor, or the roof is already near end of life, replacement may be the more stable option.
Claim support
If the loss is significant enough for insurance involvement, documentation and adjuster coordination help keep the process moving.
Storm-damage next steps
These pages cover the service actions homeowners usually need after a damaging North Texas storm.
Storm service
Storm damage roofing
Go deeper on hail and wind inspections, repair scopes, and replacement planning.
View storm damage service →Temporary protection
Emergency tarping
Use this page when the roof needs immediate temporary protection before repairs begin.
Go to emergency tarping →Claims guide
How insurance roof claims work
Understand how inspection evidence, adjuster meetings, and scope reviews fit into the process.
Read the claims guide →