When wind, hail, heavy rain, or falling debris hits your home, roof damage is not always obvious from the ground. Missing shingles, dented metal, exposed flashing, granule loss, attic stains, and active leaks can all point to storm-related damage that should be inspected before the next round of weather.
The Exterior Company roofing contractors provide storm damage roof inspections and repair recommendations for homeowners in Lancaster, PA, and throughout Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Maryland, and New Jersey. Our Lancaster office is located at 311 Harrisburg Ave, Lancaster, PA 17603, and our team is available for storm-damage inspections, roof repair, roof replacement recommendations, and insurance-related documentation support.
Get expert help fast and schedule your free storm damage roof inspection today.
Schedule a Storm Damage Roof Inspection
Storm damage can get worse quickly when water reaches the roof deck, attic, insulation, walls, or ceilings. If your home was hit by severe weather, schedule an inspection with The Exterior Company before small damage turns into a larger repair.
Call 717-553-0232 or request a free inspection.
What Counts as Storm Damage to a Roof?
The National Weather Service defines baseline severe thunderstorm criteria as 1-inch hail or 58 mph thunderstorm winds. Stronger storms may involve larger hail, higher winds, and more serious property damage. For homeowners, that means even one severe storm can create roof conditions that deserve a closer look.
Common storm-related roof problems include:
Wind Damage
High winds can lift, crease, loosen, or remove shingles. GAF explains that wind can create uplift at shingle edges, loosen the sealant bond, and leave shingles less able to shed water. Wind damage may also loosen flashing around chimneys, vents, skylights, and roof edges.
Signs to watch for:
- Missing shingles
- Shingles lifted, curled, or creased
- Exposed underlayment or roof decking
- Loose ridge caps
- Debris on the roof after high winds
- New leaks after a storm
Hail Damage
Hail may bruise asphalt shingles, knock away protective granules, dent metal components, or create small fractures that are hard to see from the ground. GAF notes that hail can act like a hammer on shingles, damaging the asphalt mat and knocking away granules that help protect the roof from UV exposure.
Signs to watch for:
- Dark spots or discoloration on shingles
- Excessive granules in gutters or at downspout exits
- Dents on gutters, downspouts, flashing, vents, or metal roof accessories
- Bruised or soft-looking shingle impact marks
- New leaks after hail
Heavy Rain and Water Intrusion
Heavy rain can expose weak points around flashing, roof penetrations, valleys, chimneys, skylights, gutters, and older roof areas. GAF recommends checking inside the attic for dark stains, moisture marks, wet insulation, sagging, or daylight showing through the roof deck after a storm.
Signs to watch for:
- Ceiling or wall stains
- Dripping or active leaks
- Musty smells in the attic
- Wet insulation
- Dark stains under roof decking
- Water around chimneys, vents, or skylights
Debris Impact
Branches and wind-blown debris can crack shingles, damage gutters, loosen flashing, scrape away granules, or hide damage underneath the debris. If a branch is sitting on the roof, do not assume the roof is fine after the branch is removed. The impact area should still be checked.
Your roof is designed to be the first line of defense in the event of extreme weather; sadly, roofs still fall victim to threatening storm damage. The Exterior Company understands how stressful it is to deal with these unexpected issues, especially when your home and safety are at risk.
We take great care to respond quickly and offer free, no-obligation consultations to help you assess the damage and move forward with confidence. We’ll handle the complicated stuff, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Get expert help fast and schedule your free storm damage roof inspection today.
What To Do After a Storm
Before calling a roofing contractor or your insurance company, take a few careful steps to protect yourself and document the condition of your home.
1. Stay off the roof
Do not climb onto a wet, steep, damaged, or debris-covered roof. Many signs of storm damage can be documented from the ground, inside the attic, or from safe exterior areas.
2. Take photos and videos before cleanup
The Pennsylvania Insurance Department recommends taking photos and videos of damage before cleanup or repairs. Photograph the roof from the ground, gutters, downspouts, fallen shingles, interior stains, attic moisture, and any storm debris that hit the home.
3. Contact your insurance company promptly
Pennsylvania’s Natural Disaster Guide recommends contacting your insurance company as soon as possible after storm damage, following the insurer’s instructions, giving them the information they need, and keeping records of who you spoke with and when.
4. Prevent further damage when it is safe
The Pennsylvania Insurance Department encourages homeowners to make immediate temporary repairs after documenting the damage when those repairs are needed to prevent additional damage. For roof leaks, that may mean temporary protection such as tarping by a qualified professional.
5. Schedule a professional roof inspection
Some roof damage is easy to miss. GAF notes that certain issues, including hail bruising, may not be visible to an untrained eye. The Exterior Company roofing contractors can inspect the roof, document visible damage, explain repair options, and help you understand whether the issue appears isolated or widespread.
How The Exterior Company Roofing Contractors Inspect Storm Damage
A storm damage inspection should look beyond one missing shingle. The goal is to understand whether the roofing system is still protecting the home.
During an inspection, The Exterior Company roofing company may review:
- Shingles, ridge caps, roof valleys, and roof edges
- Flashing around chimneys, walls, skylights, vents, and penetrations
- Gutters, downspouts, and drainage areas
- Signs of granule loss or hail impact
- Wind-lifted, creased, curled, or missing shingles
- Debris impact points
- Attic moisture, staining, daylight, or wet insulation when accessible
- Interior ceiling or wall stains connected to roof leaks
After the inspection, we explain what we found in plain language. If the damage is isolated, we may recommend targeted roof repair. If damage is widespread or the roof system can no longer reliably protect the home, we may recommend replacement.
Roof Repair or Roof Replacement?
Not every storm-damaged roof needs replacement. The right recommendation depends on the age and condition of the roof, the type of damage, the number of affected areas, whether water reached vulnerable parts of the home, and whether repairs can restore reliable protection.
Repair may be appropriate when:
- Damage is limited to a small area
- The surrounding shingles are still in workable condition
- Flashing or a few components can be repaired
- There is no widespread water intrusion
- The roof still has useful service life
Replacement may be appropriate when:
- Damage is widespread across multiple slopes
- Many shingles are missing, creased, bruised, or compromised
- There are repeated leaks or signs of roof-deck problems
- The roof is near the end of its service life
- Repair would not be a cost-effective long-term solution
The Exterior Company roofing contractors will explain the difference clearly so you can make an informed decision.
Insurance Claim Support
Homeowners insurance policies vary. The Pennsylvania Insurance Department recommends reviewing whether your policy includes replacement cost coverage or actual cash value coverage, checking deductibles, and paying attention to wind and hail deductibles. Flood damage is not included in a standard homeowners insurance policy, so flood-related issues may require separate coverage.
The Exterior Company roofing company can help document visible roof damage and communicate repair or replacement findings, but your insurance company determines coverage under your policy.
If you are considering a public adjuster in Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Insurance Department says public adjusters must be licensed, and an adjuster who is also a contractor can only perform one function at a time. A public adjuster may recommend a contractor, but you can choose your own contractor.
Serving Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Maryland, and New Jersey
The Exterior Company roofing contractors focus on Lancaster, PA, while also serving homeowners across Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Maryland, and New Jersey.
Our listed office locations include:
- Lancaster, PA
- Mechanicsburg, PA
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Rocky Hill, CT
- East Granby, CT
For storm damage roof repair in Lancaster or another service area, contact The Exterior Company roofing company to schedule an inspection.
Why Choose The Exterior Company Roofing Company?
Storm damage is stressful. You need a roofing contractor who can inspect carefully, communicate clearly, and recommend the right solution without pushing unnecessary work.
Homeowners choose The Exterior Company roofing contractors because:
- We inspect for wind, hail, water, and debris-related roof damage
- We explain whether repair or replacement makes more sense
- We help document visible storm damage for your records
- We work with roofing materials from manufacturers including GAF and Owens Corning
- Our About page states that The Exterior Company is GAF Master Elite and Owens Corning Platinum Preferred
- We serve Lancaster and broader areas across PA, CT, MD, and NJ
We strongly oppose blanket jobs and cookie-cutter fixes; your roof needs focused, full attention after a storm. That’s why we offer meticulous, free inspections to determine exactly what’s wrong and how to fix it ASAP. If the damage is isolated, we’ll focus on repairing specific shingles or segments of roofing. If the damage is widespread, we’ll recommend a full replacement if it’s truly the smartest and most cost-effective solution.
Insurance can be annoying, but we’ll help handle the details so you’re not stuck navigating it on your own.
Schedule storm damage solutions with TEC for your home in Lancaster, PA, today.
FAQs
Does homeowners insurance cover roofing damaged by a storm?
Most of the time, yes. If the damage was sudden and caused by wind, hail, or falling debris, your policy likely covers it — but every policy is different. That’s why we help you review the details and work with your insurance adjuster to get things moving.
How much storm damage does a roof need to be replaced?
It depends on the extent and location of the damage. If it’s widespread or affects the structural integrity of the roof, a replacement may be the safest option, but we’ll only recommend that if repairs aren’t viable.
Should I call a roofer or insurance first?
If there is active water intrusion, protect the home and document the damage as soon as it is safe. You can contact your insurance company promptly and also schedule a roof inspection. A roofing inspection can help document visible damage, but your insurer decides coverage.
Can hail damage be invisible from the ground?
Yes. Hail may bruise shingles, remove granules, or damage the asphalt mat in ways that are difficult to see from the ground. A professional inspection can identify damage that a quick visual check may miss.
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