Storm Damage Roof Repair

How Storms Damage Roofs in Southeast Michigan

Southeast Michigan sits in one of the more active weather corridors in the Midwest. Spring and summer bring squall lines rolling in from the west, often carrying straight-line winds of 60–80 mph and pea-to-golf-ball-sized hail. Fall brings the tail end of tropical remnants that occasionally push north from the Gulf. Winter delivers ice storms and heavy wet snow that can add thousands of pounds of load to a roof in a matter of hours.

Each of these weather events damages roofs differently. Wind lifts and creases shingle tabs, breaking their seal strips even when nothing looks visibly wrong from the ground. Hail bruises the shingle mat and knocks off protective granules, exposing the underlying asphalt to UV and dramatically shortening roof life. Ice can back up under shingles when gutters clog or ice dams form along the eaves. Wet snow adds structural load and, when it melts, finds every weak point in the flashing system.

The Damage You Can't See From the Ground

Homeowners often look at their roof after a storm, don't see missing shingles, and assume they're fine. In our experience, about 60% of legitimate storm claims involve damage that isn't visible from the ground. Wind creases in the shingle mat look normal from a distance but have permanently weakened the seal strip and will fail in the next windstorm. Hail bruises show up as small round marks that only become obvious with a chalk test on the roof.

That's why our storm inspections start with a full walk of the roof — every slope, every valley, every penetration — followed by a chalk test on the south and west slopes where hail impacts are typically heaviest. We also inspect softer collateral: dented gutters and downspouts, damaged fascia, vent hoods, AC condenser fins, and window screens. Collateral damage helps establish the storm event and strengthens the claim.

The Insurance Process, Step by Step

Step one is a free inspection and honest report. If there's no storm damage, we tell you that in writing. If there is, we document it thoroughly with photos, drone footage, and impact counts per square. That documentation is what you'll take to your insurer.

Step two is filing the claim. Most homeowners file the claim themselves — we just provide the documentation package. Some carriers prefer to speak with the contractor directly, and we're happy to be the point of contact if that's what you want.

Step three is the adjuster meeting. This is the single most important step in getting a fair claim. We meet your adjuster on the roof, walk them through every documented damage point, and answer their questions in real time. Claims are dramatically more likely to be approved fully when the contractor is present at the inspection.

Step four is the rebuild. Once the claim is approved, we schedule the replacement, coordinate the material delivery, and complete the work.

What to Do in the First 48 Hours After a Storm

Take photos of everything you can see from the ground, including collateral damage to gutters, siding, vehicles, and outdoor furniture. Note the date and approximate time the storm passed. Save any local news coverage or National Weather Service reports of the event — this becomes evidence for the claim.

Then call us. Do not sign anything with a door-knocker who shows up in your neighborhood claiming to represent an insurance company or offering to 'inspect for free' in exchange for signing a contract. Storm-chasing contractors are a documented problem in Michigan and Ohio, and homeowners get burned every year.

We're a locally owned company. We show up, do the work, and are still here to warranty it years from now.