Storm Damage
Get Your Roof Ready Before Storm Season, Not After
A pre-season checklist for Panhandle homeowners: what to inspect, what to document, and what to have on hand before the first big cell.
By Taylor Smith · · 5 min read
Every year the same thing happens: a big cell rolls through, and the homeowners who prepared get handled in days while everyone else waits weeks.
Inspect and fix now
- Loose or missing shingles, especially along ridges and rakes.
- Cracked pipe boots — the cheapest fix on the roof and a frequent leak source.
- Loose flashing at chimneys and walls.
- Clogged gutters and disconnected downspouts.
- Limbs within six feet of the roof.
Document the "before"
Take dated photos of every elevation and the interior ceilings. After a storm, before-and-after photos settle arguments about pre-existing damage faster than anything else.
Get your paperwork in one place
Policy number, carrier claim line, deductible amount, agent's cell, and your roofer's number. Put them in your phone, not a drawer.
Know your deductible before you need to
Percentage deductibles surprise people at the worst possible moment. Find out the dollar figure now.
Pick your contractor in advance
Choosing a roofer under pressure, from a stranger at your door, is how bad decisions get made. Have a local company already in your contacts.
