Ten questions after a storm

No. A wet or damaged roof is slippery, and loose shingles and weakened decking can give way. Falls from roofs are a real and avoidable risk after storms.

Walk around the house, photograph from the ground, and use your phone zoom. Look in the attic only if it is safe and easy to reach. An inspector will do the roof-level work with the right equipment.

If water is getting in, limiting further damage is usually sensible, and many policies expect reasonable steps to prevent it. Photograph the damage first, keep receipts, and have temporary protection fitted by someone who can do it safely.

A tarp is a stopgap, not a repair. Read your policy or ask your insurer how temporary measures are handled. We cannot tell you what your policy will reimburse.

Not necessarily. A check is worth considering after hail, high wind, or when you see any sign of damage or a leak. Hail marks and lifted shingles are often not visible from the ground.

If a storm passed and you see nothing wrong, a ground-level look and a periodic inspection may be enough. If you are unsure, an inspection gives you a written answer.

Hail tends to leave round, randomly placed marks and dents on metal pieces. Wind tends to work at edges, ridges and corners, and creases or removes tabs. Age shows as widespread granule loss, curling, cracking and blistering that is not tied to a storm.

Real roofs often show a mix, so a good inspection records patterns and location rather than guessing one label. The written findings should say what was seen and what it is consistent with.

It depends on roof size, pitch, number of slopes and access. A simple roof can be checked in a fraction of a day, while a large or complex roof takes longer. The attic and interior are looked at as well if you give access.

We will tell you what to expect when you book. This showcase does not show a real schedule.

You receive a written scope: what was found, where, with photos, and what repair or replacement is recommended. You review it at your own pace. You can share it with your insurer if you choose to make a claim.

Nothing is started until you agree to it in writing.

A contractor inspects the roof, documents damage, and quotes and carries out the work. An adjuster works for or on behalf of the insurer and assesses a claim under your policy.

Only your insurer decides whether a loss is covered and how much is paid. A contractor can describe what they found and what work would address it, but cannot approve a claim.

Storm-chasing crews often arrive quickly and leave. You do not have to talk to them or decide on the doorstep. Take your time with anyone, including us.

Ask for licence and insurance details in writing and check them with the issuing bodies. Ask about local presence, get a written scope before any work, and be cautious about large upfront payments, blank paperwork, or anyone offering to handle your claim for you or promising a result.

A deductible is the amount you pay toward a covered loss before the insurer pays. Some policies have a separate wind or hail deductible, sometimes set as a percentage rather than a fixed amount.

If repair costs are lower than your deductible, a claim may not pay anything. Check the exact wording in your own policy or ask your insurer. Stormguard cannot advise on your policy terms.

It depends on how widespread the damage is, the age and condition of the rest of the roof, whether matching materials are available, and what the local building rules require. Isolated damage can often be repaired.

A good written scope explains why it recommends repair or replacement, and shows both options where they are reasonable, so you can compare before you decide.