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Storm-damaged shingle roof with a fallen branch and a tarp partly in place

Storm and hail damage in Chicago

Storm damage roof repair in Chicago, after wind and hail

Know what to do in the first hours, how to document damage for your insurer and how repairs are planned once the weather clears.

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  • Tell us if water is coming in
  • Damage described in writing
  • Temporary protection when needed

What does storm damage to a roof look like?

Chicago gets strong thunderstorms in summer, with straight-line wind, heavy rain and sometimes hail. Winter adds heavy snow, ice and falling tree limbs. Any of these can hurt a roof, and some damage is easy to miss from the ground.

Signs to look for after a storm:

  • Shingles that are missing, creased, lifted or lying in the yard.
  • Dents, bruises or bare spots where hail knocked off the granules.
  • Dented gutters, downspouts, vents or flashing.
  • Water stains, drips or damp insulation inside the building.
  • Branches or debris on the roof, or a punctured area from an impact.

Please stay off a wet or damaged roof. Look from the ground, use binoculars if you have them and take photos.

What should I do right after a storm?

Work through these steps in order.

  1. Stay safe. Keep away from downed lines, hanging limbs and any ceiling that is bulging with water.
  2. Take photos. Photos of the roof, yard and any interior damage help support a claim.
  3. Stop more damage. If water is coming in, protect belongings and arrange temporary protection such as a tarp. Keep receipts, since insurers often ask for them.
  4. Call your insurer. Ask how to start a claim and what your deductible is. Wind and hail deductibles can differ from other deductibles on the same policy.
  5. Call a roofer. Ask for the damage to be described in writing, with photos.

Be careful with anyone who knocks on your door after a storm and asks you to sign something on the spot. Take your time and compare written quotes.

What changes the price of storm damage roof repair in Chicago?

Prices vary too much to list, and any number would be a guess until someone has seen the roof. These things matter most:

  • Extent of damage. A few lifted shingles is a small job. Hail bruising across a whole slope may point to roof replacement.
  • Roof type and height. Steep roofs, flat roofs and tall buildings need different equipment and safety steps.
  • Water inside. Wet insulation, decking or ceilings add repair work.
  • Matching materials. Older shingles may be hard to match.
  • Temporary protection. Tarping and boarding up cost time and materials before the permanent repair.

Insurance coverage depends on your policy. A contractor can describe the damage in writing, but your insurer decides what it covers and how much it pays.

Temporary protection is usually the first step, and how fast it happens depends on the weather and crew availability. After a storm that hits a large area, many owners call at once, so schedules stretch. Permanent repairs follow once conditions are safe, the insurer has seen the damage and materials are ready.

What happens on the day

The crew checks the roof, photographs the damage and removes loose or broken material. They then make the repair or install the replacement section, seal flashing and vents, and clean up debris from the yard. Small repairs can be done in a few hours. A full replacement after severe damage takes longer and is planned like any other roof replacement.

If more bad weather is on the way, the crew may put on temporary protection and return when the forecast improves.

When should I call?

Call right away if water is entering the building, part of the roof is open or a tree has hit the house. Tell us it is urgent. For hail or wind marks that do not leak yet, call within days, not months, because small damage can turn into leaks during the next freeze. Many policies also have time limits for claims, so check yours.

If you are unsure how bad the damage is, a roof inspection gives you a written record. Smaller problems may only need roof repair. You can also see the full list of services on the Chicago roofing home page.

What you can expect

  • Clear communication

  • Free inspections

  • Written estimates

  • Local crew

Questions about roofing in Chicago

Does Chicago get hail?

Yes, though not every year in every neighborhood. Summer thunderstorms can bring hail and strong straight-line wind, and these storms can hit one part of the metro area and miss another. Damage is not always visible from the ground, so a roof check after a storm is worth doing.

Should I call my insurer or a roofer first?

If water is coming in, protect your belongings and arrange temporary protection, then call your insurer. Contact a roofer soon after so the damage is described in writing with photos. Keep receipts for any emergency work, since your insurer may ask for them.

Will insurance pay for my roof?

That depends on your policy, the cause of the damage and your deductible. Wind and hail are covered under many homeowner policies, but terms differ, and age of the roof can matter. Your insurer decides what it covers. We can only describe the damage and the repair needed.

Can a tarp protect my roof until a repair?

A properly fastened tarp can keep water out for a short time, but it is a temporary measure. Wind can lift poorly secured tarps, and they do not fix the underlying damage. Plan the permanent repair as soon as the weather and your claim allow.

How do I spot hail damage on shingles?

Look for dark round marks, bare spots where granules are missing, soft spots you can feel with a gloved finger, and granules collecting in gutters. Dented vents and gutters are another clue. A roof inspection checks closely and records what is found.

Are door-to-door storm roofers safe to hire?

Be careful. Do not sign anything on the spot, and do not pay a large deposit before you have checked the license and insurance papers and read a written quote. A local contractor with a clear scope and fair terms will not mind you taking time.

How it works

  1. Call or request a quote

    Tell us what is happening with the roof.

  2. Free inspection

    A roofer checks the roof and gives a written price.

  3. Work done right

    Clean crew, nail sweep, warranty in writing.

Request storm and hail damage

Tell us what you need and we call you back.

No obligation.

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What do you need?

Ready when you are

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