After the Storm: A Tennessee Homeowner's Roof Checklist

Middle Tennessee gets hit with hail and wind every spring. Most of the damage isn't dramatic - bruised shingles, fractured granules, blown ridge caps - and you can't see it from the ground. By the time the leak shows up on your ceiling, you have a much bigger repair than you would have had if you'd inspected the day after the storm.

Here is the checklist we give every Ironclad homeowner.

Day of the storm - walk the perimeter

Pick up downed branches, count missing shingles, and photograph anything obvious. Check the gutters for granule accumulation - a small mountain of black grit at the downspouts is a sign the shingles got pounded.

Day after - look for these signs

• Dents in metal flashing, vents, AC condenser fins, or the gutters themselves. If something metal got dented, the shingles got hit too.
• Granule loss visible on the shingles from the ground- patchy, lighter-colored spots.
• Shingle "lift" - corners standing up where wind got under them.
• Bent or cracked ridge cap shingles.
• Anything torn or hanging.

Photograph everything. Time-stamped iPhone photos with location data are exactly what an adjuster needs.

When to call a roofer

If you see any of the above, get a professional inspection within 30 days of the storm. Most insurance policies require you to "mitigate further damage" promptly - wait too long and the carrier can deny the claim on the grounds that you allowed the damage to worsen.

A reputable roofer will do the inspection for free, document everything photographically, and tell you honestly whether you have a claim worth filing. Be wary of door-knockers- anyone who shows up uninvited the day after a storm, especially with an out-of-state truck, is usually running a storm-chasing scheme. Call a local company you can verify.

Filing the claim

If damage is real, call your insurance carrier and open a claim. They will schedule an adjuster to come out, usually within 1-2 weeks. We strongly recommend having your roofer present at the adjuster's inspection- adjusters move fast, and a roofer who knows the language can make sure damage isn't missed.

Your roofer should prepare a Xactimate scope (the same software the insurance industry uses) and submit it through the claim. If the adjuster's initial scope misses something, your roofer files a "supplement" with documentation. This is normal and routine.

What your out-of-pocket cost should be

If the claim is approved as a full roof replacement, your out-of-pocket cost is your deductible. That's it. Anyone telling you they can "waive" your deductible is committing insurance fraud - walk away. Anyone padding the scope to cover your deductible is also committing fraud.

How fast we can come out

Within 48 hours, usually next-day. The inspection is free, the report is yours regardless of whether you hire us, and we'll tell you honestly if your damage doesn't rise to a claim. Call (615) 555-0167.