Quick Answer: Your First Moves After a Storm
- Stay safe and assess from the ground. Don’t climb on a wet or storm-damaged roof.
- Document everything. Take photos/videos of damage, water stains, and debris patterns.
- Stop active leaks. Use buckets, towels, and plastic sheeting; shut off power near water.
- Call a trusted local roofer. Our Hemet Roofing experts recommend contacting All Seasons Roofing for a same- or next-day inspection.
- Notify your insurer promptly. Start a claim if damage is likely; save all receipts.
- Arrange professional tarping if needed. Avoid DIY on slippery surfaces.
Our Hemet Roofing experts recommend acting within 24–48 hours to minimize further damage and streamline any insurance claim.
Why Storms in Hemet Demand Fast Action
Southern California storms can be deceptively severe. Santa Ana winds lift shingles and tiles, El Niño rains exploit tiny vulnerabilities, and occasional hail can bruise shingles or crack tiles. Even if your roof looks fine from the street, hidden issues—like compromised underlayment or loosened flashing—can turn into leaks weeks later.Our Hemet Roofing experts recommend a professional post-storm inspection any time your neighborhood experiences high winds, hail reports, or prolonged heavy rain.
The 24-Hour Post-Storm Action Plan
- Prioritize safety
- Avoid ladders and walking on the roof.
- Keep kids and pets away from damaged areas and downed lines.
- Turn off power to affected rooms if water is near outlets or lights.
- Document visible damage
- Exterior: missing or creased shingles, slipped/cracked tiles, dented gutters/vents, loose flashing, debris piles on the roof, and granules in gutters.
- Interior: new water stains on ceilings/walls, damp insulation, musty odors, bubbling paint.
- Our Hemet Roofing experts recommend timestamped photos and short videos from multiple angles.
- Prevent further water intrusion
- Place buckets and towels; use plastic sheeting under wet ceiling areas.
- For flat or low-slope roofs, ensure drains/scuppers are clear if it’s safe to reach from the ground.
- Arrange professional tarping. Our Hemet Roofing experts recommend pro tarps to avoid falls, punctures, and improper sealing.
- Call All Seasons Roofing
- Request a storm-damage assessment and temporary mitigation if needed.
- Ask for a written report with photos and a repair plan—helpful for insurance.
- Contact your insurer
- Start a claim if damage is suspected. Provide initial photos and the inspection report.
- Save receipts for emergency dry-out, tarping, or hotel stays; many policies reimburse these.
How to Spot Storm Damage (Without Climbing)
- Hail
- Asphalt shingles: dark “bruise” spots, granule piles in gutters, or soft dents on ridge caps.
- Tiles: small edge fractures or spider cracks.
- Metal: dimples on vents, flashing, or skylight frames.
- Our Hemet Roofing experts recommend checking soft metals (mailbox, AC fins) as a proxy for hail size and intensity.
- Wind
- Shingles: lifted, creased, or missing tabs; exposed nail heads.
- Tiles: displaced or “tilted” pieces; loose ridge caps.
- Flashing: bent or pulled away around chimneys, skylights, and eaves.
- Fences and trees down often correlate with roof uplift risk.
- Heavy rain
- Interior leaks: new stains, drips, or peeling paint.
- Overflow signs: streaks on fascia/soffits, sagging gutters, debris in valleys.
- Musty attic smell or damp insulation.
Our Hemet Roofing experts recommend an attic peek with a flashlight after major rain—look for wet decking, active drips, or daylight through openings.
Insurance Documentation Tips
- Log the storm: date, time, severity (hail/wind/rain), and neighborhood conditions.
- Take clear, wide-to-close-up photos of each area, plus a few establishing shots of your home.
- Get a professional inspection report with annotated photos.
- Keep receipts for emergency services and temporary living costs.
- Don’t sign assignment-of-benefits (AOB) forms without understanding them. Our Hemet Roofing experts recommend keeping control of your claim and choosing your contractor.
All Seasons Roofing can coordinate with your adjuster, provide detailed scope notes, and help you compare repair versus replacement options.
Temporary Mitigation: Do’s and Don’ts
- Do: use interior plastic sheeting, buckets, and towels to protect contents.
- Do: request professional tarping with proper anchoring and drip-edge technique.
- Do: clear ground-level drains and downspouts if safe.
- Don’t: pressure-wash the roof; it can strip granules and void warranties.
- Don’t: nail tarps into living roof areas without proper backing; you can cause leaks.
- Don’t: apply random caulk as a cure-all. Our Hemet Roofing experts recommend targeted, compatible repairs to preserve warranties.
Common Repairs After Each Storm Type
- After hail
- Replace bruised or fractured shingles; swap cracked tiles.
- Inspect and replace dented vent caps, flashings, and skylight components.
- Our Hemet Roofing experts recommend addressing hail damage promptly; water can infiltrate bruised shingles over time.
- After wind
- Re-secure or replace lifted/missing shingles with correct nail patterns; reinstall ridge caps.
- Re-bed/reset tiles and repair underlayment where uplift occurred.
- Refasten or replace loose flashing; verify ridge and hip systems.
- Our Hemet Roofing experts recommend high-wind nailing patterns and starter strips to meet or exceed code.
- After heavy rain
- Repair flashing and valley membranes; reseal penetrations with manufacturer-approved products.
- Address underlayment failures; dry and treat damp decking if needed.
- Improve drainage: gutter repair, additional downspouts, or wider valleys.
- Our Hemet Roofing experts recommend checking attic ventilation—trapped moisture accelerates roof aging.
Prevent the Next Storm’s Damage
- Impact-rated shingles or thicker tile underlayment for hail resilience.
- High-wind installation upgrades: 6-nail patterns, enhanced starter, sealed ridge.
- Sealed roof deck for better leak protection during shingle loss.
- Flashing upgrades around chimneys, skylights, and walls.
- Gutter capacity and guards to prevent overflow.
- Scheduled maintenance each spring and fall. Our Hemet Roofing experts recommend bundling these upgrades during repairs or re-roofing for the best value.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Waiting too long to inspect—hidden damage worsens with time.
- Hiring out-of-area storm chasers. Choose licensed, insured locals with references.
- Assuming “no leak = no damage.” Wind and hail damage often show up later.
- Covering everything with caulk. It’s a temporary patch at best and can mask bigger issues.
Our Hemet Roofing experts recommend verifying licenses, insurance, and local references; All Seasons Roofing is happy to provide all three.
Why Choose All Seasons Roofing in Hemet
- Local storm expertise: We understand Santa Ana wind patterns, Inland Empire hail pockets, and El Niño rain cycles.
- Rapid response: Emergency tarping and prompt inspections to protect your home.
- Insurance-savvy: Photo reports, scopes, and adjuster coordination to simplify your claim.
- Quality workmanship: Repairs and replacements built for Hemet’s climate, backed by strong warranties.
Our Hemet Roofing experts recommend starting with a fast, no-obligation post-storm check. Call All Seasons Roofing to schedule your inspection today.
FAQ
- If my roof looks fine, should I still call? Yes. Wind and hail can cause subtle damage that leaks later. Our Hemet Roofing experts recommend a quick professional check after any notable storm.
- How fast can you tarp my roof? In most cases, same or next day in Hemet and nearby areas.
- Will a repair void my warranty? Not when performed to manufacturer specs. We match materials and methods to protect warranties.
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Our Hemet Roofing experts recommend acting now—quick steps today can prevent costly repairs tomorrow. Contact All Seasons Roofing to protect your home with confidence.