If a storm damages your roof in Pittsburgh, take these steps immediately: ensure your household is safe, document all visible damage with photos and video, place buckets or towels to manage any active interior leaks, contact your homeowners insurance provider to report the damage, and schedule a professional roof inspection with a licensed Pittsburgh roofing contractor before signing any repair agreements. Acting quickly and systematically protects both your home and your insurance claim.
How Do I Know If My Pittsburgh Roof Was Damaged in a Storm?
Some storm damage is visible from the ground — missing shingles, displaced ridge caps, gutters pulled away from the roofline. But hail damage is often invisible without a professional inspection. Hail impact leaves bruising on shingles and denting on soft metals like gutters and flashing that only trained eyes can identify. After any significant storm in the Pittsburgh area, a free professional inspection is the only reliable way to know whether damage occurred.
Should I Use a Tarp After Storm Damage to My Pittsburgh Roof?
If your roof is actively leaking or has missing sections that expose the interior to the elements, temporary tarping prevents additional water damage to ceilings, insulation, and interior belongings. Document the damage first, then tarp as needed. Keep all receipts for emergency materials — these costs may be reimbursable through your insurance claim. PGH Roofing & Exteriors can deploy emergency protective measures quickly when a Pittsburgh home needs immediate protection.
How Soon Should I Contact My Insurance Company After Storm Damage in Pittsburgh?
Contact your homeowners insurance carrier as soon as possible after discovering damage. Most Pennsylvania policies require timely reporting — delays in notification can complicate claims. When you call, you’ll open a claim and be assigned an adjuster. Request that a roofing contractor be present for the adjuster inspection. PGH Roofing & Exteriors attends adjuster inspections for Pittsburgh homeowners at no additional cost.
What Mistakes Do Pittsburgh Homeowners Make After Storm Damage?
The most common mistakes are: signing a contract with the first contractor who knocks on the door after a storm (storm chasers are common in Pittsburgh following major weather events), making permanent repairs before the insurance adjuster has inspected, and failing to document all damage before cleanup begins. Work with a local, established contractor who has no reason to move on after your job is done.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to report storm damage to insurance in Pennsylvania?
Most Pennsylvania homeowners insurance policies require damage to be reported promptly. While a statutory deadline varies by policy, reporting within days of discovering damage is strongly advisable. Check your policy terms or call your agent.
What is a storm chaser in Pittsburgh roofing?
Storm chasers are out-of-town contractors who follow severe weather events and solicit homeowners door-to-door. They often offer to file the insurance claim for you in exchange for the job. Pittsburgh homeowners should work with local, established contractors like PGH Roofing & Exteriors who stand behind their work long-term.
Can PGH Roofing inspect my Pittsburgh roof after a storm for free?
Yes. PGH Roofing & Exteriors provides free storm damage inspections for homeowners throughout the Pittsburgh area. Call 724.760.7663 to schedule.
What storms in Pittsburgh typically cause the most roof damage?
Hailstorms, high-wind events associated with severe thunderstorms, nor’easters bringing heavy snow loads, and ice storms causing ice dam formation are the most common causes of storm-related roof damage in the greater Pittsburgh area.
Storm damage to your Pittsburgh roof? Call PGH Roofing & Exteriors immediately at 724.760.7663 or visit our website. Free inspection, full insurance claim support, and honest answers from a local team that stands behind every job.