Wind, debris & storm damage
Storm damage roof repair in Philadelphia
A summer thunderstorm or a nor'easter can peel back a flat roof's edge in minutes, and the next rain finds the opening. Make it safe, stop the water, document everything, then call a local roofer.
Right after the storm
What to do first, in this order
Make it safe
Stay off the roof until the wind and rain stop, and don't go up at all if it's wet or debris is still moving. If a wire is down, keep clear and report it to PECO. If a tree or limb has come through the roof or a ceiling is sagging hard, get everyone out of those rooms.
Stop what you can inside
Move furniture and electronics, catch drips, and shut off power to any light fixture or outlet that's getting wet. A bulging ceiling can be drained through a small hole in the low point, so it doesn't come down all at once.
Document before anything is moved
Take dated photos and video of ceilings, walls and anything soaked, plus whatever you can see of the roof from a window or the street. Save receipts for buckets, tarps, fans and cleanup.
Call a roofer, then your insurer
A roofer can secure the opening and give you photos of the damage from on top, which you'll want when you report the claim.
Signs your roof took storm damage
Even if nothing is leaking yet, look for:
- A roof edge or seam that's lifted, flapping or curled back
- Metal coping or flashing bent, loose or missing from the parapet
- Branches, siding or a neighbor's debris lying on the roof
- A rooftop condenser, vent cap or satellite dish knocked loose
- New stains at the top of walls after wind-driven rain
- Membrane pieces or gravel in the gutter or on the sidewalk
How storms hit Philly flat roofs
Wind and debris damage, and where it starts
A flat roof rarely blows off in one piece. It fails at its edges and attachments first, then water does the rest.
Lifted edges and seams
Wind gets under the membrane at the roof's edge or at an old seam and peels it back. Once a corner lifts, each gust pulls it further, so a small flap can become a large torn section fast.
Parapet coping and caps
The metal or stone cap on top of a parapet wall keeps water out of the masonry. Storms loosen or strip it, and rain then soaks down through the wall into the house.
Falling limbs
In tree-lined parts of Northwest and Northeast Philly, branches puncture membranes and crack the boards underneath. Even a limb that bounced off can leave a split you can't see from below.
Debris from next door
On attached blocks, a neighbor's loose flashing, siding or deck furniture can land on your roof. Note what came from where in your photos; it matters for whose policy responds.
Shifted rooftop equipment
Condensers, vent caps and satellite mounts that move in the wind tear the roof around their bases and pull refrigerant lines and wiring loose.
Overflow from heavy rain
Downpours from summer storms and tropical remnants overwhelm small rear drains and scuppers. Water backs up past the flashing and comes in where the roof meets a wall.
The work
What a storm damage repair involves
Emergency tarp or seal
Torn or lifted areas are covered with a weighted tarp or sealed temporarily so the next rain stays out. This is about stopping water, not the final fix.
Inspection & photo report
Once it's safe and dry, the roofer walks the roof, photographs each damaged spot, and checks the boards and insulation for water.
Insurance claim
You report the claim with your photos and the roofer's report. The insurer usually sends an adjuster to see the roof before permanent work starts.
Permanent repair
Damaged membrane is cut out and patched, edges and coping re-secured, and wet insulation replaced. Widespread damage on an older roof may mean a new roof instead.
Planning your repair
What affects the price
Storm repairs range from re-securing one edge to replacing most of a roof. The scope comes down to:
- How far the damage spread. A lifted corner is a small repair; a section torn away across the roof is not.
- Water underneath. Wet insulation has to come out, and wet boards may need replacing.
- Debris removal. Limbs, a neighbor's materials or fallen equipment have to come off before work starts.
- The roof's age and condition. Patching an old, brittle roof is harder than repairing a newer one, and sometimes isn't worth it.
- Coping, flashing and equipment. Re-setting parapet caps and condensers adds to the scope.
- Temporary work first. A tarp or emergency seal is a separate step before the permanent repair.
Want a quick read first? Try the Roof Problem Checker for storm damage.
Related pages
- Roof leak repair: water coming in right now
- Flat roof replacement: when the damage is too widespread to patch
- Manayunk & Roxborough: hilltop wind and heavy tree cover
- Northeast Philly: tree-lined blocks, porch roofs and gutters
- Roof deck leak repair: if the storm hit a rooftop deck
After big storms: be careful with anyone who knocks on your door offering a roof, wants a large cash deposit, or asks you to sign paperwork about your insurance claim on the spot. Read anything about your claim before signing, and check that the contractor is registered with the Pennsylvania Attorney General as a home improvement contractor.
Storm damage questions
Will homeowners insurance pay for storm damage to my roof?
Sudden damage from wind, hail or falling limbs is often covered, while wear and old age usually aren't. Coverage depends on your policy and your deductible. A roofer's photos showing fresh damage, like torn membrane or bent coping, help separate storm damage from an old roof's problems.
Should I put a tarp on the roof myself?
Only if the roof is dry, the wind has stopped, and you can get up and down safely, which on a three-story rowhome usually means no. Flat roofs are slippery when wet and the edges have no protection. Covering things inside and calling a roofer is the safer move.
When should I call my insurance company?
As soon as you've made things safe and taken photos. Most policies expect prompt notice and expect you to take reasonable steps to prevent more damage, which is what a tarp or temporary seal does. Keep receipts for that work.
A branch from my neighbor's tree hit my roof. Whose insurance pays?
Often it's your own policy that covers damage to your house, regardless of whose tree it was, though there can be exceptions if the tree was clearly neglected. Photograph where the limb came from and talk to your insurer.
The storm passed, but now water sits on my roof. Is that damage?
It can be. Heavy rain can expose drains that were already slow, and a storm can knock debris into a scupper. If water is still standing two days later, have a roofer check the drains and the low spots.
Have a different storm question? Call and ask a local roofer.
(215) 702-6130