Storm Damage: What to Do in the First 24 Hours
A severe storm just rolled through Pittsburgh, and you’ve spotted damage to your roof, gutters, or siding. The first 24 hours are critical—not just for safety, but for protecting your home and preparing for the insurance process.
Here’s what to do, and what to avoid, in those first few hours.
Safety First: Don’t Go on the Roof
Your instinct might be to climb up and assess the damage yourself. Don’t.
Wet or damaged roofing is slippery. Wind-weakened shingles can give way. Hail might have compromised structural integrity in ways you can’t see from below. Stay on the ground. You can spot obvious issues like missing sections, hanging gutters, or debris from ground level, and that’s enough for now.
If a tree has fallen on your home, stay clear of it too. Some branches may hang precariously, and live power lines might be tangled in it.
Document Everything Before Any Work Begins
Once you’ve confirmed it’s safe, grab your phone and photograph every bit of visible damage: the roof, gutters, siding, dents on your car, broken windows, and anything in your yard.
Also photograph interior damage—water stains, dampness, or any visible leaks inside your home. Take photos in good lighting and from multiple angles.
This documentation is invaluable for your insurance claim. It’s also proof of the condition before any temporary repairs or contractor work begins.
Call Your Insurance Company and Get a Claim Number
Contact your homeowner’s insurance company as soon as possible, ideally within 24 hours.
Report the damage, file a claim, and request a claim number. Ask when an adjuster will inspect your property. Many insurers process storm claims quickly, but timing varies.
While you wait for the adjuster, do not make any permanent repairs. Temporary measures (like tarping a damaged roof) are fine—in fact, they’re often necessary—but permanent fixes should wait until the adjuster has seen the damage.
Get Tarping Done Quickly to Prevent Further Damage
If you have roof leaks or large sections of roofing missing, water will continue to pour into your home with every rain or melting snow.
We offer emergency tarping services throughout the Pittsburgh area. Tarping is a temporary measure that stops further water infiltration and protects your interior while you wait for repairs or replacement. It typically takes a day to arrange and costs far less than the damage that happens if rain continues to soak your attic and ceilings.
Call us at 412-492-7663 if you need tarping done quickly.
Wait on Permanent Repairs Until the Adjuster Visits
Once you’ve documented damage, called your insurance company, and had tarping or temporary measures put in place, wait.
Permanent repairs—replacing roofing, repairing siding, or rebuilding damaged sections—should happen only after your insurance adjuster has inspected the damage and issued a settlement or estimate. This ensures you’re not paying out of pocket for damage that insurance covers, and it gives you documentation that the work was necessary and storm-related.
Storm damage is stressful, but following these steps puts you in the best position to protect your home and navigate the insurance process smoothly.
Questions about storm damage or need emergency tarping? Contact Ireland Contracting at 412-492-7663 or visit our roofing repair page. You can also reach out to us to discuss your next steps.