Storm Hit Your Roof? Here's What to Do in the First 48 Hours

Hour 0–4: Secure and Document

Don't go on the roof. Wet shingles, loose debris, hidden structural damage — it's not worth the risk. Everything you need to do right now happens from the ground and inside.

Take photos and video of everything. Walk the perimeter of your house. Photograph:

• Shingles on the ground
• Visible damage from the ground (missing sections, lifted edges, exposed underlayment)
• Gutter damage, dents, standing water
• Any fallen tree limbs or debris on or near the roof
• Interior: water stains on ceilings, wet spots in the attic, drips around vents

Keep the debris. Don't clean up the yard yet. That scattered shingle and dented downspout are evidence for your insurance claim. Photograph them in place before you move anything.

Prevent further damage. If water is coming in, put buckets under the drip. If a tarp can be safely placed from a ladder, do it — or call us. Georgia insurance policies require you to take “reasonable steps” to prevent additional damage. Doing nothing can actually hurt your claim.

Hour 4–24: Contact Insurance and Your Contractor

Call your insurance company. Report the damage. Get a claim number. Write it down. Ask when the adjuster will come.

Call a local roofing contractor. Not the guy who knocked on your door 20 minutes after the storm. A contractor with a Georgia license, a local address, and a reputation they have to protect.

Why call a contractor before the adjuster visits? Because the contractor's inspection produces the documentation that drives the adjuster's estimate. Here's the difference:

Without contractor documentation: The adjuster walks the roof for 15 minutes, writes an estimate based on what they see, and moves to the next house. They're covering dozens of claims a week. They're thorough but fast.

With contractor documentation: The adjuster has a 12-angle photo report with measurements, a scope of work, and line-item details that map to Xactimate (the software adjusters use). Every damaged area is documented. Nothing gets missed. The estimate reflects the actual damage.

We've seen this turn an $8,000 initial estimate into a $34,000 approved claim. Not because we inflated anything — because we documented what the 15-minute walk missed.

Hour 24–48: The Inspection

When we inspect a storm-damaged roof, here's what happens:

1. Ground assessment — We walk the perimeter, check gutters, downspouts, siding, and windows. Hail doesn't just hit roofs.
2. Roof inspection — 12+ photos: ridge, valleys, fields, penetrations (vents, pipes, skylights), flashing, drip edge. Each photo is timestamped and geo-tagged.
3. Attic inspection — Water intrusion, daylight visible through decking, and compromised underlayment are often invisible from outside.
4. Documentation package — You get everything we find. Photos, measurements, and a written assessment. This package is what drives your insurance claim.
5. Recommendation — Repair or replace? Not every storm warrants a full replacement. If 10 shingles are missing and the rest is solid, we'll tell you. If the underlayment is compromised across the entire roof, we'll tell you that too.

This inspection is free for any homeowner in Metro Atlanta. No obligation. You keep the documentation whether you hire us or not.

What NOT to Do

Don't sign a contingency contract with a door-knocker. These contracts lock you into one contractor before you've even filed a claim. If they can't perform, you're stuck.

Don't let anyone “cover your deductible.” It's illegal in Georgia. If a contractor offers to waive your deductible, they're either going to cut corners to make up the cost, or they're committing insurance fraud and making you an accomplice.

Don't wait too long. Most Georgia insurance policies have a filing deadline — typically 1 year from the date of damage, but some are shorter. The sooner you file, the easier the process.

Don't accept the first estimate without review. If the adjuster's number seems low, you can supplement the claim with additional documentation. This is normal, legal, and how the process is designed to work.

Georgia-Specific: What You Need to Know

HB 423 (Georgia Roofing Fraud Prevention Act): Contractors cannot offer to pay or rebate any part of your deductible. They cannot make misrepresentations about insurance coverage. Violators face criminal penalties.

Georgia Attorney General warnings: The AG's office actively tracks roofing scams after major storms. If a contractor asks you to sign before the adjuster visits, report them.

Your rights: You choose your contractor. Your insurance company cannot force you to use their “preferred vendor.” You have the right to a second opinion on any denied or underpaid claim.

Also read: Roof Replacement Cost in Georgia: The 2026 Guide →