The storm has finally moved away, but what’s the next step? The actions you take in the first 24 hours after a storm can mean the difference between a simple repair and costly damage down the road.

After 27 years of helping commercial property owners recover from storm damage, Weather Contracting recommends this action plan.

Hour 1-2: Put Safety First, Then Document Everything

Before entering your building, check for downed power lines, gas leaks, structural damage, and standing water near electrical equipment. If you notice any unsafe conditions, keep everyone away from the building and call emergency services immediately.

Once you’ve confirmed the property is safe, begin documenting everything.

• Take clear photos of the roof, exterior walls, HVAC units, skylights, flashing, debris, and any visible damage.
• Record a video walkthrough of both the interior and exterior while describing everything you observe.
• Write down the date and time the storm began and when you first noticed the damage.
• Save local weather reports, hail maps, and storm alerts.

Thorough documentation strengthens your insurance claim and helps speed up the restoration process.

Hour 2-6: Call a Commercial Roofing Contractor

Many property owners lose valuable time while waiting for an insurance adjuster or assuming the roof escaped damage. Every hour you delay gives water more time to enter the building. Meanwhile, hidden hail damage can worsen, flashing can continue to loosen, and interior damage can spread.

An experienced commercial roofing contractor can inspect your roof, identify both visible and hidden damage, and secure the building before conditions worsen.

Weather Contracting serves 11 markets across Arkansas, Florida, Tennessee, Kansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas. Our emergency response crews are ready to help when you call.

During an emergency assessment, we will:

• Complete a comprehensive roof inspection with photo documentation.
• Identify visible and hidden storm damage.
• Install professional-grade commercial shrink wrap to keep water out.
• Prepare a detailed report you can provide to your insurance company.

Hour 6-12: Prevent Additional Damage

Once you confirm storm damage, start emergency repairs as quickly as possible to prevent additional water intrusion.

Shrink Wrap vs. Blue Tarps

Many homeowners and business owners rely on blue tarps after a storm. However, manufacturers designed them primarily for temporary residential protection. Strong winds can lift them, water often pools on them, sunlight breaks them down, and another storm can easily damage them.

Commercial shrink wrap creates a tight, waterproof barrier that conforms to the roof surface. It protects commercial roofs for weeks or even months while owners finalize repair plans and insurance claims. It also withstands wind, rain, and UV exposure far better than traditional tarps.

Weather Contracting installs commercial shrink wrap during every emergency response because it provides superior protection for commercial roofing systems.

Hour 12-24: Start Your Insurance Claim

Once you’ve secured the property, contact your insurance company and open a claim. Commercial roof claims often involve extensive documentation, so providing accurate information from the beginning can help the process move more smoothly.

How Weather Contracting Helps

As part of our emergency response services, we help commercial property owners throughout the insurance claims process by:

• Meeting the insurance adjuster on-site to review all documented damage.
• Providing a detailed scope of work with industry-standard pricing.
• Supplying technical documentation that supports additional repairs.
• Managing supplemental claim requests and communicating with your insurance company.

Every insurance policy differs. However, our experience helps ensure we document storm damage thoroughly and accurately from the start.

What Most Property Managers Miss

Storm damage often extends far beyond what you can see from the ground. Some of the most expensive problems begin as small issues that worsen over time.

Latent Hail Damage

Hail impacts can bruise or create tiny abrasions in TPO, EPDM, and PVC roofing membranes. Ground-level inspections rarely reveal this type of damage. Over time, moisture can enter the insulation, causing hidden deterioration before interior leaks finally appear.

Loose Flashing

High winds often loosen flashing, edge metal, and coping caps instead of tearing away large sections of roofing. Once these components shift, wind-driven rain can penetrate beneath the roofing system and create hidden leaks.

Blocked Roof Drains

Branches, leaves, and storm debris frequently clog drains and scuppers. Restricted drainage creates standing water that accelerates roof deterioration while adding unnecessary weight to the building structure.

Damaged Rooftop Equipment

Large hail can damage skylights, HVAC equipment, vents, and other rooftop systems without creating immediately obvious problems. Left unchecked, these issues can interrupt business operations and allow water to enter the building.

Our Storm Recovery Checklist

• Ensure the property is safe before allowing occupants to re-enter.
• Collect photos, videos, and weather reports documenting the damage.
• Contact a commercial roofing contractor immediately.
• Schedule a professional storm damage assessment.
• Request a written inspection report and repair proposal.
• Install commercial shrink wrap over exposed roofing materials when needed.
• Contact your insurance company and request an adjuster inspection.
• Schedule a joint meeting with your roofing contractor and insurance adjuster.
• Protect interior contents from additional water damage.
• Save receipts and track all storm-related expenses.
• Schedule a follow-up roof condition assessment after repairs.

Don’t Wait Until the Next Storm

Having a storm response plan before severe weather strikes helps your business recover faster. Property owners who regularly monitor roof conditions with an experienced commercial roofing contractor can respond more quickly after a storm while simplifying the insurance claims process.

That’s why Weather Watch, our roof monitoring and condition assessment program, plays such an important role in our services. Routine inspections allow us to understand your roof’s condition before severe weather arrives, making it easier to identify new storm damage and respond quickly.

With 27 years of experience, service across 11 local markets, and 24/7 emergency response, Weather Contracting stands ready whenever severe weather strikes.

Common Questions

How long after a storm should I call a roofing company?

Call as soon as possible. A prompt inspection helps identify storm damage before water enters your building and causes additional property damage.

Will my insurance company send an adjuster to inspect my roof?

Yes, but scheduling can take time. Don’t wait for the adjuster before documenting damage. Have an experienced commercial roofing contractor inspect your roof first and prepare a written assessment with photos.

Why shouldn’t I just use a tarp or plastic sheeting?

Commercial shrink wrap provides a much stronger, more durable, and weather-resistant barrier than standard tarps or plastic sheeting. It performs significantly better on large commercial roofing systems.

Should I schedule an inspection if I don’t see any damage?

Yes. Hail and wind often create hidden damage that may not cause immediate leaks. A professional inspection can identify problems before they become expensive repairs.

Will Weather Contracting handle my insurance claim?

We support you throughout the claims process by documenting damage, preparing detailed reports, meeting with your insurance adjuster, and providing supplemental documentation when necessary. Your insurance company ultimately determines your coverage and settlement, but we work diligently to help ensure every documented repair receives proper consideration.

Schedule Your Free Storm Damage Roof Assessment

Call Weather Contracting today at (888) 441-5215 or visit weathercontracting.com to schedule your free commercial roof storm damage assessment.

Our team is available 24/7 by phone or email across all 11 service locations to respond quickly to emergency storm events.