The storm has passed. Your gutters are full of ice, and you can hear neighbors comparing dents in their cars. What you do in the next few days matters. It keeps your family safe, stops small damage from turning into big leaks, and protects your insurance claim if you need one.
Here's the plan, in order.
1. Check for Safety Hazards First
Before you look at the roof, look for anything dangerous. Stay away from downed power lines and call your utility. Watch for broken glass, hanging tree limbs, and damaged gutters that could fall. If water is coming through a ceiling near a light fixture, shut off power to that area at the breaker.
Don't climb onto the roof. Hail-damaged shingles are slick, and many roofs are too steep to walk safely.
2. Write Down the Storm Details
Note the date, the time, and how long the storm lasted. If you can, photograph hailstones next to a coin or ruler before they melt. Insurers check weather records to confirm storms at your address, so an accurate date matters.
3. Photograph Everything From the Ground
Take wide shots of each side of the house, then close-ups of anything damaged:
- Dented gutters, downspouts, and roof vents
- Dings on A/C units, window frames, and siding
- Torn window screens
- Damage to fences, sheds, decks, and cars
Take these photos before anything is cleaned up or repaired.
4. Look Inside for Leaks
Check ceilings, walls, and the attic for water stains, dripping, or damp insulation. Look again after the next rain. Hail damage often doesn't leak right away.
5. Stop Further Damage
If water is getting in, take reasonable steps to stop it. The Colorado Division of Insurance recommends tarping damaged roofs and covering broken windows. Your policy likely expects this too. Keep every receipt for tarps, plastic sheeting, or emergency repairs.
If you need an emergency tarp, call a roofer. Don't go up yourself.
6. Get a Professional Roof Inspection
A trained inspector can find damage you can't see from the ground: bruised shingles, lost granules, and broken seals. At Condor, we follow Haag Engineering's hail-damage standards, mark each hit in chalk, and photograph every slope. You get a clear record of what the storm did.
An inspection also tells you if the damage is worth a claim. Colorado wind and hail deductibles are often a percentage of your home's insured value, so a small repair may cost less than your deductible.
7. Contact Your Insurance Company
If there's real damage, report it to your insurer as soon as you can. Read your policy for its reporting deadline. Deadlines differ by company and policy, and waiting can put your claim at risk.
You file the claim and make the decisions. We document the damage and can meet the adjuster on-site to show what we found.
Watch Out for Door-Knockers
Within days of a big storm, out-of-town crews show up across the Front Range. Some do good work. Some are gone before the first leak. Be careful with anyone who offers to cover your deductible. That's illegal in Colorado. Read How to Spot a Storm-Chaser Roofer before you sign anything.
Storm Just Hit? Call Us.
Condor is a local Colorado roofer working storm recovery in Aurora, Parker, Bennett, Berthoud, Lyons, Wiggins, and Fort Morgan. Call 303-900-2184 and we'll get someone on your roof this week.