Expert Storm Damage Assessment, Repairs & Insurance Claims for St. Louis Homeowners
Free inspection • Insurance claim help • Emergency service available 24/7
St. Louis sits in one of the most storm-prone regions of the United States, experiencing an average of 50+ severe thunderstorm days per year. Our location where warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico collides with cold, dry air from Canada creates the perfect conditions for violent thunderstorms, tornadoes, damaging straight-line winds, large hail, and intense rainfall. These storms wreak havoc on roofing systems throughout the metro area, causing billions of dollars in property damage annually.
Understanding storm damage to roofs is critical for St. Louis homeowners because not all damage is immediately obvious. A roof might look fine from the ground after a storm, yet have significant hidden damage that will lead to leaks, premature failure, and denied insurance claims if not properly documented and repaired. Wind can lift shingles without completely removing them, compromising the seal and allowing future water intrusion. Hail can bruise shingles in ways invisible from ground level but that accelerate deterioration. Flying debris can damage flashing and penetrations in hard-to-see locations.
At STL Roofing Pros, we specialize in storm damage assessment, documentation, and restoration. We've inspected thousands of storm-damaged roofs throughout Arnold, Fenton, Ballwin, Chesterfield, Kirkwood, Webster Groves, Oakville, Mehlville, and across the St. Louis region. We know exactly what insurance adjusters look for, how to properly document damage for successful claims, and how to restore your roof to full protective capability. After any significant storm in your area, a professional roof inspection is essential—even if you don't see obvious damage.
Winds exceeding 50-70 mph lift, tear, or completely remove shingles. Edge shingles and ridge caps are especially vulnerable.
Hailstones bruise, crack, and strip granules from asphalt shingles, compromising waterproofing and accelerating aging.
Storm winds break tree limbs or uproot entire trees, causing punctures, structural damage, and immediate leaks.
Wind-driven rain forces water under shingles, through damaged flashing, or into compromised areas causing interior damage.
St. Louis experiences peak severe weather during spring when warm, unstable air masses create supercell thunderstorms. These produce damaging straight-line winds, large hail, tornadoes, and intense rainfall that overwhelm gutters and exploit any roof weaknesses.
Impact: Most insurance claims occur during this period. Hail damage from spring storms may not leak immediately but compromises roof lifespan.
Afternoon and evening thunderstorms during humid St. Louis summers produce frequent lightning, torrential downpours, and powerful wind gusts. Derecho events—long-lived windstorms—can affect hundreds of miles with sustained 70+ mph winds.
Impact: Wind damage to shingles and flashing, water infiltration from intense rainfall, lightning strikes causing localized damage.
Cold fronts sweeping through the region during fall create powerful wind events as temperature contrasts strengthen. These systems often produce sustained high winds without much precipitation, making them particularly damaging to aging roofing materials.
Impact: Edge shingle blow-offs, loosened flashing, stress on already weakened areas from summer heat exposure.
St. Louis winter storms coat everything in ice, adding extreme weight to roof structures. Ice accumulation on tree branches causes them to snap and fall onto roofs. Ice dams form at roof edges when snow melts and refreezes, forcing water under shingles.
Impact: Structural stress from ice weight, ice dam leaks, fallen branch damage, shingle cracking from freeze-thaw cycles.
Don't wait for leaks to appear. We'll assess damage and help you file insurance claims if necessary.
We inspect every aspect of your roof from the surface—not just the areas you can see from the ground. We check all slopes, valleys, flashing, penetrations, and components for wind damage, hail impacts, debris strikes, and water infiltration points. We document the date of recent storms for insurance purposes.
We photograph all damage from multiple angles with proper reference points, capture close-ups showing specific damage types, document damage to metal components (which supports shingle damage claims), and create a comprehensive visual record for your insurance company.
We provide a detailed written assessment describing all damage found, estimated repair costs based on industry standards, recommendations for repair versus replacement, and guidance on whether damage likely qualifies for insurance coverage. This report becomes crucial documentation for your claim.
If damage qualifies for insurance coverage, we help you file your claim properly, meet with your insurance adjuster on-site to point out all damage, provide professional estimates that match insurance requirements, and advocate for fair settlement of your claim.
For severe damage exposing your home to weather, we perform emergency tarping and temporary repairs immediately to prevent further damage while permanent repairs are scheduled. Emergency mitigation is typically covered by insurance.
Once your claim is approved, we schedule permanent repairs or complete roof replacement using premium materials, following all manufacturer specifications and local building codes. We restore your roof to full protective capability with comprehensive warranties.
Common questions St. Louis homeowners have about storm damage and roof repairs.
Storm damage isn't always obvious from the ground. Visible signs include missing or damaged shingles, dents on metal components (vents, flashing, gutters), granules accumulating in gutters, and water stains on interior ceilings. However, much storm damage—especially wind lifting of shingles and hail bruising—may only be visible from the roof surface itself.
The best approach: after any significant storm with high winds, hail, or fallen trees in your St. Louis neighborhood, schedule a professional roof inspection. We can identify damage you can't see and determine whether it's sufficient to warrant an insurance claim. Most storm damage is covered by homeowner's insurance, but you must document it properly and file within your policy's time limits.
Most standard homeowner's insurance policies cover sudden storm damage from wind, hail, lightning, falling trees, and other weather events. This includes both repair costs and emergency mitigation (tarping, temporary repairs). However, coverage depends on your specific policy, deductible, and the nature of damage.
Insurance doesn't cover damage from poor maintenance, gradual deterioration, or pre-existing conditions. For example, if your 25-year-old roof was already failing and a storm causes final failure, insurance may deny or partially cover the claim. This is why proper documentation of storm-caused damage is crucial. We help assess whether your damage qualifies for coverage and provide documentation that supports successful claims.
File as soon as you've confirmed damage exists—ideally within days or weeks of the storm, not months or years later. Most Missouri insurance policies require claims within 12-24 months of the damage date (the storm date, not when you discover it). However, filing promptly offers several advantages: damage is clearly storm-related, documentation is easier, repairs happen before secondary damage occurs, and adjusters can still see storm evidence in your neighborhood.
Don't file claims prematurely before professional inspection confirms covered damage—unnecessary claims can affect your rates. The right approach: get a professional inspection within 1-2 weeks after significant storms, then file immediately if damage warrants a claim.
Wind damage occurs when high winds (typically 50+ mph) create uplift forces that break the seal between shingles and underlayment. This can tear shingles partially or completely off, lift edges creating future water entry points, damage or remove flashing, and break or bend ridge caps. Wind damage is often most severe on roof edges, corners, and ridges where wind forces concentrate.
Hail damage, by contrast, comes from impact—hailstones strike shingles from above, bruising the mat, cracking surfaces, and knocking off protective granules. Hail creates random impact patterns across the entire roof surface. Both types often occur in the same St. Louis storm—severe thunderstorms produce both damaging winds and large hail. Insurance covers both, but documentation requirements differ slightly.
Yes—be very cautious. After major storms in St. Louis, out-of-state contractors flood the area going door-to-door offering "free inspections" and pressuring homeowners to sign contracts immediately. Many are legitimate, but some engage in predatory practices: inflating damage claims, using substandard materials, demanding upfront payment, disappearing after collecting insurance proceeds, or performing shoddy work with no recourse.
Work with established local contractors with proper Missouri licensing, verifiable local addresses, longstanding reputations, and permanent service commitments. STL Roofing Pros has been serving St. Louis for over 9 years—we'll still be here years from now if you need warranty service. Never sign contracts under pressure, never pay in full upfront, and always verify licensing and insurance before hiring any contractor.
This depends on the extent of damage and your roof's age. Localized damage (a few torn-off shingles, damaged flashing in one area) can often be repaired if your roof is otherwise in good condition. However, if storm damage affects large areas, insurance companies typically approve full replacement rather than extensive repairs—especially if damage exceeds certain thresholds (usually 8-10 "test squares" with qualifying damage). For older roofs (9+ years) with widespread storm damage, replacement usually makes more sense than repairs. We provide honest assessments during inspections and explain your options clearly, including what insurance is likely to cover.
Free storm damage inspection, insurance claims assistance, and professional repairs for St. Louis homes.