Lower Merion Elite Roofing has handled storm damage roof repair in Lower Merion, PA for more than 20 years, serving surrounding cities including Plymouth Township, Milford Township, Yeadon, Richland Township and West Norriton. We repair roofs damaged by high wind, thunderstorm gusts, hail, ice and falling trees.
After a storm, the first job is to keep water out; the second is to record what happened. We secure the roof with a tarp or temporary repair, then photograph and write up the damage so you have clear evidence for your own insurance claim.
We will tell you plainly what was caused by the storm and what was existing wear, because that honest separation is what holds up when an adjuster looks at the roof. We do not negotiate claims, and we never ask you to sign one over to us.
Types of Storm Damage
Wind Damage to Shingles and Ridges
Strong gusts lift shingles, break the sealant bond and crease the tabs, even when none blow away. Creased shingles may look fine from the ground but leak in the next driving rain. We check every slope, especially ridges, rakes and the side facing the wind.
Hail and Impact Damage
Hail bruises shingles, knocks granules loose and dents metal flashing, vents and gutters. On slate, it can crack individual pieces. We mark and photograph impacts so they can be counted and confirmed by an adjuster.
Fallen Limbs and Trees
Mature trees are common across the area, and a falling limb can puncture decking, break rafters and crush gutters. We coordinate with a tree service for large limbs, cover the opening as soon as the weight is off and inspect the framing before planning the repair.
Ice and Winter Storm Damage
Heavy snow and ice can pull down gutters and form ice dams that push water under the shingles. After a winter storm, we check the eaves, gutters and attic for signs of water backup.
Securing the Roof After a Storm
Emergency Tarping
When a section of roof is open, we install a tarp secured with battens fastened to solid framing and run over the ridge, so wind cannot get under it. The tarp keeps the house dry until the adjuster has inspected and the permanent repair can be scheduled.
Temporary Repairs
For smaller damage, such as a few missing shingles or a lifted flashing, a temporary patch may be enough to stop water. Keep the receipt, because reasonable emergency repairs are usually part of the claim.
Checking Inside the House
We inspect the attic for wet insulation and decking, and point out ceilings or walls that may need opening to dry. Early drying prevents mold and limits the damage.
Documenting Damage for Your Claim
Dated Photographs
We photograph the damage on the roof and in the attic before covering anything, and again after the temporary repair. Those dated photos are yours to submit to your insurer.
A Written Damage Report
Our report describes the damage, its location and its likely cause, and it separates storm damage from existing wear. A clear report helps an adjuster understand the roof quickly.
Meeting the Adjuster
When you ask, we meet the adjuster on site to point out what we found. In Pennsylvania only you, your attorney or a licensed public adjuster may negotiate the claim, so our role is to show the damage, not to argue the settlement.
Storm Claims and the Roof You Already Have
Older Roofs and Depreciation
No Pennsylvania law sets an age at which a roof stops being covered, but many policies pay actual cash value, which subtracts depreciation, rather than full replacement cost on an older roof. Read your declarations page to see which applies. Our report separates fresh storm damage from age-related wear, which is exactly the distinction an adjuster will make.
Matching and Partial Repairs
When only part of a roof is damaged, the question is often whether replacement shingles can match the rest. Shingle lines change and colors fade, so an exact match may not exist. We document the closest available products and explain the differences so you can discuss the options with your insurer.
Your Deductible and the Repair Price
Your deductible is your share of the claim, and a contractor offering to waive or absorb it is a warning sign. Our repair price is the same whether or not insurance is involved, and the contract shows it plainly.
Public Adjusters
If you want help negotiating a large claim, Pennsylvania licenses public adjusters under the Public Adjuster Licensing Law. They work for you and are paid by you, usually from the settlement. Whether to hire one is your decision; we give the same documentation to you or your adjuster.
Keeping Receipts and Records
Keep every receipt connected to the storm: the emergency tarp, any hotel stay if the house was unlivable, and anything you bought to dry out a room. Store our photographs and report alongside your own pictures and the claim number. When the settlement arrives, a complete file makes it far easier to see whether anything was missed, and it is the first thing a public adjuster or attorney will ask for if the claim stalls.
Making the Permanent Repair
Matching Shingles, Slate and Metal
We match damaged shingles as closely as current products allow, replace broken slates with matching slate on copper nails or slate hooks, and repair copper or other metals with compatible material.
Repairs That Meet Local Rules
If the damage is widespread enough that a section or the whole roof must be replaced, the work is scoped against the municipality’s rules. In Lower Merion, a roof that already has two layers, or slate beneath the shingles, needs a full tear-off, and we make sure that requirement is in the estimate.
Contracts You Can Rely On
Our repair contracts follow Pennsylvania’s Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act, including our Attorney General registration number and your three-business-day right to cancel. You will not be asked for a deposit above the legal limit.
- 20+ Years Roofing
- Itemized Written Scopes
- Slate Repair Specialists