Bensalem Quality Roofing handles storm damage roof repair in Bensalem, PA, serving surrounding cities including Lower Southampton, Delran, Upper Southampton, Bristol Township and Cinnaminson. Over 20+ years of repairing roofs after wind, hail and falling trees, we have learned that the most useful thing we can give an owner after a storm is an accurate picture of the damage, in photos and in writing, before any decision about the roof is made.
Storm damage is not always obvious. A shingle that lifted in the wind and settled back down may look fine from the driveway while its seal is broken and its nails are loosened. Hail can bruise shingles without knocking them off. We find that damage, show it to you, and repair it properly.
Your insurance claim belongs to you. We photograph and write up the damage for your claim and will meet the adjuster on site if you ask, but we do not negotiate with your insurer. That line keeps the process clean and keeps you in control.
Kinds of Storm Damage We Repair
Wind Damage: Creased Shingles and Broken Seals
Strong wind gets under the edges of shingles and lifts them, breaking the adhesive seal strip and sometimes creasing the shingle across its width. A creased shingle has lost its strength along that line and will tear off in the next storm. Missing shingles, exposed nails and lifted ridge caps are other signs.
We replace damaged shingles, reseal the surrounding ones where needed and check the ridge, rakes and eaves where wind does the most harm. Underlayment exposed by missing shingles is replaced too. The repair is fastened to the manufacturer’s pattern.
Hail Damage and Impact-Rated Shingles
Hail leaves soft bruises in asphalt shingles, knocks granules loose and dents metal flashing, vents and gutters. Some hail damage is clear from the ground and some is visible only on the roof. Bruised shingles lose granules faster and age early.
When a roof has to be replaced after hail, shingles tested to UL 2218 Class 4 impact resistance are worth considering. They are built to resist hail better than standard shingles. We explain the options and the price difference.
Fallen Trees and Limbs
Trees and large limbs can break shingles, crack the deck and split rafters. Once a tree service has removed the tree, we inspect the framing, replace broken decking and rebuild the roof over it. Structural repairs are documented with photos for your records.
Smaller branches can still puncture shingles or gouge the surface. Even a limb that seems to have just brushed the roof is worth checking. Punctures that look small can let in a surprising amount of water.
Documenting Storm Damage for Your Claim
A Dated Photo Record
We photograph every area of damage on the roof, the gutters and the flashing, along with wider shots that show where each one sits. The photos are dated and organized so they make sense to someone who was not on the roof. That record is often the most important part of a claim.
A Written Scope of the Repair
Alongside the photos, we write a description of the damage and an itemized scope of what it would take to repair or replace the roof. Each item is listed separately so the adjuster can compare it with their own estimate. Clear line items make differences easy to discuss.
Meeting the Adjuster on Site
When you ask, we meet the insurance adjuster at the house and walk the roof together. We point out the damage we found and explain how we documented it. The claim decision and any negotiation remain between you and your insurer.
How Storm Claims Work in Pennsylvania and New Jersey
Pennsylvania Claim Timelines
Pennsylvania’s unfair claims settlement regulations in 31 Pa Code 146 set timelines for insurers: acknowledgment within 10 working days, investigation within 30 days, and a decision within 15 working days after proof of loss. They do not set a deadline for payment. Knowing these timelines helps you follow up if a claim stalls.
Public Adjusters and Who Negotiates Your Claim
In Pennsylvania, only you, your attorney or a public adjuster licensed under the state’s Public Adjuster Licensing Law may negotiate your claim with the insurer. A roofer who offers to take over your claim is offering something the law reserves for others. We document the damage and leave the negotiation where it belongs.
Storm Claims on the New Jersey Side
On houses across the Delaware, New Jersey’s own insurance rules and public adjuster licensing apply. Re-roofing a detached one- or two-family house is ordinary maintenance in New Jersey, while attached houses and larger buildings need a permit. We write the repair to the rules of the state the house is in.
Storm Damage Offers to Watch For
Offers to Cover Your Deductible
After a storm, some contractors offer to replace a roof for the cost of the deductible, or for nothing at all. The deductible is your share under the policy, and absorbing it means the money is made up somewhere else. We price the job honestly and leave the deductible as the policy sets it.
Contracts Signed in a Hurry
Pennsylvania’s Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act gives you three business days to cancel a home improvement contract after signing, and it limits the deposit on contracts over $5,000 to one-third of the price. Those rules exist because storm-season contracts are often signed under pressure. Take the time to read any contract before committing.
Rebuilding After the Storm
Partial Repairs and Shingle Matching
When only one area is damaged, we repair that area and match the shingles as closely as current product lines allow. Weathered shingles rarely match new ones perfectly. We tell you before we start how visible the difference will be.
Upgrading to Wind-Rated Shingles
If the roof is being replaced, shingles rated to ASTM D3161 Class F or ASTM D7158 Class H offer better resistance to wind. Proper nailing, sealed starter strips and ridge caps matter as much as the shingle rating. A storm-damaged roof is a chance to rebuild it stronger.
- 20+ Years Experience
- Attic Checked on Every Leak
- Itemized Written Scopes