Storm and Hail Damage in Akron, OH

After a storm hits Akron

When hail or high winds sweep through Summit County, whole neighborhoods can be hit at once. You may see crews on several roofs on your street within weeks.

Do not assume your roof is fine because it looks fine from the yard. Hail bruises are small and hard to see from the ground. A close inspection is the only way to know.

Older roofs and hail

Shingles get more brittle with age. An older Akron roof is more likely to crack under hail than a new one. Even small hailstones can do real damage to shingles near the end of their life.

Bruised shingles lose granules faster. Without granules, the sun breaks down the asphalt underneath. That can lead to leaks months after the storm.

Trees and wind on Akron streets

Many Akron neighborhoods have large, old trees. In a summer wind storm, falling limbs are a bigger threat than the wind itself. A limb can punch through decking or crush a gutter.

If a tree hits your roof, stay out of rooms under the damage. Call for an emergency tarp, then call your insurance company. Take photos before anything is moved.

Keeping good records

Write down the storm date. Local news reports and weather service records can help confirm it. Take clear photos of the roof, gutters, siding, and anything else that was damaged.

Keep copies of the roofer's inspection report and photos. If your insurer sends an adjuster, having your own records makes the conversation easier. Your policy and the adjuster decide coverage.

Check your policy for its reporting deadline. Some give you a year from the storm, some less. Do not wait until the last minute.

If you are not sure whether a storm reached your street, call anyway. A free inspection settles the question, and you get photos either way.