By Ironclad Team
Middle Tennessee gets hit with hail and wind every spring. Most of the damage isn't dramatic — bruised shingles, fractured granules, blown ridge caps — and you can't see it from the ground. By the time the leak shows up on your ceiling, you have a much bigger repair than you would have had if you'd inspected the day after the storm.
Here is the checklist we give every Ironclad homeowner.
Day of the storm — walk the perimeter
Pick up downed branches, count missing shingles, and photograph anything obvious. Check the gutters for granule accumulation — a small mountain of black grit at the downspouts is a sign the shingles got pounded.
Day after — look for these signs
- Dents in metal flashing, vents, AC condenser fins, or the gutters themselves. If something metal got dented, the shingles got hit too.
- Granule loss visible on the shingles from the ground — patchy, lighter-colored spots.
- Shingle "lift" — corners standing up where wind got under them.
- Bent or cracked ridge cap shingles.
- Anything torn or hanging.
Photograph everything. Time-stamped iPhone photos with location data are exactly what an adjuster needs.
When to call a roofer
If you see any of the above, get a professional inspection within 30 days of the storm. Most insurance policies require you to "mitigate further damage" promptly — wait too long and the carrier can deny the claim on the grounds that you allowed the damage to worsen.
A reputable roofer will do the inspection for free, document everything photographically, and tell you honestly whether you have a claim worth filing. Be wary of door-knockers — anyone who shows up uninvited the day after a storm, especially with an out-of-state truck, is usually running a storm-chasing scheme. Call a local company you can verify.
Filing the claim
If damage is real, call your insurance carrier and open a claim. They will schedule an adjuster to come out, usually within 1-2 weeks. We strongly recommend having your roofer present at the adjuster's inspection — adjusters move fast, and a roofer who knows the language can make sure damage isn't missed.
Your roofer should prepare a Xactimate scope (the same software the insurance industry uses) and submit it through the claim. If the adjuster's initial scope misses something, your roofer files a "supplement" with documentation. This is normal and routine.
What your out-of-pocket cost should be
If the claim is approved as a full roof replacement, your out-of-pocket cost is your deductible. That's it. Anyone telling you they can "waive" your deductible is committing insurance fraud — walk away. Anyone padding the scope to cover your deductible is also committing fraud.
How fast we can come out
Within 48 hours, usually next-day. The inspection is free, the report is yours regardless of whether you hire us, and we'll tell you honestly if your damage doesn't rise to a claim. Call (615) 555-0167.