A bad storm can roll through in a matter of hours and leave serious damage in its wake. For commercial property owners, the aftermath is stressful. It’s especially true when you’re not sure what to do after storm damage on commercial roofs. The wrong moves can make things worse, and waiting too long can turn manageable damage into a major expense. Here’s a clear, step-by-step guide to handling storm damage on your commercial roof the right way.
Safety Always Comes Before Everything Else
Before anyone sets foot on the roof, safety has to be the priority. Storm damage can compromise the structural integrity of a roof without it being obvious from the outside. Weakened decking, pooled water, and displaced materials all create hazardous conditions that aren’t worth risking.
Keep employees and tenants away from areas directly under the damaged section. If there’s any sign of sagging, significant leaking, or structural distress, evacuate those areas immediately. Leave the roof assessment to a qualified commercial roofer who has the training and equipment to evaluate it safely.
Document Everything Before Any Cleanup Begins
Once it’s safe to do so, document the damage thoroughly before anything is moved, repaired, or cleaned up. Photos and videos are your best friends here. Capture the damage from multiple angles, both from the ground and, if safely accessible, from the roof itself.
Good documentation serves two important purposes. First, it gives your roofing contractor a clear picture of what they’re dealing with before they even arrive on site. Second, and just as importantly, it protects you during the insurance claims process. Insurers need evidence of the original damage, and thorough documentation makes that process significantly smoother.
Call Your Roofing Contractor Before You Call Anyone Else
After a storm, the instinct is often to start cleaning up or making quick fixes. Resist that urge. The first call you make should be to a trusted roofing contractor – not a general handyman, not an unlicensed repair crew, and definitely not whoever knocked on your door offering a deal.
Storm chasers, contractors who flood an area after severe weather looking for quick work, are a real problem after major storm events. They often do substandard work, use inferior materials, and disappear when issues come up later. A reputable commercial roofing professional will assess the damage honestly, provide a detailed scope of work, and stand behind what they do.
A Professional Inspection Reveals the Full Picture
What you can see from the ground after a storm is rarely the full story. Hail damage, for example, leaves subtle marks on membranes that aren’t visible without a close inspection. Wind can lift flashing and reseat it in a way that looks fine but is no longer watertight. Hidden damage left unaddressed always leads to leaks.
A thorough post-storm commercial roofing inspection covers every vulnerable area of the roof system. Here’s what a professional will typically assess:
- Membrane surface – Punctures, tears, lifted sections, or hail impact marks,
- Flashings and edges – Lifted, bent, or separated metal and membrane flashings,
- Seams and field welds – Any separation or stress caused by wind uplift,
- Drainage system – Debris accumulation and damage to drains and scuppers,
- Rooftop equipment – Displaced or damaged HVAC units, vents, and curbs,
- Interior – Water stains, wet insulation, or ceiling damage below the roof.
Temporary Repairs Buy Time but Are Not a Long-Term Fix
If a storm has left openings in your roof, temporary repairs are sometimes necessary to prevent further water intrusion while permanent repairs are planned. Tarping, temporary patches, and emergency sealants can all help bridge the gap.
However, these measures are meant to protect the building in the short term and not to replace proper roof repairs. Make sure your roofing contractor documents any temporary work as part of the overall repair plan.
Roof Coatings Can Be Part of the Recovery Plan
Once the immediate damage has been addressed, it’s worth considering whether a roof coating should be part of the longer-term recovery. Storm damage often accelerates wear on the surrounding membrane, even in areas that didn’t take a direct hit. A protective coating applied after repairs can restore a layer of defense against future weather events.
Silicone roof coating is a strong option for commercial roofs coming out of storm repairs. It bonds well to most existing membrane surfaces, handles water exposure exceptionally well, and extends the life of the repaired roof.
TPO and Metal Roofing Each Need Specific Attention
Different roofing systems show storm damage differently, and the repair approach needs to match the material. On a TPO roof, a skilled TPO installer will look closely at field seams and termination points because these are the areas most vulnerable to wind uplift and hail impact. Re-welding compromised seams is often a key part of the repair.
Metal roofing holds up well in most storms, but it’s not invincible. Hail can dent panels, wind can loosen fasteners, and debris impact can crack or scratch protective coatings, leaving the metal exposed to rust and corrosion.
Working With Your Insurance Company the Right Way
Filing a storm damage claim doesn’t have to be a battle, but it does require preparation. Your documentation, the professional inspection report, and a detailed repair estimate from your roofing contractor are the core of a strong claim. Having all of this organized before you contact your insurer puts you in a much stronger position.
Some commercial roofing contractors have experience working directly with insurance adjusters and can help you navigate the process. That kind of support is worth a lot, especially on larger claims where the scope of damage is complex, and the numbers are significant
Don’t Let Storm Damage Sit Without a Plan
The worst thing you can do after a storm is wait and hope the damage isn’t as bad as it looks. Water doesn’t wait, and neither should you. Every day that goes by without a proper assessment and repair plan is another day that damage can spread, and costs can climb.
Advanced Roofing & Paving helps commercial property owners across the Atlanta, GA area respond quickly and effectively to storm damage. From emergency inspections and temporary repairs to full roof restoration and coatings, our team is ready when you need us most. Contact us today, and let’s get your roof back in fighting shape.