Oklahoma sits in the most storm-active corridor in the country. Hail, wind, tornado, ice —
we work all of it across the Tulsa metro. This page tells you what to look for, what a real
claim-worthy damage looks like, and what to do in the first 48 hours.
Most insurance carriers expect you to mitigate further damage. Photos taken in the first 48
hours carry more weight with adjusters. Here's the order:
01
Photograph everything before you touch it
From the ground: all four sides of the house, gutters, downspouts, AC condenser fins,
window screens, the yard for fallen branches and shingle debris. Time-stamped photos
document when the damage occurred. Don't climb the roof.
02
Note the storm date and conditions
The exact date and time matter for the claim. Save weather screenshots from any reputable
source (NOAA, News on 6, FOX23) showing the storm in your ZIP. Insurers will verify the
storm date against the public record.
03
Get a contractor inspection — before the adjuster
A licensed roofer who knows what hail damage looks like will document items an adjuster
may miss. Our inspection is free and produces a written photo report formatted for your
insurer. Request one here.
04
File the claim — but only if there's claim-worthy damage
A roofing inspection helps you decide whether the damage justifies a claim. Filing a claim
that gets denied or under-paid for cosmetic damage isn't free — it can affect future
premiums. We'll give you an honest read either way.
05
Don't sign anything from a door-knocker
Out-of-state storm chasers descend on Tulsa within 24 hours of any major hail event. See
the warning signs further down this page. We're a local Cleveland-based crew; you can verify us with the BBB and the Oklahoma CIB.
/02Damage types
What different storms leave behind
Each kind of weather damages a roof differently. Knowing what to look for from the ground
means you don't have to climb the roof to know whether you have a problem.
Hail damage
The most common — and most missed
Hail leaves impact bruising on asphalt shingles that flattens granules and exposes the mat. From the ground it can look fine. From the roof it can be widespread. Soft metals (gutters, vents, AC fins) and window screens are the giveaways — if those are dented, the shingles are too.
What to look for
Dings on gutters, downspouts, gutter aprons
Pitted soft metals (vents, flashing, AC fins)
Black/shiny circles on shingles where granules came off
Cracked or fractured shingles, exposed fiberglass mat
Window screens with star-burst dents or torn mesh
Wind damage
Visible from the ground — usually
Oklahoma straight-line winds run 60–80 mph in a typical front and 90+ mph during severe events. Wind damage shows up as creased, lifted, or missing shingles, and as separated flashing at chimneys, vents, and valleys. A creased shingle has already failed even if it's still in place.
What to look for
Missing shingles — gaps showing felt or decking
Creased shingles (a horizontal fold across the shingle)
Lifted edges along ridge caps and rake edges
Flashing pulled away at chimneys, vents, skylights
Debris on the roof — branches, lawn furniture, neighbors' shingles
Tornado / severe wind
Don't approach — call us
After a tornado or microburst, the roof may be structurally compromised even if it looks intact. Decking can be cracked under the shingles; trusses can be displaced. Don't walk it. Don't climb a ladder. Document from the ground with photos and call. We dispatch tarping crews within 2 hours of confirmation.
What to look for
Sections of shingles missing in strips or sheets
Visible decking, felt, or trusses
Trees down on the structure
Punctures from airborne debris
Sagging rooflines or ceiling water staining inside
Ice & snow damage
Less common in OK, but real
Oklahoma's ice storms are infrequent but punishing. Ice dams form when warm attic air melts snow at the ridge that re-freezes at the eaves. Water backs up under shingles and into the decking. The damage is hidden until the ice melts and the leak shows up indoors.
What to look for
Icicles forming along eaves and gutter lines
Water staining on ceilings near exterior walls
Sagging gutters under heavy ice
Frozen vent pipes restricting attic ventilation
Cracked tiles or shingles after a hard freeze
/03Functional vs. cosmetic
Is it claim-worthy or cosmetic?
Most homeowner policies in Oklahoma cover functional storm damage — damage that shortens
the roof's service life. They don't cover cosmetic wear that doesn't affect performance.
Adjusters draw this line strictly. Here's the short version:
Claim-worthy (functional damage)
Hail bruising that exposes the asphalt mat — UV will accelerate failure
Cracked or fractured shingles regardless of cause
Missing shingles or sections
Creased shingles (the seal is broken even if visible)
Punctures through to the decking
Damaged flashing at penetrations
Failed gutter seams or detached downspouts
Granule loss in concentrated patches (hail) — not just bald aging spots
Often not covered (cosmetic only)
Mineral granule weathering from age (uniform across the roof)
Algae streaks (dark vertical lines)
Faded shingle color from UV
Minor surface discoloration without granule loss
Hairline cracks in older asphalt that pre-date the storm
Single isolated 'ding' on a metal vent without other damage
Not sure which side you're on? That's exactly what an inspection is for. We'll tell you
honestly — including when the answer is "don't file." Filing a denied claim hurts you; filing
a real one done right pays for the roof.
/04Avoid storm chasers
Red flags after every Oklahoma hail event
Out-of-state storm-chasing crews follow major weather and saturate Tulsa neighborhoods within
24 hours. Some are legitimate but most aren't. Walk away if you see any of these:
Door-to-door knock right after a storm with a 'we're already in your neighborhood' pitch
Out-of-state license plates or vehicle wraps
Pressure to sign 'just an inspection authorization' that turns out to be a contract
Asks for your insurance information before doing any work
Promises to 'eat your deductible' — illegal under Oklahoma insurance law
Requests cash up front or full payment before materials arrive
Won't provide a local address, phone, or Oklahoma license number
Disappears once the deposit clears — leaves no warranty
You can verify any Oklahoma roofing contractor's license at the
Construction Industries Board before signing anything. Local crews don't disappear after the deposit clears.
/05How we help
From first call to final shingle
Three pieces of the storm response — pick the entry point that fits where you are right now.