- Shingles or tile pieces in the yard
- Dented or displaced roof vents
- Gutters pulled loose or full of granules
- New ceiling or wall stains
- Branches resting on the roof
- Daylight visible from the attic
Hours 0–6: Document From the Ground
Walk your property and photograph everything with timestamps: debris in the yard, damaged gutters, branches on the roof, and any interior stains. Photograph the whole house from each corner, not just the damage. Do not climb the roof — wet, storm-damaged roofing is genuinely dangerous, and ground-level photos are sufficient documentation.
Hours 6–48: Stop Water, Then Assess
If water is actively entering, containment comes before diagnosis. Move belongings, contain the drip, and get a tarp or temporary patch in place. Call your insurer to open a claim and note the claim number. Then get an independent assessment of the roof rather than accepting the first person who knocks on your door.
The Storm Chaser Warning
After every significant Central Florida storm, out-of-area crews canvass Apopka neighborhoods offering free inspections and free roofs. Some are legitimate; many are not. Never sign a document assigning your insurance benefits to a contractor, never pay a large deposit to someone without a verifiable Florida license and physical address, and never let anyone pressure you into signing on your doorstep the day after a storm.
Damage You Cannot See From the Driveway
Wind breaks the adhesive seal between shingle courses without visibly moving anything. Hail bruises asphalt without puncturing it. Both leave a roof that looks fine and leaks two months later — by which time connecting it to the storm gets harder. This is exactly why a documented post-storm assessment is worth doing even when nothing looks wrong.
What We Provide, and What We Do Not
We inspect, photograph, and write a detailed repair estimate you can give your insurer. We are not public adjusters, we do not negotiate claims on your behalf, and we will never promise you that insurance will pay. Honest documentation is what we bring to the table.