Roofing Tips & Guides
Expert Roofing Advice for Charlotte Homeowners
Learn from Charlotte's trusted roofing experts. Tips on maintenance, repair, replacement, and protecting your home from the elements.
Learn from Charlotte's trusted roofing experts. Tips on maintenance, repair, replacement, and protecting your home from the elements.
The storm just passed through Charlotte. Your heart is racing. You heard something hit your roof last night. Now what?
Here's the truth most homeowners don't know: The next 48 hours will make or break your insurance claim.
We've seen it hundreds of times at Best Roofing Now. Two neighbors get the same storm damage. One files quickly and documents everything. The other waits a week. Guess who gets their full claim paid? Every single time, it's the homeowner who acted fast.
This isn't about being paranoid. It's about being smart. And in Charlotte and Lake Norman, where severe storms roll through multiple times per year, knowing the 48-hour rule can save you thousands of dollars.
Let's break down exactly what you need to do. And why every hour counts.
Insurance adjusters aren't trying to deny your claim. But they need evidence. Clear evidence. Fresh evidence.
Here's the problem: Storm damage changes fast.
A small leak becomes a big water stain. Wind-lifted shingles settle back down. Hail damage gets harder to spot as granules wash away. That branch that scraped your roof? It might blow off before anyone sees it.
According to insurance industry standards, damage documented within 48 hours of a storm provides the most accurate assessment. Wait longer, and adjusters have to guess. Did that damage happen during the storm? Or was it there before? Was it caused by the storm? Or by something else?
When there's doubt, claims get reduced. Or denied.
Reason #1: Evidence stays fresh
Rain, sun, and wind don't stop after the storm ends. They keep working on your roof. A cracked shingle today becomes a missing shingle tomorrow. Water stains spread. Secondary damage begins.
Photos taken within 48 hours show the storm's actual impact. Photos taken a week later show… well, a mess that could have come from anywhere.
Reason #2: Your claim gets processed faster
Insurance companies prioritize early claims. Makes sense, right? If you report damage quickly, you're probably telling the truth. You're also less likely to have additional damage pile up.
Early filers often get adjuster appointments within days. Late filers might wait weeks. And the longer you wait for repairs, the worse your roof gets.
Reason #3: You avoid the denial trap
Here's something that surprises most Charlotte homeowners. While North Carolina law typically gives you up to a year to file a claim, waiting too long can still hurt you.
Why? Because late claims raise red flags. Adjusters wonder why you waited. They question whether the damage is really storm-related. And they have more room to argue that you failed to protect your property.
According to insurance claims experts, late filing is one of the most common reasons for claim denial or reduction.
Okay, the storm just ended. Here's exactly what to do in Charlotte and Lake Norman.
Check your family first. Make sure everyone is safe. If you see sagging ceilings, hear creaking sounds, or smell gas, get out immediately. Call 911 if needed.
Do a quick visual check from the ground. Don't climb on your roof. Seriously. Wet roofs are dangerous. Storm-damaged roofs are unpredictable. Just walk around your house and look up.
What are you looking for?
Start taking photos immediately. Use your smartphone. Make sure location services and timestamps are turned on. This proves when and where you took the pictures.
Take wide shots of your whole roof from each side. Then get closer shots of any damage you can see. Don't worry if you miss something. You'll get more photos later.
Check inside your home too. Look for water stains on ceilings. Check your attic if you can access it safely. Look for daylight coming through. Feel for wet insulation.
Call your insurance company. Don't wait until Monday. Most insurers have 24/7 claim hotlines. You don't need all the details yet. Just report that you have storm damage and want to file a claim.
Have this information ready:
Take more photos and videos. Now that you've had time to look around, document everything again. Video is especially helpful for active leaks. Show the water dripping. Show where it's coming from.
Prevent further damage. This is critical. Your insurance policy requires you to take reasonable steps to prevent additional damage. If you don't, they can reduce your claim.
What does this mean? Put buckets under leaks. Move furniture away from water. If you have tarps and can safely cover a small exposed area from inside the attic, do it. But don't climb on the roof yourself.
For major damage, call a professional for emergency tarping. At Best Roofing Now, we offer 24/7 emergency response at (704) 605-6047. We can get a tarp on your roof fast to stop water intrusion.
Keep every receipt. Bought buckets at Home Depot? Keep the receipt. Paid for emergency tarping? Keep the receipt. These costs are often reimbursable.
Schedule a professional roof inspection. This is the step most homeowners skip. And it costs them money.
Here's why it matters: Insurance adjusters are good at their jobs. But they don't spend hours on your roof. They're looking at dozens of homes after a storm. They might miss hidden damage. They might underestimate repair costs.
A professional roofer will find damage you can't see from the ground. They'll document everything with detailed photos. They'll give you an accurate repair estimate. And they can meet with the adjuster to make sure nothing gets missed.
At Best Roofing Now, we provide free storm damage inspections throughout Charlotte, Huntersville, Cornelius, Davidson, Mooresville, and all Lake Norman communities. We use drone photography to capture every angle. And we give you a written report you can share with your insurance company.
Organize your documentation. Before the adjuster arrives, get everything in order:
Don't clear debris yet. This surprises people. But that branch on your lawn? The shingles scattered in your driveway? Leave them where they are until after the adjuster visits. This is evidence. Don't throw it away.
Living near Lake Norman comes with beautiful views. But it also comes with unique storm risks.
The open water creates a wind tunnel effect. Storms that might be moderate elsewhere become more intense over the lake. Homes in Cornelius, Davidson, and Mooresville often see higher wind speeds than properties just a few miles inland.
And Charlotte? We sit right in the middle of what meteorologists call "hail alley." Our spring and summer storms frequently produce damaging hail. Sometimes you can hear it. Sometimes you can't. But even small hail can damage shingles over time.
This is why regular roof inspections are so important in our area. And why acting fast after a storm matters even more.
Life happens. Maybe you were out of town during the storm. Maybe you didn't notice the damage right away. Does that mean you're out of luck?
Not necessarily. But you'll need to work harder.
If you're past 48 hours:
You may still get coverage. But expect more questions from your adjuster. And be prepared to provide more evidence that the damage is storm-related.
For help navigating a delayed claim, check out our guide on emergency roof repairs after a North Carolina storm.
Let me share what we see in the field.
A homeowner in Huntersville had hail damage last spring. She noticed some granules in her gutters but figured it wasn't a big deal. She waited three months to file a claim.
By then, several shingles had cracked completely. Water had gotten under the underlayment. Her attic insulation was wet. What would have been a $8,000 repair became a $15,000 problem. And her insurance company only covered the original hail damage. Not the water damage that happened because she waited.
This isn't rare. It's common. We see it after almost every major storm in Charlotte and Lake Norman.
The 48-hour rule isn't just about insurance paperwork. It's about protecting your home from damage that gets worse every day you wait.
Here's a quick reference you can save:
Within 6 hours:
Within 24 hours:
Within 48 hours:
You don't have to handle storm damage alone. And honestly? You shouldn't.
Our storm damage team has helped hundreds of Charlotte and Lake Norman families navigate the claims process. We know what adjusters look for. We know how to document damage properly. And we know how to make sure you get a fair settlement.
Call us at (704) 605-6047 if you need:
We're veteran-owned, BBB A+ accredited, and based right here in Charlotte at 10130 Mallard Creek Rd. We're not storm chasers who disappear after the job. We're your neighbors.
Storms don't give you much warning in Charlotte. But they do give you a window to protect yourself afterward.
That window is 48 hours.
Use it wisely. Document everything. Prevent further damage. Call your insurance company. And get a professional on your roof before the adjuster arrives.
Your future self will thank you. So will your wallet.
Ready to protect your home? If you've had recent storm damage in Charlotte or Lake Norman, don't wait. Contact Best Roofing Now for a free storm damage inspection. We'll document everything, help with your insurance claim, and get your roof back to protecting your family. Call (704) 605-6047 or schedule online today.
Best Roofing Now
Charlotte's trusted roofing experts since 2019
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