Florida homeowners know the drill — hurricane season brings anxiety, and sometimes real damage. If a storm has already hit your roof, what you do in the first 48 hours matters more than you think.
As licensed roofing contractors serving Brevard County since 2008, we’ve helped hundreds of homeowners recover from hurricane and storm damage. Here’s the step-by-step process we recommend.
Step 1: Stay Safe — Don’t Get on the Roof
This is the most important tip we can give. After a storm, your roof may have structural damage you can’t see from the ground. Wet surfaces, loose materials, and hidden weak spots make post-storm roofs dangerous.
What to do instead:
- Walk around your home and look for visible damage from the ground
- Check for missing shingles, displaced tiles, or dented metal panels
- Look for water stains on ceilings and walls inside your home
- Check your attic for daylight coming through or water intrusion
- Take photos and videos of everything — this is critical for your insurance claim
Step 2: Prevent Further Damage (Tarp if Necessary)
Florida law requires homeowners to mitigate further damage after a covered event. If your roof is actively leaking:
- Place buckets under active leaks
- If safe to access, apply a tarp over the damaged area
- Most roofing contractors offer emergency tarping services — call us at (321) 676-2201
- Keep all receipts for emergency repairs — your insurance should reimburse these
Important: Do NOT make permanent repairs before your insurance adjuster inspects the damage. Temporary protection only.
Step 3: Document Everything
Your insurance claim lives or dies on documentation. Before cleaning up any debris:
- Photograph all damage — roof, siding, windows, fencing, landscaping, interior water damage
- Video walkthrough of your entire property
- Save damaged materials — don’t throw away broken shingles or displaced tiles until the adjuster sees them
- Write down the date and time the damage occurred
- Get a written estimate from a licensed roofing contractor
Step 4: File Your Insurance Claim Immediately
Florida has specific deadlines for filing property damage claims. Don’t wait.
- Call your insurance company within 24-48 hours
- Ask for a claim number and the name of your assigned adjuster
- Request a copy of your policy and review your deductible
- In Florida, most homeowner policies have a separate hurricane/wind deductible (typically 2% of your home’s insured value)
Pro tip: File online if possible — it creates a timestamped record that can’t be disputed.
Step 5: Get a Professional Roof Inspection
Before the adjuster arrives, get an independent inspection from a licensed roofing contractor. This gives you:
- An accurate scope of damage to compare against the adjuster’s findings
- A professional estimate that supports your claim
- Documentation of damage the adjuster might miss (they often spend less than 30 minutes on a roof)
- Expert testimony if your claim is disputed
At Corvex Roofing, we provide free post-storm roof inspections across all of Brevard County. We document everything with photos, measurements, and a detailed written report you can submit to your insurance company.
Step 6: Be Present for the Adjuster’s Inspection
When your insurance adjuster visits:
- Have your roofing contractor present if possible
- Provide your photos, videos, and contractor’s estimate
- Walk the property with the adjuster and point out all damage
- Ask questions about anything you don’t understand
- Get the adjuster’s findings in writing before they leave
Common Hurricane Roof Damage We See in Brevard County
Shingle roofs: Missing or lifted shingles, broken seal tabs, exposed underlayment, damaged ridge caps, granule loss from hail
Metal roofs: Dented panels, lifted seams, displaced fasteners, bent flashing, damaged ridge caps
Tile roofs: Cracked or broken tiles, displaced tiles, damaged underlayment, broken hip and ridge tiles
Flat/commercial roofs: Ponding water, membrane tears, lifted seams, displaced flashing, clogged drains causing overflow
How Much Does Hurricane Roof Repair Cost?
Costs vary widely depending on damage severity:
- Minor repairs (a few missing shingles, minor flashing): $300-$1,500
- Moderate damage (section re-roof, underlayment replacement): $2,000-$8,000
- Major damage (full roof replacement): $8,000-$30,000+ depending on size and materials
- Emergency tarping: $500-$2,000
Most of these costs should be covered by your homeowner’s insurance minus your deductible.
Brevard County-Specific Resources
- Brevard County Emergency Management: (321) 637-6670
- Florida Division of Emergency Management: floridadisaster.org
- FEMA Assistance: disasterassistance.gov
- Florida Attorney General (contractor fraud): myfloridalegal.com
Beware of Storm Chasers
After every major storm, out-of-state contractors flood into Florida offering “deals” on roof repairs. Be cautious of:
- Contractors who ask for large upfront payments
- Door-to-door solicitors pressuring you to sign contracts immediately
- Companies that want to “handle your insurance claim” — this is called Assignment of Benefits (AOB) and limits your control
- Anyone without a valid Florida roofing license (verify at myfloridalicense.com)
Corvex Roofing is a local Brevard County contractor — we’ve been here since 2008 and we’re not going anywhere. FL License #CCC1337099.
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Need a post-storm roof inspection? Call Corvex Roofing at (321) 676-2201 or schedule your free inspection online. We serve Melbourne, Palm Bay, Viera, Rockledge, Cocoa, Merritt Island, Titusville, and all of Brevard County.
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