When storm damage turns into a replacement
A storm rarely decides on its own whether a roof is replaced. These do:
The age of the roof. HUD's useful-life table for capital needs assessments plans asphalt shingles at 20 years. A shingle roof near that age with storm damage across it is a different decision from a five-year-old roof with a few torn tabs.
How much of the roof is affected. Ask the contractor to show you where the damage is and how much of the roof it covers.
A single leak on a roof with years of life left is usually a repair.
The layers. If the roof already has two layers, no new layer may be added; the whole roof comes off to the deck (IRC R908.3.1.1).
The code's share rules.
- In Florida, if more than 25 percent of a roof or roof section is redone within 12 months, the whole roof or section has to meet the current code, unless it was built under the 2007 Florida Building Code or later (FBC Existing Building 706.1.1).
- In Connecticut, work beyond 25 percent of the roof covering in a calendar year needs a building permit ((Amd) R105.2).
What the storm record near your town says
Every town page on this site lists the days since 2006 with hail of 1 inch or larger within 10 miles, and the largest stones, from NOAA's Storm Prediction Center database. In Massachusetts and Connecticut it also gives the town's design wind speed, which sets the wind class of the shingles the code calls for (IRC Table R905.2.4.1): from 111 to 132 mph across Massachusetts towns, 115 to 130 in Connecticut.
A storm report says that hail or wind was observed near a place. It says nothing about any particular roof.
Choosing the new roof after a storm
- Shingles labeled for the wind class your town's design wind speed calls for (asphalt shingles).
- Metal, at 50 years of useful life by HUD's figure (metal roofing).
- A full tear-off shows the deck, so damaged sheathing is replaced rather than covered.
Before you sign
Take time to check the contractor's registration or license (checking a roofing contractor); in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Connecticut you have three business days to cancel a home improvement contract. Florida adds a 10-day cancellation right for roofing contracts signed within 180 days of a storm the Governor has declared, in the declared area (Fla. Stat. § 489.147(6); Florida roofing licenses).
Questions about what a policy covers go to your insurer, or to an attorney. This site does not discuss them.
Questions
Does hail damage mean I need a new roof?
A storm rarely decides it alone. The roof’s age, how much of it is affected and its layers do: a shingle roof near HUD’s 20-year figure with damage across it is a different decision from a five-year-old roof with a few torn tabs, and a roof that already has two layers comes off to the deck.
How can I find out if hail hit near my town?
Every town page on this site lists the days since 2006 with hail of 1 inch or larger within 10 miles, and the largest stones, from NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center database. A storm report shows that hail or wind was observed near a place, not what happened to any particular roof.
What kind of new roof holds up to wind?
Shingles labeled for the wind class your town’s design wind speed calls for (IRC Table R905.2.4.1), or metal, at 50 years of useful life by HUD’s figure. A full tear-off also shows the deck, so damaged sheathing is replaced rather than covered.