Terra Nova Roofing & ConstructionRoof Replacement After Storm Damage in NJ
Stop the water first, decide on the roof second. After wind, hail, a fallen tree or ice dams, Terra Nova Roofing & Construction dries in the roof with a temporary tarp, documents the damage with photos and measurements, and then tells you honestly whether a repair will hold or the roof needs a full tear-off replacement.
Licensed & insured • NJ Lic. #13VH13824700 • Locally owned in Garfield, NJ • Emergency dry-in & tarping • Hablamos español
Text photos of the damage and any ceiling leaks to 973-200-1617. Tell us if water is coming in right now.
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When does storm damage mean you need a roof replacement?
Storm damage usually calls for a full roof replacement when wind, hail or a fallen tree has damaged large parts of several slopes, broken the roof deck, or hit a roof too old or brittle to repair cleanly. Terra Nova Roofing & Construction first dries in the roof with a temporary tarp, then inspects for free, photographs the damage and gives you a written repair-or-replace recommendation across North Jersey. Call or text 973-200-1617.
What should you do right after a storm damages your roof?
Protect the inside of the house first: a small amount of water left overnight soaks insulation, ceilings and decking and turns a roof job into an interior job. In order:
- Stay off the roof. Wet shingles, loose debris and a weakened deck are dangerous. If a tree is on the roof or near wires, keep everyone out of those rooms and call the utility.
- Catch and move water. Buckets under drips, move furniture and electronics, and if a ceiling is bulging with water, keep clear of it.
- Photograph before anything is cleaned up. Shingles in the yard, the roof from the ground, ceiling stains, the attic, dented gutters. Note the date and time.
- Get an emergency dry-in. We secure a tarp or temporary covering over the damaged area so no more water gets in. Emergency roof leak service starts from $1,500. See emergency roof tarping.
- Call your insurer once the house is protected, and keep receipts for the emergency work.
If you're not sure the roof was hit at all, text us photos from the ground; a lot of storm damage isn't visible until someone is up close.
Hail, wind, tree and ice dam damage: what each does to a roof
Each kind of storm damage fails a roof differently, and that decides whether a repair is realistic. Here's what we look for:
| Damage type | What we look for | Often leads to |
|---|---|---|
| Wind | Lifted, creased or missing shingles; broken seal strips; ridge caps and edges torn off; drip edge bent | Repair if limited to a few areas; replacement if several slopes are unsealed or creased |
| Hail | Bruised or cracked shingles, granules knocked off in spots, dents on vents, flashing and gutters | Replacement when hits are spread across slopes; hail damage weakens shingles even if they don't leak yet |
| Fallen tree or limb | Punctured or cracked decking, broken rafters, torn shingles and flashing | Structural repair and partial or full replacement, depending on the impact area |
| Ice dam | Water backed up under shingles at the eaves, wet decking, stained ceilings near exterior walls | Repair plus ice & water barrier and ventilation fixes; replacement if the roof is old or the deck is rotted |
Related guide: ice dams and roof leaks.
Should you repair or replace a storm-damaged roof?
Repair when the damage is limited to a small area on a roof that's otherwise sound; replace when the damage is widespread or the roof was already near the end of its life. The questions we answer at the inspection:
- How much of the roof is affected? A few missing shingles on one slope is a repair. Creased and unsealed shingles across several slopes is a different roof.
- Is the deck damaged? Punctures, soft spots or wet plywood need the shingles removed to fix properly.
- Will the shingles take a repair? Older shingles can crack when lifted, and a discontinued shingle may not match.
- How old is the roof? Spending on a storm repair for a roof that already needs replacing rarely makes sense.
When repair is the right answer, see storm damage roof repair. For the full decision guide, see repair vs. roof replacement.
What a storm damage roof inspection includes
Our free inspection gives you the facts in writing, with photos you can send to your insurer:
Dated photos
Close-ups of each damaged area with a measurement for scale, plus overview shots of every slope.
Measurements
Roof size, pitch and the damaged area, so the scope is clear.
Attic check
Wet decking, stained rafters, damp insulation and where the water is actually getting in.
Flashing and metal
Chimney and wall flashing, vents, pipe boots, drip edge and gutters.
Damage pattern
Which slopes were hit and whether the damage fits the storm or general wear.
Written recommendation
Repair or replacement, with the exact price in writing before any work.
Will insurance pay to replace a storm-damaged roof?
Insurance may pay for a roof replacement when a covered storm caused the damage, but your policy and your insurer decide, and nobody can promise the result. What we do: document the damage with photos and measurements, help with the paperwork, and meet the adjuster on the roof when you want us there.
Two things that help any storm claim: report it soon after the storm, and get a temporary dry-in so the damage doesn't spread. Read the full guide to whether homeowners insurance covers a roof replacement, including ACV vs. RCV policies and what adjusters look for.
How to avoid storm-chaser roofers after a storm in North Jersey
After a big storm, out-of-area crews knock on doors across North Jersey, and some are gone before the first leak shows up. Warning signs:
- They knocked on your door instead of you calling them.
- They want you to sign something before they've given you a written estimate.
- They offer to cover or waive your deductible.
- They can't show a New Jersey license number or a local address.
- They want a large cash payment up front or a quick decision.
Terra Nova is locally owned in Garfield and licensed & insured, NJ Lic. #13VH13824700. Our estimates are written, with photos, and you decide in your own time. More: storm chaser roofing scams.
What a storm-damage roof replacement involves
A storm-damage replacement is a full tear-off to the deck, because storm damage often hides in the wood below the shingles. The steps, and why each matters:
- Tear off to the deck. Removes every layer so we can see the plywood or boards underneath.
- Repair the deck. Punctured, cracked or water-soaked sections are replaced so nails hold and the roof lies flat.
- Ice & water barrier at the eaves and valleys, where ice dams and wind-driven rain push water.
- Synthetic underlayment across the rest of the deck as a second line of defense.
- Drip edge and new flashing at chimneys, walls and skylights, plus new pipe boots. Storms loosen these joints.
- Ventilation balanced at the soffits and ridge to keep the attic dry and help prevent ice dams.
- Shingles to manufacturer specs, with the manufacturer warranty registered where it applies.
- Cleanup and walkthrough. Daily cleanup, a magnet sweep for nails, and a final walkthrough with you.
Most residential roof replacements take 1–3 days. Step-by-step: the roof replacement process.
Where we handle storm-damaged roofs
We respond to storm damage across six North Jersey counties from our base in Garfield. Wind exposure varies a lot across this area: open ground around the Meadowlands, hilltop homes in Passaic and Morris County, and wooded lots where limbs come down in every big storm. We cover:
- Bergen County and Passaic County
- Essex County and Hudson County
- Morris County and Union County
We usually reply the same business day. Hablamos español.
What homeowners say about us
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Get Storm Damage Inspected for Free
Tell us what happened and send photos if you can. If water is coming in, we'll prioritize a temporary dry-in, then inspect and give you a written estimate with photos.
Call us after
- Shingles blown off in high wind
- Hail that dented gutters or vents
- A tree or limb on the roof
- Ice dam leaks after a thaw
- Leaks after a heavy rainstorm
Request your free estimate
Fill this out and a member of our team will follow up within one business day.
✓ No-obligation quote · ✓ Licensed & insured · ✓ Your info is never shared
Storm Damage Roof Replacement Questions
Can you tarp my roof right after a storm?
Yes. We provide emergency leak response with a temporary dry-in or tarp to stop water getting in, then come back for the permanent repair or replacement. Emergency roof leak service starts from $1,500.
How do I know if storm damage means a new roof?
Widespread creased or missing shingles, hail hits across several slopes, a damaged deck or an older brittle roof usually point to replacement. Our free inspection tells you which, in writing.
Does hail damage always need a new roof?
No. Light hail may leave only cosmetic marks. Hail that bruises or cracks shingles across several slopes usually means replacement, because those shingles have lost protection even if they aren't leaking yet.
Will my insurance pay for a storm-damaged roof?
It may, if a covered storm caused the damage. Your policy and your insurer decide. We document the damage, help with paperwork and can meet the adjuster.
Should I wait for the adjuster before tarping?
No. Photograph the damage, then get it dried in. Most policies expect you to prevent further damage, and the photos show what it looked like before.
How long does a storm-damage roof replacement take?
Most residential roof replacements take 1–3 days. Deck or framing repairs from a tree impact can add time.
Do I need to be home while you replace the roof?
No. We need driveway access and an outlet. We'll talk to you at the start and do a final walkthrough together.
What happens if it rains during the replacement?
We open only what we can close the same day and keep tarps on site. If weather moves in, the open area is dried in before we stop.
Is financing available if insurance doesn't cover it all?
Financing is available for larger projects; options and terms depend on the project and approval — ask us and we'll explain what's available when we give your written estimate.
What does the written estimate include?
Tear-off, deck repairs, ice & water barrier, underlayment, flashing, ventilation, shingles, disposal and cleanup, with photos of the damage.
Can wind damage just one slope of my roof?
Yes. Wind usually lifts or tears shingles on the slope facing the storm. If the rest of the roof is sound, a repair to that slope may be enough, and we'll tell you honestly whether it will hold.
¿Hablan español?
Sí, hablamos español. Llame o mande texto al 973-200-1617.
Updated November 2026 by the Terra Nova Roofing & Construction team, Garfield, NJ • NJ Lic. #13VH13824700