Storm Damage Roof Repair on the Pinellas Beaches

What storm damage looks like on a beach roof

Some storm damage is easy to spot. A section of shingles is gone, a few tiles are broken, or a piece of metal trim is hanging off the eave. Other damage hides. Wind can lift shingles just enough to break the seal and then let them settle back down. From the ground the roof looks fine, but the next heavy rain finds its way in.

Here are the signs we see most often after a big blow:

• Missing, creased, or lifted shingles, often along ridges and edges
• Cracked or shifted tiles, and broken hip and ridge caps
• Bent or loose drip edge, flashing, and gutters
• Torn or blown-off underlayment where roofing is missing
• Loose or split seams on flat and TPO roofs
• New ceiling stains, damp insulation, or a musty smell in the attic

Flying debris adds its own problems. Palm fronds, patio furniture, and pieces of a neighbor's roof can puncture roofing and leave small holes that leak slowly for months.

Right after a storm

Safety comes first. Do not climb onto a wet or damaged roof, and watch for downed power lines. Once it is safe, take photos and video of what you can see from the ground and inside your home. Those are for your own records. Move furniture and valuables away from drips and put down buckets or towels.

Then call a licensed contractor. If water is coming in, we can secure a tarp to slow the damage until a permanent repair is done. A tarp is a short-term fix. It is not meant to ride out another season.

Repair or replace?

A lot of storm damage can be repaired. The question is how much of the roof is affected and how old it is. Florida has a rule about this that people call the 25 percent rule. For roofs built under the 2007 Florida Building Code or later, state law (Florida Statute 553.844) says only the repaired section has to meet current code, even if that section is 25 percent or more of the roof. Older roofs can be held to a different standard. We break it down on our 25 percent roof rule page.

If the roof was already near the end of its life before the storm, a repair may only buy you a little time. In that case we will tell you, and you can look at a full roof replacement instead.

Storm damage repair on Treasure Island, Madeira Beach, the Redingtons, St. Pete Beach and Indian Rocks Beach

The 2024 season hit the barrier islands twice. Helene's surge in September flooded streets and homes from Pass-a-Grille up through Indian Rocks Beach. Milton followed in October with strong wind. Some homes came through the surge with a dry roof and then lost shingles and flashing to Milton. Others had both. Many owners were focused on flood cleanup and did not get a close look at their roofs until much later.

If you have not had your roof checked since then, it is worth doing before the next hurricane season, which runs June 1 to November 30. Salt air also speeds up rust on exposed nails and flashing that the storms loosened. A small gap left alone near the Gulf tends to grow.

Access matters on the islands too. Many homes sit on narrow lots off Gulf Boulevard with little room for a dumpster or material drop. We plan staging and parking ahead of time so the job does not block your neighbors. See more about our work in Madeira Beach and Indian Rocks Beach.

Roof repair in St. Petersburg

Inland St. Pete saw plenty of wind damage from Milton. Large oaks came down across Kenwood and the Old Northeast, and many roofs took hits from limbs. Waterfront areas like Shore Acres, Venetian Isles, and Riviera Bay dealt with flooding from Helene and then wind from Milton.

Tree damage needs extra care. A limb can crack rafters or trusses even when the roofing on top looks repairable. We look at the framing from the attic where we can before we price the fix. Repairs inside city limits that need a permit go through the City of St. Petersburg, and we take care of that.

How a repair visit works

1. Call or send a request. Tell us what you are seeing and where.
2. Inspection. We check the roof and attic and take photos at each problem spot.
3. Written estimate. You get a written scope for the repair, plus our honest take on whether repair is the right move.
4. Repair. We pull a permit if needed, make the repair, and match materials as closely as we can.
5. Photos for your records. We document the finished work with photos so you have them on file.

Common questions

What should I do right after a storm damages my roof?

Stay safe first and stay off the roof. Take photos of any damage you can see from the ground and inside the house, move valuables away from leaks, and call a licensed roofing contractor to inspect.

Can you put a temporary tarp on my roof?

Yes. If there is an active leak, a properly secured tarp can protect the inside of your home until a permanent repair is made. We will tell you how soon the permanent fix should follow.

Does a storm repair need a permit?

Many roof repairs do, especially larger ones, and the rules vary by city. We check with your town and pull the permit when one is required.

Will a repair on part of my roof force me to replace the whole thing?

Not always. Under Florida Statute 553.844, a roof built under the 2007 Florida Building Code or later only needs the repaired portion brought to current code, even if it is 25 percent or more of the roof. Older roofs may be treated differently, so we look at your roof's age.