Storm Damage Roof Repair in Linden, NJ

Why Linden roofs take a beating

Linden sits on low, open ground along the Arthur Kill, with Newark Bay to the north and Raritan Bay to the south. There isn't much to slow the wind down, so gusts during a nor'easter or a summer squall line hit the roofs here harder than they do a few miles inland. Add the big storms the area has lived through - Sandy in 2012, Ida in 2021, and the regular winter nor'easters - and most Linden homeowners have dealt with storm damage at least once.

The storms that cause the most roof damage here are:

• Nor'easters (mostly October through April): long periods of strong, gusty wind with heavy rain or snow
• Summer thunderstorms: short bursts of very strong wind, downpours and the occasional hail
• Tropical storm remnants in late summer and fall: heavy rain over many hours, plus wind
• Heavy, wet snow that brings down tree limbs onto roofs

What storm damage looks like

Some damage is obvious from the driveway. A lot of it isn't. Here's what roofers look for after a storm:

• Missing shingles - usually along the edges, ridges and the side of the house facing the wind
• Creased or lifted shingles - when wind lifts a shingle, it can crease across the top and break the adhesive strip. It may lie flat again, but it no longer seals. This is the damage people miss most.
• Exposed felt or bare decking where shingles have torn away
• Bent or loose flashing at chimneys, walls and vents
• Tree and branch damage - punctures, cracked decking, crushed gutters
• Hail bruising - soft spots and missing granules on shingles, dents on metal vents and gutters
• Gutters pulled away from the fascia
• New water stains inside, which tell you water is already getting in

After the storm: what to do first

1. Stay safe. Keep away from downed wires and call PSE&G if a line is down or a tree is on a line. Don't go on the roof.
2. Walk around the house. Look for shingles, pieces of flashing or gutter on the ground. Photograph them where they landed.
3. Check inside. Look at ceilings on the top floor and, if you can, the attic.
4. Get it inspected. A roofer can tarp open areas the same day to stop water coming in, and document everything with photos.
5. Call your insurer if the damage looks significant, and keep a record of every call, email and receipt.

Working with your insurance company

Sudden storm damage - wind, hail, a falling tree - is often covered by a standard homeowners policy. Wear and tear usually isn't. The process normally goes like this: you report the claim, the insurer sends an adjuster, the adjuster inspects and writes up an estimate, and you or your contractor do the work. A roofer's photos and written report give the adjuster a clear record of what the storm did.

A few things worth knowing: policies usually have a deductible and sometimes a separate wind deductible, many require you to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage (which is what emergency tarping is for), and most have time limits for reporting. Our insurance claims guide walks through it step by step.

Watch out for storm chasers

After a big storm, out-of-town crews often knock on doors offering quick roof replacements. Some are fine, many aren't. Be wary of anyone who asks for a big payment upfront, pressures you to sign that day, offers to "cover your deductible", or can't give you a New Jersey Home Improvement Contractor registration number. Our guide to hiring a roofer in New Jersey has a checklist.

Repair or replace after a storm?

If damage is limited to one slope or one area, a repair is usually enough, and the roofer will try to match your existing shingles. If shingles are lifting and creased across the whole roof, or the roof was already 20+ years old, replacement may be the better value - and in some cases the insurer may agree. A good roofer explains both options plainly and lets you decide.