Storms along the river
Spring and early-summer storm lines often track up the Mississippi valley into Cape Girardeau County with hail, downbursts and straight-line wind. Winter brings the other risk: ice storms that load trees and drop limbs onto roofs, and ice dams at the eaves. Each of these leaves different damage behind, and some of it can't be seen from the ground.
What hail and wind actually do to a roof
- Hail bruising: soft spots where granules are knocked off and the mat underneath is fractured. They look minor at first, but they age the shingle quickly.
- Creased or torn tabs: wind lifts a shingle, folds it back and breaks the seal. The shingle may lie flat again but won't hold in the next storm.
- Dented metal: vents, flashing, gutters and downspouts show hail strikes clearly, which helps document the storm.
- Limb punctures: after ice storms or high wind, branches can break through the decking itself.
Our storm response, in order
- Stop the water. If anything is coming inside, we tarp or temporarily seal the roof first, any hour.
- Document everything. We photograph each slope, mark and count hail hits, measure the roof and note dented metal, so your claim has evidence behind it.
- Meet the adjuster. We can walk the roof with your insurance adjuster so nothing gets missed.
- Restore. Repair or full replacement, depending on what the damage and your policy support.
Straight answers, not storm chasing
After big storms, out-of-town crews knock on doors across Southeast Missouri and then leave once the claims are paid. We have a local office on Siemers Dr. and a phone that's answered 24/7, and we've been in the roofing business since 1947. If your roof doesn't have damage worth a claim, we'll tell you that and quote a simple repair instead.
Don't wait too long to check
Most insurance policies have a deadline for reporting storm damage. A free inspection soon after the storm gives you photos and a clear answer either way.
What to do in the first 24 hours
- Stay safe. Don't climb onto a wet or damaged roof. Stay away from downed lines and hanging limbs.
- Stop active water. Move belongings, set out buckets, and call us any hour for emergency tarping.
- Take your own photos. Get the date, dented gutters, damaged siding, broken windows and any hail you can find in the yard.
- Keep receipts for tarps, temporary repairs and any hotel stay. Many policies reimburse reasonable costs to prevent further damage.
- Schedule an inspection before you decide whether to file a claim.
Why ground-level checks miss damage
Hail bruises are often the size of a coin and only show up when you run a hand across the shingle or look at it from a low angle on the roof. Creased tabs from wind can lie flat again after the storm. That's why we inspect from the roof itself, mark test squares on each slope, and photograph every hit and crease we count, alongside dented vents and gutters that confirm the storm's size and direction.
Ice storms and fallen limbs
Southeast Missouri gets its share of ice storms, and the big trees in older Cape neighborhoods can drop limbs that puncture the decking. After the tree is cleared, we tarp the opening, check the rafters for cracks, and replace the decking and roofing in that area. If the impact hit the gutters, fascia or siding too, we include those in the same estimate.
Restoration beyond the roof
A storm that damages shingles usually hits other parts of the house as well. We document and restore:
- Gutters and downspouts with dents or pulled hangers
- Siding cracked or holed by hail
- Window wraps, screens and trim
- Roof vents, chimney caps and skylights
Commercial and rental properties
For landlords around the university and businesses along the main corridors, we document storm damage across several buildings and prioritize the ones with active leaks, so tenants and operations are disrupted as little as possible.
Pre-storm inspections and dated photos
One of the most useful things a Cape Girardeau homeowner can have after a hail storm is a record of what the roof looked like before it. A pre-season inspection gives you dated photos of every slope and catches loose flashing, cracked boots and worn ridge caps while they're inexpensive to fix. If a storm comes through later, the before-and-after comparison helps show the damage is new. We keep inspection photos on file, so you can ask for them if you ever need them for a claim.
Covering the whole region from one office
Storm systems rarely hit just one town. When hail crosses Cape Girardeau, Scott and Perry counties at once, our Cape office prioritizes active leaks first, wherever they are, then schedules inspections in the order calls came in.
Wind ratings and hail-resistant options
If storm damage leads to a new roof, it's a chance to upgrade. Architectural shingles carry stronger wind ratings than the three-tab shingles on many older Cape homes, and several manufacturer lines offer impact-resistant shingles built to better withstand hail. Correct nailing, starter strips at the eaves and rakes, and sealed ridge caps also make a big difference in how a roof holds up in the next storm line. We'll explain the options during your estimate.
Our Cape Girardeau office
294 Siemers Dr. #1041, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 · 573-343-8993, answered 24/7. See the Cape Girardeau and Southeast Missouri page for every town we serve locally.
Other roofing services in Cape Girardeau
- Roofing contractor in Cape Girardeau, MO
- Roof repair in Cape Girardeau, MO
- Roof replacement in Cape Girardeau, MO
- Gutters in Cape Girardeau, MO
- Residential roofing in Cape Girardeau, MO
- Commercial roofing in Cape Girardeau, MO
- Roof insurance claims in Cape Girardeau, MO
Nearby towns we serve
Jackson · Scott City · Sikeston · Perryville · Chaffee · Oak Ridge · Benton · Marble Hill
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if hail damaged my roof?
Damage often isn't visible from the ground. Dented gutters, vents or downspouts, and granules piling up at the downspouts, are good signs it's time for a free inspection.
Will you tarp my roof at night?
Yes. Calls are answered 24/7 and we schedule emergency tarping to stop active leaks.
Can you meet my insurance adjuster?
Yes. We can walk the roof with your adjuster and share our photos and measurements.
What if there isn't enough damage for a claim?
We'll tell you so honestly and quote a straightforward repair instead.
Do you cover storm damage outside Cape Girardeau?
Yes. The Cape office covers Jackson, Scott City, Sikeston, Chaffee, Benton, Oak Ridge, Perryville and Marble Hill.
What should I do right after a hail storm?
Stay off the roof, stop any active water, take photos, keep receipts for emergency costs and schedule a free inspection.
Can a limb from an ice storm damage the roof structure?
Yes. Heavy limbs can puncture the decking and crack rafters, so we check the framing before rebuilding.
Do you repair gutters and siding damaged by the same storm?
Yes. We document and restore gutters, siding, vents and trim along with the roof.