7 Mistakes Homeowners Make After a Hailstorm (And How to Avoid Thousands in Repairs)
When a hailstorm hits in Oklahoma, the sound is unforgettable.
Rapid pounding against your roof, your windows, your car.
When the sky finally clears, the damage left behind is often less obvious — but just as serious.
Every year across Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Bixby, and Green Country, homeowners make costly mistakes in the hours and days following a hailstorm.
Not because they don't care — but because they don't know what to look for, who to trust, or how quickly small issues can spiral into major, expensive problems.
At Tier-One Roofing, we help homeowners avoid those mistakes every single day.
We believe you deserve better than being left guessing after a storm.
You deserve expert guidance, clear answers, and real protection for your biggest investment.
Here are the seven most common mistakes homeowners make after a hailstorm — and how to avoid falling into those traps.
1. Assuming No Visible Damage Means No Damage
After the storm, you walk outside.
The roof looks fine from the ground.
No missing shingles, no dangling gutters, no obvious holes.
So you assume you dodged a bullet — and you move on.
This is one of the biggest mistakes you can make.
Hail damage is often invisible from the ground — especially bruising of shingles, cracking of underlayment, or damage to flashing and vent boots.
The truth is, a hailstone doesn’t have to create a hole to cause major problems.
A bruised or fractured shingle compromises the water-shedding system of your roof — and over time, leads to slow leaks, rotted decking, ruined insulation, and costly repairs you could have avoided.
Always get a professional inspection after any significant hail event.
Not sure if your roof took damage?
Call Tier-One Roofing for a free, no-obligation storm damage inspection.
Our trained experts catch what others miss — and protect your home before small problems grow.
2. Waiting Too Long to File an Insurance Claim
Every insurance policy has a time limit on reporting storm damage — often 12 months from the date of loss, but sometimes less depending on your provider.
Many homeowners wait:
Until leaks start
Until they notice major problems
Until they have a second storm (which complicates claims)
Delays can allow insurance companies to argue that damage is "old," "maintenance-related," or "pre-existing" — giving them an excuse to deny coverage.
Your best move after a hailstorm:
Document the event (photos, news reports, date/time).
Get a professional roof inspection immediately.
File your claim promptly if damage is confirmed.
Tier-One Roofing walks you through the process from start to finish, helping you meet all deadlines and avoid insurance pitfalls.
3. Trusting a Drive-By Inspection from Your Insurance Adjuster
Adjusters are busy after a major storm — and sometimes that means your "inspection" consists of a 15-minute walk around the house and a handful of photos.
If they don't actually get on the roof, if they rush the process, or if they only check the obvious areas, real damage can be missed — and your payout shortchanged.
Tier-One Roofing believes you deserve a real inspection:
Full rooftop access
Drone mapping for hard-to-reach areas
Attic inspections for hidden leaks
Detailed photo documentation of every issue found
When we submit findings to insurance companies, we back them up with undeniable evidence — not guesswork.
4. Hiring the First Roofer Who Knocks on Your Door
After a storm, roofing trucks magically appear all over Green Country — many with out-of-state license plates.
Some are legitimate contractors.
Many are storm chasers — companies that move from disaster to disaster, doing quick, low-quality work before disappearing for good.
They promise fast fixes, waived deductibles (which is illegal in Oklahoma), and "insurance claim help" — but leave homeowners with half-done roofs, denied claims, or worse.
Tier-One Roofing doesn’t knock on doors after storms.
Our reputation brings clients to us — because we’re a local, veteran-owned, fully insured company with real roots in the communities we serve.
When you choose Tier-One Roofing, you choose craftsmanship, honesty, and protection — not empty promises.
5. Overlooking Collateral Damage Beyond the Roof
Hail doesn't just hit shingles.
It can:
Crack or puncture skylights
Damage gutters and downspouts
Dent metal vents and flashings (compromising waterproofing)
Chip paint and siding
Break window seals
If you only focus on the shingles, you could miss important damage that leads to future water infiltration or devalues your home.
Tier-One Roofing provides comprehensive storm inspections that include:
Roofing systems
Gutter systems
Skylights and solar panels
Siding and external trim
Attic spaces
When we inspect, we look at everything — because your home deserves complete protection.
6. Accepting a Lowball Insurance Offer Without Question
Insurance companies aren't charities.
Their goal is to close claims quickly and at the lowest possible cost.
If you blindly accept the first offer without a second opinion, you may be leaving thousands of dollars on the table — and settling for repairs that don't truly restore your home.
Tier-One Roofing fights for fair coverage by:
Providing a detailed scope of damage
Comparing repair needs to current code requirements
Meeting with adjusters for re-inspections when needed
Referring you to reputable public adjusters if necessary
We don't just install roofs.
We advocate for homeowners — legally, ethically, and professionally — every step of the way.
Feel like your insurance company lowballed you?
Call Tier-One Roofing for a free claim review.
Let’s make sure you get what your policy promises.
7. Failing to Get a Full Roofing System Replacement (When Needed)
Sometimes, an insurance company or inexperienced contractor will suggest "partial repairs" after hailstorms:
Patch a few missing shingles
Replace a section of ridge cap
Seal over cracks
In many cases, partial repairs are not sufficient.
Oklahoma building codes often require full roof system replacements when certain thresholds of damage are met.
More importantly, repairing only part of a storm-damaged roof:
Voids manufacturer warranties
Creates aesthetic mismatches
Leaves hidden damage untreated
Increases the risk of future leaks and failures
At Tier-One Roofing, we prioritize full system integrity over quick patchwork.
If a full replacement is warranted, we build the case with undeniable documentation — so your insurer approves the right scope of work, not just the cheapest one.
Protecting Your Home After a Hailstorm Starts with the Right Partner
Every hailstorm sets off two races:
A race against time (to find and fix damage before it worsens).
A race against scams and shortcuts (to find a contractor who cares about your home, not just a quick check).
Tier-One Roofing wins both races — every time.
When you work with us, you get:
Expert storm damage inspections — detailed, thorough, no cutting corners
Clear, honest communication — so you always know what’s happening and why
Fierce advocacy with insurance — because we know you paid for protection, and you deserve it
Veteran-led craftsmanship — discipline, precision, and respect built into every job
Premium materials and full-system solutions — protecting your investment for decades to come
Oklahoma’s storms are powerful — but with Tier-One Roofing on your side, your home will be stronger still.
Just experienced a hailstorm? Don’t guess. Don’t wait. Don’t risk it.
Call Tier-One Roofing today for your free post-storm inspection and storm recovery plan.
Protect your home now — before hidden damage turns into heartbreak.