Spring Storm Season Is Coming: Is Your Roof Ready?
Kansas storm season doesn't wait for you to get ready. A few simple steps now can save you from scrambling when the first big one hits.
Want a straight answer about your own roof?
Free inspection, written report, no sales pitch. We cover Johnson, Douglas, Wyandotte and Leavenworth counties.
March is winding down and the weather is shifting. If you've lived in Kansas for any length of time, you know what's coming, the season where every weather app on your phone starts blowing up with severe thunderstorm warnings. Hail, straight-line winds, the occasional tornado siren. It's just part of living here. But whether your roof handles storm season well or not depends a lot on what you do before the first big one rolls through.
Get your inspection done now
This is the single best thing you can do. Get a professional up on your roof before storm season starts. We're looking for shingles that are loose or cracked, flashing that's pulled away, caulk that's dried out, and any damage from winter that hasn't been addressed. If we find problems, you can fix them on your schedule instead of scrambling after a storm when every roofer in the metro is slammed. And if the roof looks solid, you go into storm season with peace of mind.
Demand for roofing crews across the year
Review your insurance coverage
When was the last time you actually read your homeowner's policy? Do you know your deductible for wind and hail damage? Some policies have separate, higher deductibles for storm damage, and that's a surprise you don't want to discover after a storm. Pull out your policy and look at the roof coverage section. Know what you're responsible for and what the insurance company covers. If your roof is older, check whether your policy covers replacement cost or just actual cash value. There's a big difference when you're 20 years into a shingle's life.
- Schedule a free pre-season roof inspection while schedules are open
- Review your insurance policy: know your deductible and coverage type
- Clean out gutters and downspouts so water drains properly during heavy rain
- Trim tree branches that hang over or touch the roof
- Check your attic for signs of leaks or daylight coming through
- Make sure loose items in the yard are secured or stored
Gutters matter more than you think
Clogged gutters during a Kansas downpour are bad news. Water backs up under the shingles, overflows onto the fascia, and pools around your foundation. A 10-minute gutter clean-out, or just checking that they're clear from the winter debris, is one of those small things that prevents real problems. If your downspouts aren't extending at least four feet from the foundation, add extensions. They're cheap and they work.
Prepare before the first storm
Keep your policy information where you can find it and know how to contact your insurer. After a storm, report visible damage to the insurer promptly according to the policy and take photos from a safe location. MCO can inspect roof conditions and provide a written estimate, but the insurer determines coverage and settlement.
Ready to get storm-season ready? Give us a call at (913) 954-4501 and we'll schedule your free inspection.
Sources
Primary references used for the specific claims identified in this guide.
- Filing a Home Insurance Claim
Kansas Department of Insurance
Explains prompt loss reporting, damage photographs, temporary protection, policy review and the separate roles of the insurer and a contractor's estimate.
Want a straight answer about your own roof?
Free inspection, written report, no sales pitch. We cover Johnson, Douglas, Wyandotte and Leavenworth counties.
