Roof questions from Indianapolis homeowners
Most questions fall into a few groups: what to do first after a thaw or a storm, how the record is made, what the insurer decides, and how repairs are chosen.
- Ice dams and freeze-thaw
- Marion County and suburbs
- Roof repair and replacement
Get a fast quote
Fastest: call (833) 751-2102. Or send this and we call you back.
The first hour after an ice dam or a storm
What is the first thing to do when an ice dam forms?
Keep people and cars clear of the eave, protect the rooms below and turn off power to any wet fitting at the panel. Do not chip or heat the ice on the roof. Then call (833) 751-2102 if water is coming in.
Should I climb the roof and clear the ice?
No. Ice on a roof is slippery, and chipping or heating it damages the shingles and gutters and can drive water further under the covering.
What do I do if water is coming through a light fixture?
Turn off the power to that circuit at the panel if you can do so safely, and do not touch a wet fitting. Call (833) 751-2102.
The record and the inspection
Why does the attic matter for an ice dam?
Warm air leaking from the house melts the snow above it, and the water refreezes at the eave. The attic is where that air is found and sealed, so the dam stops forming.
What is the storm record, and where does it come from?
It is the record of the storm or ice event that covered the address, with its date. The inspection reads it alongside the roof, and it does not stand in for the roof itself.
How is hail counted on a roof?
Hits are counted in a marked test square on each slope, and the count is recorded with a photograph and a location. The metal vents and gutters are checked as well.
Insurance and claims
Who decides whether my storm claim is paid?
The insurer decides, under the policy. The inspection record supports the claim by showing the damage and the date, and it does not set the payment.
Where do I complain about how a claim was handled?
The Indiana Department of Insurance takes consumer complaints about insurers. Its consumer pages at in.gov/idoi explain the process.
Repairs and replacements
When is a repair enough, and when should I replace the roof?
A repair is usually enough when the damage is local and the decking is sound. A replacement is discussed when the damage is spread, the decking is failing or ice dams keep returning to the eave.
Does an ice barrier stop ice dams?
No. It does not stop ice from forming. It keeps the meltwater that backs up behind a dam from reaching the decking, and the attic must also be sealed to stop the dam.
Question not answered here?
Call and ask. A technician will give you a straight answer, even if the answer is that you do not need us.