Don’t Get Rained Out: A Guide to Commercial Storm Restoration

Why Commercial Storm Damage Demands Immediate Attention

Commercial storm damage can devastate business operations in the Texas Hill Country, turning a minor weather event into a catastrophic financial loss. A swift response is critical. For businesses needing expert guidance and repair, Total Foundation & Roofing provides certified, high-quality workmanship custom to our region’s unique conditions. If you need immediate help, call us at (830) 222-2900 for 24/7 emergency services.

Quick Action Guide for Commercial Storm Damage

1. Ensure Safety: Evacuate if necessary and avoid electrical hazards.
2. Document Everything: Take photos and videos of all damage.
3. Contact Insurance: File your claim immediately, as most policies have strict time limits.
4. Secure the Property: Board up openings and tarp damaged roofs.
5. Call Professionals: Get expert storm damage repair services within hours, not days.

Texas leads the nation in hail and wind claims. The danger often hides beneath the surface—trapped moisture, compressed insulation, or small leaks that won’t manifest for weeks. By then, mold may be spreading, turning a simple repair into a major restoration. Many business owners wait too long, assuming minor issues can wait. This delay allows water to seep through roof layers and into your interior, and you may miss your insurance claim window, leaving you to pay out-of-pocket.

Your response time directly impacts recovery costs. I’m Daniel Sowell, owner of Total Foundation & Roofing Repair in Kerrville. With 18 years of experience helping Hill Country businesses recover from commercial storm damage, I’ve seen how rapid response saves tens of thousands of dollars and weeks of downtime. Whether you’re dealing with the aftermath of high winds, hail, or flooding, our team provides comprehensive storm roof repair services to address all facets of the damage.

From Preparation to Recovery: Navigating Commercial Storm Damage

When commercial storm damage strikes your Texas Hill Country business, you face a complex journey from initial shock to full recovery. Understanding each phase is the key to minimizing disruption. This guide outlines the essential steps for businesses in Kerrville, Fredericksburg, and Comfort to steer the entire process, from proactive preparation to complete restoration.

Before the Storm: Proactive Steps to Protect Your Property

Effective storm preparation is an ongoing commitment, not a last-minute scramble. These proactive steps can save your business from extensive damage and downtime.

• Create a Property Inventory: Document your building’s condition, equipment, and interiors with photos and videos. Store these files in the cloud. This documentation is your baseline for insurance claims.
• Secure Your Property: Identify and secure anything that could become a projectile in high winds, such as outdoor furniture, signage, and trash cans. Consider pre-cut plywood panels for windows and doors.
• Perform Regular Maintenance: A well-maintained roof and foundation are your best defense. Schedule annual professional inspections to identify vulnerabilities like loose shingles or clogged drains. Our commercial roofing services include thorough maintenance checks that can help identify issues before they become disasters.
• Develop an Emergency Plan: Create a detailed plan with evacuation routes, communication protocols, and designated roles for post-storm response. This eliminates confusion when a crisis hits. Organizations like the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provide detailed readiness toolkits that emphasize the importance of a clear, actionable plan.
• Review Your Insurance: Understand your commercial property policy thoroughly. Know your coverage limits, deductibles, and claim-filing requirements. Be aware of exclusions, such as those for older roofs.
• Manage Landscaping: Trim dead or overhanging branches and remove diseased trees. A fallen tree can cause devastating structural damage.

Aftermath Assessment: Immediate Actions for Commercial Storm Damage

The hours after a storm are critical. Your actions in this window directly impact your recovery timeline and costs.

• Prioritize Safety: Before entering, check for downed power lines, gas leaks, or structural instability like sagging roofs. If you see any hazards, evacuate and call professionals.
• Conduct a Thorough Assessment: Once safe, walk the property and document all damage. Use binoculars to inspect the roof. Look for both obvious damage and subtle signs like water stains inside. Take extensive photographic and video evidence, following guidelines from sources like the Insurance Information Institute (III) to ensure your documentation is thorough.
• Contact Your Insurer: Report the damage to your insurance provider immediately to get a claim number. Follow their guidance for the claims process and be mindful of strict filing deadlines.
• Make Temporary Repairs: Your policy requires you to mitigate further damage. This may involve tarping the roof or boarding up windows. Do not make permanent repairs until an adjuster has inspected the property. For urgent needs, contact a provider of emergency storm damage repair to secure your building.
• Control Water Intrusion: Shut off the water source if plumbing is damaged. Turn off breakers to wet areas if safe. Remove standing water and move valuable items to a dry location to prevent secondary damage.

Identifying Common Types of Commercial Roof Storm Damage

Recognizing different types of damage helps you communicate effectively with contractors and adjusters.

• Wind Damage: High winds can lift, crack, or remove shingles, exposing the underlying roof deck. Wind can also tear flashing around vents and chimneys, creating direct paths for water.
• Hail Damage: Hailstones can puncture roof membranes or knock off protective granules, which, according to top manufacturers like GAF, can drastically shorten a roof’s lifespan. This damage is often invisible from the ground and can also harm rooftop HVAC units. Our hail damage repair specialists are experts in identifying and fixing these complex issues.
• Water Damage & Ponding: Water that stands on a flat roof for more than 48 hours is a sign of ponding, which adds immense weight and stress to the structure. Water stains on ceilings indicate active leaks. Our commercial roofing experts are equipped to find and repair hidden leaks on all roof types, including flat roofs, before they cause major issues.
• Structural Issues: Prolonged water intrusion leads to wood rot, metal corrosion, and foundation problems. Storms can cause cracks in foundations and walls, threatening your building’s stability. These issues often require professional foundation repair to prevent long-term structural failure. Mold growth is also a significant health risk indicating ongoing moisture.

The Restoration Process: Working with Insurance and Professionals

Successful restoration requires seamless coordination between you, your insurer, and your contractor.

• Navigating Insurance Claims: After filing a claim, an adjuster will inspect your property. It’s wise to be present and have your own contractor’s estimate for comparison. Understand your policy’s different coverages: building, personal property, business interruption, and ordinance/law.
• Choosing the Right Contractor: Your most critical decision is selecting a contractor. Look for a local commercial roofer with proven experience in storm damage, strong references, and certification from the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). A good contractor will work directly with your insurer to streamline the process.
• Comprehensive Restoration Services: A full restoration may involve multiple steps. Our comprehensive storm damage restoration service includes water extraction, structural drying, mold remediation, emergency board-up, and complete reconstruction, ensuring all aspects of the damage are addressed by a single, coordinated team.

Long-Term Consequences and Minimizing Business Downtime

Inadequately repaired commercial storm damage creates compounding problems that threaten your building and your bottom line.

• Structural Deterioration: Unaddressed leaks lead to wood rot, rust, and weakened structural components, potentially causing a roof collapse. Water intrusion can also cause serious foundation problems. If you notice new cracks in walls or slabs, it may be time to fix a foundation crack to prevent further deterioration.
• Chronic Leaks and Mold: Even a small leak can damage interiors, electrical systems, and insulation. Mold can begin to grow unseen, posing serious health hazards to employees and customers and creating significant liability.
• Business Interruption: Downtime from an unsafe or non-operational property often costs more than the repairs themselves. Lost revenue, ongoing payroll, and customer attrition can be devastating.
• Minimizing Downtime: Prompt, professional repairs are key. We offer 24/7 emergency response to start the restoration process immediately. A phased restoration plan can allow you to resume partial operations sooner. Our focus on efficient solutions, from roofing to foundation repair, is designed to get you back to business quickly.

Your Partner in Storm Recovery in the Texas Hill Country

When a storm hits your commercial property in Kerrville, Fredericksburg, or Comfort, the aftermath is overwhelming. You need a partner who understands the urgency and unique weather challenges of the Texas Hill Country. At Total Foundation & Roofing, we’ve spent 18 years helping businesses like yours recover from commercial storm damage.

Our IICRC-certified experts respond within hours to secure your property and prevent further loss. We handle every phase of restoration, from emergency tarping and water extraction to full reconstruction. Our goal is to minimize your business downtime with phased restoration plans that allow you to resume operations as quickly as possible. We manage the entire process, including coordinating with your insurance company, so you have one trusted partner from start to finish.

Businesses throughout Kerrville and the Hill Country choose us for our high-quality workmanship custom to local conditions. Don’t let commercial storm damage derail your business.

Take action now to protect your investment. Request a Free Estimate to assess your property’s storm readiness or to begin the restoration process. Get expert storm damage repair services from a team that treats your business like our own. Your recovery is our priority.