Storms don’t ask permission. Wind hits, rain follows, and in a few minutes, your roof might be leaking, panels might be bent, and water could be finding its way inside. When that happens, you don’t need theory—you need action.
Here’s what we tell our clients in North Jersey when they call after a storm: breathe, be smart, and get us on the phone. Fast action matters, but smart action matters more.
Start With Safety, Not a Ladder
Don’t go up there. Stay on the ground and look for visible damage—loose shingles, sagging gutters, broken flashing, lifted metal seams, or debris impact. If you’ve got a standing seam metal roof, damage may not be obvious from the street. That’s our job. Call us, and we’ll get a tech out to inspect the roof properly. We’ve seen everything from torn-off ridge caps to entire membrane failures hidden under what looked like minor damage.
Call the Right Crew, Not the First One You Find
Roofing after a storm draws out everyone with a ladder and a magnet sign on their truck. Most of them shouldn’t be touching metal. We work with shingle, flat, and metal systems every day. There’s a right way to patch a standing seam or seal a punctured EPDM roof—and plenty of wrong ones. Don’t risk turning a quick fix into a long-term problem.
Secure the Interior. We’ll Handle the Roof
While you’re waiting for the crew, get ahead of water intrusion. Move anything that can be damaged. Buckets under leaks. Plastic sheets over valuables. If water’s already coming in, we’ll tarp the area as soon as we arrive. Our guys know how to secure a temporary cover without making things worse—no screws through seams, no tape over coatings.
Metal Roofing Holds Up. That’s the Point
Clients with metal roofs often fare better than those with shingles. Most damage is isolated—loose fasteners, dented panels, maybe a shifted seam. If you’ve been on the fence about upgrading, storms like these make the case. Metal roofs handle wind, hail, and debris with less long-term cost. And when something does break, we fix it clean.
Time to Upgrade? Think Long-Term
If your roof is due for replacement anyway, now’s the time to think smart. We install metal systems built to last—aluminum, steel, coated finishes that reflect heat and shed water. They lower energy bills and won’t rot, warp, or lift like asphalt. When it’s time to replace, we walk you through your options—no pressure, just real info.
Don’t Guess on Contractors. Vet Them
After a storm, every roofer in the state shows up with “emergency service” flyers. We’ve been in this industry long enough to know who sticks around after the jobs are done. Check licenses. Ask for photos. Talk to actual clients. Stern Roofing is local, insured, and fully equipped for metal, shingle, and flat roof repair. If we can’t do it right, we don’t do it.
Need Help with Insurance? We’ve Done This Before
Insurance companies don’t always move fast, and they don’t always speak clearly. We can help you document the damage—photos, written scope, estimated costs—and make sure your claim has what it needs. If you’re upgrading to a better material, we’ll explain that to adjusters too, so they understand what the difference really means.
Storm damage is frustrating. But it doesn’t have to be chaos. The right contractor, clear communication, and smart decisions can turn it around fast. Call Stern Roofing. We’ll inspect, secure, repair, and follow through—start to finish. No nonsense. Just work done right.