Roof repairs in full force after storm

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Just one day after a hail storm that delivered golf-ball sized hailstorm, homeowners are having to check their homes for damage. Most times, storms like this do not leave visible damage to homes.

Those with skylights may see it differently.

Foster Gray has lived in Austin since 1978 and has never seen anything like what happened on Wednesday night.

“It was like baseballs hitting that skylight,” said Foster Gray. “It was so loud.”

He is talking about the damage left by the hail storm. His skylight was knocked out during the ten minute storm.
Even though his homeowner’s association dues will cover the cost of a new skylight, he knows this won't be a cheap repair. Numerous people in his condo community were also affected by the storm.

"There are people who have taken these atriums, removed them and put in furniture and made more living room,” said Gray. “We've talked to some of the people and their furniture was sopping wet."

Some homeowners in the Northwest Austin neighborhood not only lost skylights, but developed a major sign of future trouble. Worn out spots on roofing shingles that mean

"It's not going to cause you to leak this year or maybe even next, but when they dries out, then it's going to cause you to leak,” said Ryan Davis, with Toro Roofing . “By that time then it's gong to be too late to call your insurance and say 'hey remember the hail storm that we had in 2009?’"

Because homeowners know they should get their roofs checked now, Ryan Davis, with Toro Roofing said he has been inundated with calls from customers with broken skylights, damaged roofs and other problems you don't want to miss, like a roof vent.

"Sometimes they're hit so hard by the hail that they are caved in and won't allow the gases escape the way they're supposed to out of your home,” said Davis.

He reminds homeowners to check the condensers on Air conditioning unit's for signs of bent wires, gutters that are broken or screens that are torn.

Davis also warns against working with a fly-by-night roofing company.

“These fly-by-night companies are going to be coming here,” said Davis. “They are going to be giving you a low ball price, but they are giving you a low ball roof and they are not going to be there to honor your warranties.”

His advice is check with the Better Business Bureau before you pay.

The Better Business Bureau offers these tips.

-If you're dealing with Handymen, agree on a price first, and don't pay the full amount up front.
-Don't let workers into your home until you verify the physical address and phone number of their business.
-Wait on your insurance company before paying anyone. chances are your expenses may be covered