Common Storm Damage in Highlands Ranch
Hail Damage
When Highlands Ranch Gets Hit: May through September brings severe hailstorms. 2023 saw three major hail events (May 12, June 28, August 14). Entire neighborhoods experienced damaged roofs, siding, windows, and vehicles.
What Hail Damages:
- Roofs — Shingles lose granules, develop cracks, bruising. Severe hail punches holes through shingles.
- Siding — Vinyl cracks and dents. Stucco chips. Wood splits.
- Windows — Glass cracks or shatters. Screens tear.
- Gutters — Dent and detach from fascia.
- AC Units — Condenser fins bend, coils dent.
- Skylights — Crack or shatter.
Hail Size vs. Damage:
- Pea-sized (1/4″): Minimal damage, mostly cosmetic
- Dime-sized (3/4″): Significant shingle damage, siding dents
- Quarter-sized (1″): Severe roof damage, window cracks
- Golf ball (1.75″+): Punctures roofs, shatters windows, totals siding
Highlands Ranch regularly sees 1-2 inch hail during severe storms.
Wind Damage
Spring Wind Events: March and April bring powerful downslope winds (60-90 mph) from foothills. These “Chinook winds” tear shingles off roofs, blow over fences, damage gutters.
Common Wind Damage:
- Lifted or missing shingles
- Damaged roof flashing
- Blown-off fascia and soffits
- Fence damage
- Broken tree branches on roofs
- Detached gutters and downspouts
Roof Leaks from Storm Damage
How Storms Create Leaks:
- Hail cracks shingles (water seeps underneath)
- Wind lifts shingles (exposes underlayment)
- Hail damages flashing (water enters at valleys, vents, chimneys)
- Tree branches puncture roofs
- Ice dams form after winter storms (water backs under shingles)
Water Damage from Roof Leaks: Once water enters through damaged roofs, it flows into attics, insulation, ceilings, walls. We extract water, dry structural materials, repair/replace damaged drywall, and coordinate roof repairs.
Lightning Strike Damage
What Lightning Damages:
- Electrical systems (surge through wiring)
- Electronics and appliances
- Attic fires (lightning ignites wood)
- Chimney damage (bricks crack or explode)
- Roof damage (entry/exit points)
- Plumbing (lightning travels through metal pipes)
We’ve responded to 8 lightning strike emergencies in Highlands Ranch since 2018. All required electrical work, some caused attic fires requiring fire restoration.
Fallen Tree Damage
After Severe Storms: Heavy wind and saturated soil (clay doesn’t hold roots well) cause trees to fall on Highlands Ranch homes.
What We Handle:
- Emergency tree removal coordination
- Roof damage repairs
- Siding replacement
- Gutter and fascia repairs
- Water damage from exposed openings
- Structural repairs if needed
Our Storm Damage Restoration Process
Step 1: Emergency Response (Day 1)
Immediate Protection:
- Emergency board-up broken windows
- Tarp damaged roof areas
- Secure loose siding or fascia
- Cover openings to prevent weather entry
Water Damage Control:
- Extract water from roof leaks
- Set up dehumidifiers in affected areas
- Protect belongings from additional damage
Available 24/7 — Call 720-791-0563 anytime after storm damage
Step 2: Complete Damage Assessment (Days 1-2)
Comprehensive Inspection:
- Roof inspection (we get on roof with camera for documentation)
- Attic inspection for water damage
- Interior ceiling and wall inspection
- Siding, windows, gutters inspection
- Structural assessment
- Moisture detection with thermal imaging and meters
Photo Documentation:
- Close-ups of all damage
- Wide shots showing extent
- Measurements and quantities
- Aerial photos if needed (drone)
Insurance adjusters need extensive documentation. We provide everything required.
Step 3: Insurance Coordination (Days 2-7)
We Handle Insurance Communication:
- Submit detailed damage report
- Meet with adjuster on-site
- Explain restoration needs
- Provide material and labor estimates
- Supplement claims if initial estimate is insufficient
We have worked with:
State Farm, Allstate, Farmers, USAA, Liberty Mutual, Travelers, Progressive, Nationwide, American Family, and every other carrier covering Highlands Ranch homes.
Step 4: Water Damage Restoration (Days 1-7)
If Storm Caused Interior Water Damage:
- Complete water extraction
- Structural drying (3-7 days)
- Moisture monitoring
- Mold prevention treatments
- Remove damaged materials (wet insulation, drywall)
Step 5: Permanent Repairs (Weeks 2-6)
Roof Repairs:
- Shingle replacement
- Flashing repairs or replacement
- Underlayment repairs
- Ridge cap replacement
- Valley repairs
- Full roof replacement if necessary
Siding Repairs:
- Damaged panel replacement
- Color matching
- Texture matching (especially stucco)
- Trim and fascia repairs
Window and Door Repairs:
- Glass replacement
- Frame repairs
- Screen replacement
- Weather stripping
Interior Restoration:
- Drywall repair and replacement
- Ceiling texture matching
- Painting
- Trim and molding
- Flooring repairs if water-damaged
Gutter and Downspout Repairs:
- Dent removal or section replacement
- Reattachment to fascia
- Downspout straightening
- Gutter guard installation (prevents future debris damage)
Hail Damage Roof Repair Specialists
Roof Inspection After Hail:
We inspect every square foot of roofing material, checking for:
- Granule loss on shingles
- Bruising (dark spots where hail compressed shingles)
- Cracks and punctures
- Damaged flashing
- Broken or missing shingles
Insurance Coverage for Hail Damage:
Most homeowner policies cover hail damage. Key factors:
- Age of roof (older roofs may get depreciated value)
- Extent of damage
- Documentation quality
We provide documentation that maximizes your claim.
Roof Replacement vs. Repair:
Minor hail damage: Repair damaged sections
Severe hail damage: Full replacement (insurance often covers)
Sarah assesses and recommends most cost-effective solution.
Wind Damage Siding and Roof Repair
Wind-Damaged Shingles: Wind lifts and tears shingles. Even if shingles appear intact, seals may be broken, making them vulnerable to future leaks.
Our Wind Damage Service:
- Locate all lifted/damaged shingles
- Inspect for hidden damage
- Replace compromised shingles
- Re-seal edges
- Verify entire roof integrity
Siding Wind Damage: Wind loosens siding panels, cracks vinyl, damages trim. We:
- Replace damaged panels
- Secure loose sections
- Match colors and textures
- Inspect for moisture intrusion behind siding
Lightning Strike Restoration
Immediate Safety Concerns:
- Electrical hazards (don’t touch damaged wiring)
- Fire risk (inspect attic for smoldering)
- Structural damage (chimneys can collapse)
Our Lightning Damage Response:
- Emergency assessment
- Coordinate with electrician for electrical repairs
- Fire damage restoration if needed
- Chimney inspection and repair
- Document for insurance
- Complete restoration
Storm Damage Restoration Cost
Emergency Services:
- Roof tarping: $300–$800
- Board-up windows: $200–$400 per opening
- Water extraction: $1,200–$3,500
Roof Repairs:
- Minor shingle replacement: $800–$2,500
- Moderate damage: $3,000–$8,000
- Full roof replacement: $8,000–$18,000 (size dependent)
Siding Repairs:
- Minor (10-20 panels): $1,200–$2,500
- Moderate (30-50 panels): $3,000–$6,000
- Extensive (100+ panels): $8,000–$15,000
Interior Water Damage:
- Single room: $2,000–$5,000
- Multiple rooms: $5,000–$12,000
- Extensive: $12,000–$25,000+
Lightning Damage:
- Electrical repairs: $1,500–$5,000
- Fire damage restoration: $5,000–$30,000+
- Chimney repairs: $2,000–$8,000
Most storm damage is covered by homeowner’s insurance. You typically pay only your deductible ($500–$2,500).
Serving Storm-Damaged Properties Across Highlands Ranch
We respond to storm damage throughout:
- Backcountry
- Wildcat Reserve
- Wildcat Mountain
- Northridge, Southridge, Westridge, Eastridge
- Shea Ridge
- Redstone
- Briar Rose
- All Highlands Ranch neighborhoods (80126, 80129, 80130)
Plus nearby Littleton, Lone Tree, Centennial, Castle Rock, and Parker.