Have you ever had a surprise knock on your door that turned out to be unexpected good news? That’s what happened to a homeowner right here in Hampton Place, Overland Park, Kansas! Our team was in the neighborhood and noticed something unusual about their roof, several shingles were missing. Missing shingles are like holes in your home’s raincoat – they can let water in and cause big problems. We knocked on their door and offered a free roof inspection, and the homeowner agreed.

The strong Kansas winds we’ve been having had ripped those shingles right off. But that wasn’t all. We also spotted something else: hail damage. Dents and dings were on the metal parts of the house, like the garage doors and the downspouts, and divots throughout the shingles. It was clear this house had been through some tough weather.

After this discovery, we sat down with the homeowner and explained everything our inspector had found. Our inspector told them about how those missing shingles could lead to leaks and water damage inside their home. They had also pointed out the hail damage on the metal parts. Our advice was simple: file a claim with their homeowner’s insurance. Insurance is there to help when unexpected things like wind and hail damage your house.

Filing an insurance claim can seem like a big, confusing job, so we didn’t just leave the homeowner hanging. We helped them through the whole process,  explained information the insurance company would need, and made it as easy as possible for them. Soon after, the insurance adjuster came out to the Hampton Place home (An adjuster is a representative for the insurance company) They look at the damage themselves to figure out what happened and how much it will cost to fix. After checking everything out and looking at our report, the adjuster agreed – there was definitely damage from the wind and hail. The claim was approved!

But here’s where things got even more interesting. Remember those missing shingles? Well, it turned out that the type of shingles on the homeowner’s roof were no longer being made! They were discontinued. Because they couldn’t just replace the missing shingles with the exact same kind, the insurance company had a different rule. Instead of just paying for a small repair, they ended up covering the cost of a whole new roof!(minus the deductible) It’s like getting a brand new raincoat because you can’t find the right patch for the old one. And guess what? 

We didn’t just put on any old roof. We installed level 4 impact-resistant shingles. These are super tough! Imagine regular shingles being like thin cardboard, and these new shingles are like thick, strong plastic. They are much heavier and can handle hail up to the size of two inches without getting damaged. That’s some serious protection for this Kansas home!

Now, here’s a part that many homeowners don’t even realize is happening until it’s too late. When our team was taking off the old, discontinued shingles, we found something hiding underneath: rotting spots in the wooden boards underneath the shingles, called the decking. These spots were soft and weak, like old, mushy wood. The homeowner had no idea they were there! If we had just put new shingles on top of that rot, it would have been like putting a bandage on a bullet wound – the problem would still be there and would get worse over time, leading to an even more expensive fix.

So, we did the right thing and fixed up all those rotting spots. We replaced the bad wood with new, strong pieces, making sure the foundation of the new roof was solid. This is a great example of why it’s so important to get your roof checked, even if you don’t see any leaks. Sometimes, the real damage is hidden underneath.

Think about it like a toothache. You might not feel a little cavity at first, but if you wait until your whole tooth is throbbing, it’s a much bigger problem to fix. Roof damage can be the same way. A few missing shingles or some small hail dents might not seem like a big deal, but they can let water in slowly and cause rot, mold, and other damage that you can’t see until it’s really bad.

This is a big message for all homeowners: Don’t wait for the drip! If you see missing shingles, cracked tiles, or any other signs of damage, or if you’ve had a recent big storm with wind or hail, get your roof inspected. It’s much better to catch small problems early before they turn into expensive headaches. A small repair now can save you thousands of dollars and a lot of stress later.

In the case of our Hampton Place homeowner, what started with a few missing shingles and a friendly knock on the door turned into a complete roof makeover, a repaired garage door, and the peace of mind that comes with knowing their home is well-protected with a super-strong, impact-resistant roof. Plus, we fixed those hidden rotting spots they didn’t even know about! It just goes to show that sometimes, a little attention and a free check-up can lead to a much safer and more secure home for years to come.

If you live in Lenexa, Olathe, Shawnee, Overland Park, or a neighboring community and have any concerns about your roof–big or small–or if you’d simply like the comfort of knowing it’s in good shape, we’re here for you. Contact our local team at (877) 783-4648 or schedule a FREE roof inspection at your convenience. Let us help you protect your home and keep it dry.