Michael Ryan Exteriors Shares Tips on Identifying and Fixing Hail Damage

RIVERBEND - As spring storms pick up, Ryan Darr encourages community members to speak to local, licensed contractors about hail damage.

Darr, with Michael Ryan Exteriors, noted that the past few weeks have been riddled with hail and heavy storms. A lot of people aren’t sure what to do after a storm causes hail damage — or how to even know if there is damage in the first place. That’s where a roofing contractor like Michael Ryan Exteriors can help.

“Before you call your insurance company to submit a claim, make sure you have a local, licensed, insured roofer come out and assess it,” Darr said. “It’s very important to us local contractors, because we live in the communities. We support our communities. We care.”

As a company, Michael Ryan Exteriors is focused on commercial and residential roofing. They also offer siding, soffit and fascia, and gutter replacement.

Following recent storms, Darr has spent most of his workdays out in the community, assessing roofs. He noted that most storms take place in March through May, and exterior contractors like him will “just roll with the punches” until the storms subside.

If your home has damage, he will do preventative maintenance to avoid further damage until the roof or siding can be replaced. Most people who experience storm damage in the spring will wait until summertime to replace their roofs, just in case the storms continue. But insurance companies require homeowners to mitigate further damage in the meantime, so Darr is happy to help.

Darr noted that most local contractors do not knock on doors, but instead rely on referrals from friends, family, “our church groups and our kids’ ball teams.” When you get in touch with Michael Ryan Exteriors, chances are that you know the people who are answering the phone.

This isn’t always the case with out-of-town companies or “storm chasers,” as Darr calls them. These businesses show up after a storm and go door-to-door, asking homeowners if they can assess their roofs. Darr noted that a lot of these salespeople will sweep homeowners into a “panic” and urge them to sign a contract on the spot.

“They don’t live in their communities. And if something happens down the road, they’re not really there to help you fix it,” he explained. “They try to cause panic, saying that, ‘Oh my goodness, everybody’s getting a new roof. Sign here. Sign this contract immediately.’ It causes a lot of panic and concern for people. It’s not good.”

A local contractor like Michael Ryan Exteriors will “never” ask you to sign a contract until your insurance company comes out to do their own assessment, Darr said. He cautions against using any company that pressures you to make a decision quickly.

“They come in and they cause panic, and they try to get people to sign agreements that they don't have time to understand,” he said. “Us local guys, we’re not making you sign contracts before work begins or before roof inspections, all that stuff.”

He added that, as owner of the company, he enjoys getting out and assessing homes himself. No salesperson is trying to make a commission, and it’s not a “storm chaser” company pushing for an immediate payment.

Unfortunately, Darr noted that there’s not much you can do to prevent hail damage, as most of it is “luck of the draw.” But if you suspect your home has been damaged, he’s happy to come out and do an assessment so you can decide what to do next.

Because they’re local, Michael Ryan Exteriors can also talk you through the process and offer help if your roof is ever damaged again. Darr hopes they can provide top-notch service to Riverbend customers.

“We want to protect our community,” he added.

For more information about Michael Ryan Exteriors, including how to get started, visit their official website.

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