How Do I Know If My Roof Was Damaged in a Storm?

Begin your check safely from the ground. Look for obvious damage like shingles scattered in your yard or piled in gutters. Missing, cracked, or curled shingles are clear indicators of wind damage. Also, inspect your gutters and downspouts for a large amount of sand-like granules, which means your asphalt shingles are wearing away prematurely.

Pay close attention to metal components like roof vents, chimneys, and flashing. High winds can bend or tear flashing loose from walls and valleys. Look for any metal pieces that appear out of place or bent. Dents on metal roofs or gutters often point to hail impact. This visual check gives you a good first impression of the roof's condition.

High winds exploit any existing weakness in your roof. They can lift shingles completely off, break the adhesive seal between them, or tear sections of flashing. This creates immediate openings for water. Winds can also damage the roof's edge or fascia boards, compromising the entire roofing system's integrity. The damage is often worse at corners and along ridges.

Hail leaves distinct marks. On asphalt shingles, it knocks off the protective granules, exposing the underlying mat to sun damage. Look for dark, bruised spots on shingles where granules are missing. On wood shingles, hail causes splits or sharp dents. For metal roofs, hail creates dimples. This type of damage weakens the roof's ability to shed water over time, leading to leaks.

• Missing, cracked, or curled shingles.
• Excessive granules in gutters or downspouts.
• Dented or cracked roof vents, flashing, or gutters.
• Dark, bruised spots or splits on shingles.
• Lifted or torn sections of metal flashing.
• Damage to soffits, fascia, or roof edges.

While waiting for a roofer, take steps to minimize interior damage. Move furniture and valuables away from any visible leaks. Place buckets or tarps to catch dripping water. If safe to do so, you can temporarily cover a leak from the inside with plastic sheeting, tacking it to the ceiling to channel water into a container. This is a short-term fix only.

Addressing roof damage quickly protects the rest of your home. Lingering moisture leads to mold growth and rot in structural wood. A small leak can cause problems rapidly, especially during wet seasons. If you have significant water intrusion, local water damage pros can perform emergency water extraction and drying to save your floors and walls.