Storm Damage Roof Inspection
After a storm passes, you may need a pro to conduct a roof inspection.
A detailed inspection is the first step in preventing further damage. Storms can do a lot of different kinds of damage to your roof.
Think back to February of last year. The high winds were wild, right? A 62 mph gust was recorded on Eatons Neck (the second highest in the state).
It’s knowing where to start that’s the challenge.
Key Takeaways
- We inspect your roof from the ground and then get up close to identify any visible roofing damage, such as missing or cracked shingles.
- Our team will check your downspouts and your gutters for clogs or granule buildup, which may indicate roof damage.
- We look for water stains on ceilings or walls inside the home as a sign of potential leaks.
- Contact a professional inspector if you notice a lot of visible damage or structural damage
Storm Damage – Roof Inspection Tips
We don’t take roof inspection lightly. We want to keep you safe. Even if you do decide to check things out yourself, just use binoculars (trust me, you have to see it up close, but don’t put yourself at risk on a ladder). You won’t be able to see everything, but look for lifted, cracked, or missing shingles, as well as any visible damp areas.
Gutters are going to be a bigger challenge to do yourself. Clogs or granule buildup can indicate hail damage. We also examine vents, chimneys, and flashings for cracks or signs of water intrusion. These aren’t easy for you to get to. Our inspection report will go over everything.
As much as you can, document everything you discover with any photos you can get and notes for reference. If the damage seems extensive or complicated, it probably is.
What Homeowners Should Do After a Major Storm
Don’t wait. This is a big deal. If you want, start with your own visual inspection of the roof surface for missing shingles, water spots, or signs of wear. Document everything.
But at the end of the day, it’s best to have a pro come out to look at your roof.
I created this video so you can get a sense of what you need to do on your end after a storm:
Roof Storm Damage Inspectors Should Check
When inspecting for roof storm damage, I have our team start by looking for missing shingles. When we see a handful of missing shingles, that’s a sure sign your roof is vulnerable to leaks.
A professional inspection also looks at flashing and vent areas for potential issues that could exacerbate water damage if left unaddressed.
Roof Surface Assessment From Wind Damage
We’ll start at the ground level, but then we’ll get up on your roof and check out the damage. We won’t just send up a drone, because there could be things we can’t really see until we get up close. When we get strong winds, there’s a lot that can happen in spots you’d least expect it. If you need roof repair work, we’ll explain why.
Keep in mind that you may not catch everything if you’re just doing a walk around. Our team catches hidden damage all the time after storms.
Leaks, Water Damage, and Gutters
Inspecting for leaks and water damage is a big part of what we do. We start by examining ceilings and walls for water stains. You really don’t want to miss a leak.
(Inspections aren’t that expensive in the grand scheme of things).
Check for damaged shingles or compromised flashing seals, where water intrusion is common. Puddling and mildewy/moldy smells in your attic should raise huge red flags. Call us right away. This stuff can get out of hand quickly.
We also take a look at your gutters and downspouts; they have to be free from blockages, or else your roof and your home could have some big issues.
Granule Loss Evaluation
There’s definitely one thing a homeowner can’t usually see for themselves: when their shingles are losing granules. We see it all the time. It starts coming off and lining gutters. It’s a real issue because now the sun is going to do a number on your roof. Shingles play a big role in keeping back UV rays.
Granule loss is common after severe storms. We look to see if hail damage is the culprit behind why your roof is in such rough shape.
Structural Integrity Check After a Severe Storm
Here are some of the questions we ask as we do an inspection. How’s the deck? Any sagging or warping?
Then we check out the trusses and rafters. Are there any cracks? A storm-damage inspection must also include a look at the edges and seams of roofing materials, where water often seeps in.
After a hailstorm, the question is quite easy. Any dents? You can see them when you get up on the roof (and honeslty a drone could catch these). Hail can also send shingles flying. So, if you notice them in your yard, give a pro a call. Sometimes we see a gutter misaligned or flashing that took a hit post-storm.
Flashing And Vent Issues
Although flashing and vents are often overlooked during a storm damage assessment, you can’t skip them. If you know what flashing is, good on you. For those who don’t, no worries. All you need to know is that it keeps water from getting in places it shouldn’t be. They are the Mr. Miyagi of the roof — water comes down and the steel or aluminum “waxes off” the water so it’s redirected away from places leaks could occur.
A thorough inspection of these components from a quality roofer can reveal hidden vulnerabilities after severe weather.
Hire A Storm Damage Roof Inspection From A Trusted Roofing Contractor
When we get hit with storms, and we do on occasion, get a roof inspection if you’re worried. It’s a drop in the bucket compared to a bigger repair. It’s really buying you peace of mind. And if you’re really unsure, give us a call. We’d love to walk you through everything and get up there to see what’s going on before we talk about roof replacement or repair.
Rapid Roofing has more than 500 five-star reviews, and we’ve had plenty of people who have graciously shared their stories with us. You can check some of them out below.
