How to Quickly Assess Roof Damage After a Storm

12/29/2020 (Permalink)

Let us paint a picture for you. All day, people at work have been talking up this “crazy storm” that’s supposed to roll in overnight. Before the sun sets completely, you do notice some scary looking clouds grouping up. But when the storm finally arrives, it’s not so bad. The wind was outrageous, but the rain didn’t come down too hard. No big deal, right?

Wrong. The wind coming off of a severe thunderstorm can be upwards of 60 miles per hour, and even if the storm itself didn’t produce a ton of rain, the wind it brought along can easily be enough to damage your home, and specifically, your roof.

With that in mind, it pays to do a quick check after high winds blow through to make sure your roof is still intact. Here are some simple ways to spot roof damage after a storm.

Easy-to-Spot Signs of Roof Damage

Check your attic after the storm for any leaks or signs of water damage. Even if you don’t find puddles of water pooling up, you might find water stains on your walls or on your ceiling that can indicate that water has made its way through a hole in your roof into your structure.

You should also do a quick survey of your yard for any debris. Obviously, finding shingles on the ground is a telltale sign of roof damage, but other debris, like pieces of metal fascia, may be harder to spot. You’ll also want to take a quick look at what you can see of your roof from the ground – is there any visible damage to the roof, your exhaust pipes, or the areas where the roof meets the walls?

Finally, do a quick check for damage from falling or flying objects. Obviously, if a tree fell on your house, you’d notice, but it can sometimes be easy to miss damage from falling branches or dimpling from the impact of hail unless you go outside and check. Sometimes this damage may be merely cosmetic, but in other cases, it may lead to serious structural damage that has to be addressed.

We don’t recommend getting a ladder out and crawling around on your roof if you suspect serious damage - that can be dangerous, especially right after a storm. It pays off in the end to call a professional roofer for anything that’s quite that involved.

If you do find damage, take as many pictures as you possibly can and call your insurance agent. Hopefully, your homeowner’s policy covers the damage and you’re able to file a claim. And if you’ve suffered any water damage, or if you need roof tarping, call SERVPRO of South Albany County ASAP at 518-456-1111. We’re here to help!