How to Check Your Roof After a Storm

How do I check my roof for storm damage? Start on the ground. Walk around the house and look for missing, lifted or creased shingles, cracked or slipped tiles, bent flashing, and granules or debris in the gutters. Then check the ceilings and attic for stains or damp insulation. Don't climb onto a wet or tile roof; if you see signs of damage, have a licensed roofer photograph it.

What to look for from the ground

Wait until the storm has passed and it's safe to go outside. Then walk all the way around the house, and use binoculars or your phone's zoom if you have them.

1. Missing or lifted shingles. Look for gaps, shingles out of line, or edges that stick up. Shingles in the yard are a clear sign.
2. Creased shingles. A horizontal line across a shingle can mean wind lifted it and bent it back.
3. Cracked or slipped tile. On a tile roof, look for broken pieces, tiles out of line, and fragments on the ground.
4. Bent or loose flashing. Check the metal around chimneys, vents, skylights and where the roof meets a wall.
5. Granules in the gutters. A lot of shingle granules at the downspouts after a storm can mean hail or wind wear.
6. Debris. Branches on the roof, damaged gutters, dented vents, or torn screens can point to where the roof took a hit.

Take photos as you go, with the date, from the ground.

What to check inside

• Ceilings and walls. New stains, bubbling paint or drips, especially near exterior walls and below valleys.
• The attic, if you can reach it safely. Look for daylight through the roof deck, wet or darkened wood, and damp or matted insulation. Don't step between the joists.
• Around fixtures. Water around light fixtures, ceiling fans or vents. If water is near anything electrical, turn off that circuit at the breaker if you can do it safely.

What not to do

• Don't walk on a wet roof. Wet shingles, debris and soft spots make falls likely.
• Don't walk on a tile roof at all. Concrete and clay tile crack under foot traffic, and each cracked tile is another way in for water.
• Don't tarp a tile roof yourself unless you know how. A tarp on tile has to be secured without breaking more tile; that's a job for a roofer. See tile roof repair.
• Don't go near downed power lines or touch anything they're resting on. Report them to your utility.

If people or the building are in immediate danger, call emergency services.

Emergency temporary protection

When a storm opens up a roof, a roofer can put temporary protection in place: a tarp or other covering secured over the damaged area to keep rain out until the repair can be done. The roofer should photograph the area before covering it so the condition is on record.

When to call a roofer

Call a roofer if you see any of these:

• Water coming in, or a new ceiling stain
• Missing or lifted shingles, or cracked or slipped tile
• Bent or loose flashing
• Daylight or wet wood in the attic
• A branch or other debris that hit the roof

If you saw nothing but the storm brought strong wind or hail, it's still reasonable to have the roof checked, because some damage, like broken shingle seals, isn't visible from the ground. For repairs, see roof repair and hail and storm repair.

How a Roof Report Card documents the condition

A Roof Report Card is a no-charge roof check. A technician gets on the roof, photographs the shingles or tile, flashing and any damage, and gives you a written grade with notes. You see the same photos they do, so you know the roof's condition rather than guessing from the ground. There's no obligation to hire us.

Seen something? Book a Roof Report Card. A technician photographs your roof and explains what they find, at no charge.

Noland's Roofing is Florida Certified Roofing Contractor #CCC1335461, with offices in Clermont (352) 242-4322 and Orange City (386) 456-6500.