Your Essential Post-Storm Checklist: How to Inspect Your Roof for Damage
The wind howls, the rain pounds, and tree branches scrape against the house. A major storm in New Jersey or Pennsylvania can be a stressful and frightening experience for any homeowner. Once the weather clears and you can safely step outside, your first thought is likely, “Is my home okay?”
While you might notice a downed fence or scattered lawn furniture, the most critical part of your home to inspect is also the most vulnerable: your roof. Your roof is your home’s first line of defense against the elements. Unseen damage can quickly lead to major problems like leaks, water damage, mold, and compromised structural integrity.
Navigating the aftermath of a storm can be overwhelming. That’s why we at Nailed It Roofing have created this comprehensive post-storm checklist. This guide will walk you through the essential steps to safely assess your property, identify potential roof damage, and know what to do next to protect your home.
Checklist Step 1: Prioritize Safety Above All Else
Before you even think about damage, your first priority must be the safety of you and your family. Storms can create hidden dangers that aren’t immediately obvious.
- Check for Downed Power Lines: If you see any downed wires on or near your property, stay far away and contact your utility company immediately. Assume every downed wire is live.
- Look for Unstable Trees: Large, broken tree limbs can be precariously balanced. Be cautious when walking around your property, especially near large trees that could have sustained damage.
- Beware of Standing Water: Avoid walking through deep standing water, as it can hide debris or electrical hazards.
- DO NOT Climb on the Roof: We cannot stress this enough. A storm-damaged roof can be unstable, and walking on wet shingles is extremely slippery and dangerous. A professional inspection is the only safe way to assess damage up close.
Checklist Step 2: The Ground-Level Walk-Around
Once you’ve confirmed the area is safe, you can begin your inspection from the ground. Walk the entire perimeter of your home, keeping a detailed log and taking photos of anything that looks out of place.
What to Look For:
- Shingles in the Yard: This is one of the most obvious signs of wind damage. Finding even a few shingles or shingle fragments on your lawn is a clear indicator that your roof needs a professional inspection.
- Damaged Gutters and Downspouts: High winds, hail, and falling debris can dent, bend, or detach your gutters. Look for sagging sections, loose brackets, and dents. Check the ground around your downspouts for an excessive amount of shingle granules, which look like coarse, black sand. This is a sign that your shingles are aging or have been damaged by hail.
- Siding and Window Damage: Inspect your siding for cracks, chips, and holes. Check window screens, sills, and casings for dents or other signs of impact from hail or wind-blown debris. Damage to these areas often goes hand-in-hand with roof damage.
Checklist Step 3: Inspect the Roof From the Ground
You can learn a lot about your roof’s condition without ever leaving the ground. Grab a pair of binoculars for a closer, safer look at the entire surface of your roof.
Key Areas to Inspect:
- Missing or Curled Shingles: Look for any shingles that are obviously missing, creating exposed patches on your roof. Also, check for shingles whose edges are curled, cracked, or lifting up. These are prime entry points for water.
- Hail Damage: Hail damage can be subtle. On asphalt shingles, it often looks like dark, random “bruises” where the protective granules have been knocked off. It can also appear as small dents or pockmarks.
- Flashing and Vents: Flashing is the metal material installed around chimneys, vents, skylights, and in roof valleys. It’s designed to direct water away from these vulnerable areas. Check to see if any flashing appears loose, bent, or missing entirely.
- Damage to Roof Penetrations: Inspect the seals around vents, pipes, and your chimney. If these are cracked or damaged, they are a common source of leaks.
Checklist Step 4: Head Inside for an Attic & Ceiling Inspection
Some of the most serious signs of roof damage are only visible from inside your home. The two most important places to check are your attic and the ceilings on your top floor.
Checking the Attic:
Your attic is the best place to find early evidence of a roof leak. Safely go into your attic with a good flashlight and look for:
- Wet Insulation: Compress clumps of insulation with your hand. If they feel damp or waterlogged, you likely have an active leak.
- Dark Water Stains: Scan the underside of the roof deck (the wood sheathing) for dark stains, streaks, or signs of moisture.
- Visible Daylight: On a sunny day, turn off your flashlight. If you can see any pinpricks of daylight coming through the roof, you have a hole that needs immediate attention.
Checking Your Ceilings:
Look at the ceilings and upper corners of the rooms on your top floor. Telltale signs of a slow leak include:
- Yellow or brown water spots
- Peeling or bubbling paint
- A musty odor in a specific room
Checklist Step 5: Document Everything for Your Insurance Claim
Thorough documentation is your most powerful tool when it comes to filing an insurance claim. Before you move or repair anything (unless it’s an emergency fix to prevent further damage), document it all.
- Take Pictures and Videos: Use your smartphone to take extensive photos of all the damage you’ve identified, both inside and out. Take wide shots to show the context and close-ups to show the details.
- Date Everything: Make sure your photos and videos are timestamped.
- Create a Log: Write down a list of all the damage you found, noting the date and specific location of each issue.
- Find Your Policy: Locate your homeowner’s insurance policy documents so you have the policy number and your agent’s contact information ready. For more information on navigating the claims process, the Insurance Information Institute offers excellent guidance.
Checklist Step 6: Call a Trusted, Local Roofing Professional
After a storm, your neighborhood may be flooded with out-of-state roofers known as “storm chasers.” They often use high-pressure tactics and offer deals that seem too good to be true. The risk is that they may perform subpar work and will be gone by the time you discover a problem.
It is crucial to work with a licensed, insured, and local roofing company with a permanent presence in your community. A local contractor understands the specific weather challenges in New Jersey and Pennsylvania and will be here to stand by their work for years to come.
Why You Need a Professional Inspection:
Even if you don’t see obvious signs of damage, a professional roofer is trained to spot subtle issues that can become major problems later. They can safely get on your roof to assess granule loss, check the integrity of seals, and identify hail damage that is invisible from the ground.
Your Trusted Partner in Storm Recovery
At Nailed It Roofing, we are your local experts serving communities across New Jersey and Pennsylvania. We live here, we work here, and we are dedicated to helping our neighbors protect their homes. We offer a comprehensive, no-obligation storm damage inspection to give you a clear and honest assessment of your roof’s condition. We’ll provide you with detailed documentation and help guide you through the insurance claim process, ensuring your home is restored correctly and efficiently.
Don’t wait for a small leak to become a disaster. If a storm has hit your area, take the first step in securing your peace of mind.
Contact Nailed It Roofing today to schedule your FREE storm damage inspection!
FAQ’s from Nailed It Roofing, Your Post-Storm Checklist
1. What are the first signs of roof damage after a storm? The most immediate signs of roof damage are often visible from the ground. Look for shingles or metal flashing in your yard, dented gutters and downspouts, and visible cracks or holes in your siding. These are clear indicators that your roof has been impacted and needs a professional inspection.
2. How can I tell if my roof has hail damage? Hail damage on asphalt shingles often looks like dark bruises or random pockmarks where the protective granules have been knocked off. You may also see dents on metal flashing, vents, or gutters. This type of damage can be subtle and is best assessed by a trained professional.
3. Is it safe to inspect my own roof after a storm? No, it’s extremely unsafe to get on a roof after a storm. The surface can be wet and slippery, and the storm may have loosened shingles or decking, creating an unstable surface. Always call a licensed and insured roofing contractor for a safe, thorough inspection.
4. How much does a post-storm roof inspection cost? Many reputable, local roofing contractors, including Nailed It Roofing, offer free, no-obligation storm damage inspections. This service provides homeowners in NJ and PA with a professional assessment of their roof’s condition without any upfront cost, helping them understand the extent of the damage.
5. Should I call my roofer or insurance company first after a storm? It’s generally best to call a trusted local roofer first. A professional inspection will confirm the extent of the damage and provide you with detailed documentation. This report strengthens your case when you file a claim with your insurance company, ensuring you have an accurate assessment from an expert.
6. How long do I have to file an insurance claim for roof damage? The timeframe for filing a claim, known as the statute of limitations, varies by policy and state, but it’s typically around one year from the date of the storm. However, it’s crucial to act quickly to prevent further damage and to check your specific policy for its exact deadline.
7. Can a small roof leak cause major problems? Yes. Even a minor leak can lead to significant and costly damageover time. Water can saturate insulation, rot wooden roof decking and framing, and lead to the growth of hazardous black mold inside your walls and attic. Addressing small leaks immediately is critical.
8. What are ‘storm chasers’ and why should I avoid them? ‘Storm chasers’ are out-of-state roofing companies that travel to areas hit by severe weather. They often use high-pressure sales tactics, perform low-quality work, and disappear once they’re paid, leaving homeowners with no warranty or recourse. Always choose a licensed, insured, local company.
9. What should I do if I find shingles in my yard? Finding shingles in your yard is a clear sign of wind damage. Your roof’s weather barrier is now compromised, leaving it vulnerable to leaks. You should immediately contact a professional roofing contractor to inspect the roof and perform necessary repairs to prevent water intrusion.
10. Does homeowners insurance cover all storm damage to a roof? Most standard policies cover damage from sudden events like wind and hail. However, coverage can depend on your policy specifics and the age of your roof. Damage resulting from pre-existing issues or lack of maintenance is typically not covered, which is why regular inspections are so important.
