Roof Storm Damage: What to Check After a Storm and When to Call a Pro

After a heavy storm, the first rule is safety: do not climb onto a wet or visibly damaged roof. Most of what you need to spot can be seen from the ground with a pair of binoculars. Walk around the house and look for shingles that are missing, cracked, curled, or lifted at the edges. Check the gutters and the ground below the downspouts for shingle granules, which look like coarse sand and signal that the shingle surface took a beating.

Next, look at the details that fail first: flashing around chimneys, vents, and skylights, and any place where the roof changes direction. Storm wind lifts flashing and drives rain under it, and hail dents vents and cracks skylights. Inside the house, check ceilings for new stains and go into the attic with a flashlight to look for damp insulation, drips, or daylight coming through the roof boards. A stain that appears days after the storm still counts, so keep checking for a week or two.

Documentation matters if you plan to file an insurance claim. Photograph everything before you clean up: damaged shingles, granules in the gutters, ceiling stains, and any debris that hit the roof. Note the date and time of the storm, keep receipts for any emergency work, and keep damaged pieces until the adjuster has seen them. A written inspection report from a roofing professional carries more weight than a phone description, so it is worth getting one even if the damage looks small.

Some damage needs a professional right away: an active leak, a sagging section of roof, a large area of missing shingles, or anything that looks structural. Temporary protection, like a properly secured tarp, can keep water out until repairs happen, but tarping a steep or damaged roof is dangerous work and best left to a crew with the right equipment. Same-day and 24/7 emergency services are subject to provider participation, location, technician availability, and demand. Availability is not guaranteed.

Small problems are worth fixing promptly even when they do not look urgent. A single lifted shingle lets the next storm's wind peel back its neighbors, and a minor flashing gap can feed a slow leak that rots decking for months before it shows inside. If your roof took a hit, our roofing team can inspect the damage and talk you through repair options. See the full list of places we serve on our service areas page, or call Join Pro Home Services at +1 (603) 372-8478 to book a visit or get an upfront flat-rate price before any work starts.