A storm just rolled through and you suspect roof damage. Here's how to stay safe, document everything, prevent further leaks and work through the insurance process without stress.
Start with safety, not the ladder
The first instinct after a storm is to climb up and look. Please don't. Wet shingles are slippery, damaged decking can give way, and storms often bring down power lines that may be resting on or near the roof. A roof inspection is a job for someone with fall protection and experience reading storm damage.
Instead, walk the perimeter of your home from the ground. Keep your distance from any downed lines and call the utility company if you see one. If a tree or large limb has come through the roof, leave the area of the house beneath it and keep kids and pets out of that room until it has been assessed.
- Stay off the roof, especially while it is wet or windy
- Treat every downed wire as live and report it
- Shut off electricity to any room where water is coming through a ceiling fixture
- Move valuables and electronics away from active drips
Look for the telltale signs from the ground
You can learn a lot without leaving the yard. Binoculars help. Wind damage tends to show up as missing, lifted or creased shingles, usually along edges, ridges and the windward side of the house. Hail damage is subtler: look for dents in gutters, downspouts, metal vents and window wraps, because if soft metal is dented, shingles probably took hits too.
Inside, check the attic with a flashlight if it's safe to get to. Daylight through the decking, damp insulation, or water trails on rafters are all clear signs of a breach. Upstairs ceilings may show fresh stains that grow over the next day or two.
- Shingles or shingle pieces in the yard or gutters
- Heavy piles of granules collecting at downspout outlets
- Bent or missing flashing around chimneys and vents
- Dented gutters, siding, or a dinged AC condenser
- New water stains on ceilings or around light fixtures
Document everything before anything is moved
Good documentation is the single most helpful thing you can do for an insurance claim. Take date-stamped photos and video of the exterior from every side, any debris on the ground, dented metal, and interior water damage. Photograph fallen limbs before they're cut up and hauled away.
Keep a simple log: when the storm hit, when you noticed damage, who you called and when. Save receipts for anything you spend to protect the home, such as tarps, buckets, a hotel night, or a tree service. Many policies reimburse reasonable costs to prevent further damage.
Prevent more damage with temporary protection
Most homeowner policies expect you to take reasonable steps to stop damage from getting worse. That usually means an emergency tarp over the opening and catching water inside. A professional tarp is fastened to the roof with battens so it won't blow off in the next gust and doesn't add new holes in places that were undamaged.
If you need emergency service, ask the contractor to photograph the damage before tarping and give you a copy. That way your insurer sees what the roof looked like before temporary repairs were made.
Call your insurer, then get a professional inspection
Report the claim promptly; most policies have notice deadlines. Your insurer will schedule an adjuster. It's smart to have a reputable roofing contractor inspect the roof before or alongside the adjuster, because a roofer will check details that are easy to miss, like bruised shingles, cracked pipe boots and loosened flashing.
At RemodelPro Contracting we provide a free, no-pressure inspection and a written summary with photos. We'll tell you plainly whether we think the damage warrants a claim, or whether a modest repair makes more sense than involving insurance at all.
Watch out for storm chasers
After a big storm, out-of-town crews often go door to door. Some do fine work, but many disappear before warranty issues surface. Be cautious of anyone who pressures you to sign that day, asks for a large cash deposit, offers to 'cover your deductible', or can't show a local address and license.
Take your time. A legitimate contractor will still be there next week, will put everything in writing, and will be happy to give you references from neighbors in your area.
- Verify a local physical address and phone number
- Ask for proof of license and insurance
- Never sign a contract or assignment of benefits on the spot
- Get a written, itemized estimate before work begins
Repair or replace?
Not every storm means a new roof. Isolated wind damage on a younger roof can often be repaired in a day by replacing shingles and resealing flashing. Widespread hail bruising, damage across multiple slopes, or a roof that was already near the end of its life often makes replacement the better long-term value. A good contractor will walk you through both options honestly, including how matching new shingles to existing ones may affect the decision.
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