How to Inspect Your Roof After a Storm

Severe weather can leave your roof in a vulnerable state. Acting quickly — but safely — after a storm can prevent minor damage from turning into a costly disaster. This guide walks you through how to perform a thorough post-storm inspection without putting yourself at risk.

Safety First: What Not to Do

Never climb onto your roof immediately after a storm. Wet surfaces, hidden soft spots, and debris make post-storm roofs extremely hazardous. Instead, start your inspection from the ground and move indoors before ever considering getting up there.

• Wait for dry conditions before any roof access
• Avoid ladder use on wet or muddy ground
• Hire a licensed roofer if you suspect structural damage

Step 1: Ground-Level Visual Inspection

Start by walking the perimeter of your home with a pair of binoculars. Look for:

• Missing or displaced shingles — gaps in the shingle field are a clear sign of wind damage
• Lifted shingle edges — wind can break the adhesive seal without removing shingles entirely
• Visible granule loss — asphalt shingles shed granules when struck by large hail; you may also see granule accumulation in gutters
• Damaged flashing — check around chimneys, skylights, and roof valleys for bent or torn metal
• Dented vents or ridge caps — soft metal components like aluminum vents dent visibly in hail storms
• Fallen branches or debris on the roof surface

Step 2: Check Your Gutters and Downspouts

Gutters are a useful diagnostic tool. After a hail storm, check your gutters for:

• Granule accumulation — significant granule loss accelerates shingle aging
• Dents in aluminum gutters — if your gutters are dented, your roof likely took hits too
• Debris blockages — leaves and twigs washed in from the storm can trap moisture

Step 3: Interior Attic Inspection

With a flashlight, inspect your attic for signs of water intrusion:

• Water stains on rafters or the decking (the plywood layer under the shingles)
• Daylight penetration — small pinholes of light indicate compromised areas
• Soft or sagging decking — a sign of prolonged moisture exposure
• Mould or mildew odour — early indication of a slow leak

Step 4: Document Everything

Before any repairs or cleanup, document the damage thoroughly:

1. Take dated photographs from multiple angles
2. Note the date and severity of the storm
3. Keep records of any emergency repairs you make (tarping, etc.)

This documentation is essential for insurance claims. Most homeowners’ policies cover storm damage, but you’ll need evidence of both the damage and its cause.

Storm Damage Triage Table

What you find	Urgency	Next step
Active water dripping indoors	Emergency	Place a bucket, protect belongings, and call for temporary repair
Daylight visible from the attic	Emergency	Keep off the roof and schedule urgent roof service
One or two missing shingles, no leak	Soon	Document, cover if rain is coming, and schedule repair
Dented vents, gutters, or soft metals	Soon	Photograph hail evidence and request a roof inspection
Granules piled in downspouts	Monitor/soon	Compare with roof age and look for exposed asphalt mat
Fallen limb on roof	Emergency if heavy	Do not move it yourself if it may have punctured decking

This table helps separate “watch it” from “act today.” The safest default after wind or hail is to inspect from the ground first, then the attic, then call a roofer if anything points to structural or water-entry risk.

Photo Log Checklist

Take more photos than you think you need. Good claim and repair documentation includes:

• Wide shots of each roof slope from the ground
• Close shots of visible missing shingles, dents, or debris
• Gutter and downspout granule accumulation
• Attic stains, wet insulation, or daylight penetration
• Interior ceiling stains with a room label
• Temporary repair receipts and dates

Avoid zoom-only photos that make it impossible to identify where the damage sits on the roof. Pair every close-up with a wider orientation shot.

When to Call a Professional

Contact a licensed roofing contractor if you observe any of the following:

• More than a few missing shingles
• Visible daylight in the attic
• Interior water staining or active leaks
• Any structural concerns (sagging roof line, soft spots)
• Your roof is older than 15 years and shows wear

A reputable roofer should document storm damage with photos and a written estimate. Be wary of “storm chasers” — out-of-town contractors who appear after major weather events and often do substandard work.

Temporary Repairs While You Wait

If you have an active leak and cannot get a roofer immediately, a heavy-duty polyethylene tarp secured over the damaged area can prevent further interior damage. Ensure the tarp extends well past the ridge and is weighted or fastened — don’t let it become a sail in the next wind event.

Do not climb onto a wet, steep, or storm-damaged roof to place a tarp unless you have proper fall protection and experience. OSHA roofing safety materials emphasize how quickly fall risk rises once work is six feet or more above a lower level. For most homeowners, the safer temporary step is interior water control plus a professional tarp service.

Filing an Insurance Claim

If the damage is significant, contact your insurance company promptly. Most policies require you to report damage within a reasonable timeframe. Your insurer may send an adjuster, or you may be able to use your own contractor’s assessment. Keep all receipts for emergency repairs.

Contractor Red Flags After a Storm

• Door-to-door pressure to sign immediately
• Offers to “cover” or waive your deductible
• No local address, license information, or insurance documentation
• Asking for full payment before materials arrive
• Refusing to provide photos and a written scope

A reputable contractor should explain what is urgent, what can wait, and what evidence supports the repair recommendation.

What Can Usually Wait Until Daylight?

If there is no active leak, no sagging, and no large debris load, most inspection work can wait until conditions are dry and visibility is good. Do not rush onto a roof at night because a few shingles are missing. Mark interior stains, place buckets where needed, and do the full ground and attic inspection the next morning.

Safety and clear documentation matter more than being first on the ladder.

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Regular post-storm inspections are one of the simplest ways to extend the life of your roof. A problem caught early is almost always cheaper and easier to fix than one discovered after months of slow water infiltration.

See Also

• How to file a roof insurance claim — if the storm caused significant damage, here’s how to navigate the claims process and protect your payout
• How to fix a leaking roof — step-by-step repair guide for common damage types you may find during your inspection
• Roof flashing guide — flashing around chimneys and skylights is a common storm damage point and a frequent source of post-storm leaks