Storm damage often shows as lifted or missing shingles, bent or displaced flashing, gutters pulled from the fascia, and a ceiling stain that grows after rain. Some of it is visible from the ground, but most needs a technician in the attic and on the roof. Call for a visit if you see any of these signs.
Key takeaways
- Lifted, creased or missing shingles, especially at the edges, are the first sign to look for.
- Bent or displaced flashing is a common route for water.
- Gutters pulled away from the fascia can let water reach the roof edge.
- A ceiling stain that appears after a storm is a storm leak until proven otherwise.
- Do not climb onto a wet or damaged roof to look.
What does storm damage look like from the ground?
From the ground, look for missing or creased shingles, a gutter hanging loose and debris on the roof or in the yard. A limb across the roof is a sign that the decking below may be damaged.
Use binoculars and take photographs. Look at the edges and the ridge first, since wind lifts those before it moves the middle of a roof.
What does storm damage look like inside the house?
Inside, look for ceiling stains, peeling paint near the top of a wall and a damp smell in the attic. A stain that appears days after a storm is often still a storm leak.
Note where each stain is, and when you first saw it. That detail helps the technician trace the water back to the roof.
Which parts of the roof fail first?
Edges, ridges and flashing around vents, chimneys and walls are usually the first parts to lift or separate in a storm. A cracked collar or a lifted flashing flange is a common route for water.
A technician checks these parts first and then works outward. A single missing shingle can mean the nailing along that edge has also failed.
When should I call a technician?
Call the same day for a leak through a ceiling, a limb on the roof, or a roof that looks open. Call within a few days for lifted shingles or loose gutters that have not yet let water in.
Call (833) 751-2102 and describe where the damage is, when it was first seen and whether anything has been done. Keep people away from any ceiling that bulges.
- Water coming through a ceiling: call the same day
- A limb on the roof: call and leave it in place until the visit
- Lifted shingles or loose gutters with no leak: call within a few days
Frequently asked questions
Can I see storm damage from the ground?
Some of it, such as missing shingles and loose gutters. Most damage to decking and flashing is hidden and needs a technician to check.
Is a ceiling stain after a storm always a storm leak?
Not always, but a stain that appears after a storm is worth treating as a storm leak until a technician has checked it.
Should I put a tarp on the roof myself?
Be careful. A wet or damaged roof is slippery and may not hold weight. A technician can arrange temporary cover safely.
What should I photograph?
Photograph the roof from several angles, the gutters, each ceiling stain and any debris in the yard. Include a wide shot of the house.
Sources
This guide is general information for Gloucester County homeowners, not a substitute for an on-site inspection. Prices are estimates. See our disclaimer.