Types of Roof Storm Damage and What They Look Like

In North Carolina, storms are a major cause of roof damage. Tornadoes, hurricanes, and hailstorms are just a few weather conditions that can lead to torn, ripped, and cracked roofs. Unfortunately, we can’t control the weather. But we can take steps to protect ourselves and our homes before and after bad weather.

One of the best things you can do is learn how to identify roof storm damage so that you can have an expert assess and repair your roof as soon as possible.

If left untreated, storm damage can lead to several roof problems.

Water intrusion
Mold and mildew
Moss growth on roof
Structural damage
Costly repairs
Ventilation problems

Not sure how to identify roof storm damage?

Let the experts at StaDry Roofing and Restoration assess your roof–for FREE! Roof Hail Damage

Signs of Roof Damage from Hail

Hail can reach the size of a golf ball, or larger, and cause considerable damage to your roof. Roof damage by hail can show up in a number of obvious ways.

Black spots on shingles
Shingles that are cracked or split
Missing shingles
Visible dents on a metal roof

One less obvious sign of hail damage is a clogged roof gutter. This can happen if hail repeatedly strikes shingles, causing granules to break up and accumulate in the gutter system. You may notice your gutters are clogged after rainfall. If so, have a professional perform a roof inspection. You may have roof damage or simply need to clean the gutters. Roof Wind Damage

Signs of Roof Damage from Wind

Wind is a sneaky cause of roof damage. According to the National Weather Service, breezy or windy conditions can lead to property damage, although the risk is low. High winds are another story — they can cause significant roof tile damage in a short amount of time.

After a windstorm, especially if there was a heavy wind advisory in your area, check for these signs of roof damage from wind.

Missing shingles on your roof
Shingles on the ground around your home
Water leaks in your roof or attic
Shingles that flap when it’s windy

Signs of Roof Ice Damage

In the southeastern United States, cold weather is not a common cause of roof damage, although it does sometimes occur. When it does happen, roof damage is likely because of an ice dam, which forms when melted snow becomes trapped behind an ice ridge on your roof. The water can build up on your roof and even under shingle layers.

The weight of the accumulated water can cause roofs to sink in or worse, collapse. After a heavy snowstorm, be on the lookout for these signs.

Formation of icicles
Visibly trapped water behind icicles
Signs of water damage on ceilings and in the attic: moisture, water stains, and leaks

What to Do after Roof Storm Damage Occurs

After a storm, whether it was heavy rain, wind, or snow, visibly check the interior and surroundings of your home. If anything looks off, such as a few shingles in your yard, have it checked by professional roofing experts.

Also, after a storm, be especially careful of roofing storm chasers. There are scam roofing companies that prowl neighborhoods after storms with the intention of selling homeowners new roofs — whether or not they have roof damage from storm events. The catch is that these companies are often not insured and do low-quality work. Many times, they are not from your local area. So, if there’s a problem with your roof or with their work, you will never see them again. And some of them never even complete the work they promised to do! You can learn more about storm roofing chasers here.

Does Insurance Cover Roof Damage?

Many homeowners don’t know if they can file an insurance claim for roof damage from wind, hail, or other weather events. If there is damage to your roof following a storm, contact your insurance provider to learn if you need to file a roof damage insurance claim. Better yet, contact your insurance provider today to confirm your insurance coverage for roof damage, and check to see if you need to upgrade your coverage going forward.

You may also want to get a professional roofing consultation, so that you know whether a repair or replacement is needed. Only a highly qualified roofing expert can determine how to best restore your roof after storm damage.