Start with safety, not a ladder
The first rule after a storm is to stay off the roof. Wet shingles are slippery, damaged decking can give way, and downed lines and hanging limbs are real hazards. Everything in this checklist can be done from the ground, from a window, or from inside the house. If water is coming in, protect belongings and the floor if you can do so safely, and photograph the area before and after.
Walk the outside of the house
Walk all the way around the house, including the back, which is often the side facing trees or open common ground. Look at each roof slope you can see. A pair of binoculars helps.
- Shingles or ridge caps lying in the yard, on the driveway or in the gutters
- Missing shingles, which show up as a patch of a different color, often darker underlayment or bare wood
- Shingle tabs that are lifted, creased or flipped back, especially along the ridge, rakes and eaves
- Branches resting on the roof or limbs that have clearly struck it
- Bent or detached gutters and downspouts
- Flashing that is bent away from a wall, chimney or dormer
- Damage to siding, windows, screens or a deck, which can point to where wind or debris hit
Check inside, too
Interior signs can show up before exterior ones do. Look at top-floor ceilings, especially around light fixtures, exhaust fans and where walls meet the ceiling. If you can safely look into the attic with a flashlight, check for drips, wet insulation or daylight around vent pipes and along the ridge. A stain may take a day or two to appear after rain, so look again.
What to photograph and record
- The date of the storm and when you first noticed each problem
- Wide shots of each side of the house so close-ups have context
- Close-ups of anything that looks damaged, taken from a safe spot
- Shingles or debris on the ground before you clean them up
- Interior stains or drips, with something in the frame for scale
- Receipts for anything you spend on temporary protection
Keep the original photo files. They carry date and time information, which helps if you later talk to your insurer.
What not to do
Do not climb onto the roof. Do not pull on loose shingles or flashing to see how bad it is. Do not sign a full contract with someone who knocks on your door the day after the storm and pressures you to commit on the spot. After a widespread storm, it is common to see crews from outside the area working Ashburn neighborhoods. Ask any contractor for a Virginia license number and where the company is based, and get the scope in writing.
When to call a roofer
Call if you see missing shingles, exposed underlayment or wood, a limb on the roof, flashing pulled away, or any new interior water stain. Also call if a neighbor with a roof of similar age had damage and you cannot see your own roof well from the ground; townhouse rows and homes built in the same phase of a community often share exposure. A professional assessment tells you whether it is a small repair, a larger repair, or a roof that needs replacement, and documents what was found.
Damage that seems minor is still worth looking at. A few missing shingles let water reach the underlayment, and over several rains that can reach the decking and the ceiling below. Small storm repairs are usually far simpler than the interior repairs that follow a slow leak.
Temporary protection while you wait
If water is coming in, the goal until a roofer arrives is to limit interior damage without putting anyone at risk. Move furniture and electronics away from the drip, put down a bucket and towels, and if a ceiling is bulging with water, keep people out from under it. Photograph each step. A roofer can then decide whether the roof needs temporary covering before the permanent repair, and should explain what that involves and what it costs before doing it.
Keep in mind that a storm that damages one Ashburn roof has usually passed over the whole neighborhood. If you live in a townhouse, damage on a neighbor's roof near a shared wall may affect yours too, so it is worth comparing notes with the owners next door.
What happens during an assessment
Roofing Roughnecks assesses roof damage after a storm, documents it to support an insurance claim if you choose to file one, and recommends repair or full replacement depending on the extent of the damage. You get the observations and the scope in writing. Whether the insurer covers it is the insurer's decision.
Related
Does storm damage always mean a new roof?▸
No. Many storm problems are limited to a slope or a ridge and can be repaired. The recommendation should follow from what the inspection actually finds.
How soon should I get the roof looked at?▸
As soon as practical, especially if shingles are missing or water is coming in. Damage left alone can lead to leaks and interior damage.
Should I put a tarp on the roof myself?▸
Only if you can do it without going on the roof. Climbing onto a storm-damaged roof is dangerous; protect the interior instead and call a professional.