What Does Storm Damage Look Like on a Roof? [And How to Spot It]

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Storms and severe weather are one of the most common causes of roof damage, and can affect your roof in a variety of ways. From roof leaks to needing a full roof replacement, the aftermath of severe weather can be a homeowner’s worst nightmare. This is especially true if the telltale signs of roof damage aren’t noticed until much later down the road, and the problem isn’t addressed in a timely manner, if at all. 

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The fact of the matter is that the majority of homeowners don’t even know their roof sustained any damage until it’s too late. This may be because they don’t know what signs to look for, or because their rooftop isn’t easily accessible, making assessing the situation difficult. The team here at Elite Exteriors has seen this time and again, and is here with tips on what to do after the storm hits. So, What Does Storm Damage Look Like on a Roof? Keep reading and discover common signs of storm damage on a roof and how to spot it.

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Table of Contents

- What Does Storm Damage Look Like on a Roof?

- How to Spot Storm Damage on Your Roof

  - Notice Signs of Damage at Eye Level

  - Loose Granules in Gutters or on the Ground

  - Damaged Shingles

  - Dents

  - Tree Limbs and Debris

  - Inside the Home

- What to Do After Noticing Storm Damage on your Roof

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What Does Storm Damage Look Like on a Roof?

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Your roof is exposed to the elements 365 days a year. This makes it susceptible to everything from hurricanes to heavy snowfall, depending on your location. The most common sources of post-storm roof damage include hail, high winds, heavy rain, and falling debris. 

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The signs of storm damage to your roof can sometimes be elusive. However, being an informed homeowner and knowing what to look for after storm damage occurs is the first step in maintaining a healthy roof. What does storm damage look like on a roof? Below are a few of the most common ways storm damage presents itself and how to check for it.

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How to Spot Storm Damage on Your Roof

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Many people believe that the only way to assess roof damage is by getting on the roof, or by paying someone to come out and inspect it. While having an expert take a look at your roof may be necessary and extremely beneficial, there are a few safe and easy ways to decipher if your roof has sustained damage shortly after the storm strikes. Noticing the signs promptly and taking immediate action is the best way to save time, money, and your roof!

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Notice Signs of Damage at Eye Level

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As previously mentioned, many homeowners believe that in order to gauge the amount of damage your roof has endured, you have to get on the roof. That’s not necessarily true, as there are plenty of ways to spot storm damage. First and foremost, you will want to look for signs of damage on items at eye level. 

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One of the best and easiest ways to do this is by checking the exterior portion of your downspouts and gutters. Dents and dings are a common sign that you may have roof damage, and are typically fairly easy to spot. With that being said, it’s important to look for these indicators at or above eye level, so the dents can’t be blamed on something else. 

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It’s also important to note that just because you noticed some collateral damage at eye level, it doesn’t always guarantee roof damage. It’s still a great indicator, however, and means there is a good chance that your roof has storm damage. Other signs to look for include:

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• Dents or dings on your garage door
• Dents or dings to any wood or shutters
• Holes in window screens
• Damage to your AC unit, electric meter, mailbox or outdoor grill

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Loose Granules in Gutters or on the Ground

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What does storm damage look like on a roof? Sometimes this can present itself in the form of loose granules. Granules are compact particles of asphalt that are embedded into roofing shingles. This is what makes the shingles resistant to fire, gives them their color, and protects them from UV rays. 

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These granules are actually an essential component of a healthy roof, so finding these granules either in your gutters or on the ground is an obvious sign of storm damage, and that it’s time for a roof repair or replacement. If a storm was strong enough to create granule loss, then unfortunately, the strength and durability of your shingles have been greatly compromised.

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When searching for loose granules, the best place to look is in and around downspouts. If you find loose granules, that means storm damage was sustained, or that you need a new roof. This is because granule loss can also occur as a roof ages, meaning that it’s time for a replacement. If you find loose granules, it’s highly recommended to schedule an inspection with a roofing expert.

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Damaged Shingles

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What does storm damage look like on a roof? One of the most obvious and common signs is in the shingles. If your shingles are in shambles, and you notice that there are some that are missing, lifted, or creased, that is a clear sign of sustained storm damage. 

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Dents

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Earlier on in this article we discussed searching for dents and dings at eye level. If you’re wanting to take it a step further, you may want to search for dents in roof flashing, roof vents, and shingles. What does storm damage look like on a roof? Well, if we’re speaking about a hail storm, then one obvious sign is dents to shingles that are about an inch in diameter.

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This may be a little bit harder to spot, but if you see dents that large in size on your shingles, then it’s safe to assume granule loss has occurred. In addition, if you see any dents on roof vents, roof flashing, and any other metal on your roof, it’s highly likely that there is storm damage to other areas of your roof, as well. 

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Tree Limbs and Debris

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This also may seem like a no-brainer, but finding tree limbs and debris on your roof is one answer to the question, “what does storm damage look like on a roof?” If a tree or a large tree limb hits your roof, then it’s safe to assume roof damage. It’s also important to know that a heavy impact like this may cause more than just damage to your shingles, and could negatively impact your roof decking and other roofing materials.

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While there may not be anything you can do to prevent damage from tree limbs and debris during a severe weather event, there are things you can do to set yourself up for success. A little preparedness goes a long way! This is why it’s so important to keep any trees that are around your roof trimmed, as you may be able to prevent something like this from happening in the first place. 

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Inside the Home

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What does storm damage look like on a roof? In some cases, the answer to this question comes from within the home itself. If you have sustained any roof damage, you may experience leaking or water spots within the home itself. After a storm, it’s highly recommended to search inside of the home for water damage. 

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If your home has an attic, you will want to check there first for water damage, as leaks may first appear in the attic before they make it to the main level of your home. Any water spots or leaks on the ceiling or walls of your home may imply your roof has sustained damage during a storm.

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What to Do After Noticing Storm Damage on your Roof

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No matter what, you will want to consider safety first. One reason that we recommend homeowners to search for signs of damage at eye level first, is because a roof can be a dangerous place to walk around on. This is especially true for a roof that is wet, mossy, or damaged. 

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Slips and falls are truly a concern when it comes to inspecting your roof, which is why we highly recommend calling a professional for a roof inspection. The experts at Elite Exteriors are not only knowledgeable and experienced when it comes to your roofing needs, but they also offer a FREE initial consultation and inspection. Taking advantage of this service is risk-free, and can save you time, money, and stress in the long run. 

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