When strong winds, a volley of hail, or a torrent of hail hits your home, it can cause a lot of damage to your roof. So, once a hurricane, a hailstorm, a tornado, or a thunderstorm occurs, ensure that you check your roof afterwards to assess its condition. Every thunderstorm starts to damage homes when it gets to speeds of 50-60 mph. Trees will start to topple and power lines will start to come down.

Once the storm passes, document any issues on your roof and work with a good contractor and your insurance company to fix the issues.

How to Identify a Roof Damage

Tornados, thunderstorms, hailstorms, and hurricanes can damage the shingles of your roof. Follow the steps listed below to check the damage on your roof:

  • Check if your attic is leaking. In case you find water stains on your walls or ceiling, you need to conduct a roof repair.
  • Check on the ground if your roof is missing the shingles, or if metal pieces of the fascia are on your backyard. Assess your chimney’s exhaust pipes, outer angles or edges, and valleys where the walls and the roof meet.
  • It is obvious to notice when a tree falls on your roof. If this happens, contact a professional to determine the structural damage on your roof. If your home has suffered some structural damage, hire a professional contractor to conduct roof repairs.
  • After a hail storm, check for siding and roof damage.  The common damages that hail storms produce are in forms of dimples that are caused by smaller hail chunks that damage the shingle’s outer layer.
  • Be safe; avoid checking for roof damage by yourself. Always work with a professional roofer to solve roof repairs.

Contact Your Insurance Agent

When dealing with an insurance agency, contact your insurance agent to determine if you need to file a claim. Keep all the receipts for all roof repairs to facilitate the reimbursement once a claim is filed. Most policies will cover the roof repair costs when they are submitted with a claim.