Philadelphia sees heavy summer thunderstorms, nor’easters, winter ice, and sudden high winds, and each one stresses a roof in a different way. The trouble is that storm damage often doesn’t announce itself with a leak on day one. It starts as a lifted shingle, a patch of missing granules, or flashing pulled loose around a chimney, and it can let water in for weeks before you see a stain on the ceiling.
This guide shows you how to spot wind and hail damage safely from the ground, which interior signs to watch for, and when it’s time to book a professional storm damage roof inspection. If you already know your roof is damaged, see our storm damage roof repair service.
Quick storm damage checklist:
- Stay off the roof and inspect from the ground with binoculars
- Look for missing, lifted, or curled shingles
- Check for dents, cracks, and granule loss from hail
- Inspect flashing, vents, gutters, and downspouts
- Walk around the house and check your siding
- Look inside for ceiling stains and attic moisture
- Photograph everything and note the date of the storm
- Call a roofing professional if you find anything
Safety First: Stay Off the Roof
Never climb onto your roof after a storm. Wet surfaces, loose materials, and damage you can’t see can make a roof unsafe even for experienced homeowners. Keep your inspection at ground level, use binoculars to look at the roofline, shingles, and flashing, and leave anything you can’t see clearly to a professional.
Signs of Wind Damage on Your Roof
Strong winds work at the edges of a roof first, where shingles and flashing are easiest to lift. After a windstorm, look for:
- Missing shingles, or shingles lying in the yard, gutters, or against the fence
- Lifted, curled, or creased shingle edges, especially along ridges, rakes, and eaves
- Exposed underlayment or roof decking where shingles have torn away
- Torn-off ridge caps or damaged roof vents
- Flashing pulled loose around chimneys, vents, and skylights, a frequent source of leaks
- Impact damage from falling branches or wind-blown debris, which can puncture or crack roofing
Wind can also break the adhesive seal between shingles even when nothing looks missing, which leaves them easier to blow off in the next storm. That kind of damage is hard to spot from the ground, and it’s one reason a professional wind damage roof repair inspection is worth it after a major windstorm.
Signs of Hail Damage on Your Roof
Hail damage is often subtle and may not cause a leak right away, but it can weaken shingles and shorten the life of your roof. Signs that you may need roof repair after a hail storm include:
- Dents, dimples, or round bruises on shingles
- Bare, shiny, or dark spots where hail knocked the protective granules off
- Granules collecting in gutters or at the bottom of downspouts, which looks like coarse black sand
- Cracks in shingles or flashing
- Dents on metal components like vents, flashing, gutters, and downspouts
- Dislodged flashing around roof penetrations
Dented gutters and vents are often the easiest clue to spot from the ground. If the metal took a beating, your shingles probably did too.
Interior Warning Signs of Storm Damage
Some of the most telling signs of roof storm damage show up inside your home, sometimes days or weeks after the storm:
- New water stains on ceilings or walls
- Damp insulation or moisture in the attic
- Musty odors that suggest trapped moisture
- Daylight showing through the roof boards in the attic
- New drafts near walls, which can point to damaged siding or flashing
If water is actively coming in, move belongings out of the way, put down buckets and towels, and call for 24/7 emergency roof repair. Leave tarping and roof access to a professional.
Check Your Siding Too
The same wind and hail that damage a roof can damage your siding, and water that gets behind siding can cause rot you won’t see for months. Walk around every side of your home and look for:
- Cracks or warping from wind or hail impact
- Loose or missing panels caused by strong gusts
- Dents or impact marks from debris
- Damp areas near walls that suggest water intrusion
Union Roofing repairs storm-damaged roofs and siding under one company. Learn more about our siding repair and installation.
“We had windstorm damage to the roof, siding and storm door. Jack came to inspect and give us an estimate at exactly the time and date we set up.”
Bernie L., Google review
Your Ground-Level Storm Damage Inspection Checklist
Use this step-by-step checklist after any major storm, without ever leaving the ground:
- Walk your property. Look for shingles, flashing, or siding pieces in the yard, and note any fallen branches near the house.
- Scan the roof with binoculars. Check the ridges, edges, valleys, and the flashing around chimneys, vents, and skylights.
- Check gutters and downspouts. Look for dents, sagging sections, and granules collecting at the bottom of downspouts.
- Inspect the siding on all sides of the house for cracks, dents, and loose panels.
- Check inside. Look at ceilings near exterior walls, and if you can get into the attic safely, check for damp insulation, stains, or daylight.
- Document everything. Take photos from the ground and indoors, and write down the date and time of the storm.
For routine checks between storms, download our DIY roof inspection checklist.
When to Call a Roofer, and How Insurance Timing Works
A homeowner check is only a starting point. Book a professional roof inspection if you notice any missing or damaged shingles, dents, cracks, or granule loss, damaged flashing or vents, water stains inside, or if you simply aren’t sure how bad the damage is. A trained inspector can safely assess the whole roof, find damage you can’t see from the ground, and give you a written report.
If you plan to file an insurance claim, timing matters:
- Report damage promptly. Deadlines vary by policy, but most insurers expect storm damage to be reported soon after it happens, and waiting can complicate approval.
- Get documentation first. Your photos, the storm date, and a roofer’s written report help support your claim.
- Know what’s typically covered. Homeowners policies generally cover sudden, storm-caused damage, not gradual wear or lack of maintenance, which is why documentation matters.
- Have your roofer there for the adjuster. When it’s helpful, our team can attend the adjuster’s inspection to point out roofing conditions and answer contractor questions.
Union Roofing is a roofing contractor, not a public adjuster. We don’t interpret policies or promise claim approval, and coverage always depends on your policy and your insurer’s findings. For a full walkthrough of the claims process, read our storm damage roof repair guide.
Storm Damage FAQs
Can I see hail damage from the ground?
Sometimes. Dented gutters, vents, and downspouts, and granules collecting at the bottom of downspouts, are often visible from the ground. Bruised shingles and granule loss on the roof itself usually need a closer look, which is why a professional inspection is recommended after a hail storm.
How soon after a storm should I get my roof inspected?
As soon as you can after a major storm, and right away if water is coming in. An early inspection catches damage before it leads to leaks, and it gives you documentation while the storm date is fresh if you decide to file a claim.
Does homeowners insurance cover wind and hail damage?
Policies generally cover sudden damage from covered events like wind and hail, but not normal wear or deferred maintenance. Coverage depends on your specific policy, so check with your insurer.
Think the Last Storm Hit Your Roof?
Union Roofing provides storm damage inspections and repairs for roofs and siding across Philadelphia, Bucks County, and South Jersey. Our team will assess your home safely, document any damage, and give you honest recommendations with a free estimate. Call (215) 464-6425 to schedule your storm damage roof inspection.
