After a hailstorm or a big monsoon wind, it's natural to want to climb up and see the damage for yourself. It's also one of the riskiest things a homeowner can do. Here's what you can check safely, what to leave alone, and what a temporary fix should look like if water is coming in.
Why Storm-Damaged Roofs Are Dangerous
- Slick surfaces. Wet shingles, loose granules, hail pellets and wet tile are slippery, even on a gentle slope.
- Hidden weak spots. Wind and water can damage decking you can't see from the surface. A soft spot can give way under your weight.
- Broken tile and loose shingles. Tile cracks under foot traffic, and lifted shingles can slide.
- Ladder falls. Soft, wet ground and gusty wind make ladders unstable.
- Electrical hazards. Storms can bring down service lines near the roof edge.
- More damage. Walking on a damaged roof can crack more tile or scuff more granules, which can complicate an insurance claim.
What You Can Safely Check
From the ground
- Missing, lifted or creased shingles, and slipped or broken tiles (binoculars or a phone camera zoom help)
- Dents in gutters, downspouts, window screens and metal vents, which are common hail indicators
- Debris or branches on the roof
- Granules washing out of downspouts. See granules in gutters.
From inside
- Ceiling stains or drips. See ceiling water stains.
- In the attic, if you can move safely on the framing: wet insulation, dark decking, or daylight through the roof
If Water Is Coming In
- Move belongings and put a bucket or tarp under the drip.
- If the ceiling is bulging, keep people out from under it.
- Take dated photos of the damage inside and out for your insurer.
- Call for emergency help. Our emergency roofing team can secure the roof with a proper temporary cover.
About tarps: a properly installed emergency tarp is secured without adding new holes in good roofing where possible, overlaps the damaged area generously, and is anchored against wind. A tarp that flaps loose in the next gust can do more damage than the storm did. Many policies expect you to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage, so keep receipts for any emergency work.
Watch for Storm Chasers
After big storms, out-of-town crews knock on doors offering free inspections or quick fixes. Some are legitimate, many aren't. Check for a New Mexico contractor license and a local address before letting anyone on your roof. Read our guide to storm chasing roofing scams.
Next Steps
Once everyone is safe, follow our steps after storm damage, see what hail damage looks like, and get a documented Free Roof Report before you file a claim.