Signs of Storm Damage on Roof: What Every Connecticut Homeowner Should Check

Big storms can be frightening. Strong winds howl, heavy rain pounds your home, and you hope your roof stays strong enough to protect your family. Once the storm passes and the skies clear, you may feel relieved. But have you checked for signs of storm damage on roof? Even if everything looks fine from the ground, storms can leave behind hidden damage. Missing shingles, loose roofing materials, water stains, and leaks are common warning signs. Identifying these problems early can help prevent costly repairs and keep your home safe and protected.

Here’s the thing. Sometimes, damage to the roof is not noticeable from the yard. Little issues can lie dormant for weeks. After that is when the leak appears on the ceiling. Therefore, it is beneficial to be familiar with the symptoms of storm damage to roof shingles, roof flashing, and other roof components.

In this blog, you will learn what to look for outside and in, how hail and wind are different, and how to safely check and when to call a pro. Let’s get started.

Why Storms Hurt Roofs So Easily

Your roof’s exposed surface endures all year. Storms introduce additional stress. They bring the following:

• High wind which picks up and rips shingles away.
• Hail that break open and bruise the surface
• Heavy water that falls through any small hole
• Trees whose limbs break and fall on roof surfaces.Trees with broken limbs that fall on roofs.
• Snow and ice that weigh down and wear.Snow & ice that are heavy and wearing.

These are a combination of what Connecticut receives. It’s all a matter of nor’easters, summer thunderstorms and icy winters. Roof damage can occur at any time of the year from storms. There are common signs of roof damage caused by storms that you can easily identify when you know to look for them.

Roof shingle damage caused by storms.

Begin with the first hit – Shingles. View from the ground with binoculars. Don’t climb up.

Shingles That Lifted or Blew Off

First, see if there’s an opening. Bare spot indicates that wind stripped shingles from the roof. But, be sure to search around your lawn as well. Don’t forget the edges and the top ridge, as the wind will hit these areas first. Elevated shingles can be waved or off axis.

Nasalized shingles that have a cracked, creased or curled look.

Wind can make a shingle bend in a line, like a crease. They can be cracked by hail and flying branches. Another sign is curled edges. If some look off, take a picture of it.

Granule Loss

With shingles, there are small stone-like particles called granules. They protect the shingle from the sun, but storms and particularly hail can dislodge them. Inspect gutters and the ground around the downspouts. If you see a pile of grit there is a red flag. Bare spots on the roof that look dark can signify the same.

There are other parts of the roof that may get damaged as well.

Shingles aren’t the only weak spot. Metal components and roof fittings are also caught.

A roof vent can be seen in the background, suggesting roof venting.In the background, there is a roof vent, indicating roof venting.

Thin metal used to seal joints around chimneys, vents and walls. Check for bent, loose, or missing parts. Another sign can be dents and dings on vents and metal trim. Any opening will allow water to seep in.

Chimneys and Skylights

Inspect for a loose chimney top or broken mortar. Check skylights for gaps around the frame, too. The weak areas of a storm.

Branches and Debris

Shingles or even wood beneath the roof, can be damaged by tree limbs. If the first member of the family lands up there, look in the attic just below that member.

Signs that can be seen in your home.

Not all damage shows outside. Roof decks may exhibit some signs of storm damage before the interior. If your roof appears to be in good condition on the outside, but you notice any of the following, it may have storm damage:

• Ceiling or wall stains, usually brown or yellow, may be found.
• Water leakage or wet spots due to rain.
• Moist or soiled insulation in the attic area
• The light streaming through the roof boards in the day.
• A musty smell
• Paint on the roof line that is peeling up.

Look around the windows as well. Rain may seep in from above, caused by wind. No matter how well-made replacement windows are, they will not prevent water from seeping through from a leaky roof.

Here’s a good tip. Use a flashlight to go up to the attic after a storm. Check the bottom of the roof boards for any black streaks or damp places.

Hail vs. Wind: The DAMAGE is different!

They don’t look the same. The knowledge of difference helps you explain to a pro.

• Hail: Dents, round bruises, cracks or areas stripped bare are signs of hail damage. Dings are also caused on metal parts.
• Wind: Wind frequently can lift, tear or remove shingles and can cause rough edges.
• Branches: A loose branch can cause a big weight to drop at a point, such as a crack, hole or dent.

In many cases, more than one type of damage occurs from a single storm. So check everything.

The rest of your exterior to inspect:

Your roof is integrated with your gutters, siding, and trim. All of them can be affected by a storm. Check these too:

• Gutters and downspouts: Check for pulled or bent gutters and debris in gutters. If you have suffered significant damage, you can install new gutters that will be seamless, providing one continuous piece rather than having to use a series of seams to join new gutters to the existing structure.
• Siding: Cracked or loose panels can be caused by wind and flying debris. Check house vinyl siding for cracks, holes or protruding panels.
• Peeling paint, soft wood or gaps in the soffits and fascia may indicate that water has penetrated.
• Screens and metal: Dents on these may indicate hail.

Make sure to identify storm damage safely.

Safety comes first. Falls hurt people and a wet roof is slippery. Thus, do the following:

1. Wait for the rest of the storm.
2. Keep a distance of 10 feet away from the downed power lines. Call the local electricity company.
3. Look around your house for shingles, metal or branches on the ground.
4. Then, using binoculars, inspect roof edges and corners for signs of storm damage.
5. Make clear, dated pictures of anything unusual.
6. Look in the attic using a flashlight.

To check for roof damage after a storm, only look from the ground. Do not climb up by yourself.

Then, record what you see. Help later with a simple list.

When to Call a Pro

Things cannot be seen from the ground. That’s normal. Once you notice storm damage in areas of your roof that you can’t get to, schedule a roof inspection. When hiring a residential roofing contractor in Orange, they should inspect the shingles, flashing, vents and attic and provide a clear and concise summary of their findings.

Call emergency numbers if you observe:

• An active leak
• Open expanses or a sloping roof plane
• A tree on the roof
• Water stains that continue to increase in size

There are many insurance policies that offer protection against sudden damage from wind and hail, but the conditions are not the same. You can consult your policy or your agent.

Temporary steps while waiting to be resolved.

The roof should be repaired immediately if it’s damaged by a storm. Place buckets under drip lines. Push furniture out of the way of damp areas. A pro crew can tarp the roof to help slow leaks. A wet roof is not a risk for you to try, though.

What to do when storm damage becomes more of a job.

In other times, a storm exhibits other weak points. A leaky roof can show wood that is damp or outdated siding. If so, many homeowners design exterior home remodeling to have the roof, gutters, and siding all function together.

Order matters here. Fix the roof first. If siding does require work, vinyl siding installation in Ansonia can proceed thereafter with no risk that the crew will damage new siding panels during roof work.

How local Connecticut experience benefits.

Wind, rain, ice and snow are Connecticut’s neighbors. A local crew has observed the effect of each on roofs in Shelton, Bridgeport, Milford, Trumbull and other nearby towns. They also know the steps that the town needs to take to get a permit.

The storm leaves a leak by a window, and many homeowners look for window replacements near me. Then they learn that it is the roof that is the source. That’s why it pays to do a thorough investigation of the outside of the vehicle.

Questions to ask prior to hiring:

• Do you have proof of your license and insurance?
• Will you put it in writing, on paper, including pictures?
• What will you do to prevent leaks until repairs?
• Who is in charge of permits / certification if required?
• If you have to work on siding/guttering, can you schedule that along with the roof?
• Can the same company install vinyl siding and roof?
• Are you using a vinyl siding contractor or do you work with one?
• If rot is discovered, do you have home remodeling services?

The following is an example of a local storm repair experience.

Creative Home Improvement LLC is a family owned company in Shelton. It’s been around since 1974 and is licensed for CT as License #562280. It claims to be covered for insurance. The company provides service to Fairfield County, New Haven County and The Valley. According to its roofing page, the team is there to assist homeowners in determining whether their roof is in need of repair, with planning on repairs, and comparing roof replacement options. It also provides services in the areas of siding & gutters, windows, and other home improvement projects. You can call the team at +1 (203) 929-5737.

These are the details on which to compare any roofer and use them as a checklist.

What Homeowners Say

Reviews reflect on a company’s behavior during tough times. Creative Home Improvement LLC has an average rating of 5.0 stars based on the 43 Google reviews that appear on their website. The team helped when storm and cold damage was done to a Bridgeport homeowner’s siding, the homeowner said, and completed the work before a winter storm hit, within the insurance estimate. One Bridgeport reviewer reported their parents’ roof job was completed in a timely fashion with regular progress reports. A Google reviewer reported that problems that were not visible in the remodel became a whole new roof and gutters, and the group helped decide on fair solutions throughout the process. In the reviews on Yelp, one reviewer noted a “family-run crew that are respectful.

When reading reviews, pay attention to these:

• Remove any updates while running the job
• When plans change, honest advice is provided.
• Fair pricing
• Fast, friendly help

It is important to conclude any case as early as possible and act swiftly.

Being aware of some of the indicators of roof surface damage allows you to take action early. Examine shingles, flashing, gutters and attic. Remain on the ground, photograph the object and contact a professional if something looks amiss. It’s a minor repair that will prevent major leaks.

Looking for a second pair of eyes? Creative Home Improvement LLC, CT License 562280 has been serving the homeowners of Connecticut since 1974. Call +1 (203) 929-5737.