A nor'easter rolls through, the power flickers, and in the morning the roof looks fine from the driveway. That is exactly when damage gets missed. A lifted shingle or a cracked seal does not always leak on day one. It leaks in January, under snow, when it is a lot harder to fix.
Safety First
- ✗Do not climb onto the roof. Wet, damaged roofs are slick and unpredictable, and walking on them can cause more damage.
- ✗Stay away from downed lines. Treat any wire on or near the house as live and call the utility.
- ✗Do not pull on hanging limbs or gutters. Leave heavy debris for the pros.
Check From the Ground
Walk all the way around the house. A pair of binoculars helps.
- 1Missing or lifted shingles. Look for gaps, exposed underlayment, or shingles that are creased or flipped up at the edges.
- 2Flashing. Check around the chimney, vents, and skylights for metal that is bent, loose, or pulled away.
- 3Gutters and downspouts. Dents, sagging runs, and pulled-out hangers. Piles of shingle granules at the downspout outlets are a sign shingles took a beating.
- 4Debris on the roof. Branches and limbs can puncture or crack shingles even when they look like they are just resting there.
- 5Shingles in the yard. If pieces of your roof are on the lawn, the roof has openings.
Check From the Inside
If you can safely get into the attic, go up with a flashlight, ideally during or right after rain.
- Water stains or wet spots on the underside of the roof deck
- Damp or matted insulation
- Daylight showing through the boards
- New stains on top-floor ceilings or around light fixtures
Document Before You Call Anyone
Before anything gets cleaned up, take date-stamped photos and video of the roof from every side, the debris, damaged gutters and siding, and every interior stain. Save receipts for any emergency tarping or cleanup. That record matters whether you end up filing a claim or not.
If you are wondering whether it is worth a claim, read does homeowners insurance cover a new roof in Massachusetts first.
Be careful who knocks on your door after a storm. Out-of-town crews follow big weather and push homeowners to sign on the spot. Hire a local, licensed contractor who will still be around to stand behind the work.
Frequently Asked Questions
From the ground, look for missing, lifted, or creased shingles, exposed underlayment, bent flashing, dented gutters, and piles of shingle granules at the downspouts. Inside, check the attic and top-floor ceilings for stains, damp insulation, or daylight. Many storm damage problems do not leak right away.
No. Wet, damaged, or debris-covered roofs are dangerous, and walking on them can cause more damage. Inspect from the ground with binoculars and from the attic, and leave the roof itself to a licensed roofer.
Date-stamped photos and video of the roof from the ground, any debris, damaged gutters and siding, and every interior stain or leak, taken before anything is cleaned up or repaired. Keep receipts for any emergency tarping or cleanup.
Promptly. Most policies require timely notice and reasonable steps to prevent further damage. Document first, protect the home, notify your carrier, and have a licensed roofer assess the damage.
Not Sure What You Are Looking At?
Faria & Son is owner-operated and local. We will look at the roof, photograph what we find, and tell you plainly whether it needs a repair, a replacement, or nothing at all. Call 508-989-8383 or request a free estimate.
We serve Somerset, Swansea, Rehoboth, Westport, Seekonk, Fall River, and Freetown in Massachusetts, plus Warren, Barrington, and Tiverton in Rhode Island.