Homeowners can perform some of the same tasks as a roofing professional to repair their roof after heavy rainfall.
With the rain gone, the sky clear, and now the part every homeowner dreads: determining if the storm really damaged the home.
One of the more dangerous things people can do after heavy rain is to go up on their roof right away, but this is something that is a natural instinct.
Rooftop inspections are really dangerous in the hours following a storm due to wet shingles, saturated ground and unstable footing. The fortunate thing is that most of the items that should be inspected can be done both from the ground and inside the house.
Start With Safety, Not the Roof
Always inspect the property for downed power lines, loose tree limbs or standing water near electrical outlets or panels before conducting any roof inspection. These risks are more of a priority than any roofing issue.
If in any doubt as to electrical safety, do not proceed until it has been declared safe.
Roof surfaces become slippery long after the rain ceases and a roof that has been damaged by a storm could have unsuspecting weak points. It is not mandatory to climb on a roof to do a preliminary inspection, and it does make it more dangerous if an accident occurs.
What to Check From the Ground
With a pair of binoculars or a zoom camera lens, one can uncover a lot without having to get off the ground.
Look for missing or displaced shingles: Notice any areas where shingles are missing or do not match the color or texture of the roof.
Gutters and downspout granules: If a lot of granules fall off the roof during a single storm, the roof may be wearing out, particularly if it is an older roof surface.
Pulling gutters from the fascia indicate that the gutters may be saggy, which can be a sign that they were overloaded with water.
Bent or missing flashing around chimneys and vents can be seen from ground level with the proper angle at times.
If branches and other heavy debris are not removed from the roof surface, that is noted for removal when conditions are safe.
Water which has not begun to drain within a day or two on a flat or low-slope roof can be flagged for pooling.
What to Check Inside the Home
**Ceilings and Walls
**When visiting each room, inspect ceilings, particularly rooms in the upper levels of the house, and rooms adjoining exterior walls. Any new stain, soft spot or sagging area or peeling paint indicates that water has infiltrated the roofing system.
Any amount of stain – no matter how small – is a clue that something is leaking and will continue to leak as the next rain falls.
**The Attic
**When possible, inspect the attic first as it may identify issues before they are noticed on ceilings below. Check for traces of water on nails and framing, beads of water on the bottom of the roof deck, or moist insulation.
Having a flashlight is helpful here as attic areas are often poorly lit.
What Not to Do After Heavy Rain
Never climb on the roof while it is wet or before it has become light enough for a good view of the roof surface.
Avoid trying to repair a roof which appears to be structurally compromised.
Never ignore a small ceiling stain, thinking it will dry up and fade away by itself.
Do not wait in-between storms to get a suspected leak repaired
Documenting Damage for Insurance
Take photographs of anything observed from the ground or inside the house, including dates/times if the camera can capture these. Both wide shots showing context and close-ups of the specific damage are helpful.
Make a simple written document of when the damage was first noticed, and any other details of the damage, including the storm date. This is usually required should an insurance claim be part of repairs and is more easily collected at the time than later in the process of reconstruction.
When It's an Emergency vs. When It Can Wait
Any of the above conditions can be a call to action and warrant immediate professional attention.
If a roof repair service can respond to an emergency, it may be able to offer temporary protection of the roof, such as tarping, until repairs are done.
One new stain in which there is no drippage or minor granule loss seen in the gutter is not always a crisis. In these cases, a scheduled inspection is called for, but it's usually possible to gain a few opinions or check availability since there's time to do so.
Commercial Properties After Heavy Rain
Heavy rain can affect commercial roofs, especially flat and low-slope roofs differently than sloped residential roofs. Ponding water that does not drain within a reasonable time, separating seams in the membrane and water seeping around rooftop equipment should be investigated.
When the property manager observes these problems following a storm, he or she will likely need to hire commercial roof contractors, as the process of the inspection and repair is not the same as with shingle roofs.
A post-storm site visit to a commercial roofing system may be longer than a site visit to a home, as that roof is likely to be much larger and more complex, with multiple drainage points. When considering an assessment following a large rainfall event, building owners should be aware of this.
Repair or Replacement?
When damage is discovered early, most of the storm damage can be dealt with by repairing the specific area of the shingles, flashing or gutters. If there is widespread damage, if the roof is already at the end of its useful life, or if there has been extensive storm damage over several years so that a patch job will not suffice, replacement is a more viable option.
The easiest method to know which category the situation falls into is to contact a professional for an inspection.
Frequently Asked Questions
**Is it safe to inspect my roof myself after heavy rain?
**A visual check from the ground or through windows is generally safe. Climbing onto the roof itself isn't recommended until it's dry and a professional has confirmed it's structurally sound.
**How soon after a storm should I have my roof checked?
**If there are visible signs of damage or interior leaks, scheduling an inspection within a few days is reasonable. Without obvious damage, a routine post-storm check still has value.
**What if I don't see any damage but I'm still concerned?
**A general inspection can catch issues that aren't visible from the ground, such as lifted shingles or minor flashing damage, so it's still worth scheduling if you have concerns.
**Can heavy rain alone damage a roof without wind or hail?
**Yes. Prolonged, heavy rain can expose existing weaknesses in drainage, flashing, or aging shingles even without wind or hail involved.
**Should I contact my insurance company before or after an inspection?
**This varies by policy and situation, but having photos and a professional assessment ready before filing a claim often makes the process smoother.
**How long does a typical post-storm repair take?
**This depends entirely on the extent of the damage, ranging from a same-day fix for minor issues to a longer timeline for more extensive repairs.
**What should I do if water is actively dripping inside my home?
**Move furniture and belongings out of the way, place a container to catch the water, and contact a roofing professional promptly. Avoid touching any area near electrical fixtures.
**Disclaimer
**Repair costs and timelines after storm damage vary based on the extent of the damage, roofing material, and site conditions. Insurance coverage depends on individual policy terms.
Any warranty coverage depends on the applicable materials, manufacturer, and installation involved.
**Talk to a Roofing Professional Today
**Heavy rain doesn't always mean serious damage, but it's worth a careful, safe look afterward. Checking calmly from the ground and inside the home gives a clear picture of whether professional attention is needed right away or can be scheduled in the days ahead.
If your home or business shows signs of storm-related roof damage, Renewable Roofing Solution can help assess the situation. Visit renewableroofingsolution.com or call (502) 664-8006.
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