What to Do After a Storm Hits Your Roof

A storm passes through, and the obvious question is what now. Here's a real, practical order of what to actually check and do, before deciding who to call.

Check the Gutters First

This is an easy first check, and it tells you more than people realize. Granules collecting in the gutter or a clogged downspout after a storm can mean shingles took real damage, sometimes before any leak shows up inside. If gutters look full of grit that wasn't there before, that's worth a closer look.

Look, but Don't Climb

Walk the yard and look up at the roofline from the ground. Missing shingles, visible dents on gutters or vents, or debris caught on the roof are all worth noting. Getting on a ladder or the roof itself isn't necessary and isn't safe right after a storm, a proper inspection means someone experienced walking the roof directly, not a homeowner taking a risk to check it themselves.

Document What You Can See

Take photos from the ground of anything that looks off, missing shingles, dented gutters, debris, fallen branches. This becomes useful either way, whether the damage ends up needing a repair or an insurance claim.

If there's a video doorbell or surveillance camera on the house, save that footage from during the storm itself. It can show exactly which direction the storm came from, how intense it was, and even the size of the hail, details that are very hard to dispute later. Most devices only keep recent footage for a limited time before it gets overwritten, so it's worth saving right away rather than assuming it'll still be there next week.

Get a Real Inspection Before Assuming Anything

Storm damage isn't always visible from the ground. A soft spot or a bruised shingle from hail often has no obvious sign at all until someone's actually up there. A free inspection settles the question either way, without guessing.

When to Consider a Tarp

If there's visible damage that's letting water in, or missing shingles over an active leak, a temporary tarp can prevent further damage while a proper repair gets scheduled. This is a stopgap, not a fix, but it buys real time when it matters.

What Happens Next

Once an inspection confirms what's actually going on, the path forward depends on what's found. Sometimes it's a straightforward repair. Sometimes there's enough damage to justify an insurance claim, and having clear documentation from the start makes that process smoother.

If a storm just came through, a free inspection is the fastest way to get a real answer. Call Tyler directly at (706) 244-2421

Storm Tip: Check your gutters after every big storm.