Roof storm damage | Turner Roofing

Suspect roof storm damage? Here’s what to look for and what to do next

Spring in Oklahoma means one thing for sure – storms. We don’t know how severe, but we do know it’s coming. That’s an Oklahoma guarantee.

Strong winds, rain, hail and tornadoes are coming during the next few weeks and months. To prepare, we want to help you be able to spot roof storm damage when the rain stops and know what to do if you think you have damage from a storm.

Here’s what to look for to spot if have roof damage after a spring storm:
Look at your shingles: Are you missing shingles? Do some shingles look damaged compared to others? Do any have dings or dents from hail? If they do have dents or dings, they have lost their granules. This might give them a shiny appearance – so look for that.

Look for shingles that have curled: Shingles that are curled no longer have the seal that holds them together. Water can get under these curled shingles now and into your home, causing further damage.

Look at the edges of your roofline and along skylights, vents and chimneys: Are you missing any flashing? Do you see damage along the exterior edges? Curling or tears in materials?
Look at the ridge cap: Your roof’s ridge cap is the flattest area of your roof, and it will receive the most direct exposure during a storm. Make sure the ridge cap did not loosen because of high winds.
Look, but also feel: You can spot a lot of damage by looking at your roof, but you should also run your hands over your shingles as well. A lot of times you will not see dents or dings caused by hail, but you can feel the dent when you touch the shingle. If you feel a dent, push on the shingle to see if it gives way. If so, this shingle needs to be replaced because it is deteriorating. Also, with hail, if you find an area with deterioration, that deterioration is probably widespread on your roof.
Look in your attic: Do you see any water damage? Or do you see any wet spots where water got in during the storm?

Look inside the next time it rains: You may have completed an exterior review after the last storm and thought you weathered the storm without damage. However, wait to be sure until the next rainstorm. Then, check your ceiling for any signs of dampness. Check around ceiling lights and ceiling fans to see if any water has seeped through a damaged part of the roof. Also, check along the tops of the exterior walls to your home to see if you see any water damage.

Total replacement needed?
For a lot of storms, damage can be repaired without a total replacement. However, some storms do so much damage that total replacement is necessary. Here’s what to look for to know if you can repair just a section or if storm damage warrants a total replacement of your roof:

Look at all your shingles: Stand back, are the edges of your shingles curling in a large area and not just a few in a small area or scattered throughout your roof? Do you see cupping of the shingles?
Look for shingles that are cracked: Do you see cracks in your shingles? Are a lot of shingles cracked?
Look up how old your current roof is: If your roof is more than 20 years old, and you have storm damage, it might be time to replace the roof anyway. You’ll repair the damaged areas, but you’ll also replace the roof with a roof designed for durability.
Look around your neighborhood: Are your neighbors (who went through the same storm) getting new roofs? You might need one too. While we all know spring storms can hit one house hard and leave the next one standing just fine, we also know that you’re more likely to need roof replacement if others near you need one as well.

A quick run through of these steps can help you determine if you have roof damage after a storm. If you suspect damage, call a trusted roofer to get a professional opinion and a professional recommendation. And, getting professional advice should always be free! And if you want a roof that is more resistant to roof storm damage, check out this recent blog.

At Turner Roofing, we provide free estimates all year long – not just during Oklahoma’s spring storm season. Call us at 918-258-2585 and we’ll provide you with a trusted estimate so you’ll know what you need to do to recover from whatever Oklahoma weather throws at us this year.