How to Tell If Your Roof Has Storm Damage

Exterior repairs must manage water from the roof surface all the way away from the foundation. A cosmetic patch can hide the route without stopping it.

Start with the actual condition

Use. Use binoculars or ground-level photos instead of walking the roof.

Inspect. Inspect attic staining, decking, flashing zones, and drainage.

Get. Get emergency drying separate from permanent repair.

Step-by-step decision process

1. Inspect the scope. Inspect from the ground and from safe interior access points.
2. Record the scope. Record the location, weather, direction, and timing of the symptom.
3. Trace the scope. Trace how water should shed across roof, flashing, wall, gutter, and grade.
4. Request the scope. Request a scope that distinguishes local repair, underlying damage, and full replacement.

Scope and documentation

For how to tell if your roof has storm damage, require the proposal to name the failure location, water-management detail, damaged layers, repair boundary, matching limits, access method, protection, disposal, and inspection or permit responsibility.

Common mistakes

• Walking on wet, steep, brittle, or damaged roofing.
• Sealing over drainage openings or wet materials.
• Choosing replacement before the failure boundary is established.

Questions to resolve

• Where does water or movement begin, and where does it become visible?
• Which layers will be opened, replaced, dried, or left in place?
• How will the repair tie into flashing, drainage, and adjacent materials?
• What test or inspection confirms the exterior is closed correctly?

Sources and editorial notes

This article is a planning guide, not a substitute for emergency services, legal advice, code interpretation, manufacturer instructions, or an on-site professional assessment. Verify current requirements and programs directly.

• fema.gov
• cslb.ca.gov

Related guides

• Roof Flashing Problems: Signs, Repair Options, and Costs
• Roof Inspection After Buying a Home: What the Report Should Cover
• How Much Does It Cost to Fix a Leaking Roof?

Next step

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