How to Check Your Roof After
an Extreme Weather Event

Southeastern Pennsylvania gets a little bit of everything. Summer brings fast-moving thunderstorms with hail and damaging wind. Late summer and fall can bring the remnants of tropical storms that dump inches of rain in a few hours. Winter brings nor'easters, heavy snow, and ice. Every one of those events puts your roof to the test.

The tricky part is that storm damage isn't always obvious. A roof can look fine from the driveway and still have cracked shingles, broken seals, or bent flashing that starts leaking weeks later. At RAM Roofing & Exteriors, we respond to storm damage across southeastern Pennsylvania and western New Jersey, and we've seen how much a quick post-storm check can save homeowners. Here's how to check your roof safely, what to look for after different types of storms, and what to do if you find damage.

Safety First: Before You Check Anything

The most important rule is simple: stay off the roof. Wet, damaged, or debris-covered roofs are extremely slippery, and damaged decking may not hold your weight. You can learn almost everything you need from the ground, from inside your home, and from your attic. Before you head outside:

• Wait until the storm has fully passed and it's daylight
• Watch for downed power lines and stay far away from them, including any line touching a tree, gutter, or fence
• Look up before walking under trees, since damaged limbs can fall long after the wind stops
• Keep kids and pets inside until you've checked the yard

Step 1: Walk the Yard

Start with a slow lap around your house. Look for shingle pieces, strips of flashing, vent caps, or chunks of gutter in the grass or flower beds. Take note of fallen branches, especially any large limbs near the house. If you had hail, look at your car, mailbox, grill, deck railings, and outdoor furniture for dents. If those took a beating, your roof likely did too.

Step 2: Scan the Roof From the Ground

Stand back far enough to see each slope of the roof, and use a pair of binoculars if you have them. Take your time on each side of the house. You're looking for:

• Missing shingles or patches where the dark underlayment or wood is showing
• Shingles that are lifted, flipped up, creased, or hanging at the edges
• Dark spots or bruised-looking areas where granules have been knocked off
• Bent or loose flashing around chimneys, skylights, and walls
• Damaged vent caps, pipe boots, or ridge vents
• Branches or debris sitting on the roof
• Any area of the roofline that looks wavy, dipped, or uneven

Take photos of anything that looks off, even if you're not sure it's damage. Pictures with the date will help later if you need repairs or file an insurance claim.

Step 3: Check Gutters, Downspouts, and Siding

Your gutters are one of the best storm damage clues on the property. Look for dents along the top edge, sections pulled loose, and heavy piles of shingle granules at the bottom of downspouts. A small amount of granules is normal, especially on a newer roof, but a sudden heavy buildup after a hailstorm is a red flag.

Then check the walls. Hail and wind-blown debris can crack, chip, or puncture siding, and high winds can loosen or tear off panels. Look at window screens, frames, and trim too. Torn screens and dented metal wraps are common hail signs, and cracked glass or damaged frames may need window repairs.

Step 4: Look Inside and in the Attic

Some storm damage only shows up from the inside. Check upstairs ceilings, the tops of exterior walls, and the areas around chimneys and skylights for new stains, drips, or bubbling paint. Then take a flashlight into the attic and look for:

• Wet spots or dark streaks on the underside of the roof deck
• Damp or matted insulation
• Daylight showing through the boards
• Water dripping from nails or running along rafters

Check again a day or two after the storm, and after the next rain. Small leaks often take time to show up.

What Different Storms Do to Your Roof

Hail

Hail can bruise, crack, or knock granules off asphalt shingles, leaving round dark spots or soft, dented areas. Even when the damage looks minor, it can weaken the shingle mat and shorten the life of the roof. Hail also dents gutters, vents, flashing, and siding, and those dents are often the easiest way to confirm a hailstorm hit your home.

High Winds

Wind usually damages the edges, corners, and ridges of a roof first. Strong gusts can lift shingles and break the adhesive strip that holds them down. Even if a shingle falls back into place, a broken seal leaves it loose and vulnerable to the next storm. Look for creased shingles, which show a horizontal line where they were bent back.

Heavy Rain and Tropical Remnants

Heavy rain finds any weak spot in a roof. Worn flashing, failing pipe boots, and small gaps that stay dry in a normal storm can leak when several inches of rain fall in a short time. Overflowing gutters can also push water behind the fascia and into the roof edge.

Fallen Trees and Limbs

A falling limb can puncture shingles and decking, crack rafters, and tear gutters off the house. Even smaller branches can scrape away granules or crack shingles. If a large limb or tree is on your roof, don't try to remove it yourself. That's an emergency situation that needs professional help.

Snow, Ice, and Ice Dams

Heavy, wet snow adds serious weight to a roof. Ice dams form when heat escaping into the attic melts snow on the roof, and that water refreezes at the colder roof edge. Water trapped behind the ice can back up under shingles and leak into your home. Heavy icicles along the gutters and water stains near exterior walls are the signs to watch for.

What to Do If You Find Storm Damage

Protect Your Home Right Away

If water is getting inside, move belongings out of the way, catch drips, and call for help. RAM Roofing & Exteriors provides around-the-clock emergency home repairs, including tarping and temporary protection, so water stops getting in until permanent repairs can be made. Many insurance policies expect homeowners to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage, so acting quickly helps on both fronts.

Document Everything

Take photos and video of the damage outside, inside, and in the attic. Note the date and time of the storm. Keep receipts for any emergency repairs or supplies.

Get a Professional Inspection

A trained roofer can spot damage that's hard to see from the ground, like broken shingle seals, hail bruising, and lifted flashing. A professional roof inspection gives you a clear picture of what happened and what it will take to fix it.

Be Careful Who You Hire

After big storms, door-to-door crews often show up offering fast deals. Take your time. Before you sign anything, confirm the contractor is licensed and insured in Pennsylvania, has a local address, and has real reviews from homeowners in your area. Never pay the full cost upfront, and be wary of anyone pressuring you to sign on the spot.

Working With Your Insurance After a Storm

Sudden storm damage from hail, wind, or fallen trees is often covered by homeowners insurance, though every policy is different. Many policies also have time limits for reporting damage, so it's smart to check your policy and act promptly.

The claims process can feel overwhelming, especially when your home is damaged. Our insurance restoration team helps homeowners document storm damage, understand what needs to be repaired, and work through the claims process from start to finish.

Repair or Replace After Storm Damage?

Storm damage doesn't automatically mean you need a new roof. When damage is limited to a few areas, like a section of missing shingles or a piece of bent flashing, targeted roof repairs are often the right fix. We'll always tell you honestly when a repair will do the job.

When hail or wind damage is spread across the whole roof, or the roof was already near the end of its life, a roof replacement may make more sense. If insurance doesn't cover everything, our financing options can help make the project more manageable.

Storm Damage Help Across Our Service Area

Storms don't hit every neighborhood the same way. Homes along the Delaware River in Yardley see their share of heavy rain and wind, while tree-lined streets in Abington and Havertown often deal with fallen limbs after a big storm. Out in Downingtown, open areas can take the full force of summer hail and wind. We respond to storm damage throughout Bucks County and Chester County, along with the rest of our Pennsylvania and New Jersey service area.

Why Homeowners Trust RAM Roofing & Exteriors After a Storm

When your roof is damaged, you need a team that shows up, tells you the truth, and does the work right. Here's what you can count on:

• Complimentary roof inspections with detailed written estimates
• Around-the-clock emergency storm damage response
• Honest, repair-focused recommendations, with no unnecessary roof replacements
• Fully licensed and insured in Pennsylvania and New Jersey (PA072883 • NJ 13VH11020800)
• Trusted by homeowners with a 4.9-star Google rating from 200+ reviews, which you can read on our testimonials page
• Certified Owens Corning roofing installer backed by manufacturer standards

We're a local team based in Doylestown. Learn more on our about us page.

Storm Damage FAQs

Should I get on my roof to check for storm damage?

No. Damaged and wet roofs are dangerous, and walking on them can cause more damage. Check from the ground with binoculars, inspect your attic, and leave the rooftop inspection to a professional.

How soon after a storm should I have my roof inspected?

As soon as it's practical, especially after hail or high winds. Early inspections catch damage before it leads to leaks, and they help if you need to file an insurance claim.

What does hail damage on a roof look like?

Look for dark spots where granules have been knocked off, soft or bruised areas on shingles, and cracks. Dents in gutters, vents, and flashing are also strong signs.

Can a roof have storm damage without leaking?

Yes. Broken shingle seals, hail bruising, and lifted flashing often don't leak right away but can fail during the next storm or over the following months.

Will my homeowners insurance cover storm damage?

Sudden damage from hail, wind, or falling trees is commonly covered, but coverage depends on your policy. Check your policy details and report damage promptly.

Where can I find answers to other questions?

Visit our FAQ page for more about storm damage, roofing, and our services.

Schedule a Storm Damage Roof Inspection

If a recent storm has you worried about your roof, don't wait for a leak to find out. Contact RAM Roofing & Exteriors for a complimentary inspection and a detailed written estimate. If water is coming in right now, call us any time, day or night.

Call or text 24/7: (215) 315-7700

Request an inspection online: Contact Us

Office: 52 E Oakland Ave Ste 3A, Doylestown, PA 18901