Published · General information for homeowners
First, make sure everyone is safe
Wait until the storm has fully passed before you go outside. Stay well away from downed power lines, which can be hidden in fallen branches or standing water, and report them to your power company. If a tree or large limb has come down on the house, keep everyone out of the rooms underneath it until someone qualified has looked at it.
Inside, watch for water near light fixtures, outlets, or the electrical panel, and for ceilings that sag or bulge. Do not climb onto the roof to look. Wet or damaged shingles are slippery, and storm-damaged areas can be weaker than they appear.
Signs your roof may have hail or wind damage
Storm damage is not always obvious from the driveway. From the ground, with binoculars or a phone camera on zoom, look for:
- Dents on gutters, downspouts, metal roof vents, or the fins of an outdoor air conditioning unit
- Piles of shingle granules at the bottom of downspouts or washed onto the driveway
- Dark or shiny spots on shingles where granules have been knocked off
- Missing, lifted, or creased shingles, especially along edges, ridges, and corners
- Pieces of shingle, ridge cap, or flashing in the yard, or limbs on the roof
- New ceiling stains, drips, or damp insulation in the attic
Not every mark means damage, and some damage cannot be seen from below. Our guide to spotting hail and wind damage goes into more detail.
Take photos before anything is moved
Before you clean up, take dated photos and short videos of everything: the roof from several angles, dented gutters and vents, debris in the yard, and any stains or drips inside. If you can safely collect a few hailstones, photograph them next to a coin or a ruler. Write down the date and approximate time of the storm.
Keep receipts for anything you buy or pay for to protect your home, such as tarps, buckets, or emergency tarping. These records can help if you file an insurance claim, and they help a roofer understand what happened.
Stop the water: tarping and temporary protection
If water is coming in, put a bucket under the drip, move belongings out of the way, and dry what you can. Our guide on what to do when your roof leaks walks through the first steps.
On the roof itself, a heavy tarp secured over the damaged area is the usual temporary fix until a permanent roof leak repair can be made. Putting one on correctly means working on the roof, which is risky even in good weather, so many homeowners leave it to a roofer. If more rain is in the forecast, say so when you request help. Avoid quick fixes that can make the real repair harder, like smearing roofing cement over wet shingles. Unless your insurer tells you otherwise, it is usually wise to hold off on permanent repairs until the damage has been inspected.
Repair or replacement after a storm?
Storm damage does not automatically mean a new roof. The answer depends on how much of the roof was hit, how old it is, and what is happening underneath:
- A repair often makes sense when the damage is limited to one area, such as a few shingles torn off by wind or a vent dented by hail, and the rest of the roof is in good shape.
- Replacement deserves a closer look when damage is spread across several slopes, the roof is already near the end of its typical life, or the decking underneath feels soft or has been soaked.
- On an older roof, new shingles may not match exactly, which can matter on a visible front slope.
If you are considering a roof replacement in Towne Lake or another neighborhood with an HOA, check whether colors and materials need approval first. Our guide to repair vs. replacement covers the decision in more depth.
How homeowners insurance fits in
Homeowners policies are generally designed to cover sudden damage, such as hail, strong wind, or a falling tree, rather than a roof that is simply worn out. Whether your damage is covered, and how much your policy pays, depends on your policy and the facts of the damage. Some policies have a separate deductible for wind or hail, so it is worth checking yours.
If you plan to file, report the damage promptly, share your photos, and consider having your roofer there when the adjuster inspects. A roofer can describe and document the damage, but only your insurer decides what is covered. This is general information, not insurance advice; for coverage questions, talk with your insurance company or agent. Our guide to how a roof insurance claim generally works explains the usual steps.
Watch out for storm chasers
After a big storm, it is common for crews from outside the area to go door to door offering free inspections. Some are legitimate. Be careful with anyone who:
- Pressures you to sign right away, or asks you to sign something that hands them control of your insurance claim
- Offers to waive, cover, or rebate your deductible, which can create problems with your insurer
- Wants a large payment before any work starts
- Will not give you a written estimate, a local address, proof of insurance, or references
Take your time, get a written estimate that describes the work and materials, ask whether a permit is needed, and read anything carefully before you sign it. A reputable roofer will give you time to decide, and a second opinion on a large job is reasonable.
Storm damage help in Woodstock and nearby
Neighbors often see damage from the same storm, so if roofers are working on houses nearby, that is a good reason to have yours checked too. Homeowners in Woodstock, Towne Lake, Canton, Kennesaw, Acworth, and Holly Springs can request a free inspection with the form below.
Want a professional to take a look? Tell us about your roof and we will pass your request to a local roofing professional serving Woodstock, Cherokee County, and nearby Cobb County. It is free, and there is no obligation.
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