What to Check After Strong Winds Damage Your Roof

Strong winds can leave more than just scattered branches and loose trash around your yard. They can hit your roof hard, peeling up shingles, shifting flashing, and weakening parts of the structure. The damage can sneak up on you, not always obvious from the ground, and if it's ignored, even small problems can turn into big repairs faster than you'd expect. A windstorm might pass quickly, but what it leaves behind deserves a closer look.

Once the skies clear, it's smart to take a walk around your property and start checking for anything that looks off. Doing this right after the storm helps keep your home safe and lets you catch problems early before they get worse. Whether you just had a wind event blow through or you're checking your home after a stormy summer day, here’s where to start and what to pay attention to.

Inspect For Visible Damage

The first step after a windstorm is to step outside and take a careful look at your roof from the ground. If it’s safe to use a ladder for a closer look, you can get an even better view, but in most cases, there’s plenty you can spot from down below.

Here’s what to look for:

1. Missing or lifted shingles. These often stand out as dark patches or spots where the texture looks uneven.

2. Torn or out-of-place flashing. Flashing protects edges, valleys, and areas like the base of chimneys. If it shifts or bends, it's not doing its job.

3. Tree debris or branches. If you see branches lying on the roof, there may be impact marks or dented sections underneath.

4. Discolored spots. These can mean that the shingles were lifted and then settled back down, weakening their seal.

5. Exposed underlayment. If you see any of the material beneath the shingles exposed, that’s a sign your roof took a harder hit.

If the wind was strong, take a look around vents, skylights, or anything mounted on or near the roof. These can shift under pressure even if they don’t fall completely off. If they’re out of place, they might be creating open spots where moisture can sneak in. Take photos of anything unusual in case you need to show them to a roofer.

Check For Leaks And Water Damage

After you’ve checked the outside, head inside and look for signs that water may have gotten in. Roof leaks aren’t always dramatic. Sometimes the clues are subtle, and if you miss them, they can lead to bigger problems down the road.

Check the attic if you can access it, using a flashlight to see into corners and around the rafters.

Here’s what to inspect:

1. Rafters and roof decking for dark spots or fresh-looking dampness

2. Insulation that appears saggy, sunken, or wet to the touch

3. Wet nails, which can mean warm moisture inside collided with cooler air outside, or it could point to a new leak

Next, move through the top floor of your home and see if you notice:

- Yellow or brownish spots on ceilings or walls

- Paint bubbling or wallpaper peeling near the ceiling

- Musty smells, especially in closets or corners where the roofline dips

These can all point to moisture that has entered after shingles lifted or after flashing came out of place.

One example happened with a homeowner who thought their roof was fine after a windstorm. A few weeks later, they found soft drywall in a bedroom corner where standing moisture had quietly soaked through. It turned out a section of flashing was slightly curled up, letting water creep in without any dripping sound or major stain.

Early signs like these are easier and cheaper to fix than waiting until a ceiling gives way or mold takes hold. If it looks or smells off, it’s worth investigating right away.

Assess The Gutters And Downspouts

The roof takes the brunt of the wind, but your drainage system helps protect the rest of your home. Gutters and downspouts are meant to carry water away. When a storm disrupts them, that water can go in places it shouldn't.

Walk the perimeter of your home and check for:

1. Gutters pulling away from the edge of the roof

2. Sections that sag or seem bent from weight or impact

3. Overflow stains on siding, which indicate backflow from clogged areas

4. Dents in the metal or sharp bends that don’t look normal

5. Pools of water gathering at the base of your home

If it’s safe, glance inside the gutters to see if leaves, branches, or shingle granules are clogging the path. Downspouts should be attached securely all the way to the ground and direct water away from the foundation. It’s easy to miss a disconnected drain elbow or a crushed downspout that stops the flow.

We’ve worked with plenty of homeowners who fixed their roof fast but forgot about the gutters. Days later, water started backing up under shingles or poured down walls during the next shower. A clean, attached drainage system is just as important as the roof above it. If wind or debris damaged part of it, your home’s whole protection system is at risk.

Why Professional Roof Repair Matters

After a storm, it can be tempting to take the “wait and see” approach—especially if you don’t see gaping holes or heavy leaks. The problem is that roof damage doesn't always show itself clearly at first. Water often finds the weak points before you do.

Calling in professionals to inspect and handle the repair of a roof helps spot damage that might not be easy to notice. It’s not just about missing shingles. It’s about the areas around vents, hidden flashing, seals, and the materials underneath. Professionals know how storm damage behaves and where it often hides or spreads.

A rushed fix or a patch done the wrong way might look fine for now, but that doesn’t mean it will hold through the next hard wind. A trained roofer will check the full system and tell you if any deeper problems need attention. They may uncover installation defects or signs of wear that got worse from the storm.

Waiting too long or guessing your way through roof damage can cost more in the long run. If there’s any doubt, get a professional opinion. Quality repair of a roof doesn’t just stop more damage today. It can add years to the life of your roof and the comfort of your home.

Stay Ahead with Storm Prep

You can’t control the weather, but you can be smart about how you respond to it. After strong windstorms, taking a few minutes to check over your roof and gutters is one of the best habits you can build. It helps you find issues early, get ahead of expensive repairs, and feel more confident the next time weather rolls in.

Make regular checks part of your home care routine. After any wind, walk the outside of your home and scan the rooflines. Glance at the attic and upper walls now and then for anything that looks or smells strange. Keep your drainage clear all season long, especially in summer and fall when storms can pick up fast. And when you do find damage, trust a professional to handle the work and explain the full picture.

If your roof has been battered by recent storms, don't hesitate to take action. Early detection of issues is crucial to avoiding costly repairs in the future. Let the professionals at Edwards Roofing provide you with thorough and trusted solutions for your roof repair. Ensure your home remains safe and weather-tight, ready to face the elements with confidence.