
Storm-Damaged Roof? Here’s What You Need to Know
Howling winds, pouring rain, and the booms of thunder are the ingredients for a perfect storm—there might even be a little hail sprinkled in if you’re especially unlucky. This is why having a reliable roof is so important. However, storms can take their toll on even the toughest systems, and you’ll inevitably succumb to a storm-damaged roof at some point.
Fortunately, the more you know about storm damage, the easier it is to deal with.
Here are some things to be aware of:
Main Causes of a Storm-Damaged Roof
There are a few main storm-related effects that could impact your roof—and by contrast, your property—but these will vary by region. Here are common damages you might experience:
- Wind damage to a roof: Wind damage is one of the most common causes of roof damage. Strong winds are capable of loosening shingles and causing gaps to form. In some cases, shingles can even be ripped right off your roof. This is especially frequent for those that often feel the effects of hurricanes or tornadoes.
- Hail damage to a roof: Hail can pelt roofs like thousands of icy bullets, causing cracks, dents, and loose shingles. It makes sense that hail the size of baseballs can damage your roof, but many don’t realize just how destructive smaller pieces can be over time—even those the size of quarters are enough to warrant repairs.
- Rain damage to a roof: While rain itself might not threaten your roof much, it can work its way into cracks and crevices created by other means. Without tending to these leaks, water can cause a moldy roof, rotting, weak spots, and other issues.
- Debris damage to a roof: If your property happens to have tall trees nearby, it’s at risk of falling debris. Powerful winds, lightning, compact snow, and freezing rain can all break branches that fall or blow onto your roof. The damage can be anywhere from non-existent to severe.
- Snow and ice damage to a roof: Snow won’t cause any issues for a roof that’s properly cared for, but the sleet and freezing rain that often come with it certainly can. When water freezes to a roof and expands, it can cause certain spots of a roof to become brittle and form cracks. Frozen gutters or those packed with snow can also become weighed down and, in severe cases, are at risk of collapsing.
- Lightning damage to a roof: Lightning is rarely an issue regarding roof damage from a storm, but it happens occasionally. The heat from a lightning bolt can melt part of your roof and break away shingles, requiring extensive repairs.
Identifying a Storm-Damaged Roof
but that won’t help if you don’t know what to look for. Here are a few common ways to identify a storm-damaged roof:
- Leaking roof
- Wet spots on the ceiling
- Mold
- Missing shingles
- Cracks and holes
- Dents
- Granule loss
- Broken gutters
- Melted material
- Debris
“You’ve Got Roof Damage, Now What?”:
After identifying a storm-damaged roof, feeling overwhelmed is natural. A lot of work goes into making roof repairs, and without the proper knowledge, people are often lost. To educate yourself on roof repairs, what they entail, and possible next steps, read here:
How to Prevent Roof Damage From a Storm
While you can’t do much against severe thunderstorms or tornadoes, there are still preventative measures you can take to avoid unnecessary roof damage from a storm:
Perform Regular Roof Maintenance
The best way to prevent a storm-damaged roof is by keeping up with regular roof maintenance. Inspect your roof after major storms and make any needed repairs as quickly as possible. This includes replacing shingles, having professionals inspect your roof at least once a year, and even replacing the roof when necessary. Consistent upkeep will not only reduce potential roof damage from a storm but improve a roof’s longevity.
Keep Your Gutters Clean
Gutters must remain clear for water to flow away from your property effectively. Leaves, sticks, and other gunk can quickly overtake neglected gutters, causing them to flood and become weighed down. One strong wind and your gutters are hanging on by a thread! Cleaning your gutters at least twice a year can prevent water damage and improve drainage.
Trim Your Trees
Overgrown tree limbs pose a hazard to your roof. Strong winds, snow, and ice can tear away branches and cause significant damage not only to your roof but to vehicles, power lines, and more. Safely remove risky tree branches to prevent unwanted debris from falling or being blown onto your roof.
Upgrade Your Roof
While costly, upgrading your roof is an effective way to fortify your property from incoming storms. Standard shingles and commercial EPDM oofing provide adequate protection from storms, but metal and slate roofing materials are far superior options in terms of resisting harsh weather. They’re heavier, more secure, and remain relatively unaffected by most storms.

Have a Storm-Damaged Roof? Let the Energy Efficient Roofing & Construction Team Help
Even if you take preventative measures to protect your roof from storm damage, it can’t always be helped. Things happen, and eventually, we’re all bound to experience roof damage from a storm. While you can’t control the weather, you can take the proper steps to fix a storm-damaged roof and protect your property.
The best way to do this? Get in touch with a professional like Energy Efficient Roofing & Construction.
Energy Efficient Roofing & Construction has been providing customers with outstanding roof maintenance for well over a decade. In dealing with everything from residential and commercial roofing, general contracting, and insurance claims, we have the experience needed to help with any and all roofing inquiries you might have.
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Energy Efficient Roofing & Construction is a full-service roofing and general contractor that serves the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex with top-quality labor and materials.