Living in Georgia means storms come with the territory. We have to trade the sunny, warm days for the occasional intense storm. Unfortunately, these storms, whether they be wind, hail, or tropical storms, can cause awful damage to your roof.

It’s vital to act fast if you have roof storm damage because any delay may cause you to lose out on insurance coverage, or the situation will develop into something more expensive and problematic. In order to stay on top of your roof’s condition, watch for these 7 top signs of storm damage. And if you notice any, call a trusted roofing company like Peach State Roofing right away.

1) Missing Shingles

a grey roof with a patch of missing shingles, one of the most common signs of roof storm damage

Never underestimate the power of strong winds. Any big gusts can lift your shingles, loosen the nails, or even blow some shingles right off your roof! This especially happens if your shingles were already cracked or showing signs of aging.

Thankfully, this sign of storm damage isn’t too hard to spot with the naked eye, and you don’t need any special experience to look for it. You can grab a friend or family member, climb up a ladder, and take a peek at your roof. If there are missing shingles, you should be able to see those patches pretty clearly. You can even simply take a walk around your home and see if you notice any stray shingles on the ground.

2) Cracked or Damaged Shingles

Another tell-tale sign of roof storm damage is cracked, dented, or curling shingles. Hail is the biggest culprit in causing dents and cracks, while wind often leads to peeling or lifted shingles.

It’s harder to spot this type of storm damage unless it is occurring in a very large section. You can still use a ladder to take a closer look at your roof, but it’s always a wise idea to call a local roofing company to come and perform an inspection after a storm. This way, all your bases are covered and you don’t miss any important damage.

Letting cracked or damaged shingles sit without fixing them can cause dramatic issues shortly down the line. You’ll likely be looking at a large roof leak soon if you don’t take care of your storm damage promptly.

3) Shingle Granule Loss

Asphalt shingles have a sand-like outer layer that acts as the first line of defense against UV rays and inclement weather. That layer is called “granules.” Over time, it’s normal for your roof to start losing some of these granules, but big storms can wipe out a large amount of granules at once— which is referred to as shingle granule loss in roofing terminology.

Shingles with excessive granule loss will have issues with weatherproofing, ultimately causing leaks. Some clear signs of shingle granule loss include:

Thin horizontal lines on your shingles
Piles of granules in your gutters
Granules washing out in your downspouts

4) Damage From Debris

Most homeowners are familiar with picking up tree branches in their yard the day after a storm. Things like branches, rocks, trash, and other natural debris can also end up on top of your roof. And if your roof was hit with any amount of strong impact, you may be looking at damages.

Debris that hits your roof in a wind storm can cause shingle damage or even major structural issues. Keep in mind that debris may hit your roof and then blow away, so look for signs of impact, such as:

Dents
Holes
Broken shingles

Take photos of the damages to show your insurance company and have a professional roofing contractor confirm the situation.

5) Damage to Other Roofing Components (Flashing, Gutters, Soffit)

Your shingles aren’t the only part of your roof that can sustain wind or hail damage. Your entire roofing system is composed of essential features that can all get damaged too, such as:

Gutters: Can get clogged with debris or break off
Flashing: Can shift out of place
Soffits & Fascia: Can crack from wind or hail
Vents: Can crack or shift out of place

These components help your roof function properly by preventing leaks and regulating airflow. If any of these features get damaged by a storm, it’s vital to schedule a roof inspection as soon as possible.

6) Tilted Chimney

Roof flashing is something that gets installed around other roofing components like your chimney. If your flashing is damaged in a storm, other issues will stem from it. The seal around your chimney can loosen or shift, causing your chimney to tilt.

Typically, this sign of storm damage isn’t super obvious. You’ll have to squint a little to notice any differences. However, if your chimney looks crooked after a storm, you aren’t going crazy. It’s likely that the storm damaged something in the underlayer of your roof.

7) Internal Leaks

Even the smallest amount of standing water or minor cracks on your roof can lead to roof leaks that cause extensive water damage. It’s important to inspect your home’s interior after a storm to look for signs of a roof leak, such as:

Dripping water
Stains on ceilings or walls
Damp walls
Musty smells
Mold or mildew on walls or ceilings

If you notice any of these signs, place a bucket under any dripping water and call your local roofing company without delay. Waiting to patch a leak can result in major water damage in your home.

Call Peach State Roofing After a Storm

Whether or not you notice these signs of storm damage after inclement weather, be sure to always call a trusted roofing partner after a storm to set up an inspection. At Peach State Roofing, we offer FREE storm damage inspections for your peace of mind. We’ll even help you file an insurance claim and get you back on your feet.