How to Inspect Your Roof After a Storm in London, Ontario

London, Ontario experiences its fair share of severe weather throughout the year. From powerful summer thunderstorms with high winds and hail to heavy winter ice storms and snow loads, each season brings conditions that can damage your roof. Knowing how to inspect your roof after a storm is essential for catching problems early, preventing further damage to your home, and protecting your investment.

The hours and days immediately following a storm are critical. Water can enter your home through even small openings, and damage that goes unnoticed can lead to mould growth, structural deterioration, and far more expensive repairs down the road. This guide walks you through everything you need to know about post-storm roof inspections, from staying safe to working with your insurance company.

Safety First

Your safety is more important than any roof. After a storm, resist the urge to climb a ladder or walk on your roof to assess the damage yourself. Wet shingles are dangerously slippery, and storm damage may have weakened the roof structure in ways that are not visible from above. Falling from a roof is one of the leading causes of serious injury among homeowners attempting DIY inspections.

Instead, conduct your initial inspection from the ground using binoculars or a camera with a good zoom lens. Walk the perimeter of your home at a safe distance, looking up at the roofline from multiple angles. If you suspect significant damage, the safest course of action is to call a professional roofing contractor like London Roofers who has the proper equipment, training, and insurance to inspect your roof safely.

Before going outside, check for downed power lines near your home. If you see any fallen wires, stay inside and contact London Hydro immediately. Never approach or touch a downed power line, even if it appears to be inactive.

Ground-Level Inspection

A thorough ground-level inspection can reveal a surprising amount of information about your roof's condition. Walk slowly around your entire property and look for the following signs of storm damage:

• Missing or displaced shingles: Look for bare patches on the roof surface or shingles that appear lifted, shifted, or hanging over the edge. Check your yard and garden beds for shingle debris that may have blown off during the storm.
• Debris on the roof: Fallen branches, leaves, and other debris can trap moisture against the roof surface and cause damage over time. Large branches may have cracked or punctured shingles or damaged the underlying structure.
• Damaged flashing: Inspect the metal flashing around chimneys, vents, skylights, and roof valleys. Flashing that appears bent, lifted, or separated from the roof surface is a common entry point for water after a storm.
• Gutter damage: Check your gutters and downspouts for dents, separation from the fascia, or sections that have pulled away entirely. Also look inside the gutters for an unusual accumulation of granules, which indicates shingle surface erosion from hail or wind.
• Damaged soffits and fascia: High winds can tear away soffit panels and damage fascia boards, exposing the roof structure to moisture and pests.
• Siding and window damage: If the siding on your home shows impact marks or cracks, similar damage likely occurred on the roof as well.

Interior Inspection

After completing your exterior walk-around, head inside to check for signs that water has already penetrated your roof. Start in the attic if you have safe access, then work your way down through your living spaces.

• Attic leaks: Using a flashlight, look for any signs of water entry in your attic space. Wet spots on the rafters, water trails on the underside of the roof deck, or puddles on the attic floor all indicate an active leak that needs immediate attention.
• Water stains on ceilings and walls: Brown or yellowish discoloration on interior ceilings or upper walls is a telltale sign of roof leakage. These stains may appear anywhere, not just directly below the point of entry, as water can travel along rafters and joists before dripping down.
• Damp or compressed insulation: Wet insulation loses its effectiveness and can promote mould growth. If your attic insulation feels damp or appears compressed or discoloured, water has been getting through.
• Daylight through roof boards: In the attic, turn off your flashlight and look for any pinpoints of daylight coming through the roof deck. Even small openings can allow significant water entry during heavy rain.
• Musty odours: A sudden musty or mouldy smell in your attic or upper floor rooms can indicate hidden moisture from a roof leak, even if you cannot see visible water damage.

Common Types of Storm Damage in London

Understanding the specific types of storm damage common in the London area helps you know what to look for and how to describe the damage to your roofing contractor and insurance company.

Wind Damage

High winds are one of the most common causes of roof damage in London. Wind damage typically appears as lifted, curled, or completely missing shingles. Wind often affects the edges and ridges of the roof first, where uplift forces are strongest. You may also notice exposed nail heads where shingles have been peeled back, or creased shingles that have been bent by gusts but not fully removed.

Hail Damage

Hail damage can be difficult to spot from the ground because it does not always displace shingles. Instead, hailstones create circular dents or bruises in asphalt shingles, knocking away the protective surface granules and exposing the underlying material. On metal roofing, hail leaves visible dents. Check your gutters, downspouts, air conditioning units, and any outdoor furniture for dents as indicators that hail impacted your property.

Ice Dam Indicators

After winter storms, ice dams can form along the lower edges of your roof when heat from the attic melts snow on the upper sections, and the meltwater refreezes at the colder eaves. Signs of ice dam damage include water stains on upper walls or ceilings near exterior walls, icicles hanging from the eaves, and ice buildup in the gutters. Ice dams can force water beneath shingles and into your home's structure.

Tree and Debris Damage

Fallen trees and large branches are an obvious concern during storms. Even if a branch did not puncture the roof, it may have scraped away protective granules, dislodged flashing, or cracked shingles along its path. Smaller branches lodged in valleys or against chimneys can create water pooling problems if not removed promptly.

Documenting Damage for Insurance

Proper documentation is critical for a successful insurance claim. The more thorough your records, the smoother the claims process will be. Here is how to document storm damage effectively:

• Photograph everything: Take clear photographs and video of all visible damage from multiple angles. Include wide shots that show the overall roof and close-up images of specific damage. Photograph interior damage as well, including water stains, wet insulation, and any damaged personal property.
• Write detailed notes: Record the date and approximate time of the storm, the type of weather you experienced (wind, hail, ice), and a written description of each area of damage you observed. Note the location of damage on your roof (north side, near the chimney, along the eaves, etc.).
• Save all receipts: Keep receipts for any emergency supplies you purchase, such as tarps, buckets, or plywood for temporary repairs. These costs may be reimbursable under your policy.
• Do not make permanent repairs before the adjuster visits: While you should take reasonable steps to prevent further damage (temporary tarping, for example), avoid making permanent repairs until your insurance adjuster has inspected the damage. Premature repairs can make it difficult for the adjuster to assess the full extent of the storm damage.
• Document pre-storm condition: If you have recent photographs of your roof before the storm (from a real estate listing, a previous inspection, or your own records), gather these as well. They help establish that the damage was caused by the storm rather than pre-existing wear.

Temporary Damage Mitigation

While you wait for a professional inspection and insurance adjuster, take these immediate steps to prevent further damage to your home. Most homeowner insurance policies expect you to take reasonable steps to protect your property from additional harm.

• Tarp exposed areas: If you can see an area where shingles are missing or the roof deck is exposed, cover it with a heavy-duty tarp secured with weights or boards. Do not nail a tarp directly to the roof if you can avoid it. If you are unable to safely access the area, call a roofing contractor for emergency tarping services.
• Collect water from active leaks: Place buckets, bins, or towels under any active leaks inside your home. Move furniture, electronics, and valuables away from the affected area. If ceiling drywall is bulging with water, carefully puncture the centre of the bulge with a screwdriver over a bucket to release the water and prevent a ceiling collapse.
• Move valuables to dry areas: Relocate important documents, electronics, and irreplaceable items away from rooms where you have observed water intrusion or ceiling staining.
• Board up broken skylights or windows: If a storm has cracked or broken a skylight or upper-floor window, cover the opening with plywood and plastic sheeting to keep rain and debris from entering your home.
• Clear dangerous debris: If it is safe to do so, remove large branches or debris that are resting against your home or blocking drainage pathways. Do not attempt to remove debris from the roof itself.

When to Call a Professional Roofer

While a ground-level inspection gives you a useful initial picture, there are many situations where professional assessment is essential. Call a licensed London roofing contractor when you observe any of the following:

• Any signs of structural damage: A sagging roofline, cracked rafters visible from the attic, or a roof that appears to have shifted all require immediate professional evaluation.
• Persistent or active leaks: If water is entering your home during or after a storm, a professional roof repair is needed to locate and seal the entry point. Water rarely enters directly above where you see the stain, so professional expertise is needed to trace the leak to its source.
• Large areas of missing shingles: If multiple shingles are missing across a significant portion of your roof, the exposed underlayment and decking are at immediate risk of water damage. This situation calls for emergency tarping followed by professional storm damage repair.
• Tree impact: If a tree or large branch has struck your roof, even if the damage appears minor from the ground, the impact may have caused hidden structural damage that only a professional inspection can uncover.
• You are unsure about the extent of damage: If you suspect damage but cannot confirm it from the ground, do not risk climbing onto your roof. A professional roofer can conduct a safe, thorough inspection and provide a detailed report for your insurance claim.

At London Roofers, we offer prompt storm damage assessments throughout London and the surrounding service areas. Our inspectors document all damage thoroughly, provide detailed written reports suitable for insurance claims, and can begin repairs as soon as you are ready to proceed.

Filing Your Insurance Claim

If your roof has sustained storm damage, filing an insurance claim promptly and correctly is essential to getting the coverage you are entitled to. Here is how to navigate the process effectively:

• Contact your insurer as soon as possible: Most insurance policies require you to report damage within a specific time frame after the event. Call your insurance company or file a claim online within 24 to 48 hours of the storm if possible. Have your policy number and basic damage description ready.
• Provide thorough documentation: Share the photographs, videos, and written notes you collected during your inspection. The more detailed your documentation, the stronger your claim. Include the date and nature of the storm, and reference any local weather advisories or warnings that were issued.
• Get a professional roofing assessment: Request an inspection from a licensed roofing contractor before or alongside the insurance adjuster's visit. A professional assessment provides an independent evaluation of the damage and an itemized estimate for repairs, which can be invaluable if the adjuster's initial assessment underestimates the work needed.
• Understand your deductible: Review your policy to understand your deductible amount for weather-related claims. Your deductible is the portion of the repair cost you pay out of pocket before insurance coverage begins. Knowing this figure helps you set realistic expectations for your out-of-pocket expenses.
• Be present for the adjuster's visit: When the insurance adjuster inspects your property, be present to point out all areas of damage you have documented. Having your roofing contractor present as well can be helpful, as they can speak to the technical details and repair requirements.

Be cautious of storm-chaser contractors who show up uninvited after severe weather offering immediate repairs. Always work with an established, licensed local contractor like London Roofers who has a proven track record in the community and will be available for warranty service long after the repair is complete.