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Storm Damage Roof Inspection Guide for Oregon Coast Homeowners

  • Jul 29
  • 9 min read

The morning following a coastal storm, things tend to look a little less severe. The winds die down, the rain eases up, and you can see the branches laying in the ditch, the overflowing gutters, the mess of the storm. Sometimes, the damage is simple to see on your roof. You can see the missing shingles, the bent flashing, the tree branch on the

roof. But often, everything looks fine from the driveway.

Storm Damage Roof Inspection

That's when homeowners are often surprised.


The wind could have lift some shingle edges and peeled back the seal, creating a future

leak. Wind-driven rain could have forced its way through the flashing and soaked the

attic insulation. A falling branch could have cracked some roofing, leaving a gap that

allows moisture in, but not a gaping whole in the roof deck. Water finds its way inside

and then tracks down the attic framing until it makes a mess in the ceiling. We've been

called out to inspect these issues for homeowners throughout the Oregon Coast for

over 2 decades. Here's how you can check your own roof, document the damage, and

know when it's time to call a local roofer.


Check Inside the House


Before taking a walk around the outside, start on the second floor. Look at the ceiling,

exterior walls, skylights, chimney, and rooms underneath the roof. Watch for new ceiling

stains, damp drywall, bubbling paint, watermarks around lights, musty odors, dripping

water from the ceiling, or moist exterior walls.


If the ceiling shows signs of water damage, you should assume moisture is impacting

the structure until proven otherwise. Water tracks throughout the roof decking,

insulation, and drywall. It's not unusual to find large areas of dampness before seeing a

ceiling stain. If there is active water dripping somewhere, move valuables and

electronics from the impacted area. Put a container underneath to catch the drip, and

take pictures for documentation.



Check the Attic, if Possible


The attic can tell a similar story to the above ceiling. Again, the damage is often not

directly under the drips, because water works its way along the roof decking and rafters

before finding a path down. Unless there is a large open area in the ceiling or something

dripping, the attic access is usually the best place to look.


With a flashlight, look at the insulation, roof decking, and structural rafters for:

  1. Large areas of dampness

  2. Dark spots

  3. Water trails

  4. Vents

  5. Chimneys

  6. Nail rust

  7. Water drips on metal

  8. Daylight

  9. New wood chips

  10. Missing sheathing


Never crawl into the attic on top of the ceiling material. The ceiling material between the framing members won’t hold your weight. If in doubt, simply look. The same goes for the second-floor ceiling if you're unable to access the attic. The space between the rafters is the only safe place to stand on.


With that said, the drip seen in the house or on the second-floor ceiling is often not

directly above the point where the water came into the structure. Water often follows

the roof deck, insulation, and rafters on the way down. If the roof only leaks when it's

windy, you may be experiencing wind-driven rain roof leaks.



Check Around Outside First


Before climbing up on the roof, look around the yard. See if you can spot any roof

sheathing, shingles, ridge cap, flashing, nails, vent covers, or other roofing material on

the ground. Take some photographs before cleaning anything up.


It's also essential to look for broken tree limbs that might have impacted the roof during

the storm. The branch doesn't have to still be on the roof to have caused damage. It

could have come down across the roof and then fallen to the ground somewhere else in

the yard, causing issues.


If you do find a shingle, be sure to take pictures of both sides. Strong coastal winds can

carry a lot of loose material from neighboring properties. Just because a shingle came

from your neighbor's house, doesn't mean it didn't come from yours.


Check the Roof from the Ground


Rather than climbing up on the roof itself, stand far enough back to see the entire roof

surface. Use your phone camera to take a few pictures, or binoculars to look over the

whole roof. Walk all the way around the house, as a roof can have damage on the side

most impacted by the wind.


Missing Shingles


Fewer shingles are among the most tell-tale signs of roof damage. The affected area will

often look darker or flatter than the surrounding roof surface. You may be able to see the

underlayment or exposed nail heads. One could be enough to expose the roof to the

weather, so they're worth replacing as soon as possible.


Lifted or Creased Shingles


Shingles don't always fly off the roof, but high winds can cause them to lift along their

edges. This is especially true if the shingle has a broken seal or weakened adhesive.

Wind-lift can often be nearly invisible, since the shingle frequently snaps back into place

after the wind passes.


Another sign of wind damage is creased shingles. Strong gusts can permanently crease

the material, making it unsuitable for further use.



Damaged Ridge Caps


High winds can be particularly damaging to the ridge caps along the peak of the roof.

Look for missing, loose, cracked, or uneven ridge cap shingles. Ridge cap damage is

often invisible from the ground, but can allow water to get into the roof structure,

damaging the attic or ceiling.


Loose Flashing


Flashing is installed over seams and edges to help direct water away from the roof

structure. Look around the roof for flashing that's bent, lifted, missing, or improperly

installed. Small issues can often cause large problems during heavy winds and rain.



Damaged Vents or Pipe Boots


Roof vents and plumbing pipes are sealed with flashing and special rubber boots to

prevent water intrusion. Look for crooked vents or damaged, cracked, or loosened

boots. All openings should have flashing installed to help deflect water and keep it from

driving into the opening.


Tree Impact Damage


A heavy tree limb can cause a significant amount of damage to a roof. Look for scratches

or gouges on the roof surface, along with other signs of impact such as dents,

depressions, or downed branches. If possible, avoid removing large branches from the

roof, as it can be dangerous and may damage the roof covering.


Sagging Areas


A properly secured roof shouldn't sag under normal conditions, which means you should

be able to walk across the roof surface without issue. Sagging areas can be a sign of

damaged roof decking, rotten structural components, accumulated debris, or water

infiltration. Get off the roof immediately and contact a local roofing professional as soon

as possible.


Gutter and Roof Edge Damage


Strong winds can loosen gutters and bend the metal along the edges of the roof. Look

for hanging gutters, sagging areas, and damaged downspouts. Stains on interior walls

behind the gutter can also be an indicator of loose gutters or improper water runoff.


Take Clear Pictures During Your Inspection


Clear photographs are often critical when dealing with storm damage. Good pictures

can help the roofing contractor understand what happened, as well as assist with

insurance claims.


In addition to pictures, notes should also be taken regarding the weather, the damage,

and the time of discovery. Taking notes ensures nothing is forgotten and provides a

reference for later follow-up.


Photograph:

  1. Ceiling stains and active drips

  2. Wet attic insulation

  3. Missing, damaged, or torn materials

  4. Fallen branches

  5. Damaged flashing

  6. Loose gutters

  7. Debris on the ground or in the roof

  8. Temporary coverings

  9. Water-damaged possessions


FEMA recommends taking pictures inside and outside the home to document the damage to personal property and the home structure before making any repairs.


It's important to note the time and date of the storm, as it can be relevant to the claim process. Receipts for any temporary protection, cleanup services, and repairs should also be saved.


Contact your insurance company to see how they recommend handling the situation. It's essential to have the roofing company document the damage, just in case the claim is denied. A roofing contractor cannot determine whether the claim will be approved or

not.


Don't Climb on a Wet or Damaged Roof


A roof that has seen the brunt of a storm isn't always safe to walk on. Decking may be

compromised and shingles may be loose. Rain, fog, moss, and other delicate materials can make the roof slippery and unstable. It's best left to the professionals.


Avoid climbing on the roof to:

  1. Remove a branch

  2. Get a closer look at the damage

  3. Secure a tarp

  4. Locate a leak

  5. Seal a loose edge

  6. Take pictures


OSHA considers wet, icy roof surfaces, sudden wind changes, uneven roofing materials, and loose debris to be serious fall hazards.


A ground inspection and a professional roof inspection will be much safer than trying to

climb on the roof yourself.


Call a Roofer When You Spot these Storm Damage Signs


Not every sign of roof damage is an emergency, but it's essential to understand which

ones should be addressed right away.


Call a local roofing company if you notice:

  1. Active water leaks

  2. A tree or large branch on the roof

  3. An obvious opening

  4. Missing roof sections

  5. Hanging flashing

  6. A sagging roof

  7. Water near electrical components

  8. Large areas of wet insulation

  9. A damaged chimney or skylight

  10. Gutters coming off the roof

  11. A bowing ceiling



What to Expect from a Professional Storm Inspection


A qualified roofing contractor should conduct a comprehensive inspection to determine

the full scope of the damage and its root causes. This isn't simply a matter of counting

the number of missing shingles. There are plenty of other factors that must be taken into

account, including:

  1. The roof slopes and their sealant integrity

  2. The ridge caps and edges

  3. The chimney and skylight flashing

  4. The pipe boots and vents

  5. The valleys and drainage openings

  6. The gutters, fascia, and soffits

  7. The attic decking and insulation

  8. Any potential tree impact dangers

  9. The interior moisture patterns

  10. Photographs and recommended repairs


By reviewing these components, a roofing contractor can assess the situation to determine not only what has been damaged by the storm but also if an older roof weakness was a factor. They should be able to give you an idea of what repairs or replacements are necessary based on the findings.


Roof Repair or Roof Replacement?


The decision to repair or replace your roof ultimately comes down to how much damage

has occurred and whether your budget can handle it.


In some cases, a few missing shingles, a damaged pipe boot, loose flashing, or one

square of impacted roofing may be all that's needed.


A full roof replacement on the other hand, my be necessary if multiple roof planes are

impacted, several leaks are discovered, the roof decking is compromised, and/or your

roof is near the end of its lifecycle.



Storm Damage Roof Inspection FAQs


Can a roof be damaged in a storm without any shingles being stripped?


Absolutely. The edges of shingles can be pealed back by the wind, leaving the roof more

suscpetible to water damage. The wind can also cause the ridge cap shingles to shift out

of place. Fasteners can be stripped, and metal flashing can be bent out of position, all

without any shingles being removed.


I'm not sure if I should tarp my own roof.


Tarping a roof can be extremely dangerous under wet, windy conditions and should be

left to the professionals. In addition to the potential hazards, it's illegal to tamper with an

existing roof covering if you're not licensed. If you're considering tarping a roof, it's best

to leave it to a professional roofer.


Should I contact the insurance company or a roofing company first?


In the case of an emergency leak, it's best to secure the interior of your home first, and

then contact whomever the insurance company recommends. If you're having trouble

getting through to your insurance company, you can always contact a roofing company.

A roofing contractor can help document the damage, but they can't determine if the

insurance company will cover the damage.


Do I really need to have the roof repaired if I only have a few missing

shingles?


Yes. While it may not seem like much, a few missing shingles can be extremely damaging

to your roofing system. The few exposed squares of roof decking can allow water to

penetrate the roof structure, especially in the event of another storm. A few missing

shingles should be replaced as soon as possible.


Can moss cause more storm damage?


Yes. Moss can hold moisture against the roof decking, adding stress to the roofing

materials and causing shingles to lift. Wind and rain are often more damaging to a roof

with moss.



Storm Damage Roof Inspection Service in the Oregon

Coast


Hardesty Roof Replacement is a locally owned and operated company serving the

roofing needs of homeowners from Lincoln City to Arch Cape. We're happy to inspect

your roof, look over the attic, check the flashing, look at the gutters, and review the

damage from the storm. We'll be able to tell you whether you need maintenance, minor

roof repairs, or a full roof replacement. Let us help you get the most out of your

investment.




 
 
 

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