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After a storm passes through Lake County, the first thing on most homeowners' minds is assessing the damage. Your roof takes the brunt of Florida's severe weather, from tropical storms and hurricanes to our intense afternoon thunderstorms. Knowing how to properly inspect your roof after a storm can help you catch problems early, prevent further damage, and ensure your insurance claim process goes smoothly.
At Pro Specialty Services, we've helped hundreds of Lake County homeowners navigate post-storm roof inspections and repairs. This comprehensive checklist will guide you through what to look for, how to stay safe, and when to call in the professionals.
Safety First: Before You Begin
Before you even think about climbing a ladder or walking your property, take these critical safety precautions:
Wait for conditions to clear completely. Never inspect your roof while it's still raining, windy, or during lightning. Even after the storm passes, wait at least a few hours for surfaces to dry. Wet roofing materials are extremely slippery and dangerous.
Watch for downed power lines. Storms frequently bring down electrical lines, which can be live and deadly. If you see any downed lines near your property, stay away and call your utility company immediately. Assume all downed lines are energized.
Assess structural integrity from the ground first. Before approaching your home closely, look for obvious signs of major structural damage like a sagging roofline, collapsed sections, or large debris impacts. If you see any of these, stay out of the house and call professionals immediately.
Never walk on a damaged roof. What looks like minor damage from the ground could indicate serious structural problems. Walking on a compromised roof deck can cause collapse or injury. Leave roof-walking to trained professionals with proper safety equipment.
Ground-Level Inspection Checklist
You can identify many storm damage indicators without ever leaving the ground. Grab a pair of binoculars and work your way around your home's exterior:
Shingles and Roofing Materials
- Missing shingles - Look for obvious gaps in your shingle pattern or bare spots where shingles have blown off entirely
- Lifted or curled shingles - Wind can lift shingle edges, breaking the seal and leaving them vulnerable to future wind and water damage
- Damaged or cracked shingles - Hail and debris impacts can crack, dent, or puncture roofing materials
- Granule loss - Check your gutters and downspout discharge areas for excessive granule accumulation, which indicates shingle damage
- Debris accumulation - Note any branches, leaves, or other debris on the roof that needs removal
Metal Components and Flashing
- Damaged flashing - Check visible flashing around chimneys, vents, skylights, and roof edges for bending, lifting, or separation
- Loose or missing vent covers - Wind can tear off or damage plastic and metal vent covers
- Damaged gutters and downspouts - Look for dents, sagging, separation from the fascia, or sections pulled away by wind or debris
- Ridge cap damage - The ridge caps along the peak of your roof are particularly vulnerable to wind lift
Structural Elements
- Sagging roofline - Any dip or sag in your roofline indicates serious structural damage requiring immediate professional attention
- Visible deck damage - If you can see the roof deck (plywood) through missing materials, emergency tarping is needed
- Chimney damage - Check for cracked, leaning, or damaged chimney structures
- Soffit and fascia damage - High winds can rip off soffit panels and damage fascia boards, compromising your roof's ventilation and edge protection
Attic Inspection Checklist
If you can safely access your attic, this inspection can reveal damage not visible from outside. Use a flashlight and be careful walking only on joists or attic flooring:
Look for daylight. In a dark attic, any pinpoints of light coming through the roof indicate holes or gaps that will allow water entry.
Check for water stains or wet insulation. Even if it's not actively leaking, discolored wood, wet insulation, or water stains on the underside of the roof deck indicate past or current water intrusion.
Inspect the roof deck from below. Look for sagging areas, damaged or broken decking, or any signs of structural stress. The decking should appear uniform and flat.
Check around penetrations. Areas around vent pipes, exhaust fans, and any other roof penetrations are common leak points. Look for water stains or daylight around these areas.
Note any musty odors. Mold and mildew smell distinctly musty. This odor in your attic after a storm suggests water has been getting in, possibly from damage you haven't yet identified.
Interior Inspection Checklist
Storm damage often shows up inside your home before it's visible on the exterior:
Ceiling stains and discoloration - New water stains, especially after a storm, indicate roof leaks. These may appear as brown rings, dark spots, or general discoloration.
Peeling paint or bubbling - Water behind walls or ceilings causes paint to bubble, peel, or crack.
Dripping or active leaks - Obviously, any active water intrusion requires immediate attention and emergency roof repair.
Soft spots in ceilings - Gently press on ceiling areas near stains. Soft, spongy areas indicate water-damaged drywall that may need replacement.
Wall cracks near roofline - New cracks in walls near the ceiling can indicate structural movement from roof damage or wind stress.
What to Document for Insurance
As you conduct your inspection, thorough documentation is crucial for insurance claims:
- Take photos and videos of all damage from multiple angles, including wide shots showing context and close-ups showing detail
- Note the date and time of your inspection and the storm event
- Keep samples of damaged materials if safe to collect (fallen shingles, broken pieces)
- Document your home's condition in areas that appear undamaged as well, establishing a baseline
- Photograph your gutters and downspouts showing any granule accumulation
- Record any debris that impacted your roof, as this helps establish damage cause
Red Flags That Require Immediate Professional Help
Some situations require you to stop your inspection and call professionals right away:
Active water intrusion - If water is entering your home, emergency tarping is needed immediately. Don't wait to see if it gets worse.
Structural sagging or collapse - Any visible sagging in your roofline indicates potential structural failure. Do not enter the building until professionals assess it.
Large missing sections - If significant portions of roofing material are missing, emergency covering is necessary to prevent interior damage.
Tree or large debris impact - Major debris strikes can cause hidden structural damage even if the surface appears intact.
Exposed roof deck - Visible plywood or decking material means your home's weather barrier is compromised and needs immediate protection.
Gas smell or unusual odors - Storm damage can affect gas lines. If you smell gas, evacuate immediately and call your gas company.
When to Call a Professional Inspector
Even if your initial inspection doesn't reveal obvious damage, you should have a professional storm damage inspection if:
- Your area experienced hurricane-force winds (74+ mph)
- Hail larger than a quarter was reported
- You notice any changes in your roof's appearance
- Neighbors are filing damage claims (storm damage often affects entire neighborhoods)
- Your roof is more than 10 years old
- You have a tile or flat roof (these require specialized inspection knowledge)
- You simply aren't sure what you're looking at
Professional inspectors can identify damage that homeowners miss. We see subtle signs like nail pops, compromised seals, and underlying deck damage that won't be apparent to untrained eyes but will cause problems down the road.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don't delay your inspection. Florida's daily rain and humidity mean that even minor damage can escalate quickly. A small leak today becomes mold, rot, and structural damage within weeks.
Don't make permanent repairs before your insurance adjuster visits. Document, protect with tarps if necessary, but leave the damaged materials for the adjuster to see.
Don't sign contracts with storm chasers. After major storms, out-of-town contractors flood Florida with aggressive sales tactics. Work with established local contractors who will be here long after the repair is complete.
Don't assume no visible damage means no damage. Many types of storm damage, especially hail damage, aren't obvious from the ground. Professional inspection is the only way to be sure.
Don't forget about your insurance timeline. Most policies require prompt reporting of damage. Don't wait weeks to file a claim.
Your Post-Storm Action Plan
Here's your step-by-step plan after any significant storm:
- Wait for safety - Let conditions clear and surfaces dry
- Document the storm - Note the date, time, and severity
- Conduct ground-level inspection - Use this checklist systematically
- Check your attic - Look for leaks, light, and damage
- Inspect interior ceilings and walls - Note any new stains or damage
- Document everything - Photos, videos, notes
- Contact your insurance company - Report potential damage promptly
- Schedule professional inspection - Even if damage isn't obvious
- Get repair estimates - Work with licensed, local contractors
- Proceed with repairs - After insurance approval if claiming
The Pro Specialty Services Approach
At Pro Specialty Services, we offer comprehensive post-storm roof inspections throughout Lake County. Our inspection process includes detailed documentation, written reports suitable for insurance claims, and honest assessment of what repairs are actually needed.
We've been serving Central Florida homeowners for years, and we'll be here long after your repairs are complete. Unlike storm chasers who disappear after collecting payment, we stand behind our work with solid warranties and ongoing service.
If you've experienced a recent storm and want peace of mind about your roof's condition, contact us for a professional inspection. We'll give you straight answers about any damage and help you navigate the repair and insurance process from start to finish.
For more guidance, see our articles on common hurricane roof damage, how to document storm damage for insurance, and filing a roof insurance claim.
Caleb Hutchinson
Owner, Pro Specialty Services
"After every major storm in Lake County, I see homeowners make the same mistakes: waiting too long to inspect, climbing on wet roofs, or signing contracts with the first person who knocks on their door. Take your time, stay safe, and work with people you trust. Your roof is too important for shortcuts."
