TL;DR: After a storm, stay off the roof. Check it from the yard, the gutters, and the attic, and take dated photos before you clean up. Then report damage to your insurer and have a licensed roofer inspect it up close. Florida law generally gives you 1 year from the date of loss to file notice of a property insurance claim, but hidden wind damage is easier to prove when it’s documented early.
A post-storm roof inspection starts on the ground, not on a ladder. Once it is safe outside, walk the yard, check the gutters and ceilings, and photograph any damage. Then have a licensed roofer look at the roof up close. Wind damage often stays hidden and may not leak for weeks.
This matters in Orlando, where summer thunderstorms and named storms can loosen shingles, crack tiles, and lift metal edges without leaving an obvious hole. The steps below are the same whether you live in Conway or Pine Castle. If you manage a business property, read our guide to what happens during a commercial roof inspection.
What do you need before you start?
You only need a few simple tools, and a ladder is not one of them.
- A phone camera with the date and time stamp turned on
- A flashlight for the attic and closets
- Binoculars, if you have them, to see the roof from the yard
- Sturdy shoes, gloves, and long pants
- Your insurance policy number and your insurer’s claim phone line
- A notepad to write down what you find and when
- Buckets and towels for any drips
How do you check your roof after a storm, step by step?
Do these seven steps in order. Safety comes first. Only a professional should ever go up on the roof.
- Wait until it is safe. Stay clear of downed power lines, standing water, and leaning trees. Stay off the roof. Wet shingles and tile are slick, and decking damaged by a storm can have soft spots you cannot see.
- Walk the yard and look up. Circle the house slowly. Look for missing or lifted shingles, cracked or shifted tiles, bent metal panels, loose edge metal, and torn ridge caps. Use binoculars to check the valleys and the areas around vents.
- Check the ground and gutters. Shingle pieces, broken tile, nails, and bits of flashing in the yard show you what happened up top. Piles of shingle granules at the downspouts can mean the shingle surface was damaged.
- Go inside and check the attic. Look for new ceiling stains, peeling paint, damp insulation, wet wood, or daylight coming through the roof deck. Check closets and rooms you rarely use.
- Photograph everything before cleanup. Take wide shots of each side of the house, then close-ups of each problem. Ready.gov advises homeowners to document property damage with photos and contact their insurance company. Keep damaged pieces until someone has seen them.
- Stop active water safely. Move your belongings, catch drips, and call for emergency tarping if water is coming in. Do not climb up to tarp it yourself. Keep receipts for any temporary work.
- Report the damage and book an inspection. Let your insurance company know promptly, then schedule a professional roof inspection. Under Florida Statute 627.70132, a property insurance claim is generally barred unless notice is given within 1 year after the date of loss. For hurricanes, the date of loss is the day the storm made landfall.
What does storm damage look like on each roof type?
Damage looks different on shingle, tile, metal, and flat roofs, and some of it can only be found up close.
| Roof type | What you may see from the ground | What a pro checks up close |
|---|---|---|
| Asphalt shingle | Missing tabs, lifted edges, granules in gutters | Broken seal strips, creased shingles, exposed nails, ridge cap damage |
| Concrete or clay tile | Cracked, slipped, or missing tiles | Hidden cracked tiles, loose hip and ridge tiles, underlayment condition |
| Metal | Bent panels, lifted edge trim, loose ridge cap | Loose or popped fasteners, seam gaps, flashing at pipes and vents |
| Flat (TPO, EPDM, modified bitumen) | Usually hard to see from the ground | Open seams, punctures, ponding water, clogged drains |
Wind can lift a shingle, break its seal, and then let it fall back flat. From the yard it looks fine, but it can let water in during the next heavy rain.
Which signs mean it is time to call a pro?
Call a licensed roofer right away if you notice any of these:
- Water dripping from a ceiling, light fixture, or vent
- Daylight through the roof deck in the attic
- A roof line or ceiling that sags
- A tree limb lying on the roof
- Any missing shingles, tiles, or metal panels
- Bent or loose flashing around chimneys, vents, or walls
- Neighbors on your street getting roof repairs
Even if you see none of these signs, it makes sense to have an older roof checked by a professional after a named storm. A storm damage visit is not the same as a wind mitigation inspection, which looks at how your roof is attached for insurance discounts. Our wind mitigation inspection guide explains the difference.
What mistakes do homeowners make after a storm?
The most common mistake is waiting for a leak before calling anyone. Here are the others we see:
- Climbing on the roof. You could fall, and walking on damaged tile can break more of it.
- Cleaning up before taking photos. Once the debris is hauled away, your record of the damage goes with it.
- Making permanent repairs first. Temporary protection is fine. Check with your insurer before any permanent work.
- Accepting gifts or deductible offers. According to the Florida DBPR fact sheet on Section 489.147, contractors may not offer items of value to get you to allow a roof inspection.
- Mixing up the roofer’s role and the adjuster’s. A roofer inspects your roof, records its condition, and makes repairs. The claim itself is between you and your insurer, or a licensed public adjuster if you choose to hire one.
- Skipping the license check. Ask for the contractor’s Florida license number and look it up with the state before you sign anything.
Why Thomas Roofing & Repair for storm checks
Thomas Roofing and Repair is a family-owned roofing contractor founded in 2018. Its headquarters is at 924 West Colonial Drive in Orlando.
- The company holds FL License #CCC1333138.
- Inspections are backed by a HAAG Certified Inspector.
- Services include roof inspections, storm and hurricane damage repair, and emergency tarping.
- Blue Shield Loyalty Program members get free emergency tarping after named storms and free annual inspections.
- The company is BBB Accredited with an A+ rating and is Google Guaranteed.
- It has more than 690 verified Google reviews.
- Staff speak both English and Spanish.
To learn what a visit covers, see our residential roof inspection service.
If a storm just came through your part of Orlando, call (888) 808-4662 or book a roof inspection estimate online.
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon after a storm should I get my roof inspected?
Within a few days of the storm, once it is safe outside, and right away if water is coming in. Florida law generally gives you 1 year from the date of loss to file notice of a claim, but early photos and an early inspection make the damage easier to tie to that storm.
Can my roof be damaged if no shingles are missing?
Yes. Wind can break shingle seals, crack tiles under others that look fine, or loosen metal roof fasteners without anything falling off. That kind of damage usually only shows up in a close inspection or during a later rain.
Will a roofing contractor file my insurance claim for me?
No. A roofing contractor inspects the roof, records its condition, and makes repairs. You report the claim to your insurer, and handling the claim is between you, your insurer, and a licensed public adjuster if you hire one.
Can I schedule a storm damage inspection in Spanish?
Yes. Thomas Roofing and Repair has staff who speak English and Spanish and can help you in either language.
Is it safe to use a ladder to look at my roof after a storm?
It’s safer to stay on the ground and use binoculars or your phone’s zoom. Wet surfaces, loose materials, and weakened decking make roofs and ladders risky after a storm.
Recommended Reads
- Roof Inspections – Thomas Roofing and Repair, Inc.
- What Is a Wind Mitigation Inspection and How Can It Lower Your Florida Insurance Premium?
- What Happens During a Commercial Roof Inspection and How Often Should You Schedule One?
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