After the Storm: How to Check Your Roof Safely

Chicago weather doesn't hold back. One afternoon it's sunny, and by evening you've got hail bouncing off the windows and wind rattling the gutters. After a storm like that rolls through, it's natural to wonder if your roof took a hit. The good news is you can learn a lot without ever leaving solid ground.

This guide walks you through what to look for from below, how to document anything unusual, and why the actual walk-around on top of the roof is best left to someone who does it for a living. A little bit of knowledge now can help you have a clearer conversation later if you decide to call in help.

Start With a Walk Around Your Yard

Before you even look up, take a slow walk around the outside of your house. Check the ground near your downspouts and along your foundation for shingle granules, which look like coarse sand. A small amount is normal over time, but a noticeable pile after a storm can be a sign that shingles took a beating.

Look at your gutters and downspouts too. Are they bent, pulled loose, or dented from hail? Also glance at any metal features like vents, flashing edges, or window screens. If those are dinged up, there's a decent chance your roof caught some of the same impact.

What to Look For From the Ground

You don't need to climb anything to spot warning signs. Stand back from your house, far enough to see the whole roofline, and scan for shingles that look curled, cracked, or missing altogether. Dark streaks, bald spots where granules have worn away, or shingles that appear a different color than the rest can all point to trouble.

Pay attention to your chimney and any parapet walls if you have a flat or low-slope section. Cracked mortar, shifted bricks, or gaps where the chimney meets the roof are easier to notice than you might think, even from a distance. Binoculars can help you get a closer look without putting yourself at risk.

Inside the house, check ceilings and upper-floor closets for water stains, soft spots, or a musty smell. Roof damage doesn't always show up outside first. Sometimes the first clue is a small brown ring on a ceiling tile or drywall.

Documenting What You Find

If you notice anything that looks off, take photos and videos while it's fresh. Wide shots of the whole roof from several angles are useful, along with close-ups of specific problem areas using your phone's zoom. Photograph any debris on the ground too, since that can help show the timeline of what happened.

Jot down the date and time of the storm along with a quick description of what you noticed and when. This kind of record keeping is helpful to have on hand no matter what steps you take next, and it gives a clearer picture to whoever inspects the roof in person.

Why Walking the Roof Is a Job for a Professional

It's tempting to grab a ladder and get a closer look yourself, but roofs are more dangerous than they seem, especially after a storm. Wet or damaged materials can be slippery or unstable in spots that aren't obvious from below. Steep pitches, loose flashing, and hidden soft spots are all real hazards for anyone without the right training and equipment.

There's also the matter of knowing what you're actually seeing. A trained eye can tell the difference between cosmetic wear and something that will let water in down the line. Roofers who inspect properties regularly know where problems tend to hide, from flashing seams to the edges of a flat roof system, and they can check those areas thoroughly without guesswork.

Getting up close also means being able to check things like seams on a flat roof, the condition of a chimney cap, or how well flashing is holding up around vents and skylights. These are details that are nearly impossible to judge accurately from the ground, no matter how good your binoculars are.

When to Reach Out

If your ground-level check turns up granules in the yard, visible shingle damage, or any sign of water inside your home, it's worth having a closer look sooner rather than later. Even if nothing looks obviously wrong, a storm strong enough to worry you is a reasonable reason to have your roof looked over, since some damage takes time to show itself.

Perez Roofing & Masonry Inc. works with homeowners and business owners throughout Chicago on everything from roof inspections and leak detection to full storm damage repair. If you've had a recent storm come through and you're not sure what you're looking at, give us a call and talk through what you noticed. We're happy to answer questions and help you figure out the right next step for your situation.

Questions about your own situation? The team at Perez Roofing & Masonry is happy to help — call us at (773) 491-2968 or request an appointment.

This article is for general information only.