After a storm rolls through Southern New Hampshire, the first thing most homeowners wonder is: did my roof take damage? The good news is that there are several signs you can check from the ground before calling a professional.
Ground-Level Warning Signs
Missing or displaced shingles — Look for bare spots on your roof or shingles that have slid out of position. After high winds, check your yard and gutters for shingle pieces.
Granule loss — Check your gutters and downspout discharge areas for an unusual amount of granules (they look like coarse, dark sand). Some granule loss is normal, but a sudden increase after a storm suggests shingle damage.
Dented gutters and downspouts — If your gutters show dents or dings, there's a good chance your shingles took similar hits from hail.
Damaged flashing — Look at the metal pieces around your chimney, vents, and where the roof meets walls. Bent, lifted, or missing flashing is a common storm damage indicator.
Interior Warning Signs
Water stains on ceilings — Brown spots or water rings on your ceiling are a clear sign of a roof leak. Check your attic too — you may spot daylight coming through or damp insulation.
Peeling paint near the roofline — Moisture intrusion from roof damage can cause paint to bubble or peel on exterior walls near the roof edge.
When to Call a Professional
If you notice any of these signs, don't climb on the roof yourself — it's dangerous and you might cause additional damage. Instead, call a professional roofing contractor for a thorough inspection.
At Archer Roofing, our storm damage inspections are always free. We'll document everything with photos, and if the damage warrants an insurance claim, we'll help you through the entire process with our Xactimate-certified documentation and adjuster coordination.
Bottom line: When in doubt after a storm, get an inspection. Catching damage early prevents the small problems from becoming expensive ones.