You don't need a hurricane to lose a roof. Here are the signs of thunderstorm damage Gulf Coast homeowners miss until the ceiling stains show up.
Gulf Coast thunderstorms bring 60 mph gusts, small hail, and torrential rain in the span of twenty minutes. Most of the damage they cause is invisible from the driveway — which is exactly why it goes unclaimed and unrepaired.
Look from the ground first
A walk around the house catches more than people expect.
- ▮Shingle pieces or whole tabs in the yard or flower beds
- ▮Dark patches on the roof where granules were stripped
- ▮Dented gutters, downspouts, vents, or AC condenser fins
- ▮Sagging or separated gutter runs
- ▮Grit collecting where downspouts drain
Then check inside
Attic inspections tell the truth faster than the roof surface. Bring a flashlight and look for daylight at the deck seams, damp insulation, rusty nail tips, or water tracks along rafters.
Don't wait for a leak
By the time water reaches drywall, it has usually been in the decking for a while. Damage found early is often a repair; damage found late is often a replacement plus interior work. A free inspection costs nothing and creates a dated record of your roof's condition.