What to Look for After the Recent West Virginia Storm: A Homeowner's Guide to Roof Damage

The recent severe weather that swept through West Virginia brought damaging winds, heavy rain, and hail to communities across the state. If your home was in the path of this storm, your roof may have sustained damage that isn't immediately visible from the ground. Understanding what to look for and acting quickly can save you thousands in additional repairs and help ensure your insurance claim is processed smoothly.

At E&E Exteriors, we've been responding to storm damage calls across West Virginia, and we want homeowners to know exactly what signs to watch for after severe weather events.

Why Storm Damage Inspections Can't Wait

After a major storm, it might be tempting to wait and see if problems develop. However, what starts as minor damage can quickly escalate into serious issues. A small crack in a shingle can allow water infiltration that leads to rot, mold, and structural damage inside your home. Wind-lifted shingles may look fine from the ground but can leak during the next rainfall.

Additionally, most insurance policies have strict timeframes for filing storm damage claims. Waiting too long to document and report damage could mean losing your coverage for repairs. The sooner you identify damage, the sooner you can protect your home and start the claims process.

Wind Damage: More Than Missing Shingles

High winds are deceptively damaging to roofing systems. While missing shingles are the most obvious sign of wind damage, there's often much more happening that you can't see from your driveway.

Lifted or Curled Shingles: Strong winds can break the seal on asphalt shingles, causing them to lift up or curl at the edges. These compromised shingles may still be attached to your roof, but they're no longer providing adequate protection. During the next rain, water can slip underneath these lifted areas and penetrate your roof deck.

Creased Shingles: When wind gets under a shingle and slams it back down, it can create a crease or fold. These damaged shingles are weakened and more likely to fail during future weather events.

Loose or Missing Flashing: The metal flashing around chimneys, vents, skylights, and roof valleys is particularly vulnerable to wind damage. If flashing has been loosened or blown off entirely, these critical waterproofing areas are now exposed.

Granule Loss: High winds can scour the protective granules off asphalt shingles, particularly on the edges and ridges most exposed to the wind. Without these granules, your shingles deteriorate much faster under UV exposure.

Damaged Fascia and Soffits: The trim boards along your roofline and the underside of your roof overhang can sustain significant wind damage. Look for bent, broken, or missing sections.

Hail Damage: The Hidden Threat

Hail damage is particularly concerning because it often isn't visible to untrained eyes, yet it significantly compromises your roof's integrity and lifespan.

Bruising on Shingles: Hail impact creates bruises or divots in asphalt shingles. These damaged spots may look like random dark marks or feel soft when pressed. Each impact point is a weak spot where water can eventually penetrate.

Exposed Fiberglass Mat: Severe hail can knock the granules completely off shingles, exposing the underlying fiberglass mat. These bare spots appear shiny or different in color from the surrounding shingles.

Cracked or Split Shingles: Larger hail can crack shingles outright, creating openings for immediate water infiltration.

Dented Metal Components: Check your roof's metal elements including vents, flashing, gutters, and downspouts for dents. If these components show hail damage, your shingles almost certainly sustained damage too, even if you can't see it clearly.

Damaged Soffit Vents: The vented areas under your roof overhang often show obvious hail damage in the form of dents or holes, serving as a good indicator that your roof took a beating.

Water Damage: The Aftermath of Heavy Rain

The combination of wind-compromised shingles and heavy rainfall creates perfect conditions for water infiltration.

Interior Water Stains: Check your ceilings and walls for new water stains, discoloration, or bubbling paint. Don't forget to inspect your attic if you have access - look for wet insulation, water stains on the roof deck, or signs of dripping.

Sagging Ceiling Areas: If water has pooled in your attic space or saturated ceiling materials, you may notice sagging or bowing in your ceilings.

Overflowing or Damaged Gutters: Storm debris can clog gutters, causing water to overflow and potentially damage your fascia, soffit, or even your home's foundation. Check for bent, loose, or detached gutter sections.

Basement or Crawl Space Leaks: Heavy rain combined with roof or gutter damage can lead to water intrusion in your home's lower levels.

Collateral Storm Damage to Watch For

Storm damage extends beyond just your roof surface:

Chimney Damage: High winds can loosen or remove chimney caps, damage mortar joints, or even displace bricks. A compromised chimney can allow water and animals into your home.

Damaged Skylights: Check skylights for cracks, leaks, or damaged seals. Hail can crack skylight domes, and wind can compromise their weatherproofing.

Satellite Dishes and Roof Antennas: These roof-mounted items can sustain direct damage and, if loosened, can cause additional damage to your roofing materials.

Tree Damage and Debris: Fallen branches or accumulated debris on your roof can puncture or abrade shingles. Even if branches didn't fall on your roof, overhanging limbs may have scraped across it during high winds.

What Homeowners Can (and Can't) Do

Safe Inspection from the Ground: Use binoculars to examine your roof from ground level. Look for obvious signs like missing shingles, damaged flashing, or visible dents in metal components. Check your gutters for excessive granule accumulation, which indicates deteriorating shingles.

Document Everything: Take photos and videos of any visible damage, including date-stamped images if possible. Photograph water stains inside your home and any damaged property around your house.

Temporary Measures: If you have an active leak, place buckets to catch water and protect your belongings. However, do not attempt to climb on your roof to make repairs, especially after a storm when surfaces may be wet or damaged.

What to Avoid: Never walk on your roof after a storm. Storm damage can create unsafe conditions, and you could cause additional damage by walking on compromised shingles. Leave roof inspections to professionals with proper safety equipment and training.

Why Professional Inspection Matters

Even experienced homeowners can miss storm damage. Professional roofers are trained to identify subtle signs of damage that will cause problems down the road. At E&E Exteriors, our inspection process includes:

• Complete roof surface examination for wind, hail, and impact damage
  
• Assessment of all flashing, vents, and penetrations
  
• Gutter and drainage system evaluation
  
• Interior inspection when possible to identify existing leaks
  
• Detailed documentation with photos for your records and insurance claim
  
• Written assessment of damage and recommended repairs
  

A professional inspection provides the documentation you need for insurance purposes and ensures that all damage is identified before problems worsen.

Insurance Claims and Storm Damage

Most homeowner's insurance policies cover storm damage, but the claims process has specific requirements:

Act Quickly: Insurance companies typically require prompt notification of storm damage. Waiting weeks or months can jeopardize your claim.

Professional Documentation: Insurance adjusters rely on professional assessments. A detailed inspection report from a qualified roofing contractor like E&E Exteriors provides the evidence needed to support your claim.

Understand Your Coverage: Your policy likely covers the cost of repairs minus your deductible. Some policies include provisions for full roof replacement if damage is extensive enough.

Avoid Quick Fixes: Don't authorize permanent repairs before your insurance adjuster has assessed the damage, unless they're necessary to prevent additional damage to your home's interior.

The E&E Exteriors Storm Damage Response

When storms hit West Virginia communities, E&E Exteriors mobilizes quickly to help homeowners assess and repair damage. We understand the stress that storm damage creates, and we're committed to making the process as smooth as possible.

Our storm damage services include:

• Free, no-obligation roof inspections
  
• Detailed damage documentation for insurance claims
  
• Assistance with the insurance claims process
  
• Emergency tarping and temporary repairs when needed
  
• Complete roof repair or replacement by experienced professionals
  
• Quality workmanship backed by solid warranties
  

We work with all major insurance companies and can coordinate directly with your adjuster to ensure your claim is handled properly.

Don't Wait - Schedule Your Inspection Today

The recent storm affected homes throughout West Virginia, and many homeowners are discovering damage they didn't know existed. Whether you've noticed obvious problems or just want peace of mind, a professional inspection is the smart next step.

E&E Exteriors serves communities across West Virginia with honest assessments, quality repairs, and the customer service you deserve. We'll help you understand exactly what damage your roof sustained, what repairs are needed, and how to navigate the insurance process.

Contact E&E Exteriors today to schedule your free storm damage inspection. Don't let hidden damage turn into costly repairs down the road. Let our experienced team give you the answers you need to protect your home and your investment.

E&E Exteriors is a trusted roofing contractor serving West Virginia homeowners with expert storm damage assessment, repair, and replacement services. Our experienced team is dedicated to quality workmanship and customer satisfaction.