Storm Damage Roof Checklist for Houston Homeowners

Before you check anything:

• Wait until the storm has passed and stay tuned to local news or a NOAA Weather Radio for more storms.
• Stay away from downed power lines and report them.
• Stay out of any part of the house that is damaged or has a sagging ceiling.
• Wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt and sturdy shoes when walking around debris.
• Keep away from water near outlets, light fixtures or the electrical panel. Call 911 for immediate danger.
• Do not climb a ladder or walk on the roof.

These steps follow the National Weather Service's advice for after severe weather, which also warns homeowners to watch out for insurance scammers after damage.

A simple log turns a pile of phone photos into a record you can share with your roofer and your insurance company. The rows below are examples of how to fill it in.

Take wide photos first to show where you are, then close-ups. Keep the original files, because they hold the date and time.

• Ceilings and upper walls in every room, especially below valleys, chimneys, skylights and roof-to-wall joints
• Around windows and doors on the side of the house that faced the storm
• Closets, which are easy to miss
• The attic, only if the hatch is easy and safe to reach. Look from the hatch with a flashlight for wet insulation, dripping or daylight. Do not walk across it.

If you find water, move belongings, catch the drip and note the time. Our guide to roof leaks during heavy rain explains why a stain may not sit directly below the opening.

• Shingles, shingle pieces or ridge caps in the yard
• Missing, lifted or shifted shingles visible from the ground or an upstairs window
• Dents in gutters, downspouts, roof vents, window screens and AC fins
• Granules piling up at downspouts
• Branches or debris on the roof
• Damage to fences, siding, patio covers and cars, which shows how hard the storm hit

Owens Corning points out that hail is usually a widespread event in a neighborhood, so dents on cars and other items around the house can be a clue. Wind leaves different signs, which our guide to wind damage roof signs covers.

The video below is a hail inspection example from a Pearland roof, recorded on the roof by our team. It shows what hail impacts can look like close up. It is not evidence of damage from any particular storm or on any other home.

If water is coming in through an opening, the roof may need temporary protection such as a tarp. That is work for a trained roofer with fall protection, done once lightning and high wind have passed.

The Texas Department of Insurance notes that homeowner policies may require you to make reasonable temporary repairs to prevent further damage. TDI also advises keeping receipts, taking photos or video before repairs where possible, and not making permanent repairs until the adjuster has inspected the damage.

A professional inspection confirms what you saw from the ground and finds what you could not see. Ask for:

• Photos of each damaged area, with an explanation
• Written findings on what is damaged and what looks like normal wear
• A written roofing estimate for the repair or replacement, if work is needed
• A note on whether a windstorm inspection may apply at your address

Stone Castle Roofing provides free roof inspections in Pearland and Greater Houston. You can learn how we document wind and hail damage on our storm damage restoration page.

Texas law draws clear lines here. TDI explains that a roofer or contractor who may do the work cannot act as a public adjuster on your claim or advertise that they will, and that it is illegal for a contractor to waive, rebate or absorb your deductible. Your insurance company decides coverage and payment, and you are responsible for your deductible.

• Do you have a local office address and phone number?
• Will I get inspection photos and written findings?
• Will you provide a written estimate before any work starts?
• Can you meet my adjuster on site to explain the roofing damage you found?
• How will you handle permits and any windstorm inspection my address needs?
• What deposit do you require, and when?

If a contractor offers to cover your deductible or pressures you to sign on the spot, walk away. Our guides to storm chaser roofer red flags and questions to ask a roofer before hiring go further.

Windstorm rules are set by location, not by the storm. TDI's maps include all of Brazoria and Galveston counties in the designated catastrophe area, so most of Pearland, much of League City and the Galveston County part of Friendswood are inside it. In Harris County, only areas east of State Highway 146 inside the city limits of La Porte, Morgan's Point, Pasadena, Seabrook and Shoreacres are included, so most of Houston is not.

Inside the area, roof replacements and major repairs generally need a windstorm inspection and certificate of compliance to keep TWIA eligibility. TDI lists roof repairs of less than 100 square feet that do not involve decking among the projects that do not require one. Confirm what applies to your address and project with TDI or a qualified inspector, and read our guide to WPI-8 windstorm certification.

1. Keep everyone safe and stay off the roof.
2. Fill in your photo log from inside and from the ground.
3. Arrange temporary protection by a professional if water is coming in.
4. Book a roof inspection and ask for photos, written findings and a written estimate.
5. Read your policy and decide whether to file.

To schedule a free inspection in Pearland, Houston, Friendswood, League City or nearby, visit our storm damage restoration page or call (281) 250-1265.

• National Weather Service, What to Do After Severe Weather
• Owens Corning, Signs of Storm Damage on your Roof
• Texas Department of Insurance, Claim tips, Roofing and insurance: Know the law, Do you need a windstorm inspection? and Harris County windstorm boundary