Post-Storm Roof Checklist
A simple, ground-level checklist for the first 48 hours after a storm — what to check, what to document, and what to do next.
WHAT’S INSIDE
Two pages. Built for the day after a storm, not for studying.
The checklist is a printable PDF you can grab in a stressful moment and work through one item at a time. Nothing on it requires getting on a ladder.
- A safety-first reminder — every check on the list is from the ground or inside the home, never from the roof
- An 8-item ground-level inspection (perimeter walk, missing shingles, granules in gutters, dented flashing, and more)
- A 4-item interior and attic check for damp insulation, drips, ceiling stains, and visible daylight through the deck
- A documentation list — the photos, time stamps, weather records, and receipts your insurance adjuster will ask for
- A “what not to do” section — including the storm-chaser warning signs to watch for in the days after
- A 48-hour next-steps timeline so you know who to call and when
WHO THIS IS FOR
Anyone who just rode out a storm.
If a nor’easter, a hailstorm, a wind event, or a heavy snow load just passed through, this is for you. New England storms damage roofs in ways that aren’t always obvious from the driveway — granules in the gutters, lifted flashing, a hairline crack around a vent. Knowing what to look for, and what to write down, makes a real difference in how the next few weeks go.
This is also useful before you ever need it. Print a copy now and keep it with your homeowner’s insurance documents. The checklist is most valuable in the hour after a storm when you don’t want to be searching online for what to do.
HOW TO USE IT
Walk the property. Photograph everything. Call your insurer.
In that order. The checklist walks you through each step.
- Print the checklist before the storm season starts (April through November in New England) so it’s on hand when you need it
- If you’re not comfortable walking your property, ask a neighbor or family member — every item on the list can be checked from the ground
- Photograph as you go. Wide shots first, then close-ups of anything that looks off
- Keep the checklist with your insurance papers — your adjuster will want to see what you found and when
- Don’t sign anything from a contractor who shows up at your door uninvited in the days after a storm. The checklist tells you what to ask for instead
RELATED
What to read next
The checklist gets you through the first 48 hours. These help with what comes after.
Need a real set of eyes on your roof?
We do free 360° drone inspections for storm-damaged roofs in Massachusetts and across New England. We’ll walk the property with you, document everything for your insurance adjuster, and tell you what we’d do if it were our home.
Schedule a Free Inspection