If you've recently experienced a big storm, your home may appear to have made it through without too much damage, even if that's not the case. Unfortunately, the damage that a storm does to a roof isn't often noticed for months after the damage has occurred. At this point, the damage will have spread beyond just the roofing – it will have seeped into the attic, possibly into the walls and even into the ceilings inside your home. To limit storm damage, it's important that you know how to identify roofing damage so you can quickly have it repaired before the damage spreads. Here, you'll learn what to look for on your roof following a heavy round of storms.

Note: Please wait until the storms have passed, the winds have died down and the roofing materials have dried before you go out on your roof to look for damage. A little water damage is much less of a headache than the pains you'll feel if you fall off the roof.

Lifted and Torn Shingles

It shouldn't be too hard for you to see lifted or torn shingles after a storm. As you search the roof for damage, look for shingles that have lifted on the corners or that have begun to tear. Typically, the tears will be found at the edges of the shingles where the wind's forces pull on the materials the most.

Soffit and Fascia Damage

These components of your home may appear to be simply cosmetic, but the truth is that the soffit and fascia are there for a reason – to keep water out from where it shouldn't be. Walk the entire perimeter of the house to look for any soffit and fascia damage. If you catch any damage early enough, you may be able to snap the soffit or fascia back in place or replace them immediatly, but if you allow the damaged materials to remain, the damage can extend into the overhang, walls and even the basement of your home.

Vent, Chimney and Skylight Seals

The roofing sealant used to seal the vents, chimney and skylights on your roof can begin to dry and crack over the years. When a strong storm blows through, it can cause the cracking seals to begin to peel away from the materials that they are meant to seal. Examine each seal closely. If you see that the seal is beginning to fail, apply a thin coat over the existing sealant, or peel away the old sealant and replace it with a new coat.

If you have any doubts as to whether the latest storm caused your roof any damage, contact your local storm damage services for assistance.