Ever notice any granules in your gutters or downspouts after the hurricane? That’s usually my first sign something’s up, even before leaks show.
Yeah, I’ve noticed that too—sometimes it’s just a little, but after a big storm, I’ll check the gutters and there’s a surprising amount. Did you see any loose shingles or just the granules? I always wonder if it’s normal wear or if the wind did more than I thought. Also, what’s the age of your roof? Sometimes older shingles shed more even without a storm.
I always wonder if it’s normal wear or if the wind did more than I thought.
Same here. After last year’s storm, I found a bunch of granules but no missing shingles. My roof’s about 15 years old, so I chalked it up to age, but it still makes you second-guess. Sometimes it’s just the shingles getting older, not always storm damage. If you’re not seeing any curling or loose tabs, you’re probably okay for now.
- Not sure I'd totally agree that no curling or loose tabs means you're in the clear.
- Granule loss after a storm, especially on a 15-year-old roof, can be a red flag.
- Sometimes the adhesive strip under shingles weakens over time—wind can lift them just enough to break that seal, even if you can't see it from the ground.
- After a big wind event, I usually check for any spots where shingles look slightly raised or uneven. Hard to spot unless you really look.
- Had a similar situation two years ago—no missing shingles, but water started getting in around a vent. Turned out some shingles had shifted just enough to let rain blow underneath.
- If you’re seeing more granules than usual in the gutters right after a storm, it might be worth having someone walk the roof (carefully) or at least check from a ladder.
- Age is definitely a factor, but storms can speed up wear in ways that aren’t obvious right away. Sometimes it takes months for leaks to show up.
- Just my two cents... sometimes “looks fine” isn’t the whole story with older roofs.
sometimes “looks fine” isn’t the whole story with older roofs.
Couldn’t agree more. My roof’s about 18 years old, and after last year’s storm, I thought we dodged a bullet—no missing shingles, nothing obvious. But a few months later, I found water stains in the attic. Turns out some shingles had just barely shifted, like you mentioned. I get wanting to avoid spending money if you don’t have to, but sometimes a quick check now saves a ton later. It’s not always about what you can see from the ground... learned that the hard way.
It’s not always about what you can see from the ground... learned that the hard way.
I hear you, but I think there’s another side to this too. Not every roof that’s been through a storm needs an immediate overhaul or even a detailed inspection, especially if it’s newer or built to code for your area. I’ve seen plenty of folks jump the gun after a big storm—calling in contractors for minor scuffs or a couple of lifted tabs that don’t actually compromise the waterproofing. Sometimes it’s just cosmetic, and the structure underneath is still solid.
Your point about attic stains is spot on, but I’d ask—was it really the storm that caused the problem, or was it just time catching up with an 18-year-old roof? A lot of people blame the last big weather event, but sometimes, those slow leaks are from old flashing or worn-out underlayment that’s been deteriorating for years. Storms just make us notice what was already going on.
I’m not saying ignore things, but I do think there’s a balance. If you’re in a region with regular hurricanes or hail, sure, get it checked—especially if your roof’s past 15 years. But for a lot of folks with newer roofs or decent materials, a quick look from the ground and maybe a peek in the attic can be enough most of the time. No sense in spending money on inspections after every blow unless you’ve actually got signs of trouble.
One thing I will say—if you’re seeing water stains, that’s definitely worth acting on. But if it’s just “the roof looks fine,” sometimes it really is fine. Maybe not forever, but not every storm is a death sentence for your shingles either. Just my two cents.
