Michigan Storm Season Roof Checklist | NEXT Exteriors
I've been inspecting roofs in Southeast Michigan since 1988, and I can tell you this: storm damage doesn't happen the day of the storm. It happens because nobody looked at the roof before the storm hit.
Michigan homeowners deal with some of the most punishing weather in the country. Summer thunderstorms drop golf ball-sized hail on Sterling Heights. Fall windstorms peel shingles off roofs in Troy. Winter freeze-thaw cycles crack flashing in Grosse Pointe. Spring brings heavy rains that find every weak point in your roof system.
The difference between a $500 repair and a $15,000 insurance claim often comes down to one thing: knowing what to look for before and after severe weather moves through. This checklist is what we use at NEXT Exteriors when we inspect roofs across Macomb, Oakland, and St. Clair counties. It's the same process our Detroit roofing services team follows on every project.
Before Storm Season: Pre-Inspection Checklist
The best time to inspect your roof is before you need to. In Michigan, that means late spring (after the last freeze) and early fall (before snow season). Here's what to check:
Shingle Condition and Granule Loss
Walk around your house and look up. You're checking for shingles that are curling at the edges, cracked down the middle, or missing entirely. If you see bare spots where the black asphalt shows through, that's granule loss — the protective coating is wearing off.
Check your gutters. If you find a pile of granules (they look like coarse sand), your shingles are deteriorating. This is especially common on south-facing slopes in Michigan because they take the most UV exposure.
Here's what most homeowners miss: if your roof is 15+ years old and you're seeing granule loss, a storm isn't going to make it better. We've replaced dozens of roofs in Rochester Hills and Bloomfield Hills where homeowners waited for "just one more year" — then a summer hailstorm turned minor wear into catastrophic damage.
Michigan Reality Check: Architectural shingles from CertainTeed, GAF, or Owens Corning are rated for 25-30 years in ideal conditions. Michigan weather is not ideal. Expect 20-25 years of actual service life, less if your attic ventilation is poor.
Flashing Integrity Around Chimneys and Vents
Flashing is the metal or rubber seal around chimneys, plumbing vents, skylights, and roof valleys. It's the most common failure point on Michigan roofs because metal expands and contracts with temperature swings.
Look for rust stains, gaps between the flashing and the roof surface, or areas where the sealant has cracked and pulled away. If you can slide a business card under the flashing, water can get in.
Pay special attention to chimney flashing. On older homes in Mount Clemens and Warren, we often find original flashing that's been patched with roofing tar multiple times. That tar gets brittle in cold weather and melts in summer heat. It's not a permanent fix — it's a countdown timer.
Gutter and Downspout Functionality
Your gutters are part of your roof system. If they're clogged, sagging, or pulling away from the fascia, water backs up under your shingles during heavy rain. In winter, that backup freezes and creates ice dams.
Check that downspouts extend at least 6 feet away from your foundation. We see this constantly in older neighborhoods — downspouts dumping water right next to the basement wall, then homeowners wondering why they have foundation cracks and wet basements.
If your gutters overflow during moderate rain, they're either undersized for your roof area or they're clogged. Either way, it's a problem that gets worse when a storm dumps 2 inches of rain in 30 minutes. Our seamless gutters in Detroit, MI installations are sized specifically for Michigan's heavy rainfall patterns.
Attic Ventilation and Insulation
Most homeowners don't connect their attic to their roof, but they're the same system. Poor attic ventilation causes two major problems:
Summer: Your attic hits 140°F on a sunny day. That heat cooks your shingles from underneath, dramatically shortening their lifespan. It also makes your air conditioning work harder, costing you money every month.
Winter: Warm air from your living space rises into the attic. If ventilation is poor, that warmth melts snow on your roof. The water runs down to the cold eaves and refreezes, forming ice dams. Ice dams force water under your shingles and into your house.
Go into your attic on a cold day. If you see frost on the underside of the roof deck, you have a ventilation problem. If your insulation looks compressed or you can see the ceiling joists, you need more. Proper attic insulation in Metro Detroit should be at least R-49 (about 16 inches of blown fiberglass or cellulose).
Tree Trimming and Debris Removal
Any tree branch within 10 feet of your roof is a threat during a windstorm. Michigan gets straight-line winds of 60+ mph several times a year. A branch that looks fine on a calm day becomes a battering ram when the wind picks up.
Trim back overhanging branches before storm season. Also clear any debris (leaves, twigs, acorns) from roof valleys and behind chimneys. That debris holds moisture against your shingles and accelerates rot.
We've done storm damage repairs in Lake Orion and Shelby Township where the only damage was from a tree branch that could have been trimmed for $200. Instead, the homeowner paid a $1,500 deductible and lost a weekend dealing with tarps and insurance adjusters.
After the Storm: Damage Assessment
Once severe weather passes through, you need to assess damage quickly — but safely. Here's the process:
Ground-Level Visual Inspection
Start from the ground with binoculars. Do not get on your roof immediately after a storm. Wet shingles are slippery, and you don't know if the deck is damaged underneath.
Look for:
- Missing shingles: Obvious gaps in your roof coverage, often along edges and ridges where wind gets underneath
- Lifted or creased shingles: Shingles that are bent upward or have a horizontal crease across the middle
- Dents in metal: Check roof vents, flashing, and gutters for hail impact marks
- Granule loss in gutters: A sudden increase in granules after a hailstorm means impact damage
- Debris damage: Branches, shingles from neighbors' roofs, or other objects that hit your roof
Interior Water Intrusion Signs
Go into your attic with a flashlight. Look for:
- Water stains on the underside of the roof deck (dark streaks or spots)
- Wet insulation or dripping water
- Daylight visible through the roof (means a hole or gap)
- New cracks in the roof deck
Check your ceilings for water stains, especially around chimneys, vents, and skylights. Sometimes water travels along a rafter before dripping, so the stain might be several feet from the actual leak point.
Time-Sensitive: If you find active leaking, put a bucket under it and call a professional immediately. Water damage compounds quickly — what's a roof repair today becomes a ceiling replacement, insulation replacement, and mold remediation project if you wait.
Structural Concerns
Look for sagging areas on your roof. If a section of your roof has a noticeable dip that wasn't there before the storm, you may have structural damage to the decking or rafters. This is especially common after heavy snow loads or when a large branch impacts the roof.
Do not attempt to fix structural damage yourself. This is when you call a licensed contractor immediately. Our team has seen homeowners in Clinton Township try to "patch" a sagging roof with plywood and tar, only to have the entire section collapse during the next snowfall.
Michigan-Specific Storm Threats
Michigan weather is uniquely destructive to roofs. Here's what we're dealing with:
Summer Thunderstorms and Hail
June through August brings severe thunderstorms with hail, high winds, and heavy rain. Hail damage is cumulative — a roof that survives one hailstorm might fail after the third or fourth.
Hail dents shingles, knocking off granules and exposing the asphalt mat underneath. Once that protective layer is gone, UV rays and weather accelerate deterioration. A hail-damaged roof might look fine for 2-3 years, then suddenly start leaking everywhere.
If you experience a hailstorm with stones larger than 1 inch (about the size of a quarter), have your roof inspected. Insurance companies have specific time limits for filing claims — usually 1-2 years from the date of loss. Miss that window and you're paying out of pocket.
High Winds and Tornadoes
Michigan averages 15-20 tornadoes per year, mostly in the southern counties. Even if a tornado doesn't touch down in your neighborhood, the straight-line winds ahead of the storm can exceed 70 mph.
Wind damage typically starts at the roof edges and corners where wind gets under the shingles and lifts them. Once a few shingles are gone, the wind has more surface area to grab, and the damage accelerates.
Properly installed shingles with high wind ratings resist this. CertainTeed Landmark shingles (which we install frequently) are rated for 130 mph winds when installed with 6 nails per shingle and proper starter strip. Cheap 3-tab shingles with 4 nails? They start failing at 60 mph.
Ice Dams and Freeze-Thaw Cycles
This is the big one for Michigan. Water expands when it freezes. That expansion forces its way into tiny cracks in your shingles, flashing, and roof deck. When it melts, the crack is bigger. When it freezes again, the crack gets bigger still.
Over a typical Michigan winter with 30-40 freeze-thaw cycles, minor roof issues become major leaks. Add ice dams to the mix — where melting snow refreezes at the eaves and backs water up under your shingles — and you have a recipe for catastrophic interior water damage.
The solution isn't better shingles. It's better attic insulation and ventilation. We've replaced roofs in St. Clair Shores where the shingles were fine, but ice dams destroyed the roof deck underneath. The homeowner needed both a new roof and top-rated insulation contractor in Detroit services to fix the underlying problem.
Heavy Snow Loads
Michigan building code requires roofs to handle 40 pounds per square foot of snow load (more in the Upper Peninsula). That sounds like a lot until you do the math: 2 feet of wet, heavy snow can exceed that limit.
Most residential roofs handle snow fine. The problem comes when snow accumulates unevenly — drifting against chimneys, piling up in valleys, or building up behind ice dams. That concentrated weight can cause localized sagging or even deck failure.
If you see your roof sagging under snow load, call a professional to safely remove it. Do not get on a snow-covered roof yourself. We do emergency snow removal for commercial buildings and have seen what happens when someone without proper equipment tries it — they fall through.
Understanding Your Roof's Wind and Impact Ratings
Not all shingles are created equal. When you're replacing a roof in Michigan, these ratings matter:
Wind Resistance Ratings
Shingles are tested for wind resistance and rated in mph. Basic 3-tab shingles are typically rated for 60-70 mph. Architectural shingles range from 110 mph to 130 mph when properly installed.
The key phrase is "when properly installed." Wind ratings assume:
- 6 nails per shingle (not 4)
- Proper starter strip at eaves and rakes
- Shingles installed in temperatures above 40°F so the sealant strip activates
- Adequate roof deck attachment (8d nails every 6 inches into rafters)
We're a CertainTeed Master Shingle Applicator — the highest credential in roofing. That means we install to manufacturer specs every time, which is why our roofs perform in Michigan storms. The contractor who cuts corners to save an hour of labor is the same one whose roofs start losing shingles at 50 mph.
Impact Resistance (Class 4 Rating)
Impact resistance is measured by dropping steel balls of increasing size onto shingles. Class 4 is the highest rating — it means the shingle can withstand a 2-inch steel ball dropped from 20 feet (simulating large hail) without tearing or cracking.
Class 4 shingles cost about 10-15% more than standard shingles, but many insurance companies offer discounts of 20-30% on your homeowner's premium. Over the life of the roof, that discount often pays for the upgrade.
We install Class 4 shingles on about 60% of our projects now. GAF Timberline HDZ, CertainTeed Landmark IR, and Owens Corning Duration Storm are all solid Class 4 options. They also tend to have better warranties — 50 years vs. 30 years for standard architectural shingles.
Insurance Claims and Documentation
If you have storm damage, here's how to handle the insurance process:
Document Everything Immediately
Take photos from the ground showing the overall roof condition. Take close-ups of specific damage (missing shingles, dents, cracks). Date-stamp everything.
Go inside and photograph any water stains on ceilings or attic damage. Take photos of your gutters if they're full of granules.
Keep a written log: date of storm, type of weather (hail size, wind speed if known), when you first noticed damage, when you called your insurance company.
Call Your Insurance Company Within 24-48 Hours
Most policies require "prompt notification" of damage. That doesn't mean you need to file a claim immediately, but you need to report that damage occurred.
Your insurance company will send an adjuster to inspect the damage. This usually happens within 3-7 days, longer if there's widespread storm damage in the area.
Get a Professional Inspection Before the Adjuster Arrives
Here's something most homeowners don't know: insurance adjusters work for the insurance company, not for you. Their job is to assess damage accurately, but they're not motivated to find every single issue.
Have a licensed roofing contractor inspect your roof before the adjuster shows up. We do free storm damage inspections for homeowners in Macomb, Oakland, and St. Clair counties. We document everything, then we're there when the adjuster comes to make sure nothing gets missed.
We've been doing this since 1988. We know what storm damage looks like, and we know how to document it properly. We've helped dozens of homeowners in Troy and Sterling Heights get fair settlements when their initial adjuster assessment was incomplete.
Understand Your Coverage
Most Michigan homeowner policies cover storm damage (wind, hail, falling trees) under your dwelling coverage. You'll pay your deductible (typically $500-$2,500), and insurance covers the rest.
What insurance typically doesn't cover:
- Wear and tear or old age (if your roof was already at end-of-life, they might depreciate the payout)
- Damage from lack of maintenance (if your gutters were clogged and that caused an ice dam, they might deny the claim)
- Cosmetic damage that doesn't affect function
If your roof is 20+ years old and you have storm damage, expect the insurance company to apply depreciation. They'll pay for a new roof, but they'll reduce the payout based on the age of your existing roof. This is normal and legal.
Timeline Expectations
From storm to new roof typically takes 4-8 weeks:
- Week 1: Report damage, adjuster inspection, claim approval
- Week 2-3: Get quotes from contractors, select contractor, sign contract
- Week 4-6: Order materials, schedule installation
- Week 6-8: Installation (1-3 days for most homes), final inspection, insurance final payment
If there's widespread storm damage (like a major hailstorm that hits multiple counties), expect delays. Roofing contractors get booked up, material suppliers run low on popular colors, and insurance adjusters have backlogs.
When DIY Inspection Becomes Professional Territory
You can do a basic ground-level inspection yourself. Here's when you need to call a professional:
Safety Concerns
Do not get on your roof if:
- The pitch is steeper than 6/12 (rises 6 inches for every 12 inches horizontal)
- The roof is wet, icy, or snow-covered
- You're not comfortable with heights
- You don't have proper fall protection equipment
Falls from roofs are one of the leading causes of homeowner injuries. It's not worth it. We have harnesses, roof anchors, and liability insurance. You don't.
Hidden Damage
Some damage isn't visible from the ground or even from walking on the roof. Hail can bruise shingles without creating obvious dents — the damage shows up 1-2 years later when the bruised areas start leaking.
Wind can lift shingles without tearing them off, breaking the sealant strip. The shingles look fine, but they're no longer bonded to the roof and will blow off in the next storm.
Water damage often travels. You see a stain on your ceiling near the chimney, but the actual leak is 8 feet away where a valley flashing failed. Tracing leaks requires experience.
Warranty Implications
If your roof is less than 10 years old and you suspect storm damage, check your warranty before doing anything. Many manufacturer warranties require that a certified contractor inspect and repair damage. If you DIY a repair, you might void the warranty.
We're certified with CertainTeed, GAF, and Owens Corning. If we installed your roof or if it's one of those brands, we can inspect and repair under warranty.
NEXT Exteriors offers free storm damage inspections for homeowners in Southeast Michigan. We'll come out, assess your roof, document any damage, and give you a written report. No obligation, no pressure. If you don't need a new roof, we'll tell you. If you do, we'll walk you through the insurance process. Call (844) 770-6398 or request a free quote.
Beyond Roofing: Protecting Your Whole Home
While we're focused on roofs in this article, storm damage affects your entire home exterior. Our exterior services in Detroit include comprehensive storm damage assessment and repair.
Siding takes a beating from hail and wind-blown debris. If you're filing an insurance claim for roof damage, have your house siding in Detroit inspected at the same time — you might be able to get both covered under one claim.
Windows can crack from hail impact or pressure changes during severe storms. Our Detroit window experts have replaced hundreds of storm-damaged windows, often coordinating with roof and siding repairs for a complete exterior restoration.
Don't forget about exterior paint. High winds and hail can strip paint from wood trim and fascia. If you're already doing major exterior work, it's the perfect time to address painting. We're exclusive partners with Sherwin-Williams, and our Southeast Michigan painting professionals can handle everything from trim touch-ups to full exterior repaints.
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NEXT Exteriors has been protecting Michigan homes since 1988. Get a free, no-pressure estimate from a team that shows up on time and does the job right.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Inspect your roof twice a year — once in late spring after the last freeze, and once in early fall before snow season. Also inspect after any severe weather event (hail, high winds, heavy snow). If your roof is 15+ years old, consider having a professional inspection annually to catch problems before they become expensive.
Only if you have proper fall protection equipment, the roof is dry, and the pitch is less than 6/12. Even then, walking on shingles can cause damage if you're not careful about weight distribution. Most homeowners are better off using binoculars from the ground or hiring a professional. Falls from roofs cause serious injuries every year — it's not worth the risk.
Most Michigan homeowner policies require you to report damage "promptly" — typically within a few days of discovering it. However, you usually have 1-2 years from the date of loss to actually file the claim. Check your specific policy. The key is to document damage immediately and notify your insurance company within 24-48 hours of a major storm event, even if you're not sure you'll file a claim.
An inspection assesses the current condition of your roof and identifies problems. An estimate provides pricing for repair or replacement. At NEXT Exteriors, we do both at the same time for free. We'll inspect your roof, tell you what we found, and if work is needed, we'll provide a detailed written estimate. No obligation either way.
It depends on the cause of damage. If your roof fails due to storm damage (wind, hail, fallen tree), insurance typically covers replacement regardless of age — but they'll apply depreciation based on the roof's age. If your roof is failing due to normal wear and tear or poor maintenance, insurance won't cover it. That's why it's important to maintain your roof and document its condition before storms hit.
NEXT Exteriors provides free roof inspections for homeowners in Macomb, Oakland, and St. Clair counties. We'll assess your roof, document any damage, and provide a written report at no charge. If you need repairs or replacement, we'll give you a detailed estimate. If your roof is fine, we'll tell you that too — no pressure, no gimmicks.
First, stay safe — don't go outside during the storm. Once it's safe, do a visual inspection from the ground looking for obvious damage (missing shingles, dents, debris). Check your attic for leaks. Take photos of any damage you see. If you find active leaking, place buckets to catch water and call a professional immediately. Contact your insurance company within 24-48 hours to report damage, even if you're not sure you'll file a claim.