💡 Key Takeaways
- Protect your home from diverse threats – Indiana’s storm season poses varied threats to your roof, from high-speed winds and 1-inch hail to heavy rain and tornadoes, so it’s vital to protect your roof from storms.
- Plan ahead – Perform a safe, ground-level visual inspection of your roof and attic to identify vulnerabilities before severe weather hits.
- Have a team on call – Discover what to do and who to call if a storm breaches your roof so you can minimize water damage and protect your home.
Don’t Wait for the Storm Warning
Roof storm season preparation is the key to preventing extensive damage to your home. Midwest weather can be brutal and strike suddenly, so you need to be proactive to protect yourself. Unfortunately, many homeowners believe their roof is fine until leaks emerge, and they might be totally unaware of problems leading up to that.
Most storm damage doesn’t happen because a roof is old – it happens because small vulnerabilities like loose shingles and clogged gutters existed before a storm hit.
A pre-season inspection is much less expensive than emergency repair, and regular maintenance both extends the life of your roof and supports continued insurance coverage. Use this guide to keep your home safe and secure.
What to Expect from Indiana’s Storm Season
If you’re new to the area and Indiana’s storm season, there are some key elements to be aware of so you can prepare your roof for storms. Keep in mind:
| Storm Threat | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| Tornadoes | Indiana sits within “Tornado Alley,” with peak tornado season occurring between March and June. |
| Rain and snow | The Indianapolis area averages roughly 40 inches of rain and 25 inches of snow every year. |
| High winds | Spring storms have been known to produce 50-plus mph wind gusts that commonly lift shingles and even tear them off entirely. |
| Hail | 1-inch hail is common and enough to cause roof damage, while golf-ball-sized hail (1.75 inches) all but guarantees you’ll need a roof inspection after a storm. |
| Flying debris | Loose yard items in your neighborhood can become dangerous projectiles that damage your home. |
The bottom line: All of these threats combined can be a recipe for disaster without effective roof storm season preparation.
The Trouble Spots: Where Roofs Fail During Storms
Bad storms can attack your roof from all sides, with the most visible parts of the roof serving as your first line of defense. Core trouble spots include:
- Shingles – High winds lift or tear shingles off, leaving the underlayment vulnerable. Meanwhile, hail can bruise shingles and knock off protective ceramic granules, resulting in UV rays reaching the asphalt and causing cracking.
- Vents – Severe winds can damage ridge and roof vents, while pipe boots (the seals around plumbing vents) can degrade faster than shingles, leading to leaking during storms.
- Flashing – Vulnerable areas like chimneys, skylights, and valleys are protected by flashing, so when these areas get damaged, they become major sources for leaks.
- Gutters – Clogged gutters lead to overflow in heavy rain, resulting in water pooling at the eaves and wicking behind fascia boards that leads to rot. High winds can also rip loose gutters entirely off the home.
Your Pre-Season Roof Inspection Checklist
As you prep for Indiana storm season, review this checklist of do’s and don’ts to keep both yourself and your home safe:
❌ Don’t climb on your roof – conduct an inspection from the ground
✅ Use binoculars to scan your roof, looking for missing, curling, or buckled shingles
✅ If you’re comfortable climbing a ladder, check for granules accumulating in your gutters or at downspout outlets
✅ Locate any tree branches that overhang your roof – they should be trimmed to avoid falling or scraping shingles
✅ Inspect your attic for roof leaks, looking for pinpricks of sunlight coming through roof boards
✅ Also note any water stains on sheathing, wet insulation, or musty or mildewy odors in your attic
And along with all these things you can do yourself, you can also call on the experts at Indy Rooftops for an absolutely free roofing inspection. We’ll discuss your concerns and roof history in an initial consultation, provide a detailed examination for signs of wear, leaks, and vulnerabilities, and then deliver a report with recommendations for any repairs or maintenance needed.
A professional inspection is the best way to safeguard yourself and protect your home
What to Do If a Storm Causes Damage
Whether your roof begins to leak or suffers more significant damage during a storm, you want to be cautious while taking certain proactive steps.
- First, stay off the roof. Leave repairs above to professionals.
- If your roof is leaking, move any furniture or valuables away from the leak and place buckets to catch water and avoid further harm inside.
- If your ceiling is actively bulging from water, you can carefully puncture the lowest-most point with a screwdriver to let the water drain into a container or containers – this can help prevent a sudden collapse.
- Photograph visible damage from the ground and within your home for insurance purposes.
Ultimately, you’ll want to call in the professionals as quickly as possible because while the options above can serve as temporary fixes, they aren’t viable long-term.
Indy Rooftops supplies 24/7 emergency roof tarping and storm damage repair services in the Indianapolis area, while documenting damage for insurance claims. Professional tarping can make all the difference in preventing further damage while a permanent fix is planned.
Keep our emergency number – 317-525-5334 – on hand so you’re ready if disaster strikes
FAQs on Protecting Roofs from Storms
Can my roof suffer storm damage even if I’m not seeing leaks?
Yes. Roof leaks often get hidden by your attic, with water being absorbed by insulation and creating mold growth. It can be months before you start to see water stains and realize the extent of the damage.
Will my homeowners insurance cover roof repairs after an Indiana storm?
Most Indianapolis homeowners policies will cover sudden, accidental storm damage, including elements like wind, hail, and fallen branches. Gradual wear and tear, or neglect, usually isn’t covered, however. Check with your insurance representative to determine your coverage.
How quickly can your team tarp my home if a tree limb punctures my roof?
The Indy Rooftops team can typically have your roof safely tarped and protected within 24 hours of your call to our emergency line – 317-525-5334.
Get a Free Roof Inspection from Indy Rooftops
Don’t let a storm catch you off-guard and cause thousands of dollars in damage. Finalize your roof’s storm season preparation with a free roof inspection. Our team will assess any problem areas and let you know how to protect yourself.
Contact us today to schedule.
