New York City storms are no joke. Whether it's a summer hailstorm, a coastal nor'easter, or heavy wind gusts whipping through Brooklyn's dense neighborhoods, your roof absorbs it all. The good news: most storm damage is visible if you know what to look for. The bad news: ignoring it even for a few weeks can turn a $500 repair into a $5,000 problem.
Start From the Ground — Stay Safe
Before you even think about getting on a ladder, do a full walk-around of your home from the sidewalk. Bring binoculars if you have them. You're looking for anything that stands out from the normal roofline.
- Missing, curled, or cracked shingles — gaps in the pattern are a red flag
- Granules in your gutters or on the ground below downspouts (granule loss accelerates aging)
- Sagging sections, especially at the ridge or near valleys
- Debris pileup in valleys or around chimneys
- Dented or bent metal flashing around vents, skylights, or the chimney
- Gutters that have pulled away from the fascia — a sign of ice dam or heavy debris impact
Check the Interior First
Head to your attic or top floor immediately after a major storm — ideally within 24 hours. Water intrusion shows up fast. You're looking for water stains on the ceiling boards, wet insulation, daylight coming through the roof deck, or a musty smell that wasn't there before.
Pro Tip: Use a flashlight and look for discoloration or dark staining along rafters. Even a small dark streak indicates a leak path that may be traveling several feet before dripping.
Flat Roofs vs. Pitched Roofs: Different Warning Signs
Brooklyn has both. If you have a flat roof — common on row houses, brownstones, and commercial buildings — look for standing water after the storm has passed. Water should drain within 48 hours. Ponding beyond that indicates a drainage problem or membrane depression. On pitched shingle roofs, pay close attention to valleys (the V-shaped channels where two slopes meet) since these carry the most water flow and are first to fail.
Specific Damage by Storm Type
- Hail: Look for circular dents on metal flashing, soft spots when pressing on shingles, and cracked ridge caps
- High winds: Lifted tabs, missing shingles in rows, and torn pipe boot seals
- Heavy rain: Saturated insulation, blocked gutters, and overflow around the chimney
- Ice & snow: Ice dams forming at the eave — water backing up under shingles is the #1 Brooklyn winter roof problem
When to Call a Professional
If you spot any of the above, don't wait. Brooklyn's weather doesn't give you a long window between storms, especially November through March. A licensed roofer can assess damage in a free inspection and document everything for your insurance company.
Brooklyn Roof Pros offers free post-storm inspections for all Brooklyn homeowners. We can typically assess within 24–48 hours and provide a full written report. Call (718) 555-0190 or request an estimate online.
