Questions covered in this guide
Record the visible aftermath safely
GAF’s hurricane guidance includes gutters and downspouts in exterior observations and recommends professional assessment. Treat a storm record as information for that assessment, not as proof of the cause, extent, or insurance coverage of damage.
Start with accessible views
When it is safe to do so, take broad photographs from normal ground-level positions and accessible indoor rooms. Note the date, the side of the house, and visible changes you noticed. Do not approach downed lines, unstable debris, or damaged structures for a better photograph. If the situation presents an immediate hazard, prioritize emergency assistance and professional direction over completing a documentation sheet.
Build a before-and-after folder
Use one folder for older roof photographs and maintenance records, another for dated post-event images, and a third for professional findings. Keep original files and add a simple index describing each view. Record when you first saw an indoor stain or leak and whom you contacted. Ask the roofer to distinguish observed damage from inferred cause in the assessment. That separation makes the record useful even when more than one professional reviews the property.
Decide from the assessed scope
Request a written explanation of recommended protection, repair, or replacement and any limits on the inspection. Keep contractor findings separate from an insurer’s coverage or claim determination. Do not sign off on a complete replacement solely because a storm occurred nearby or an online image looks similar. The national roof calculator can support preliminary budgeting after a scope is identified; it cannot diagnose storm damage, estimate an insurer’s payment, or establish what work your particular roof needs.
Putting it into practice
The folder structure preserves chronology and separates homeowner observations, professional findings, and insurer decisions. It gives a concrete post-storm task without encouraging risky access or making a storm occurrence a replacement diagnosis.
Sources and supported claims
GAF’s post-hurricane guidance identifies gutter and downspout damage among exterior observations.
Source ↗ · national · Checked 2026-10-12
GAF recommends professional roof assessment after suspected hurricane-related roof damage.
Source ↗ · national · Checked 2026-10-12