Home Roof Inspection, Repair, and Storm-Damage Log Template
Roof damage can remain hidden until water reaches the interior. A dated baseline and post-storm record helps contractors, insurers, and owners distinguish new damage from prior wear.
What to know
- Roof damage can remain hidden until water reaches the interior. A dated baseline and post-storm record helps contractors, insurers, and owners distinguish new damage from prior wear.
- Preserve a baseline, inspect safely, document every storm before repairs, retain contractor and insurance records, and photograph completed work.
Inspect from the ground, windows, and an accessible attic unless a qualified professional performs the roof-level inspection.
Do not climb onto a roof after a storm.
Roof identity
Property:
Roof type:
Primary material:
Secondary material:
Installation date:
Installer:
Permit:
Warranty:
Estimated service life:
Ventilation type:
Solar equipment:
Skylights:
Last professional inspection:
Last reviewed:
Preserve the contract, approved plans, permit, warranty, product name, color, lot information, and installation photographs.
Roof-section register
| Section | Material | Slope | Exposure | Age | Known issue | |---|---|---|---|---|---| | Main | | | | | | | Porch | | | | | | | Garage | | | | | | | Addition | | | | | | | Flat section | | | | | |
Different sections can have different installation dates and drainage systems.
Do not describe the entire building as “asphalt roof” when the rear addition is a low-slope membrane installed 12 years later.
Safe ground-level inspection
Use:
- Binoculars
- Camera zoom
- Windows
- Ground perimeter
- Accessible attic
- Professional drone service where lawful and appropriate
Record visible:
- Missing shingles
- Lifted edges
- Cracked tile
- Loose metal panel
- Bent flashing
- Damaged vent
- Sagging
- Debris
- Tree impact
- Gutter displacement
- Downspout trouble
Do not stand beneath loose limbs, hanging gutters, damaged chimneys, unstable fascia, or broken overhead lines.
Attic inspection
When safely accessible, inspect during daylight for:
- Light through roof
- Wet decking
- Staining
- Damp insulation
- Rusted fasteners
- Mold-like growth
- Condensation
- Sagging
- Active drip
Do not enter when structure is damaged, wiring is exposed, insulation is contaminated, animals are present, walking surfaces are unclear, or heat is dangerous.
Do not step between framing members.
Routine inspection log
| Date | Weather | Method | Section | Observation | Photograph | Action | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | | | | | | | |
Inspect after severe wind, hail, falling branches, ice, heavy snow, nearby construction, solar work, chimney work, or an interior leak.
Record normal conditions too. A baseline photograph from before the storm can resolve arguments that memory will otherwise prosecute with great confidence and very little evidence.
Storm record
Storm date:
Event type:
Wind or hail report:
Power outage:
Tree impact:
Interior water:
Emergency services:
Photos taken:
Insurer notified:
Claim number:
Document damage before cleanup or repair when safe.
Photograph damage systematically
Capture:
- Entire building
- Every visible roof plane
- Street-facing elevation
- Ground debris
- Gutters and downspouts
- Interior stains
- Attic damage
- Damaged contents
- Temporary repairs
- Date and location information
Do not discard fallen roofing material before the insurer or contractor has a reasonable opportunity to inspect it unless safety or authorities require removal.
Temporary repairs
After documentation, take reasonable safe steps to prevent additional damage.
Use a qualified contractor.
Do not climb onto a wet or damaged roof to install a tarp.
Record:
Contractor:
Date:
Temporary work:
Authorization:
Cost:
Receipt:
Photographs:
Professional inspection
| Inspector | Company | License | Date | Areas inspected | Report | Recommendation | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | | | | | | | |
Ask the inspector to distinguish storm damage, installation defect, normal wear, maintenance, immediate leak, cosmetic condition, code issue, and remaining service life.
A contractor proposing replacement should provide photographs, measurements, and a defined scope rather than a verbal diagnosis delivered from the driveway.
Estimate comparison
Track:
- Roof area
- Tear-off
- Deck repair allowance
- Underlayment
- Flashing
- Ventilation
- Edge metal
- Ice barrier
- Disposal
- Permit
- Warranty
- Cleanup
- Magnet sweep
- Interior protection
Compare identical scopes. One estimate excluding deck repair and permits is not necessarily cheaper. It merely finished counting earlier.
Repair record
Date:
Contractor:
Permit:
Materials:
Product:
Color:
Lot:
Sections repaired:
Deck condition:
Flashing:
Ventilation:
Inspection:
Warranty:
Final photographs:
Do not reduce a roof replacement record to the shingle brand alone.
Claim and payment record
| Date | Contact | Document | Amount | Deductible | Depreciation | Next action | |---|---|---|---:|---:|---:|---| | | | | | | | |
Review whether the policy uses replacement cost, actual cash value, a separate roof schedule, or special wind and hail deductibles.
Minimal spreadsheet header
Roof Section | Installation Date | Material | Inspection Date | Event | Observation | Photo | Contractor | Estimate | Permit | Repair | Warranty | Claim
Bottom line
Preserve a baseline, inspect safely, document every storm before repairs, retain contractor and insurance records, and photograph completed work.
A roof usually receives attention only when water appears indoors. The log gives it the less dramatic option of becoming a maintained building system rather than a surprise ceiling feature.
Sources reviewed
Limits and cautions
- Not hands-on tested
Source notes
- https://ibhs.org/hurricane-ready-home/ibhs.org
- https://fortifiedhome.org/roof/fortifiedhome.org
- https://content.naic.org/article/what-do-you-do-stormcontent.naic.org
- https://content.naic.org/article/navigating-claims-processcontent.naic.org
See something wrong or out of date? Report a correction.