Damage assessment of residential roofing is typically a hot topic after a major storm passes through a neighborhood, particularly after large hail events and strong wind events. Strong wind events may cause portions of roof coverings to tear away, which may be easily recognized from the casual observer walking through the neighborhood.

Damage from hail or minor wind events, on the other hand, is typically not apparent from grade. Consequently, many claims are filed by homeowners who are uncertain of the existence or extent of damage from a storm event. Sometimes, homeowners are frustrated by apparent inconsistencies in the assessment of their roofs by various parties—such as roofing contractors, insurance adjusters, independent engineers, and friends—after a storm. Homeowners may be confused or upset as to why some roofs in a neighborhood require complete replacement, while their own roofs have little or no damage. Other homeowners may be confused as to why their gutters and downspouts have obvious indentations from hail impact, yet their roofs have no damage.

Because of this, it is helpful to have a basic understanding and general overview of residential roofing assessment. The following information will help claim professionals evaluate reported storm damage, and will focus strictly on asphalt composition shingles. Information in this article is based upon a technical paper published by the American Society of Civil Engineers (Forensic Engineering 2009 – Pathology of the Built Environment – Proceedings of the Fifth Congress on Forensic Engineering) and presented in Washington, D.C. in November 2009. The paper was written and presented by engineers from Rimkus Consulting Group, Inc. (Luke M. Sharara, P.E., James W. Jordan, P.E., S.E., and Ross A. Kimble, P.E.)