The nor'easter that sat on Hampton Roads from September 22 into that weekend did not look like a hurricane. There was no name, no landfall and no evacuation order for most of us. That is why a lot of roof damage from it will go unnoticed until a ceiling stain shows up in November.
A hurricane brings its worst wind over a few hours. This storm brought steady northeast wind and rain for most of a week, and that changes where roofs fail and how long the damage takes to show.
Why a Multi-Day Storm Damages Roofs Differently
Even where gusts stayed moderate, the storm's length, wind direction and salt all wore on roofs.
Duration. Shingles are built to handle a gust. What wears them down is hours of steady wind working the same edge back and forth. A shingle that lifts on day one and keeps flexing through day four can crack along the nail line or lose its seal, even if it is lying flat today.
Direction. Nor'easters push wind and rain out of the northeast. Our summer storms usually come out of the south and southwest. A nor'easter drives rain into the north and east slopes of your roof, and the flashing on those sides, for days at a time.
Salt. Dominion Energy said wind and salt were the two biggest problems for its equipment during this storm. Salt does the same thing to your roof's metal: flashing, drip edge, vent boots and fasteners. Salt residue left on metal keeps corroding it long after the sky clears.
Where to Look First, From the Ground
- Do not climb on the roof. Wet, salt-coated shingles are slick, and a fall costs more than any repair. Binoculars and a walk around the house will show you most of what matters.
- Missing or creased shingles. A crease is a straight line across a shingle where it lifted and folded back. The seal is broken even though the shingle is still there.
- Ridge caps. The shingles along the peak take the most wind. Look for gaps or caps that sit crooked.
- Flashing on the north and east sides. Check around chimneys, walls and skylights for metal that has pulled away or looks bent.
- Granules in gutters and at downspout exits. Some granule loss is normal. A noticeable pile after one storm is not.
- Debris and limbs. Anything that landed on the roof may have cracked shingles underneath it, even after it blew off.
- Seeing any of these from the ground? Request a free roof inspection or call (757) 785-9937.
Check the Attic Before the Ceiling
Wind-driven rain from a nor'easter gets pushed sideways and even uphill under shingles and flashing. That water usually lands on the roof deck and insulation first. It can take weeks to reach your drywall.
On a dry afternoon, take a flashlight into the attic and look for:
- Dark or damp spots on the underside of the roof deck, especially on the north and east sides
- Insulation that is matted, discolored or damp to the touch
- Water trails along rafters or around vent pipes and the chimney chase
- Rusty nail tips, which point to moisture that has been sitting there
If you find wet insulation, do not wait on it. Damp insulation holds water against the deck and is where mold starts.
Damage That Shows Up Late
Some nor'easter damage will not show for weeks. A shingle that lost its seal may sit flat until the next windy day. In cooler fall weather, the adhesive strips that bond shingles together need sun and warmth to reseal, so a lifted shingle in October tends to stay lifted until someone fixes it.
Watch for these through the rest of the fall:
- New water spots on ceilings, especially near exterior walls
- Peeling paint or bubbling near the top of exterior walls or around window trim
- A musty smell upstairs after rain
- Shingles in the yard after an ordinary windy day
What a Post-Storm Inspection Should Cover
A thorough check after a storm like this starts on the north and east slopes and works around the whole roof. The inspector should look at every piece of flashing, check shingle seals along the rakes and ridge, and inspect vent boots and pipe collars for cracks or salt corrosion. Then they should go into the attic and look at the decking and insulation from underneath.
Ask for photos of anything they find, with a note on what is storm damage and what is normal wear. That difference matters if you file a claim, because insurance pays for the first and not the second. If nothing is wrong, keep the photos anyway as a baseline for the next storm.
What About Insurance?
If you find damage, report it to your insurer promptly. The longer you wait, the easier it is for an adjuster to argue the damage came from wear instead of a specific storm. Note the storm dates, September 22 through roughly September 27, and photograph everything before any repair.
A common question after this storm: does my hurricane deductible apply? For most Virginia policies with a separate hurricane or named-storm deductible, that deductible applies only when the National Weather Service names a storm and issues a hurricane watch or warning for part of Virginia. This nor'easter was never named, so damage from it usually falls under your standard deductible instead. Some policies use a broader windstorm deductible that can apply to any wind event. Your declarations page tells you which kind you have, and your agent can confirm it.
One more thing that catches people after a storm like this: Virginia homeowners policies generally do not cover damage from flooding, surface water or storm surge. If tidal water came into your home, that is a flood insurance matter. Rain that came in through a damaged roof is a different claim. The Virginia Bureau of Insurance explains both points, including how separate wind and hurricane deductibles work.
For what to photograph and keep before an adjuster visits, see our insurance claim documentation guide [link: September insurance post].
Planning to file? Get a free written estimate before your adjuster visits or call (757) 785-9937.
A Word About Door Knockers
After every big storm, out-of-area crews show up offering free roofs and fast fixes. Before you sign anything, look the contractor up on the Virginia DPOR license lookup, confirm a local address and phone number, and be wary of anyone asking for a large payment upfront. A local, licensed roofer will still be around if a warranty issue comes up later.
FAQ: Roof Damage After a Nor'easter
How do I know if the nor'easter damaged my roof if nothing is leaking?
Look from the ground for missing or creased shingles, lifted ridge caps and bent flashing, then check the attic for damp insulation or dark spots on the roof deck. Wind-driven rain often soaks the attic weeks before it reaches a ceiling.
Does a hurricane deductible apply to nor'easter damage in Virginia?
Usually not. Most Virginia hurricane or named-storm deductibles apply only when the National Weather Service names a storm and issues a hurricane watch or warning for Virginia, and nor'easters are not named. Some policies carry a windstorm deductible that applies to any wind event, so check your declarations page.
How long after a storm can a roof leak show up?
Anywhere from the next rain to several weeks later. Water often collects in insulation and on the roof deck first. A shingle that lost its seal may not leak until the next strong wind.
Should I go on my roof to check for damage myself?
No. Wet, salt-coated shingles are slippery and damaged areas can be weak underfoot. Binoculars from the ground and a flashlight in the attic will show most of what you need to know.
How do I check if a roofer is licensed in Virginia?
Search the contractor's name on the Virginia DPOR license lookup. It shows license class, status and any disciplinary history.
When to Call
Most nor'easter damage is small right now: a broken seal, a loose piece of flashing, a few wet square feet of insulation. It gets expensive when it sits through the rest of fall and into winter.
Schedule a free roof inspection this week or call SB Roofing at (757) 785-9937.
About SB Roofing: SB Roofing, Inc. is a family-owned roofing contractor with over 35 years of experience in Hampton Roads. We handle residential and commercial roof replacement, repair, maintenance and inspections across Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Hampton and Newport News. We are a GAF Master Elite and Owens Corning Preferred contractor, licensed in Virginia as a Class A contractor (#2705106111). Call (757) 785-9937 for a free estimate. Where Quality Counts!
ABOUT SB ROOFING
Commercial and Residential Class A Contractor
Here at SB Roofing, we are dedicated to providing quality products, craftsmanship, and service. But, more importantly, we want to assure that you are completely satisfied with the job we do for you.
We are experienced providers of the industry's most secure residential roofing solutions, providing Hampton Roads homeowners with over 25 years experience. From immediate roofing estimates to quick service to final clean-up, we have built our reputation on protecting your most important investment - your home!
We pay special attention to detail by having continuous job supervision and highly qualified installers on every job. Also, SB Roofing maintains discreet relationships with roofing manufacturers and distributors, allowing us to provide you with the best prices, availability and selection at all times. And our work is backed by a full warranty that covers labor & materials.
