What Should I Inspect After a Severe Thunderstorm?

Start by Looking at the Entire House From a Distance

Before walking directly up to the house, step back and look at each side of the exterior as a whole.

A wider view can help you notice changes that are harder to see when standing close to the wall.

Look for:

• Loose or missing siding
• Sections that appear bowed or uneven
• Sagging gutters
• Missing soffit panels
• Loose fascia
• Damaged exterior trim
• Broken windows
• Tree limbs or debris against the house

If anything looks noticeably different than it did before the storm, take a photo before touching or moving it.

1. Inspect the Siding for Wind and Hail Damage

Siding covers a large portion of the exterior, so it is one of the first areas homeowners should inspect after a severe storm.

Look for:

• Cracks
• Holes
• Dents
• Loose panels
• Unlocked vinyl siding
• Missing panels
• Warped or distorted areas
• Impact marks
• Damage around corners and trim

Wind can sometimes partially unlock vinyl siding without removing the entire panel.

From a distance, look for sections where the horizontal lines suddenly appear uneven or where a panel seems to be hanging differently than the surrounding siding.

Learn more about siding options from Suburban Construction .

Hail Damage May Look Different on Different Siding Materials

Hail does not affect every exterior material in the same way.

Vinyl siding may crack, chip, or develop holes after a significant impact.

Aluminum or metal components may show dents.

Some damage is obvious from the ground while other damage may require closer professional inspection.

If the storm produced large hail in your neighborhood, documenting the siding condition soon afterward can be helpful even if the damage initially looks minor.

2. Check Windows for Broken Glass and Impact Damage

Walk around the house and inspect each visible window.

Look for:

• Broken or cracked glass
• Torn screens
• Dented screen frames
• Damaged exterior trim
• Loose aluminum wrapping
• Visible gaps around the opening
• Water staining inside the window

Hail and wind-driven debris can damage glass, screens, frames, and trim even when the window still operates normally.

Explore replacement window options from Suburban Construction .

Check Windows From Inside Too

After inspecting the exterior, check the inside of windows located on the sides of the house that received the strongest wind or hail.

Look for:

• Water staining
• Wet drywall or trim
• Moisture around the sill
• New drafts
• Glass cracks that were not obvious outside

If water appeared during the storm, photograph the area before it dries completely.

3. Inspect Entry and Patio Doors

Wind-driven rain and debris can affect exterior doors, especially on exposed sides of the home.

Check for:

• Broken glass
• Dents
• Damage to exterior trim
• Water around the threshold
• Loose weatherstripping
• Doors that no longer close or latch normally
• Damage to screens or storm doors

If a door suddenly rubs, sticks, or does not latch the way it did before the storm, take note of the change.

See exterior door options from Suburban Construction .

4. Check Gutters for Dents, Sagging, and Separation

Gutters can provide useful clues after a hail or windstorm.

Look from the ground for:

• Dents in gutter faces
• Sections pulling away from the house
• Loose hangers
• Sagging areas
• Separated corners
• Loose downspouts
• Missing downspout sections
• Debris blocking the system

A storm can also fill gutters with leaves, twigs, roofing debris, and other material in a short period of time.

Learn more about seamless gutters and gutter protection .

5. Inspect Downspouts

Downspouts are easy to overlook, but strong wind and flying debris can loosen them.

Check whether:

• Downspouts are still securely attached
• Sections have separated
• Elbows are damaged
• Extensions have moved
• Water is still directed away from the foundation

A downspout that has shifted during a storm can send large amounts of water directly toward the foundation during the next heavy rain.

6. Look at Soffit and Fascia

Soffit and fascia are particularly vulnerable to wind because they are located near the roofline.

Step back and look for:

• Missing soffit panels
• Panels hanging down
• Bent fascia
• Loose fascia covering
• Exposed wood
• Damaged roof-edge trim

Even a relatively small opening can allow additional wind, water, birds, or pests into areas that were previously protected.

7. Inspect Custom Aluminum and Exterior Trim

Aluminum wrapping around windows, doors, fascia, and other exterior details can be damaged by hail or flying debris.

Look for:

• Dents
• Loose pieces
• Bent edges
• Open seams
• Pieces pulling away
• Exposed wood underneath

Trim damage can be easy to miss from a distance, so take a closer look from the ground around windows and doors.

8. Look Around Exterior Vents and Utility Penetrations

Severe wind can loosen exterior fixtures or damage the siding surrounding them.

Inspect around:

• Dryer vents
• Bathroom exhaust vents
• Exterior faucets
• Electrical outlets
• Light fixtures
• Utility lines
• Exterior cameras
• Mounting blocks

Look for cracks, loosened mounting blocks, damaged siding, or visible gaps that were not present before the storm.

9. Look for Signs of Water Intrusion

Heavy wind-driven rain can reveal weaknesses that normal rainfall does not.

Inside the home, inspect areas around:

• Windows
• Exterior doors
• Ceilings near exterior walls
• Upper-floor walls
• Finished areas beneath rooflines

Look for fresh stains, wet drywall, damp trim, peeling paint, or moisture where you have not seen it before.

New water intrusion should be investigated rather than simply painted over after it dries.

10. Check the Ground Around the House

Heavy rain can change drainage around the home quickly.

Walk the foundation line and check for:

• Standing water
• Washout or erosion
• Mulch or soil pushed against siding
• Downspout extensions that moved
• Water flowing toward the house
• Debris blocking drainage paths

A storm may damage nothing on the siding itself while still creating a drainage problem that deserves attention.

Check Detached Structures Too

Garages, sheds, pool houses, and other structures experienced the same storm.

Inspect their siding, windows, doors, gutters, soffit, fascia, and trim using the same approach you used on the house.

Damage to a detached building can also provide clues about the direction and severity of the wind or hail that affected your property.

Look at Screens for Evidence of Hail

Window screens can sometimes make storm damage easier to recognize.

Look for new tears, holes, dents in aluminum screen frames, or repeated impact marks.

Screen damage does not automatically mean the surrounding window or siding is damaged, but it can be another reason to inspect the area carefully.

Do Not Forget the Garage Door

Garage doors present a large surface to wind and hail.

Look for dents, broken windows, damaged trim, misalignment, or any obvious change in operation after a severe storm.

If the door appears structurally damaged or does not operate normally, avoid forcing it and contact an appropriate garage-door professional.

What About the Roof?

The roof is an important part of any post-storm inspection, but homeowners should not climb onto it simply to look for damage.

From the ground, you may be able to see:

• Missing shingles
• Lifted or displaced materials
• Tree limbs on the roof
• Damaged roof-edge components
• Debris accumulation

If you suspect roof damage, have it inspected by a qualified roofing professional rather than risking a fall.

Take Photos Before Making Temporary Repairs

Documentation is one of the most useful things a homeowner can do after a significant storm.

Take:

• Wide photos of each side of the house
• Close-up photos of visible damage
• Photos of fallen limbs or debris
• Photos of water intrusion
• Photos of damaged gutters, siding, trim, windows, or doors

If emergency temporary repairs are necessary to prevent additional damage, document the original condition first whenever it is safe to do so.

Do Not Throw Damaged Pieces Away Immediately

If a piece of siding, trim, gutter, or another exterior component has blown off the house, keep it if it can be collected safely.

The piece may help identify the original product, color, profile, or manufacturer.

That information can be useful when evaluating whether the damaged component can be repaired or matched.

One Damaged Siding Panel Does Not Always Mean Full Replacement

Some storm damage can be repaired without replacing an entire exterior.

If only one or two siding panels are damaged and matching material is available, individual replacement may be possible.

The challenge becomes greater with older siding systems because colors fade, profiles change, and products may be discontinued.

A professional evaluation can help determine whether repair is practical.

Older Siding May Be Difficult to Match

If storm damage affects an older vinyl siding system, identifying a replacement panel can sometimes be difficult.

Even when the original manufacturer and color are known, years of weather exposure may make new material look noticeably different beside the existing siding.

In some situations, product identification services may be used when the exact siding is unknown.

The goal should be to understand what material is actually on the home before deciding how a repair or replacement should be approached.

Watch the House During the Next Rain

Some storm damage becomes easier to identify after another rainfall.

From a safe location, watch for:

• Gutters overflowing where they did not before
• New gutter leaks
• Downspouts that are not draining correctly
• Water entering near windows or doors
• Water collecting against the foundation

A severe storm can move or damage exterior components just enough to create a problem during the next rain.

When Should You Call a Professional?

Consider asking for a professional exterior evaluation when you see:

• Multiple cracked or damaged siding panels
• Missing siding
• Broken windows
• Water intrusion
• Loose soffit or fascia
• Gutters pulling away from the house
• Significant hail damage
• Exterior trim pulling loose
• Damage you cannot safely inspect yourself

A professional should be able to explain what appears damaged, what may be repairable, and when broader replacement may need to be considered.

Be Cautious About Contractors Who Appear Immediately After a Storm

Severe storms can bring a large number of contractors into an affected area.

Some may be established local businesses. Others may travel from market to market following storm activity.

Before signing anything, ask:

• Where is your permanent office?
• How long have you served this area?
• Who handles service after installation?
• Can I verify your insurance?
• Who will actually perform the work?
• What workmanship coverage do you provide?

A storm creates urgency, but homeowners should still take time to understand who they are hiring.

Do Not Let Storm Urgency Turn Into Sales Pressure

Some storm damage does require prompt temporary protection.

That does not mean you need to make every permanent repair or replacement decision immediately.

Take photographs, prevent additional damage when necessary, understand the condition of the home, and compare qualified contractors before making major decisions.

What About an Insurance Claim?

If you believe your home has storm damage that may be covered by insurance, review your policy and contact your insurance company for guidance on its claim process.

Keep photographs, notes, and documentation of visible damage.

A contractor can help identify and document exterior conditions, but the insurance company determines coverage according to the terms of your policy.

Why Local Storm Experience Matters in the Quad Cities

Severe thunderstorms, straight-line winds, hail, and heavy rain are familiar parts of spring and summer weather throughout Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois.

Contractors who regularly work in Davenport, Bettendorf, Eldridge, LeClaire, Moline, Rock Island, East Moline, and surrounding communities become familiar with the kinds of exterior damage these storms can create.

That local experience can be helpful when evaluating siding, windows, gutters, soffit, fascia, and trim after severe weather.

Suburban Construction Has Served the Quad Cities Since 1985

Suburban Construction Inc. has worked on exterior remodeling projects throughout the Quad Cities for more than four decades.

Our exterior work includes replacement windows, siding, entry doors, patio doors, seamless gutters, gutter protection, soffit, fascia, and exterior trim.

Learn more about Suburban Construction's history in the Quad Cities .