The storm rolled through last night — maybe it was a named system, maybe it was one of those intense summer thunderstorms that drops two inches of rain in 45 minutes and moves on like nothing happened. Either way, you're walking around your house this morning trying to figure out what's new and what was already there.

It's a harder question than it sounds. A crack in the drywall, a stain on the ceiling, a door that suddenly doesn't latch — is that the storm, or was it always like that? The answer matters, especially if you're considering an insurance claim. Here's how to think through it.

Start Outside

The Roof

You don't need to get on the roof — in fact, please don't, especially when it's wet. Walk the perimeter and look up. You're looking for missing shingles, lifted edges, or visible damage to flashing around chimneys, vents, or skylights. Check your gutters too — granules from asphalt shingles washing into gutters after a storm are a sign of impact damage. A few granules are normal; a significant amount filling your downspout strainer is worth a closer look.

Siding and Exterior Walls

Look for dents, cracks, or areas where siding has pulled away from the wall. Hail leaves distinctive circular dents on soft metals like aluminum fascia, AC unit housings, and gutters — if you see a pattern of uniform dents, that's almost certainly storm-related, not wear and tear.

Windows and Doors

Check for cracked glass, broken seals (fogging between double-pane glass), or damaged frames. Check that all exterior doors still latch and seal properly — high winds can warp frames or shift thresholds.

The Yard and Foundation

Standing water near the foundation that's still there hours after the rain stopped is worth noting. Soil erosion around the base of the home, shifted walkways, or debris impact on siding are all documentable storm-related items.

Then Go Inside

Ceilings and Attic

New water stains on ceilings — especially ones that appeared after the storm — are the most important interior sign to catch quickly. If you can safely access your attic, look for daylight coming through, wet insulation, or active dripping. These need attention fast; the longer water sits, the more damage it does.

Windows and Interior Walls

Check for water intrusion around window frames, especially on the side of the home that faced the storm. Wind-driven rain can force water through gaps that normally stay dry. New staining or dampness on walls near windows or exterior doors is worth documenting.

Electrical

If you lost power during the storm and had a surge when it came back, check GFCI outlets (kitchens, bathrooms, garage, exterior) — they may have tripped. If breakers are tripping repeatedly or outlets aren't working that were fine before, that needs a licensed electrician.

The Wear & Tear Distinction

Here's the honest truth: insurance companies look closely at whether damage is storm-related or pre-existing. A few indicators that something is wear and tear rather than storm damage: rust or corrosion that would take years to develop, cracks that have old paint over them, or damage in locations that wouldn't be exposed to the storm's path.

If you're not sure, document everything with photos and timestamps before touching anything. And if you're filing a claim, having a professional assessment in writing — not just your own photos — carries a lot more weight.

When to Call

Call a professional immediately if you see active water intrusion through the roof or walls, any sign of structural shifting (doors that suddenly won't open or close, large new cracks in drywall especially diagonal ones near door corners), or any electrical issues. Don't wait on these — what's a manageable repair today becomes a major project in two weeks.

For everything else, document it, prioritize it, and address it before the next storm season gives it a chance to get worse.

At Legacy Home Helpers, our licensed technicians handle post-storm inspections, repairs, and documentation across HVAC, electrical, plumbing, drywall, and exterior — all under one roof. Serving Summerville, Goose Creek, Ladson, Charleston, and the Lowcountry.

Legacy Home Helpers | Summerville, SC | 843-212-6934 | legacyhomehelpers.com

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