Lebanon County sits in one of the more storm-prone corridors in central Pennsylvania. Spring and summer bring recurring severe thunderstorm watches, hail events, and the occasional microburst that takes down trees and rips off roof sections without warning. By the time a storm warning is issued, it's too late to fix the vulnerabilities it will find.
The good news: most of the serious storm damage I see in Lebanon County was preventable. Not the hail — you can't stop hail. But the water intrusion that follows, the tarping calls at 9pm, the rotted decking that didn't need to rot — that's almost always the result of deferred maintenance. This checklist gives you a systematic pre-storm and post-storm inspection process so you know what you're dealing with before and after any significant weather event. Roof Recovery serves all of Lebanon County — here's what I tell my customers to check.
Before Storm Season: The Pre-Storm Inspection Checklist
Run this inspection once in April and once in early September — before peak storm season and before winter. It takes 20–30 minutes from the ground with binoculars; you don't need to get on the roof.
Shingles and Roof Surface
Scan the entire roof plane systematically from the ground with binoculars.
- Look for curling, cupping, or lifting at shingle edges — these are wind entry points waiting to happen
- Check ridge cap shingles — they take the brunt of wind and are often the first to fail
- Note any dark streaking (algae) or moss growth — these retain moisture and accelerate shingle degradation
- Look for shingles that appear blistered or buckled — signs of ventilation problems that trap heat and moisture
- Check valleys (the V-shaped intersections where two roof planes meet) for missing or deteriorated material
Flashing and Penetrations
These transitions are where most leaks start.
- Chimney flashing — look for visible gaps, dark tar patches (patched previously), or separation between flashing and masonry
- Pipe boots (rubber boots around plumbing vents) — the rubber collar deteriorates and cracks; check for visible cracking from the ground
- Skylight curb flashing if applicable — look for lifted edges or gaps at the corners
- Drip edge at eaves and rakes — ensure it's intact and tight to the fascia
Gutters and Drainage
Clogged gutters during a heavy storm can back water up under shingles.
- Clear gutters of debris — particularly important after fall leaf drop and in spring after seed/pollen season
- Check gutter hangers — gutters pulling away from fascia create gaps where water overflows toward the foundation and soffit
- Confirm downspouts discharge away from the foundation — minimum 6 feet via extension or underground drain
- Look for granule accumulation in gutters — significant granule loss is a sign the shingles are near end-of-life
Trees and Overhangs
Trees are the most underrated storm damage risk in Lebanon County.
- Trim branches overhanging the roof — they abrade shingles in wind and create a debris and moisture problem year-round
- Identify any dead or structurally compromised trees within falling distance of the house — consult an arborist for removal
- Check for branches with included bark (V-shaped unions) — these are failure-prone under ice and heavy wind load
Attic Inspection (Interior)
The attic tells you what the roof isn't showing you from outside.
- Look for daylight entering through the roof deck — any light visible means a penetration point for water
- Check insulation for dark staining or moisture — water stains on insulation batts or blown-in indicate past or active leaks
- Inspect rafters and sheathing for dark spots, soft areas, or visible mold — soft sheathing means water has been there a while
- Confirm ridge vents and soffit vents are unobstructed — proper ventilation is essential for preventing ice dams and heat buildup
Get a Professional Pre-Storm Assessment
I'll do a thorough roof inspection before storm season — document every vulnerability and give you a prioritized repair list. Free, no pressure.
Schedule Free Inspection Or call directly: (717) 997-6566After a Major Storm: Post-Storm Damage Assessment
Lebanon County can get significant hail and straight-line wind from spring through fall. After any storm with reported hail, winds over 50 mph, or visible tree damage in your area, run through this post-storm checklist within 24–48 hours while conditions are fresh.
Signs of Storm Damage to Look For from the Ground
- Granule piles at downspout bases — post-storm granule accumulation in quantities is one of the most reliable ground-level indicators of hail impact on asphalt shingles
- Dents in aluminum gutters — hail that dents gutters has hit the roof too; adjusters treat soft-metal dents as corroborating evidence for a hail damage claim
- Missing or displaced shingles — visible gaps on the roof plane, or shingles visible in the yard, indicate wind damage requiring immediate attention
- Damaged fascia or soffit — wind can lift and crack fascia boards; water enters through any gap
- Debris on roof — tree branches on the roof warrant a professional inspection even if they appear minor; impact damage to sheathing isn't always visible from the ground
Inside the House: Warning Signs After a Storm
- Water stains on ceilings — any new staining after a storm is active damage until proven otherwise
- Wet insulation in the attic — if you can safely access the attic after the storm, check for wetness at the eaves and around any penetrations
- Peeling paint near exterior walls — can indicate moisture intrusion through the wall assembly, sometimes originating at the roof-to-wall flashing
Active leak during a storm? If water is actively entering the home, call for emergency tarping at (717) 997-6566. Do not wait. A small tarp now prevents a much larger repair later — and most homeowner's insurance policies cover emergency tarping costs. Learn more about storm damage response →
Emergency Steps When Damage Is Found
If your post-storm inspection turns up active damage, here's the right sequence:
- Document everything immediately. Date-stamped photos from the ground, plus any interior water intrusion. Take photos before any cleanup or temporary repairs — you need evidence for an insurance claim.
- Stop active water intrusion. If there's an active leak and you can safely do so, a temporary tarp placed over the damaged area buys time. If you're not comfortable on the roof in any condition, call a professional.
- Call a local contractor before your insurer. Get a professional inspection and written damage assessment before you open a claim. You go into the adjuster process with your own documentation. I offer same-day assessments after storm events — call (717) 997-6566.
- File the claim with documentation in hand. Having a contractor's written assessment before the adjuster visit is the single most important thing you can do to protect the scope of your claim.
- Request your contractor be present for the adjuster visit. I do this for every storm damage job. It makes a material difference in the claim outcome.
For the full claims process walkthrough, see the article on what to do after hail damage in Lebanon County.
Lebanon County Storm Season: Know What You're Up Against
Lebanon County averages 3–5 significant severe weather events per storm season (roughly April through September). The Lebanon Valley topography — bounded by South Mountain to the south and Blue Mountain to the north — channels weather systems in ways that can concentrate rainfall and wind. Municipalities like Annville, Palmyra, and Lebanon city have seen hail events large enough to trigger widespread insurance claims in several recent years.
The best preparation is a roof in good repair with no deferred maintenance going into the season. A roof with loose flashing, cracked pipe boots, or end-of-life shingles doesn't just fail worse in a storm — it fails faster after one. A maintenance issue that would have cost $400 to fix in April can become a $4,000 problem by July once storm water has exploited it repeatedly.
When to call a pro: If you find anything on the pre-storm checklist that you're not sure how to evaluate — curling shingles, suspicious flashing, soft spots in the attic — get a professional assessment before storm season rather than guessing. It's free and takes 30 minutes. Schedule here →
For homeowners in Lebanon, Annville, Palmyra, Jonestown, and surrounding Lebanon County communities — see our full service area and contact information. I answer the phone personally and can usually get to you within 24 hours for non-emergency assessments.