Roof Maintenance & Storm Documentation Checklist

Seasonal Wind & Moss Checklist

Recommended twice a year — before and after windstorm season (roughly November through February) — since direct Puget Sound wind exposure, not extreme cold, is what drives most roof problems in Everett. Waterfront-facing and bluff-lot properties near Port Gardner and Possession Sound see the most direct exposure; shaded, tree-covered lots elsewhere still see real moss growth worth checking for separately.

• Walk the property and visually check every roof slope for lifted, cracked, or missing shingles, especially on wind-exposed elevations.
• Check flashing at chimneys, vents, and skylights for gaps or lifted edges — the most common real leak source on an otherwise sound roof.
• Clear gutters and downspouts of debris so water actually drains during heavy winter rain.
• Check the attic (if safely accessible) for any new water stains, musty smell, or daylight through the deck.
• Look for moss or algae coverage on shaded and north-facing sections, especially on older homes in Riverside, Bayside, or North Everett.
• After any major windstorm, do a quick visual check for missing or displaced material even if nothing looks wrong from inside.
• If your home sits in the Rucker-Grand, Norton-Grand, or Riverside Historic Overlay Zone, keep this in mind before any future roof work — design review applies on top of a standard permit.

After a Storm: Documentation Checklist

Good documentation is the biggest factor in how smoothly an insurance claim goes, if one applies. Do these in order:

• Secure the property first. If it's safe, contain any active interior leak and prevent further water intrusion — but don't get on the roof yourself.
• Photograph before any repair. Wide shots for context, close-ups for detail, from multiple angles, the same day if possible.
• Photograph undamaged areas too. This helps establish contrast between the storm damage and the roof's prior condition.
• Note the date and conditions of the storm itself — this supports the "sudden event" documentation insurers look for.
• Call for a professional assessment before assuming the damage is (or isn't) storm-related — gradual wear and sudden wind damage look different, and the distinction affects insurance coverage.
• Report to your insurer promptly once you have initial photos and an assessment.

When to Call a Professional Right Away

• Active dripping or a fast-growing ceiling stain
• Visible daylight through the roof deck from inside the attic
• Missing or torn material covering more than a small, isolated area
• Any storm damage you're considering filing an insurance claim for