Roof Damage by Storm –Check It out
Chances are, no matter where you reside in the United States, you've had your fair share of bad weather over the years. Storms may wreak havoc on roofs and other exterior home surfaces, including hurricanes, tornadoes, hailstorms, and summer squalls that fetch wind and rain.
After a storm, what should you do?
How can you tell if your roof has been damaged, and what must you do about it after a large storm?
Explore this guide to learn about different forms of roof storm damage and the steps you should take, then call our roofing contractors for help.
Roof Storm Damage Types
Wind
Hurricane-force winds, defined as winds of 74 mph or more, or gale-force winds, defined as winds of 39-54 mph, can inflict apparent damage to your home's roof. High winds can damage or remove shingles, exposing the underlayment, roof deck, and waterproofing material to the elements.
Sudden, strong wind blow can elevate and bend shingles during less severe storms. When shingles are put, they're overlapped to establish a water-tight seal, but lifting and curling can compromise that seal, leaving the roof susceptible to damage.
Hail
While hailstorms are usually brief, lasting little more than 15 minutes, they can damage shingles by leaving dents or pockmarks and loosening shingle grains. This is an issue because these granules protect your roof from rain and sun damage. Hail damage might also detract from the attractive aesthetics of your roof's surface.
Water puddle
Roofs with poor drainage, particularly in uneven places, may experience standing water after heavy rainstorms. Clogged gutters can also cause rainwater to back up under your shingles, allowing moisture to seep into the underlayment or roof deck.
Debris
Debris, ranging from small branches to larger tree limbs, can wind up on the top of your roof depending on the severity of the storm. Large items can impact or dent the shingle surface, leaving that section of the roof prone to moisture entry, but lightweight branches are less of a concern.
Checklist for Roof Storm Damage
Use our storm damage checklist for roof to determine whether you need a totally new roof or only parts of it repaired or rebuilt, as well as the type of damage your roof has experienced.
Safety comes first, as it always does. To schedule an inspection and receive assistance with damage assessment, contact a reputable, experienced roofing contractor. Many contractors provide free inspections and will know where to search for roof problems in a safe manner.
Roof
Examine your roof visually by checking around the outskirts of your home and noting any evident storm damage.
One of your windows may provide a nice view of parts of your roof.Have a list of notes or take photos; this can come in handy for insurance purposes later. Any apparent indicators of storm damage, as torn, dented, curledor missing shingles, should be documented.
Gutters, vents, and windows
Gutters, vents, and windows are all things that need to be considered. Examine your gutters and accessories of roofing, as gable vents and overhangs, for dents. Cracks, loose weather-stripping, broken glass, and ripped screens should all be checked.
Home outside
Walk around the outside of your house looking for missing fence posts, fallen tree limbs, to lawn furniture damage and other decorations. Hail damage can be evaluated on flat surfaces like patios and decks.
Ceiling and attic
Look for leaks and water spots in the attic and ceilings. While the exterior of your home's roof may appear to be unharmed, wind and hail can cause hidden leaks that might lead to worse problems later. Water leaks and spots should be checked in your light fixtures, ceilings, and attic. To see in dark regions, use a flashlight.
See us at Elliott Roofing for damage correction. Our roofing contractors are efficient enough with expert team to answer all your roofing issues.