Spot Damage to Your Home’s Roof
Roof damage can cause homeowners more stress than most other types of household care and upkeep. Primarily, that is due to the fact that the roof is responsible for keeping the structure secure and safe; it protects the house interior, its contents, and the occupants.
Roof damage is not always evident for a homeowner, it typically takes a professional inspection from a trusted roofing contractor.
A qualified, credentialed roofer like Tonys Roofing will quickly identify defects, signs of early deterioration, or storm aftereffects. Companies like these will make recommendations on restoring the structure for optimum safety, privacy, and comfort.
While the roof is designed to withstand many weather-related abuses, severe events like hail, heavy rains, intense winds with flying debris, and other disasters can shake the structural integrity.
Many homeowners have their roofs inspected annually, but it is vital to take added precautions by having an assessment after any damaging storm.
Tips On Staying on Top of Roof Damage
A damaged roof is one of the most stressful repairs to deal with as a homeowner. Everyone wants peace of mind that the roof on their property is structurally sound, providing the greatest security, privacy, comfort, and safety without fear of intrusion from potential threats.
As a rule, a reliable, qualified contractor should inspect roofs annually or following severe weather events.
As a homeowner, it is challenging to recognize damage, but a professional roofer will be able to detect the aftereffects along with other defects and possible deterioration to restore the structure.
Not only will hail, heavy rains, fierce winds, and flying debris be a problem in the warmer months, but you will also need to contend with heavy snowfall and ice dams in the winter season.
Go to https://www.architecturaldigest.com/reviews/roofing/storm-damage-roof-repair#:~: for a roof repair guide following storm damage and follow here for weather events that can result in roof damage.
Hail
When you hear hail pounding the roof and windows, the ice pellets will collect on the ground. Hail can cause dents in siding and possibly shatter glass aside from loosening and breaking the roof shingles. Here are some things you will find with the roof due to hail.
- Gutters and downspouts will accumulate loosened asphalt granules. Downspouts and flashing can become loose, break off, or sprinkled with dings.
- Shingles can loosen or become damaged. These will either curl, crack, buckle, or develop dents from the hail.
- You could find shingles scattered on the ground letting you know there are exposed areas on the roof’s surface or gaps where shingles are missing.
The wind
Fierce wind has intense strength with the potential to uproot trees, shatter glass, like windows, and rip shingles from the roof leaving the underlayment or decking exposed to severe weather. That leaves the house susceptible to water damage. Following a windstorm, the roof, and the house’s exterior should be inspected.
- The chimney bricks can break loose and begin to crumble.
- The roofing cement can also break loose and begin to crumble.
- The flashing will buckle and can tear.
Depending on the roofing material, you can experience varied ranges of damage to the roof’s surface. An all-shingled surface can see the shingles curling, missing, leaving gaps exposed, and cracks.
You can see granule accumulation in downspouts and gutters with composition shingles. A flat structure can develop surface wrinkles, tears, and possible cracks.
Water damages
With wind and hail, the damage can often be quickly recognized. Leaks and water lead to mold and other damage that can impact the foundation and overall structure. When looking for areas that might be creating leaks, here are some signs.
- The roofing will have a missing shingle leaving the underlayment and decking exposed to the weather.
- Look at the attic space as well as the crawl space and basement for signs of water leaks, mold, mildew, or rotting wood. A foul odor can be revealed as soon as 24 hours following a severe storm.
- Check the ceiling for signs of discoloration which will appear in a brown or yellowish hue.
- Following severe weather pay attention to the walls to notice potential cracks, bubbled or peeling paint, or discolorations.
- Water can also pool in the downspouts and alongside the house. This will lead to mold development and affect the structure’s integrity.
When you find any signs of damage following a severe weather event, it is critical to reach out to a few roofing contractors who will assess the structure and offer free estimates that you can then give to your insurance adjuster when you put in your claim for the repairs.
Most local roofing contractors are experienced with storm-damaged homes, making it wise that they be present when the estimate is presented to the insurance adjuster so the contractor can explain the damage and why the repairs are necessary. This way you are assured of a fair assessment.
After the inspection, the roofing contractor will recommend either making the necessary repairs or replacing the structure. If there are any changes to the original estimate, these should be put in writing.
Once the roof is either repaired or replaced, the project will be considered complete after the city inspects and passes it.
If you are satisfied with the result, you will then be able to have peace of mind that your roof can again provide safety, security, and comfort as it did with this weather event.
Final Thought
Roof damage is the last home repair a homeowner wants to hear they need because it implies their house is lacking the safety, security, and comfort they have come to depend on.
As a rule, most homeowners depend on professional, qualified roofing contractors to inspect their roofs each year to ensure the structure’s integrity.
These inspections need to be extended to include after any severe weather event. Damage can be extensive following a storm of any kind, whether a summer hail, heavy rain or windstorm, or a winter snow or ice and sleet storm.
As a homeowner, you are limited in what you can detect when looking at the roof to see if damage has occurred. Go here for guidance on inspecting a roof for damage.
A reliable, credentialed roofer will detect aftereffects and recommend what needs to be done to restore the roof to its role of protecting the property and its occupants.
