The roof is one of the most important structures of your home. It protects you from the elements, and it’s a large part of a home’s curb appeal. Whenever inclement weather causes roof storm damage, getting it repaired as soon as possible is critical to making sure that your family stays safe.
Leaving any sized roof storm damage issue for later could cause even more significant problems. Small holes and leaks can become more extensive, and any water that enters the home can cause mold growth in your attic.
In this blog post, we will discuss the four leading causes of roof storm damage and provide some simple steps for recovery so that you can get back on track in no time!
It’s easy to put roof storm damage into one overarching category and say that “storms” cause the damage. The end problems are all essentially the same: water has access into your home through the roof.
But just like there are different kinds of storms, there are also four distinct ways roof storm damage happens:
Let’s take a look at each of them.
The simplest example of excess water is clogged gutters; when your gutters can’t handle the rain that strikes your roof, the water pools and backs up underneath the roof’s shingles.
This water then has a way into your home and can appear as wet spots visible at the corners of your attic, where it meets the roof.
Uneven areas of your roof are also susceptible to this type of roof storm damage. Instead of flowing up from the end of your shingles, standing water can expose any gaps in the flashing or compromised areas between the shingles.
Hail rarely occurs, but when it does, there’s usually someone in the neighborhood who has roof storm damage from hail.
Large hailstones can crack shingles, giving the water an access point into your home. Even small hailstones can leave dents and pockmarks in your roof where water can pool. Over time, this water could find its way into your house instead of flowing through the gutters.
Hail also knocks shingle granules from the roof, decreasing their life expectancy and creating uneven patterns when viewed from afar.
Strong winds can cause roof storm damage, even if it doesn’t seem like a lot of rain is coming down. A windy storm will put more force on areas that are already weak and could cause leaks by lifting or break the shingles.
Lifted and broken shingles expose your roof’s lower layers to the elements—it’s only a matter of time before a roof leak appears.
Wind lifting shingles might not seem like a big deal at first glance, but breaking the waterproof seal created by layering the shingles gives water access.
Anyone with trees hanging over their roof knows the fear of debris falling onto your roof. Storms can knock small pieces of debris loose from the surrounding environment—these aren’t typically a problem.
The large pieces of debris? They cause some of the worst roof storm damage.
Depending on the size, debris can dent or crack your shingles—a lot like hailstones. Larger pieces of debris fueled by high winds can puncture your roof.
You’ll know when this happens because of the resulting leak. This situation qualifies as a roofing emergency—call your roofing contractor right away!
When you suspect your home suffers from roof storm damage, perform a visual inspection from the ground. Check for anything on the roof that seems abnormal. Don’t forget the gutters and siding! Also, look at your roof from inside the house. Note anything out of the ordinary, especially signs of water damage.
Next, contact a roofing contractor and tell them you suspect roof storm damage on your property. They will conduct an expert roof inspection, looking for areas where water could enter your home and affect the upper levels. Then, they’ll provide an estimate for the repair costs.
Lastly, contact your insurance agent if your roofing expert confirms your home has roof storm damage. Getting the claims process started as soon as possible means you’ll receive money back in your pocket quickly. A licensed, insured, and experienced roofing contractor like Possert Construction can help you with the required evidence collection.
Taking quick action on suspected roof storm damage prevents more significant issues down the line, saving you both time and money in the long run.
Whenever you believe excess water, hail, wind, or debris have caused roof storm damage, contact your roofing contractor for a professional roof inspection. If they confirm your suspicions, get your insurance agent involved so the claims process can get underway.
Possert Construction is a full-service roofing contractor dedicated to keeping your home safe and dry for those of you living in the Dayton, Ohio region and surrounding areas. Give us a call or reach out via our contact page, and one of our roofing experts will get in touch with you about your roofing issues!
