The roof of your house protects the interior of your home and all valuable items found within it from severe storms. These protective structures are engineered to withstand harsh weather conditions but powerful winds, hail, and debris can wreak havoc. The extent of the damage may not be easily visible to the naked eye, so it is essential to check the roof after a storm to inspect for damage. While there are certain damages that you can fix quickly, there are instances when you should call an expert to evaluate the damage and provide the necessary repairs.

After a severe storm, you must inspect your roof for any signs of damage and determine if you need professional repair services. After a storm hits hard, many homeowners typically repair their roofs, speak to insurance adjusters, or talk to contractors for storm damage assessment. As a homeowner, you should learn how to inspect for roof damage to know whether you need professional service from a roofing company or not. Here are some helpful tips to consider.

Be Careful When Evaluating Storm Damage

Always proceed with caution when inspecting the exterior of your house. Let the storm pass away entirely before making a move. If you see flooding in the streets or possible electrical hazards on the ground, keep away from going outside and call the local authorities to deal with the issue. Do not put yourself or any other person at risk.

If the storm has passed and any flooding has stopped, always watch for potential hazards while inspecting your roof. Check for fallen debris, broken roof shingles, and structural damage. There may be hidden dangers that your eyes cannot spot so easily.

Inspect the Severity of the Roof Damage

A storm can inflict damage to the exterior of your home. It is wise to perform a routine roof inspection after every storm that passes. Many homeowners regret not inspecting their roofs after a significant storm. A roof inspection after a storm should be a compulsory action. As soon as you identify the extent of the damage, you can determine if you need to do temporary repairs or call a roofing expert.

Check the Roof for Ponding

Ponding can cause rusting, water leaks, and tearing on a flat roof. Heavy rain storms can cause water ponds to form on uneven surfaces. Whenever these pools of water are left unattended, they may cause damage to the roofing material. Before every rainstorm, be sure to drain any water pond on your roof to prevent damage.

Inspect for Hail Storm Damage

Hailstones can cause significant damage to a roof because they are solid and heavy. Hence, damage from hail is straightforward to identify. The hailstones can break windows, cause dents to the roof, and damage the siding of your home.

If you experience a hail storm, check for missing or damaged shingles right away. Look for gaps in the pieces of shingles on your roof. Some shingles may have fallen off the ground, got loose, or broken. Inspect for cracks, dents, and buckling as well. Lastly, check the gutters and the downspouts for any sign of loose asphalt granules and clean them off.

Hail storms can bruise the roofing material, leading to severe roof damage in the future. Hail may also cause cracks on the roofing material due to the immense pressure caused by the freefall of heavy hailstones from the sky. When parts of the roof feel softer than the rest, mark the areas because they are damaged. If the hail damage is immense, roofing companies can help repair the damage or suggest a complete roof replacement.

Check for Wind Damage

Wind accompanies storms and can shatter windows, destroy roofs, and uproot trees. It can blow away shingles and expose the roof deck. It can carry debris and have them crash on your roofing material. These can cause cracks, tears, dents, and leaks to occur.

If you experience a windstorm, inspect your roof at once. Check for any signs of damage to your shingles. If you use asphalt shingles, the wind may blow away asphalt granules and cause them to accumulate in the gutters and downspouts. If you have wood shakes, check for signs of molds or rotting. For flat roofs, look for surface wrinkles, cracks, or tears.

Inspect for Water Damage

Water supports life, but it can also be one of the most damaging elements of nature. When a rainstorm hits your area, you should inspect your roof for water damage as soon as possible. You can easily identify damage caused by wind and hail, but you may not easily spot damage caused by water. Whenever water damage is left untreated, it can lead to leaks, mold growth, rust, and damage to your home’s interior structure. Whenever you suspect water damage on the roof and inside your home, you should call professional roofing contractors to do the necessary repairs.

Water from storms can cause cracks, leaks, and general damage to roofs. However, the water may also affect the ceiling, gutters, walls, attic, basement, crawl spaces, flooring, and windows. Remember that water can creep into other areas of your home through cracks on the roof, walls, and windows. It is essential to take care of the water damage immediately after a storm leaves.

Issues Caused by Roof Damage

Water, wind, and hail from a storm can decrease the durability of your home’s roof. As soon as the roof’s structural integrity is compromised, it will cause various problems. The damages have to be fixed promptly to avoid further damage and maintain the roof’s ability to protect your home.

Decreased Durability and Lifespan

Storms can cause cracks and bruises on your roof. They can cause structural damage, leaks, and other issues. If these damages are not repaired as soon as possible, they lessen the durability of the roof, which will lead to a shorter lifespan. Rubber roofs, asphalt shingles, and other materials will have a reduced lifespan of around 5 to 10 years when not serviced and maintained.

Reduced Property Values

When you plan to sell your home, a damaged roof will decrease its overall value. Cracks, bruises, and holes are visible signs of damage and affect the property’s aesthetics. If you wish to increase the value of your home, you have to get the roof repaired by a reputable roofing contractor before putting your home up for sale. Besides, buyers are more likely to purchase homes with fewer roofing issues.

Proper Storm Damage Roof Repair

As homeowners, it is essential to hire a roofing professional to assess the damage caused by severe weather. A trustworthy professional will provide a free inspection to determine the extent of damage on your roof and give a free estimate. As soon as the repairs are completed, your roof is more likely to be ready for the next storm. Here are some of the repairs that experts can provide:

Roof Repairs

The roof is the first thing that needs to be repaired after a storm. Professional contractors have to replace damaged or missing shingles or shakes. Replacing the missing roofing materials will prevent further leaks and water penetration.

Removal of Excess Water

Water can accumulate almost anywhere on the roof, gutters, or within the interior of your home. When water is left unattended, it can lead to expensive repairs in the future. Professionals work meticulously to get rid of any source of water damage.

Repair Leaks and Openings

Storms can cause cracks, holes, and other openings that may allow water to seep into your home. Sealing these openings will help prevent water leaks, moisture build-up, pest infestation, energy spikes, and other issues. Professionals ensure that every opening or leak is fixed to avoid further problems.

Talk to Your Insurance Company Immediately

As soon as you become aware of the damage on your roof, you have to talk to your insurance provider to make insurance claims. An insurance adjuster will eventually visit your home and assess the extent of the damage. Before that happens, you have to document every damage in your home and take photos of your home’s exterior and interior. Report every possible damage caused by the storm as soon as you can before the period for insurance claim lapses. 

Call a Professional Roofing Contractor

Now that you have the insurance claim to cover the cost of repairs, it is time to call a reputable roofing contractor. Unless you have professional training, never attempt to repair the roof on your own to save money. You may end up dealing more damage than necessary. Hire storm damage repair contractors to deal with the repair or replacement effort. The experts will know what to inspect and deal with the damage.

For a free estimate, contact us right now! You can rely on Elysian Construction Roofing Services to promptly help save your roof from further damage.