It’s well known that storm damage can be especially bad ( expensive) when it comes to roofs. The of extreme weather incidents in the U.S. is on the rise. Unfortunately, the odds of damage to homes are higher, too.
After a thunderstorm or tornado has cleared the area, you’ll find a lot of people crossing their fingers as they inspect their houses. Even if you know that your roof is likely to take on some storm damage, do you know what to look for?
Don’t let the damage get worse because you didn’t know you needed help. There are some areas that are most likely to be affected after your home has gone through severe weather. Read on to find out which six areas to check for damage after a storm.
1. Check Indoors First
It might seem counter-intuitive to check indoors for damage to an external roof, but this is actually the first place you should check after a storm has rolled through the area.
Go to each external room in your house. Do you see any damp spots on the ceiling? Do you see any water stains where the ceiling meets the wall?
Of course, if you see water starting to leak, that’s a sign that your roof has taken on significant storm damage. You can keep assessing the damage outside, but your best bet will probably be to call in . There won’t be much more for you to do, since your roof could need to be replaced completely.
If you don’t notice any water stains, breathe a sigh of relief. However, there still could have been some damage done, so you should still continue your inspection.
2. Shingles
Often, the most obvious storm damage done will be to your shingles. If your house went through a hail storm, for example, you’ll probably find a lot of cracked or dented shingles. These should be noted in case they become larger cracks or tears.
Inspect your roof closely check the ground around you to see if there are any missing shingles. If shingles are missing, your roof is vulnerable to even more damage.
Missing shingles are an obvious problem, but even if all of the shingles on your roof seem to be in place, there are still some issues you should look for. Are they all flat in place, or have some of them been bent out of shape? If your shingles aren’t lying properly, your roof will be prone to leaks.
Finally, you might want to grab a ladder or some binoculars to see if the granules have been worn away by the storm. The granules on the shingles help to provide fire resistance, so if they’ve been worn away, you’ll need to take action.
3. Roof Vent
Depending on what kind of a roof you have, if you have an attic or not, you might have ventilation in your roof. Many homes in warmer areas have a roof vent to release hot air make it easier on their AC system.
This seems like a pretty unimportant piece to check after a storm, but make sure that the roof vent hasn’t been bent out of shape or dented. Even if everything looks fine with your shingles, a dented roof vent could signal that there’s something else damaged you can’t see.
You’ll need a ladder to get a good look at the vent, so take extra care make sure you have a spotter.
4. Gutters
Storm damage can affect your gutters, too.
First, look to see if they’ve been partially detached from your home. High winds can pull the gutters away from the roof siding, causing even more damage than before. The wind can also bend them out of shape stop them from working correctly.
If your gutters seem to be in place, make sure they’re not too clogged with leaves debris. A clogged gutter can’t do its job properly. Debris can pile up prevent water from draining, which could lead to even more damage.
While you’re at it, check your windows as well. They’re not technically part of your roof, but you’ll want to know as soon as possible if they’ve been damaged during the storm.
5. Flashing
Flashing is the material that’s used over your roof’s joints to prevent water from seeping in through the cracks. Depending on the style of your roof, the flashing could be in a lot of different places. It’s most common around a chimney, around the edges of the roof, where two planes meet.
Flashing is usually a metal like aluminum, but sometimes it can be plastic or felt. Depending on what was used for your house, you’re most likely to either see tears or buckling in the material. If you have a chimney, you should look for missing flashing that might have been torn away by the wind.
6. Underlayment
You may have never seen the underlayment of your roof before, which is a good thing — you’re not supposed to.
The roof underlayment is a waterproof material that’s installed underneath everything else. It’s meant to be the last defense against leaks in your home in case everything else is damaged.
Since it’s so strong, it’s rare for a storm’s destruction to be so bad that it ruins the underlayment. With any luck, there won’t be too many issues with this area of your roof. You should still double check to make sure it hasn’t been damaged, though. If the underlayment is toast, you’ll probably need a whole new roof.
Read more here: https://daviscontracting.org/4-signs-your-home-needs-storm-damage-repair/
Does Your Roof Need Repairs from Storm Damage?
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We offer free home inspections so that a licensed professional can assess any potential damage. If you do need repairs, we can help. Our include replacing missing shingles, fixing wall chimney flashings, much more to help get your home back in shape.
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