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?

Look no further — Davis Contracting has over fifteen years of experience serving homeowners across the state.

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.

Ready to get in touch? Shoot us a quick message here or get a free estimate now by calling (864) 501-5208. Let us help you get your home back in perfect shape.

Roof damage, no matter how slight or severe, is inevitable. At some point as a homeowner, you’ll encounter problems with your home’s roof. You may be asking yourself, “So, what can I do to prevent roof damage? How can I make my roof last for as long as possible?”

We’re here to answer just that!

The constant sunny weather lack of snow in South Carolina may make it seem like the homeowners here have it easy.

But did you know that Greenville gets around 50 inches of rain per year? That’s higher than the national average. It means that Greenville homeowners are especially susceptible to storm damage.

Roofs are integral to the safety foundation of our homes. In this article, we’re going to talk how South Carolina homeowners can avoid roof damage. Don’t let your roof succumb to short-term long-term damage!

1. Keep Your Gutters Clean

Gutters drain rainwater away from your home. For them to do their job, they need to be properly cleaned from time to time.

When gutters clog with leaves debris, excess rainwater can accumulate on the roof. This can cause serious problems. You could be dealing with leaks damage to the interior exterior of a home.

Clogged debris pose as fire hazards, as well. It can also weaken the foundation of a house. It can even cause roofs to collapse completely. Repairing roof damage can cost thousands of dollars. Serious problems like roof collapses can exceed tens of thousands of dollars.

Clogged gutters also attract pests, rodents, and insects. They can lead to mold and spore growth. This can be a serious health hazard to your family.

How often should you clean your gutters?

It depends on how many trees are in your yard. Yards with more trees means that more leaves and debris can wind up in your gutters.

The most important time of year to keep an eye on your gutters is in the fall and spring. However, they can still clog in the winter.

Since it doesn’t snow that often in Greenville, clogged gutters aren’t much of a threat in the winter. But it’s still a good idea to check them from time to time during the cold months.

Cleaning gutters is a task most homeowners can do themselves.

But the job can be dangerous if gutters are located high up. It can also be dangerous if your yard isn’t level. Without a sturdy ladder, you won’t be able to clean your gutters alone.

That’s where a professional comes in. They can clean your gutters and check their durability for a reasonable price.

2. Trim Your Trees

As we mentioned, leaves and tree debris are the main cause of clogged gutters. Homeowners with many trees in their yard have to especially stay on top of their gutters.

But excess trees in a yard can cause other roof damage. During high winds, branches can fly off and hit your roof. They can loosen the shingles or tiles off your roof. They can also damage other areas of your home.

Though it’s not common in Greenville, frost can accumulate during the winter. When this happens, tree branches are at a greater risk of falling onto your roof.

To prevent roof damage caused by tree branches, it’s important to trim your trees. This is easier for shorter and smaller trees. But it can be more difficult without a sturdy ladder or level ground.

3. Check for Roof Damage

From time to time, you should grab your ladder and check your roof for damage. Again, this will be difficult without a strong or tall enough ladder. However, it’s important to do.

Check your roof 2-3 times per year. The best time to check your roof is after a thunderstorm or windstorm. It’s crucial to check it before and after hurricane season.

When you go up on your roof, check it for damaged shingles or tiles. Also, look for missing shingles or missing gravel. Replace any damaged/worn out shingles or tiles.

If the nails on your shingles are loose or improperly installed, they can cause damage to your roof. They can also fly off and cause damage to other areas of your house.

Additionally, check for surface bubbles, blisters, or cracks on flat roofs. Trapped moisture or air can cause these, and excess sunlight can exacerbate them.

You should also check the flashing of your roof. The flashing is important because it directs the flow of water away from openings into the house. It needs to be in good so that water flows away from the house.

Fixing roof damage like blisters or cracks can be challenging if you don’t know how to. It requires cutting away the damage applying layers of new membrane material to the area.

The worst thing you can do is to ignore existing damage. Eventually, the damage will become so bad that you’ll need the help of a professional. You can end up spending thousands of dollars to repair the damage or install a new roof entirely.

4. Ventilate & Insulate Your Attic

A vented attic in any climate is necessary. But in South Carolina, a vented attic can be the best thing for your home during the hot summer.

A vented attic forces hot air out of the attic and helps cool it down. In turn, it helps keep the rest of your home cooler and puts less strain on your air conditioner.

Though it doesn’t snow often in South Carolina, it’s a good idea to ventilate and insulate your attic.

Because it rains so much, an insulated attic can expel moisture and excess heat. It won’t release so much heat that it will cause frost or snow to melt and cause water leaks. But insulation will prevent ice dams from forming on the roof altogether.

Poor ventilation can also further damage to loose shingles. During high winds, poorly-ventilated roofs loosen shingles.

Talk to a professional roofer whether you need to install better insulation. Depending on how old your house is, your insulation or ventilation system may need to be replaced. In any case, a professional roofer can determine the next best course of action.

Avoid & Prevent Damage to Your Roof Year-Round!

By keeping your gutters clean, trees trimmed, your roof in good shape, you can avoid damage to your roof.

While you can do your part, sometimes you can’t control damage on your roof. In an area that’s as susceptible to storm damage as Greenville, serious roof damage is a common problem.

Not sure if your roof needs professional care repair? Davis Contracting for your free estimate today!

Click here to learn more about roof repair.