When a hurricane, hailstorm, or snowstorm passes, you'll probably just be exhaling with relief that it's all done. However, it's still necessary to do a comprehensive assessment of potential damage even if there are no clear symptoms of difficulties, such as a tree falling on your roof or water seeping through your ceilings.
The area that is most likely to need repairs after a storm is a roof. After a powerful or protracted storm, it is usually advisable to contact a reputable local roof inspector for a professional assessment. The experts have secure access to this lofty place, and not all damage is visible to the untrained eye.
1. Shingles are missing
Whole shingles frequently tear off your roof during high winds, especially if they were already cracked or peeling. A ground survey will frequently reveal missing shingles, and there can even be roofing material fragments lying around your home.
2. Shingle Damage
You shouldn't disregard shingle damage because it could result in water entering your property. Strong winds cause shingles to shred, peel, or lift from roofs, while roof storm damage frequently leaves cracks, dents, or holes. It can be challenging to see this kind of damage from the ground, which is why paying for a roof inspection after a storm can be beneficial.
3. Visible Granule Debris from Shingles
Granules on the surface of asphalt shingles shield your roof from harmful UV rays, among other things. Granule loss of a moderate quantity over time is typical, but stormy weather, particularly hailstorms, frequently cause considerable dispersal. If you want to avoid issues with weatherproofing, you should replace any shingles that have significant granular wear.
According to Ami Feller of Feller Roofing, "Most insurance companies require you to file your claim between 6 to 24 months of the hail event—so by the time it leaks, it's frequently too late." The majority of roofers don't charge extra for hail inspections. Without a doubt, have it inspected.
Granule loss is indicated by a narrow, depressed line that runs horizontally across your shingles. Additionally, you might see a sizable clump of granules accumulating in the gutters or drains.
4. Damage to the Soffit, Fascia, Gutter, or Flashing
Look out for damage in the other areas surrounding your roof as well because it's not just the shingles that are battered during storms. Soffits, fascias, gutters, and flashing—all of which are intended to keep water out of your home's interior—can also become damaged.
Fittings can become loose due to wind, storm debris can clog gutters and downspouts, and flashing can move and break the seal. After a hailstorm, check these integral roof parts for dents, cracks, or loosening. The damage could be more serious if the hailstones are larger.
5. Damage from Trees or Other Debris
You won't miss it if a severe storm causes an entire tree to fall onto your roof! However, during strong gusts, tree limbs or other natural debris may be flung onto your roof; this may not be as visible without a careful visual inspection. In addition to the wreckage being a safety risk, the impact can harm your roof's shingles or perhaps cause serious structural problems.
You might need to seek for signs of its impact rather than the item itself because the debris could hit your roof and then blow elsewhere throughout the storm. Red flags include cracked shingle patterns, holes, and dents.
6. Leaks in the Ceiling or Attic
After a storm, water coming in through the ceiling is a pretty clear indication that there has been damage. However, indications of moisture penetration are frequently less obvious, and even tiny puddles of water or slight shingle deterioration can cause water damage.
Bring a flashlight up to the attic after a storm. On walls, ceilings, insulation, or lumber, you can find discoloration or moisture. If sluggish water infiltration is ignored, it frequently results in issues with the growth of hazardous mold and mildew, which can jeopardize the structural integrity of the roof supports.
8. Ice Dam Formations
Ice dam creation during winter snowstorms is a regular issue with roofs. These form when the snow on the roof melts as a result of heat escaping from the attic. When the water strikes the cooler roof edges, eaves, and gutters, it then refreezes. The ice dam quickly expands and climbs back up the roof as a result of the ongoing thaw-freeze cycle.
If you don't fix this right away, the ice might break through shingles, pull gutters apart, and prevent melting snow from falling off the roof. When the large blocks of ice eventually break off, it can be hazardous and cause interior water damage.
Comentários