As a homeowner, one of the most important investments you make for your home is your roof. This investment is an often expensive but completely necessary one because it keeps you and your loved ones safe. In order to get the most out of your investment and keep your roof in the best condition possible, it is important to have routine inspections done and repairs as needed.
Even homeowners who keep their roofs well maintained may run into one dreaded issue specifically and that is storm damage. Storm damage is never a fun thing to have and you cannot prevent it from occurring. When storm damage does happen it is important to know both what to do and how to spot it. Today we will be talking about what the signs are of storm damage to a roof so that you know what to look for.
At Liberty Roofworks we believe that all homeowners have the right to be fully educated on the roofing process so that they can make the best decisions for their homes. That is why we created our Learning Hub where we post new roofing-related content on a variety of different topics including storm damage. If you enjoy this article we highly suggest checking it out to learn even more.
Shingle Damage
The most common type of roof amongst residential homes is asphalt shingle roofs. One of the easiest ways to tell if there was any storm damage done to your roof is by inspecting the shingles. Most of the time this can be seen from the street looking toward your home.
When looking at your roof you want to check for any lifted or missing shingles. You will also want to look for any cracked, curled, or even dented shingles. This type of damage is typically caused by high winds, hail, or even debris such as branches that may have found their way onto your roof at some point during a storm. It is also important to look around your property for any shingles that may have fallen off as that is a dead giveaway of storm damage.
Some of this damage may only be visible from the roof. We strongly advise you to not go on your roof yourself unless you are experienced with doing so. Instead, we suggest having a professional local roofer come out and inspect your roof for you.
Debris of any type
Debris is a common cause of storm damage to a roof. High winds can cause branches to fall and other miscellaneous objects to fly around and hit your roof. If you go outside after a storm and notice a large branch or some other type of object on your roof, there is a good chance there is some type of damage done.
Debris can lift or damage shingles and other types of roofing materials. In some cases, heavy debris may even cause leaks or put visible holes in your roof. It is important to have any debris removed from your roof by a professional as soon as possible. It may not seem like a big deal, but sitting debris can cause damage to the material underneath over time which no one wants.
Damage to your gutters and flashing
Hail is notorious for putting dents in people’s gutters and flashing which can become a real issue over time. An easy way to tell if your roof was dented during a storm is to look at other areas of your property such as your mailbox and garage door. If either of these things has dents from hail, it is likely that your gutters and other roofing components do as well. Depending on how large the hail is it could have potentially caused fasteners to come loose or even knock off your downspouts if not properly secured.
Gutters can be clogged with debris such as dirt and leaves after a severe storm as well. When this happens, water can no longer safely travel away from your home. Instead, it will be seen pooling over the edge of your roof which can cause damage to your foundation over time if not taken care of. Routine gutter cleanings can prevent damage from happening and save you a lot of stress down the line.
Check the inside of your home
There are even some signs of storm damage you can look for from within your home. If your home has an attic you can go up there and search for any signs of damage from the inside as it is the closest to your roof. Any type of soft or bubbly spot means there is moisture trapped which is an issue. Leaks are also another dead giveaway to look for.
Water damage of any type is a clear indicator of damage to your roof and should be shown to your roofer during the inspection if found by you. If you notice any outdoor debris or signs of animals in your attic that means there is a hole or gap somewhere along your roof which needs to be addressed.
Leaks can be found anywhere in the home, not just in the attic. Some common places where storm-related leaks can be found include your ceilings, vents, and even your walls. Interior damage especially needs to be addressed right away as water can lead to mold and mildew which can cause severe issues. It’s common for roofers to inspect your attic if you have one and if they don’t you can usually request it and they normally will.
What to do if you find or suspect storm damage
Sometimes you may not see storm damage to your roof using any of these tips but still suspect that damage is present. If that is the case we strongly suggest having a local professional roofer come out and perform a roof inspection. Some storm damage can only be seen on the roof itself and a professional knows how to do that safely. They also know exactly what to look for and will notice things that the average homeowner would likely miss.
If you do find storm damage it is important to have it taken care of as soon as possible. Get in contact with a reputable roofing company that is local to your area and never be afraid to get multiple quotes and opinions. Failure to address roof damage of any type will only lead to more damage occurring which means more money being spent.
Wrapping it up
Storm damage to your roof is an annoying thing that all homeowners will likely have to face at some point. Those who live in areas where strong storms are more common are more likely to experience this, though it truly can happen to anyone since the weather can be pretty unpredictable at times.
Knowing what signs of storm damage to look for after severe weather is important and can save you a lot of stress and money. Remember, never put off repairing storm damage as it can only make the situation worse. Keeping your roof in the best condition possible can help limit the amount of damage in some cases. That is why it is important to schedule routine roof inspections as well as gutter cleanings. We hope that you found this article helpful and that you now have a better idea of what signs to look for and what actions to take.
We are here to help!
At Liberty Roofworks we understand just how important your roof is to your home. We treat our customer’s roofs the same way we would treat our own and nothing less than that. With over 20 years of professional roofing experience under our belts, this family-owned and operated business can take on any roofing job regardless of size or severity.
We are no strangers to storm damage and understand the importance of taking care of it right away. Aside from storm damage repairs we also offer roof replacements/installations, inspections, and even solar panel installation. No job, or storm damage, is too big or small for us to take on.
We also understand the importance of trusting the company you hire to work on your home. Customer service is our number one priority which is why we take the time to work with each and every one of our customers throughout the roofing process to ensure that they feel informed and up to date on what we are doing. We will gladly answer any questions you may have at any point in the process as well as give our professional opinions.
All of our wonderful roofing contractors are professionally trained, licensed, and insured so only the best work on your roof. Do you have storm damage to your roof or suspect there is some? Contact us today and we will send out one of our experienced roofers to perform a thorough inspection as well as guide you through the next steps. With us, roofing is easy!