Have you ever sat and listened to a storm raging outside your house? While storms can sound awesome and powerful, they also can be scary. Sometimes what you hear is storm damage happening to your home.
If you think you might have roof damage caused by a storm or anything else, call a professional. Advanced Roofing and Siding wants to be your trusted roofing partner through all of life’s events that affect your house.
Types of Damage
If you have recently been through a storm, or several storms depending on the season, your home probably took the brunt of the impact. Between high winds, falling debris, and hail, the damage to your house could be extensive.
Wind Damage
When the wind starts blowing hard, shingles often have a difficult time standing up to the force. Sometimes, the damage is easy to spot. You might walk out of your home after the storm and see shingles on the ground that blew off during the storm.
Other times, the damage to your roof is not visible. Sometimes, the adhesive seal has broken. This weakness means the shingles will not shed water properly. If this happens, water will be able to penetrate your roof and can potentially cause extensive damage to your house.
Shingle manufacturers do provide a wind warranty, so you will want to ensure you understand what they cover. If the wind speed exceeded the warranty, you might want to file a claim with your insurance. If the wind speed was lower than the warranty and damage occurred, you might be able to file through the manufacturer.
Falling Debris
Often during storms, branches can come loose from a tree and fall on your roof. If the limbs are small enough, they might not cause damage. However, larger branches can cause problems that will require attention. It is best to call a professional to inspect your roof if heavy things fell on it during a storm.
Also Read: 6 Winter Roof Damage Signs Every Homeowner Should Know
When checking out your roof, there are a few things you can examine. Often, you will see obvious concerns. You will see the debris and damage underneath it. You might see missing or cracked shingles. Also, check your downspout for a substantial amount of granules. These often get knocked loose in a storm.
Hail Damage
When hail hits, there is nothing you can do to avoid it. Small pieces of hail probably won’t cause issues for your roof. But when it gets bigger, more damage can happen to your home.
After the storm subsides, you should be on the lookout for some telltale signs of damage on your roof. Hail can “bruise” shingles, where you will see dents but no cracks. You will see small, round impact spots on the shingles. Sometimes, shingles can be knocked free, but mostly you will see points of impact.
What To Look For?
If you think you have storm damage but aren’t sure what to look for, we can help. Before calling for a professional, there are things you can check out for yourself. Of course, examining a roof can be dangerous. Ensure you are taking necessary precautions and being extremely careful if you choose to check out your roof on your own.
Shingle Damage
The first thing to look for is shingles that do not look uniform. If you notice any of the shingles are curling or cracked, this is a good sign roof damage happened.
You might also see some shingles that are darker than the rest or look dirty or wet when there is no other moisture present. Damaged shingles trap moisture and wetness underneath the outer layer.
Also Read: How Often Do You Need to do Roof Cleaning?
An important note to remember is that the moisture might not be behind the discolored shingle. Because water runs downhill, the damaged shingles could be higher up on the roof. The water may have traveled.
When shingles become damaged, they will shed their granules. This shedding is also a sign of normal wear and tear over time. These granules will get caught in your gutter. It might look like sand from a black rock beach is accumulating in your gutters.
You might want to take a look at our blog, “Shingles Happen: Step-by-Step How to Repair a Roof Shingle”
Other Visible Damage
Be sure to look at other openings in the roof for potential damage. Check around your chimney, vents, and pipes. These are all places where deterioration can happen.
Look at the exterior paint along the border of the roof. In a poorly ventilated attic, there can be a buildup of moisture. This excess moisture will cause the paint on the exterior walls to peel.
Inside Your Home
There are also signs you can look for inside your home. When you are in the attic, check for a couple of telltale signs of roof damage. If the rafters in the attic area are sagging or loose-looking, this might be a sign there is moisture building up under your roof. You will want a professional to find out if the damage is localized or systemic throughout the entire roof.
Another sign of roof damage is water stains or any discoloration on your walls inside your home. The underlayment of your roof may not be sealing moisture outside your home. When moisture gets inside your house, it can cause stains and discoloration.
Also Read: Winter Has Come: How to Avoid Roofing Storm Chasers
Finding water in your attic doesn’t necessarily mean there is a leak. Sometimes the flashing is damaged or missing and needs replacing. However, never overlook the moisture since a damaged roof eventually will let water into your home.
Another way to determine if there are holes in the roof is to go to your attic during the day. Carefully examine the ceiling and look for any exterior light that might be getting through the roof. If light is getting through, water can as well.
One last thing to watch for is a change in your utility bills. If you have noticed an increase in heating or cooling costs, air could be escaping.
Call Advanced Roofing and Siding Inc
If you see anything that makes you concerned about your roof, give us a call at Advanced Roofing and Siding Inc. If you have storm damage to your roof, we can help. We have the experience and expertise to diagnose any problems that may exist with your roof. We will give you an estimate before we begin any repair work.