How Storms Can Damage Your Roof
Don’t skip necessary precautions and end up counting your pennies because you are faced with expensive repairs or replacement.
1. Hail Damage
Hail is formed when globs of water freeze together in the glacial upper zones of thunderstorm clouds. Hailstones can pelt down in unthinkable sizes, measuring between five millimeters and 15 centimeters in diameter, and can be round or jagged. In many cases, the impact of hail is more than enough to cause dents on your vehicles and siding, so you can expect that it will not leave sufficient breathing room for your roof, especially asphalt shingles and wood shakes.
Common damage from hailstones is to the metal flashing on your roof. Flashing is a thin material that is used to prevent water from seeping into your roofing system — and, consequently, the interior of your home — and to direct the flow of moisture in walls. If the flashing has been torn or dislodged, there is a good chance that the entire roofing membrane will be compromised and encounter persistent leaks.
To see if your roof sustained damage from hail, look for random dings or dents on the roof surface and accumulation of granules in the gutters and downspouts. It is a must to call in a professional after a bad hailstorm has blasted the neighborhood.
2.Winter Storm Damage
There is no doubt that a freezing storm in the winter season can wreak havoc on your roof. It might not take a long time to produce indications of damage and possible collapse due to the additional weight of the snow combined with fluctuating temperatures. As sleet accumulates in a sub-zero climate, the simple act of melted ice and snow refreezing in small nooks and crannies can be enough to cause shingles to crack and gutters to burst open and overflow. If you experience a winter storm, call us immediately. You might be able to wait until the weather gets sunnier and warmer, but if you suspect that there is major damage hiding from plain sight, don’t hesitate to bring in an expert.
3. Wind Damage
Even if it is not a tornado, strong winds can cause serious and costly damage to your roof. One of the biggest problems homeowners face from wind is that it can blow shingles off the roof and leave vulnerable areas exposed. If you let water or moisture reach these areas, you are practically opening up your home to water damage. Imagine mold growth, wood rot, water leaks, insulation damage and more.
Also, strong and high winds can cause large trees to topple over houses and heavy branches to be thrown around in the air. Large fallen trees can completely split up your roof and allow massive amounts of water to enter your home. Even small punctures can be just as detrimental to your roof when left unchecked, they tend to develop into a bigger and more expensive headaches.
Professional Roof Inspections
Now that potential damage brings up an obvious level of concern, it is important to understand that professional roofers can offer something vital to resolve such urgent situations. An excellent part of having a professional roof inspection after a bad storm is that the contractor can help make processing an insurance claim a breeze. For documentation, insurance companies often require photographs along with a substantial amount of proof that there is indeed damage caused by the natural disaster.
