Although residential roofs are designed to last for decades, they can absolutely suffer storm damage during severe weather events. Since the roof of your home gets the most exposure to wind, rain, hail, and flying debris, it’s the first area you should inspect for damage after the skies clear. Read on to find out what you need to look for.
Wind Damage
High winds can easily damage the average roof, and if you don’t detect issues immediately after a storm, they can quickly give rise to water damage, pest intrusions, and structural deterioration. When it’s safe to head outside and take a look at your roof, perform a ground inspection to look for the following signs of wind damage:
● Missing shingles or roof tiles
● Patches or lines of missing shingle granules
● Shingles that aren’t fully adhered to the roof
If you can see any of these issues from the ground, call in a storm damage repair contractor for a more thorough inspection. If there’s considerable damage, your manufacturer’s warranty may cover it, provided the winds did not exceed the shingles’ wind rating. If wind speeds were far beyond your shingles’ wind rating, your homeowner’s insurance should cover your roof repairs.
Hail Damage
Hail damage on a roof isn’t always apparent, but even a small amount of hail-related damage can result in further shingle deterioration over time. Depending on the severity of the hail storm, falling chunks of ice can put minor indentations in your shingles that may cause small cracks to form. Those cracks can allow water to seep beneath the protective surface of the shingle, where it can cause considerable damage to the structures beneath.
You may not be able to see tiny shingle indentations while performing a ground-based roof inspection. However, these other signs may indicate the presence of hail damage on your roof:
● Collateral hail damage on trees, vehicles, and other objects around your house
● A considerable amount of shingle granules near the downspouts of your gutter system
● Indentations in your gutters or downspouts
● Indentations in roof flashings or other metal roofing materials
Again, if you suspect your roof sustained hail damage, contact a storm damage repair specialist right away to schedule an inspection. The sooner you tend to minor roof repairs, the less likely your roof will suffer long-term, water-related deterioration.
Water Damage
Water damage is another concern, especially if you live in areas that are more prone to cooler temperatures and higher levels of rainfall. It will be particularly concerning if your roof already has some weak spots or damaged areas or if your gutter system is not functioning correctly. It doesn't take much debris to clog the gutters and create pooling that seeps into the shingles. In addition, high levels of moisture can also get through any damaged areas and cause your roof to have sunken spots and affect the structural integrity.
Because most roofs are not flat, detecting leaks can be more problematic, and navigating in a dark attic can also be complicated. A few of the main ways to tell there are leaks are:
● You will find shingles that are buckling or curling
● Water can develop spots on your ceiling
● There may be mold growing in your attic
If you suspect water damage, your main priority is to call a professional for ice dam removal in Minneapolis because the longer you wait, the more it can spread and create a much larger problem.
Snow Buildup
Another area of concern is snow because it can be detrimental to your roofing materials and may require damage restoration. Snow can cause multiple different issues, including:
Ice dams
This situation occurs when warmer areas of the home heat the snow on the roof, and it melts and then refreezes.
Icicle formations
Icicles occur in the same way an ice dam does, but they can cause significant damage to your gutters and shingles and to people walking under them when they break and fall.
Attic condensation problems
Excessive snow buildup can also cause condensation in the attic, resulting in wood rot, mold, and mildew leading to water damage.
Roof collapse from the snow load
The standard roof is only structured to carry the weight of a specific amount of snow, and if the load goes over this amount, it can cause a potential collapse.
If you live in an area more prone to cooler temperatures and snowfall, these are potential issues you can face. Checking for these issues or damages through regular yearly inspections can also help contribute to your roof’s health and durability.
Enhance existing issues
If you're already dealing with issues like unsecured flashing or loose shingles, the snow load can also make these worse.
Debris Damage
Last but certainly not least, take a look around your yard for evidence of fallen tree branches or other types of debris that may have damaged your roof. Flying debris can easily hit your roof leaving behind cracks in your shingles or even tearing them off, and any degree of shingle damage can give rise to water-related roof deterioration.
If you can see a considerable amount of debris in your yard after a storm — even if you don’t see any glaring roof damage — it’s in your best interest to call a pro for a storm damage repair inspection. When it comes to your roof, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Need Storm Damage Repairs Near Elk River?
If your home suffers any type of damage during a summer storm this year, get in touch with our team at Kiser Construction right away. We specialize in roof repair, siding repair, gutter repair, water damage restoration, and several other storm damage restoration services. We serve homeowners throughout Elk River and the surrounding Twin Cities metro, and can help you file your insurance claim from start to finish.
To get started, give us a call today at 763-633-2010 or send us a message with your contact information, and we’ll be in touch.