July 13, 2021
No matter how well you maintain your roof, sometimes it can be damaged or compromised by things out of your control.
Things like the weather, in particular.
Roofs are designed to withstand strong elements, but sometimes extreme weather will win the battle with your roof and cause damage.
Whether it's snow, ice, heavy rains, high winds, hail, or tornado spin-ups, the weather in Ohio can wreak havoc on your roof.
To protect your roof and keep everyone in your home safe, it’s essential to keep an eye on your roof and catch storm damage early before it creates even more costly problems.
Even if there are no signs of damage to your roof after a storm, roof damage is still possible.
In the article below, we will discuss how you can tell if your roof was damaged and the best storm damage roofers to contact for a free estimate.
Types Of Storm Damage
Wind Damage
High winds can cause the most damage to your roof.
Meteorologists classify hurricane winds as 74 mph or greater. Gale-force winds are between 39-54mph and can cause substantial structural damage to your home's roof as well.
Wind damage can rip off or tear shingles and leave the underlayment, roof deck, or waterproofing material exposed to the elements.
Even during minor storms, sudden and sharp gusts of wind can lift and curl your shingles.
When your roofer installed your shingles, they overlapped them to create a water-tight seal.
When wind damage causes your shingles to lift and curl, it can break that seal, leaving your roof vulnerable to damage from wind-driven rain.
Hail Damage
Hailstorms tend to occur infrequently, and when they do occur, they tend to be short as well.
Even though they rarely last longer than 15 minutes, hailstones can wreak havoc on your shingles, leaving dents or pockmarks in shingles and knocking shingle granules loose.
Hail damage can be problematic because these granules help protect your roof against rain and sun damage.
Hail damage can also ruin your curb appeal by tarnishing the pleasing aesthetic appearance of your roof’s surface.
Water Damage
Roofs without proper drainage, especially flat roofs, can experience problems with standing water after major rainstorms, especially in uneven areas.
Water damage can not only impact your roof, but the interior of your home as well, especially if your roof leaks after a storm.
If your gutters are clogged after a storm, it can cause rainwater to back up under your shingles, allowing moisture to potentially penetrate the underlayment or the roof deck.
Debris
If a storm is severe, it can cause debris to land on top of your roof.
Everything from small branches to large tree limbs can end up on your roof after a storm.
It's very easy for large objects to dent or impact the surface of your roof and shingles, leaving areas of your roof vulnerable to moisture intrusion.
Lighter branches and smaller debris aren't as much of a problem, but they should still be taken off your roof as soon as possible.
Do a Thorough Check of Your Property After The Storm
Now that you know what kind of storm damage can occur, you can inspect your roof for damage once the storm rolls through.
A simple visual roof inspection after a storm hits is the best way to find and repair issues after a storm.
Here’s what to look for:
- Attic — Start in your attic after a severe storm. Signs of storm damage like leaks in your attic are wet spots, streaks, and rotted wood. If you can see sunlight peeking through your roof, you likely have loose or missing shingles.
- Ceilings and walls — Now check your interior walls and ceiling and see if you notice any water stains, trails of moisture, spots of mold and mildew, or cracks in the paint. If you do, it could be a sign that a leak is coming in from a damaged roof.
- Visible Roof Areas — Now head outside and check the visible areas of your roof. Examine your roof shingles and the other visible parts to see if they appear intact or damaged.
- Ground — Next, take a walk around the perimeter of your home. Keep an eye out for shingles, nails, metal flashing, or other debris that blew off your roof.
- Fallen Tree Limbs — And finally, are there any tree limbs lying on your roof? Even if the entire tree hasn’t fallen, their branches can scrape your shingles or move roof materials out of place.
What To Do After Your Assessment
Make Temporary Fixes To Minimize Damage
If your roof was severely damaged, the interior of your home could be damaged by leaking water. If you notice a leak, grab a bucket or trashcan, and put it under the weak to catch the water.
Remove all valuables in the area as well to prevent further damage to them.
Severe damage needs to be waterproofed quickly using a strapped tarping method. Smaller repairs can be shingled immediately.
If you aren't comfortable doing these repairs yourself, wait for a roofing contractor to do them for you.
Call Your Insurance Company
If you've noticed any damage to your roof, call your insurance company to report the damage.
Decide whether the damage is severe enough to be covered by your home insurance or if it would make more sense for you to hire a contractor directly for any necessary repairs.
During natural disasters when a storm or other severe weather hits large residential areas, it can be beneficial to file an insurance claim with your insurance company because roofing contractors will stay busy.
Perform Roof Repairs as Soon as Possible
We've already talked about this, but we can't stress it enough.
If you want to save yourself from headaches and expensive fixes, you need to get your roof repaired right away.
Putting off small issues with your roof can lead to complicated and pricey problems, like:
- Mold and mildew that can cause allergies and illnesses
- Rotting wood that will weaken your home’s structure
- Damaging leaks that can ruin the interior of your home and your valued possessions
- A complete roof replacement
Find a Reliable Roofer To Repair The Damage
It can be tempting to use the roofing company that quotes you the lowest price, but you need to think long-term when selecting your roofer.
When you hire a roofing contractor, do your due diligence and research a few companies before picking who you want to work with.
And if you were just involved in a natural disaster, avoid contractors who are only in the area because of the natural disaster.
Contractors who follow storms have no reputation to uphold and may provide sub-standard workmanship.
Ask yourself these questions when looking for a roofing contractor:
- Do they have a solid track record of success in your area?
- Are they recommended by any of your neighbors and friends?
- Do they offer workmanship warranties?
- What do their online reviews look like?
TK Roofing and Gutters
If you notice any signs of roof damage, you need to check it out as soon as possible.
Waiting too long to inspect and repair your roof could cause irreversible damage.
TK Roofing and Gutters has been serving their local Ohio Communities for years, and they can promptly repair your roof if you notice any damage after a major storm.
The expert roofers with TK Roofing and Gutters can fix any damaged areas you notice during a storm, and they'll make sure there aren't any other weak spots that could lead to damage in the future.
If you noticed roof damage during a storm, don't wait to get it repaired.
Contact TK Roofing and Gutters today for your free roofing estimate!
