You’ll probably just breathe a sigh, knowing that the storm is over. Even if you don’t see any obvious signs of damage, such as a tree falling on your roof, or water coming through your ceilings; it is still important to assess the potential for further damage.
After a storm, roofs are most likely to need repairs. It is always a good idea to call a local roofing inspector for professional evaluation following a storm. It is not easy to see all damage, but professional roofing contractors can safely access these elevated spaces. You can quickly assess potential roof storm damage and contact your insurers to file a claim promptly. This will prevent costly and extensive roof repairs later.
These eight signs indicate that your roof has been damaged by storms. This will help you avoid any unpleasant surprises.
Signs Of Roof Damage
1. You are missing shingles
Even if your roof had cracks or was peeling, high winds can cause entire roof shingles to fall off. Sometimes missing shingles can be seen from ground inspection. There may also be bits of roofing material scattered about your property.
2. Shingle Damage
Shingle damage should not be ignored. It can cause water ingress into your home. Roofing hail storm damage can cause cracks, holes, or dents. Strong winds can lead to tears, peeling, and lifting of shingles. It can be hard to see this type of damage from the ground. This is why it can be beneficial to have a roof inspection after a storm.
3. Notable Shingle Granule Debris
You’ll find layers made of granules that protect your roof from the sun’s harmful UV rays if your roof is comprised of asphalt shingles. While granules can lose a little over time, excessive scattering is common in stormy weather (particularly hailstorms). To prevent weatherproofing problems, you must replace shingles that have a lot of granular wear.
A thin horizontal indented line appearing on your shingles could be a sign that you have lost granules. A large accumulation of granules in the gutters and downspouts could also be a sign of granule loss.
4. Flashing, Fascia or Soffit
The shingles are not the only ones that can be damaged by storms. Also, look out for damage to other parts of your roof. Flashing, fascias, and gutters can also be damaged by storms. They are all designed to keep water out of your home’s interior.
Wind can cause fittings or gutters to become loose. Gutter and downspouts may become clogged with storm debris. Flashing can also shift, causing the seal to break. Look out for cracks or dents in the roof sections after a hailstorm. The more severe hailstones are, the more serious the damage.
5. Tree and other debris damage
It’s not something you want to miss if a storm causes a tree to fall onto your roof. High winds can cause tree limbs and other natural debris to fall onto your roof. This may not be obvious if you don’t do a visual inspection. The impact can not only be a safety hazard but also cause damage to your roof’s shingle structure.
You might find evidence of the debris hitting your roof, and then blowing elsewhere during a storm. Broken shingle patterns or holes are red flags. You should not attempt to climb on top of the roof by yourself.
6. Crooked Chimney
Major storms can cause problems with your flashing seal and water ingress. The chimney might become angled or not straight when this happens. You won’t see it looking like the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Therefore, you will need to be able to spot small changes in the chimney’s position from the ground. It is possible to see chimney leaks from the outside, but they are often not obvious to the naked eye. You’ll need a professional roofing inspection.
7. Ceiling or attic leaks
After a storm, water can seep through the ceiling. This is a sign of serious damage. Water damage can also be caused by moisture penetration.
With a flashlight, go up to the attic after a storm. There might be discoloration, dampness, or mold on the walls, ceilings, or insulation. Slow water ingress can cause serious mold and mildew problems and may lead to roof support integrity being compromised. You will likely see small amounts of water through the roof ventilation. If you do, don’t panic. Water drops should be looked out for, especially around penetrations such as the chimney and in valleys.
It is possible for the roof to absorb snow during storms if it has different levels of ventilation.
8. Ice Dam Formations
Ice dams are a common problem in roofs due to winter snowstorms. These occur when snow from the roof melts because of heat escaping from the attic space. The water is then re-condensed when it hits colder roof edges, gutters, and eaves. The ice dam grows quickly and moves back up the roof due to the continual thaw-freeze cycle.
This can cause ice to break under the shingles and pull down the gutters. It will also prevent melting snow from falling off the roof. This can cause internal water damage and can even lead to serious injury if the ice blocks are too large.
It’s important to be alert for signs that ice dams are forming. Once a large amount of ice has built up, it can be difficult to remove safely. If you notice small icicles growing on your gutters and eaves, this is a sign that something is wrong.
Call now if you need the help of professional roofing contractors.
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Restoration Roofing TX
Keller, TX 76248
817-717-6220
https://restorationroofingtx.com/%20
info@restorationroofingtx.com
Fort Worth, TX
682-255-1550
Serving: Fort Worth, Keller Texas, Arlington Texas, Denton County, Tarrant County
