Heavy storms are likely to damage the roof, even those that withstood the time test. A heavy storm will bring debris, hail, and strong winds that could cause both visible and invisible damage. A heavy storm can cause damage to a roof, whether it is old or new.
Therefore, after a heavy storm, the best thing to do is to examine your roof or hire professionals to check the damage that might not be obvious to your eye. Most people consider roof damage to be water leaking into the house.
However, many other subtle signs of a damaged roof could lead to irreparable damage if not dealt with early enough. For that reason, the eye of a professional becomes crucial to ensuring you fix everything that needs fixing before you have to replace an entire roof. What are the signs that could indicate roof damage after a heavy storm?
1. Look Out For Damaged or Torn Shingles
Shingles keep your roof intact, protecting your house from any elements that could fall from anywhere. Once a heavy storm passes through, there is no guarantee that the shingles will remain intact, even when the roof is new.
There is an advantage to having a new and sturdy roof, but that does not mean a storm cannot shake it. The most dangerous part about heavy storm roof damage is that you might not notice some damage right away.
So, it’s advisable to seek professional storm damage repair to ensure you catch even the most minor damages. The instant and thorough repair will save you the time, money, and trouble of replacing the entire roof later when it caves in due to unrepaired damages.
2. Holes in The Roof Require Storm Damage Repair
Holes in the roof are a bit obvious to spot. However, if the holes are hidden in an intersection, you might need to get up there to see them. It might be difficult for someone with no experience in storm damage repair to find a solution for the dents even when you find them.
However, it is essential to look out for these damages. Call that professional and get your roof fixed if you suspect it has holes, but you cannot get around to see where it is.
Sometimes the holes will be tiny dents that may not have a significant impact immediately but could have huge repercussions later on. The faster you identify the damage and repair it, the longer your roof will last.
If the roof is already old, a heavy storm will likely do more damage than just tiny dents. Check for these holes immediately after the storm to ensure your house is well protected the next time such a storm sweeps through.
3. Water Spots or Leaks
Visible water spots are a clear sign that your roof needs repair. The next day after a heavy storm, you may notice some water leakage from the roof or water spots on your ceiling. These signs call for prompt action because the damage is severe.
Get a professional team that does storm damage repairs for a proper fix. Doing so ensures that your roof gets an excellent fix to stop the water leakage and keep you safe during the next heavy storm. If you ignore water spots or do substandard repair, your roof may not last as long as it was meant to last.
Good repair keeps the roof sturdy enough to withstand typical weather conditions like heavy rain and moderate storms and gives you a better chance of weathering a heavy storm.
4. Loose Granules Beneath Your Roofline
A heavy storm barely leaves anything intact, including the roofing granules in your shingles. When you notice loose granules under the roofline, that is clear that your shingles took a hit from the storm.
When the shingles start wearing out or bending, the roof poses a risk whenever there are extreme weather conditions. Loose granules could be a result of an old roof or defective shingles. But, if you start noticing the granules right after a heavy storm, then that is probably storm damage. The best action for that is a proper roof inspection to identify the affected shingles, followed by storm damage repair from an experienced team of professionals.
5. Broken or Dented Gutters
A hailstorm could blow off your gutters or leave them clogged and dented. You can easily tell when the gutters are not in good condition, but it helps to call a professional. The reason for that is to assess the damage and see how much repair is needed.
Gutters are also part of the roof, and having them clogged or damaged could affect the functionality of the roof and the entire house. Try to repair them before another extreme weather condition to prevent further damage. Instead of fixing them yourself, you can ask for professional help and avoid doing substandard storm damage repair.
6. Loose Metal Flashing
Just like shingles, flashing also keeps your roof together. Loose flashing brings about so many problems. It allows water to pass through and could also be noisy. An old roof is likely to have loose flashing, but a new one can have it after a heavy storm. If you decide to do the inspection yourself, you might not notice loose flashing.
That’s why it is essential to hire someone trained to deal with storm damage repair. Professionals can see what an untrained eye may not see, saving you money in follow-up repairs or entire replacements. However, if your flashing is old and got hit by a storm, you might need that replacement to stay safe.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, we cannot avoid extreme weather conditions like storms and heavy rains. However, you can ensure that your home is safe and protected from danger every time a heavy storm hits the neighborhood. Have a routine check-up after every storm to identify parts of the roof that need repair, and always get a professional storm damage repair team to help with restoration.
