Nobody likes to have their roof damaged by a storm. Roof leaks or, more often than not, a complete roof replacement could result from this. So, how do I spot storm damage on my roof?
Unfortunately, the majority of homes discover true storm damage after it is too late. Particularly because storm damage to a roof can be difficult to detect if you don’t know what to look for.
The staff at Roof Rescue have spent the last 25 years assisting homeowners in understanding how insurance and storm damage affect their roof. I’ll then assist you in identifying storm damages to your roof.
Impact from storms to products at ground level
Looking for collateral damage to items at ground level is the best approach to find storm damage to your roof. Looking at the face of your gutters and downspouts is one of the simplest methods to achieve this.
Dents on the gutter’s face are a really strong sign that your roof might also be damaged. Although the dents in the downspouts need to be higher than 5 feet in order to rule out other causes, they are still a fairly reliable indicator.
Although dents on gutters and downspouts can indicate prospective roof damage, collateral damage to other items can also occur.
Just be aware that even if collateral damage is discovered, there is no 100% assurance that you will have roof damage. But there’s a decent likelihood that your roof is compromised.
Gutter debris or loose grains on the ground
Granules are asphalt pieces that are put into shingles to offer color, fire resistance, and UV protection. Losing them is a definite indication that it’s time for a roof replacement because they are essential to the durability of your roof.
However, following a hailstorm, looking for loose granules on the ground or in your gutters can help you identify storm damage. The integrity of your shingles is unquestionably affected if the hail was powerful enough to cause granule loss.
Look for loose granules on the ground near your downspouts to identify this. Granule loss is another clue that a roof needs to be replaced as it becomes older.
Therefore, if you have an older roof that is signaling that it needs to be replaced, there is a potential you will discover loose granules. The real cause won’t become apparent to you, though, until a licensed roofing contractor inspects your roof.
Shingle damage
On the ground level were the first few methods of spotting storm damage, but now we’re moving up to the roof itself. You can identify storm damage to your roof quite easily (and frequently) by looking for missing, raised, or wrinkled shingles.
The most obvious indication of storm damage is usually missing shingles in your yard. To identify raised or wrinkled shingles, though, you’ll need to be on the roof.
Sadly, this kind of storm damage could also be an indication of inadequate installation. When severe winds blow into your neighborhood, you’re more likely to face this type of storm damage if the roofing contractor didn’t execute the work properly.
Roof vents, shingles, and roof flashing dents
Without knowing what to look for, this next one is perhaps the most difficult to find. Look for dents or bruising large enough (about 1″ in diameter) to damage the shingles to identify hail damage from storms.
This deterioration compromises the structural integrity of your roof and is sufficient to result in the granule loss we previously discussed. You can check other parts of your roof for damage besides your shingles.
Check roof vents, roof flashing, or any other metal on your roof for dents that indicate traces of hail damage. You will undoubtedly have storm damage to other parts of your roof if the hail was powerful enough to dent your roof vents.
Branchy Trees on Your Roof
The final item on our list, discovering shingles on the ground, is also rather evident. This is when you discover big tree limbs on your roof following a storm.
It is rather easy to determine that your roof has been damaged if a large tree limb or an entire tree falls on it. If the tree branch is huge and heavy enough, it will harm your shingles, roof decking and other roofing materials.
Any trees that are near your roof must be kept trimmed in order to prevent this from happening. If a storm is severe enough, there is little you can do to prevent a branch or tree from falling.
What comes next?
Now that you are aware of the signs of roof damage from storms. While I advise strolling around your home in search of these indicators, I don’t advise jeopardizing your safety by climbing your roof.
Contact your neighborhood roofing firm to begin the inspection process as soon as you become aware of or suspect storm damage to your roof. Just be aware that the process you’re about to start with us will be simple and straightforward.
Numerous homes in San Antonio and neighboring areas have received assistance from the Roof Rescue crew throughout the roof inspection process. We collaborate with you to make sure your roof has all it needs.
