Roofing Emergencies and Issues
Certain times of the year can bring us weather we wish would never end. Certain times of the year, the weather can be vicious and destructive, creating chaos and leaving behind storm damage roofs, cars, downed trees, broken limbs, and more. Insurance companies often partner with storm damage repair companies to help their clients get their homes back in their homes with emergency storm damage repair services.
What causes roof damage?
There are several factors that can causes storm damage roof and roof storm damage and repairs are needed, sometimes eventually, most times immediately:
1. Roof Age
Roofs depreciates over time because of normal wear and tear. Any roof over 20 years old is prone to start showing those signs of aging with the cracking, rotting, loose, or missing asphalt granules, becoming week. If left to its own demise, ultimately, storm damage roof s will start leaking when hailstorms dent the shingles and high winds rip off the loose and weak shingles.
2. Owner Neglect
The roof isn’t something you think about every day like you do the laundry or taking out the trash, however, it need care and maintenance by you too. Routine inspections by the homeowner will help you identify possible issues and get them fixed before they become big problems. Professional roof cleaning every year will help keep it clean from algae, mildew, and moss that eat through shingles and make it more susceptible to storm damage rooftop.
3. Careless Foot Traffic
Occasionally, it is necessary to walk on a roof, but it needs to be done with safety of the person on the roof and safety of the roof. If you have contractors that need to walk on the roof, electrician, HVAC, plumber, etc., they should be fully equipped to do it safely and experienced in how to handle their equipment and tools so as not to drop anything heavy. A lot of foot traffic on a roof can weaken it and make it vulnerable for storm damage rooftop.
4. The Weather
We’ve already discussed how certain things can make a roof shingles vulnerable for harsh weather, leaving behind storm damage roofs. A roof has constant exposure to rain, snow, UV rays, and high winds. The gutter system and drains are vulnerable to weather too with debris, leave, and limbs clogging the gutters, causing rain to backup under the shingles and overflow, pooling up around the foundation. The UV rays that shine down on the roof dry out the shingles, making them weak, resulting in storm damage roof.
How do I know if my roof has storm damage?
All storm damage roof isn’t seen only on the roof. There are indicators you have a storm damage roof on the ground too:
- Shingle granules – Asphalt granules from the shingles will start coming off as a roof ages or when there has been storm damage. Roof granules will be found in the flowerbed, yard, deck, porch, walkways.
- Gutters clogged & leaky –When you notice your gutters are not emptying into the drainpipe but leaking along the track or rain is spilling over the edges, it could be the asphalt shingle granules are filling up the gutter runs.
- Damaged property – If your vehicles or other property, like the grill or patio furniture, have any damage, there is a good chance you have storm damage rooftop too.
- Shingles broken, cracked, and missing – From the ground, if you notice any shingles that are cracked, curled, or missing, you probably have a storm damage rooftop.
Storm damage roofs are noticed inside the home too:
- Water stains on ceiling and walls – Water damage signs in the home are easy to notice by water stains on the ceiling or walls, cracking or flaking drywall, or wet areas around the water pipe, sinks, or toilet. Another indication is noticed when you smell mildew, mold, wetness.
- Dampness in the attic – Your attic should always be dry, so if you are noticing it is damp or you see any water accumulation, notice drips or water stains on the decking or insulation, you probably have a storm damage roof.
What does hail damage look like on your roof?
Hailstorm damage roof cost can add up fast because it isn’t just the roof that is damaged. Anything that is left outside in a hailstorm can be damaged, from your vehicles to your patio furniture, landscaping, trees, and more. Often that small, unnoticeable storm damage roof that can be missed will cause the biggest problems later.
- Loss Granules
- Asphalt roof granules are a sandpaper-like material and when that is coming off the roof, it is exposing your roof to the elements and accelerates your roof’s aging process. You’ll find this loss of granules in the gutter runs and downspouts after a hail or a heavy rainstorm.
- Cracked Shingles
- Hail stones that hit shingles hard enough will break and crack them, and high winds will rip those shingles off, exposing your roof to the elements, creating storm damage rooftop.
- Fiberglass Mat Exposed
- Hail impacts shatters asphalt shingled surfaces and comes off the fiberglass mat, creating storm damage rooftop that is exposed to the weather.
- Fiberglass Matt Fractured
- Fiberglass that has been fractured is harder to detect, usually only notice by a trained roofing professional or storm damage repair contractors.
How big does hail need to be to cause damage?
Hailstones that are less than one inch can inflict storm damage roof that is small enough only and experienced roofing contractor, insurance adjustor, or storm damage contractor will see. Hailstones that one to two inches in size causes visible storm damage rooftops, and hailstones that are more than two inches in size will leave behind storm damage roofs that you can’t miss.
Closing Question: What do I do if my roof is blown off?
Take cover immediately if it is hailing, raining, or high winds blowing. Once the storm has passed over and it is safe to get out, you’ll need to call your insurance company and a contractor. While you wait for those persons to arrive, take pictures and videos of the damage, make notes of the damage anything missing.
