Spring storms can often spell danger for your roof
While you may enjoy the sounds of spring rains, the damage that these storms can mean for your home’s roof is never enjoyable. Assessing potential damage quickly after a storm can reduce repair costs in the long run. This handy guide will help you navigate this often stressful situation.
Determine if roof damage has occurred
While your initial instinct may be to grab a ladder and climb onto the roof, many signs of roof damage can actually be spotted from the ground or in your attic. While you can assess many potential signs of damage from below, it is always advisable to leave on-roof inspections to a professional roofer.
Some signs of damage are more obvious than others. Broken shingles, pieces of metal fascia, and broken gutters are clear indicators that roof damage has occurred. Be sure to give extra attention to areas surrounding skylights, solar panels, and anywhere that tree branches are close to the roof.
Other damage can be subtler. In the attic and along outer walls of your home, keep an eye out for water spots and leaks. Skylight, chimney, and roof mounted exhaust fan surrounds are other frequent areas where leaks occur. These issues should always be reported to a professional What may seem like a minor inconvenience can be a precursor to a much larger problem.
When in doubt, it is always best to call a professional roofer to inspect further. Addressing damage quickly can prove less costly in the long run.
Types of Damage
Different types of storms cause different types of damage to your roof. Identifying the cause of the damage is often simple and is helpful knowledge for your roofing professional to have when conducting repairs.
Wind Damage: Missing and loose shingles are the most common signs of wind damage to a roof. Areas along ridges and the outer edges of the roof where wind can more easily get under the material are most susceptible to this type of damage. Another common sign of wind damage is a crease in the shingle 1-2 inches below the shingle above that may indicate the shingle seal is broken. To ensure a water tight seal, shingle must be sealed to each other.
Hail Damage: Hail damage can be easy for nonprofessionals to miss. Hail causes indentations in the shingles that break the water tight seal, allowing water to seep through the roof over time. Hail can also frequently damage other items on the roof, including metal fascia and gutters. Distinct round shaped divots on any of these may be an indication of larger roof damage.
Flying or Falling Debris and Tree Damage: Winds often reach high speeds during storms that cause downed tree branches and other falling or flying debris. Even medium-sized branches can lead to damage that needs professional intervention. Signs of debris damage include missing or cracked shingles and debris on the roof.
Report Damage
If you suspect or find damage to your roof after a storm, your first call should always be to your homeowners’ insurance agent. Your agent will assess the situation and help you determine whether you should file a claim.
If your roof’s damages are eligible for a claim, be sure to keep track of all receipts for work, including any that you might do yourself. Proper recordkeeping will help ensure a smoother and quicker reimbursement of expenses.
A house is an investment in the future. Your home’s roof protects the integrity of that investment.
Have you dealt with roof damage in the past? Leave us a comment below and tell us how you assessed the damage.
EXIT Realty Bob Lamb & Associates is Murfreesboro’s most innovative real estate team.
EXIT Realty Bob Lamb & Associates
2630 Memorial Blvd, Murfreesboro, TN 37129