Your roof is probably the most important part of your house. It not only protects everyone and everything underneath it from the elements of Mother Nature, but it also insulates your home from high energy costs. When your roof becomes damaged, it’s important to schedule a roof inspection with a local, trustworthy roofing company to avoid further damage and costly repairs.
It’s important not to leave your home vulnerable by ignoring signs of a storm-damaged roof. That’s why our Raleigh roofing contractors at Artisan Quality Roofing want to provide you with the information you need to assess your roof after a storm for damage. There are steps to take if you need to get a roof repair or replacement, and our experts can help.
How to Identify Roof Damage
The roofing materials that protect your home are most vulnerable to damage when a storm hits. While there are some ways to get ready for a major storm that’s coming, such as hurricane preparation, for the most part, homeowners do not expect their roofs to suffer. Whether the result of high winds, heavy rain, ice, snow, or other events that make your roof vulnerable, after a storm passes, it’s always a good idea to assess for roof damage.
Here are some of the signs that indicate your roof became damaged after a severe storm:
- Missing shingles
- Curled shingles or cracked shingles
- Vent damage
- Chimney cracks
- An odor in your house that is musty or molding
- Ceiling and/or wall stains or water spots
- Blistering or peeling paint
- Decayed sheathing
- Standing water in the attic or pooling on the roof
- Rips, tears, or punctures of any of your roofing materials
Types of Roof Storm Damage
Any type of severe weather has the potential to cause roof damage. Let’s look at some of the most common weather events that wreak havoc on your roof and lead to a roof repair or the need to replace your roof altogether.
Wind Damage
High winds can cause shingle damage or even blow the shingles off your roof entirely if the winds are strong enough. When this happens, it leaves your roof underlayment, roof deck, and waterproofing materials vulnerable to water leaks and water accumulation. Strong winds also have the capability to blow dirt, debris, and objects like tree branches onto the roof, loosening or clogging up gutters. A wind-damaged roof needs a thorough inspection in order to protect the home’s interior, attic, and other protective roofing materials.
Standing Water
After heavy rainfall, gutters may become clogged or water can become backed up beneath your asphalt shingles. Storms that see a lot of rainfall create the risk of water damage that, if not properly and promptly repaired, could lead to the need for a new roof.
Hail Damage
A hail storm is usually short in duration, usually lasting no longer than 15 minutes, however, hailstones can cause a lot of damage in that short time frame. Hailstones have the potential to fall as fast as 100 miles per hour. The impact caused by the speed of these tiny ice pellets hitting the roof can damage shingles. Hail can create pockmarks or punctures to your roofing materials, resulting in the need for repairs from a talented roofing contractor.
Ice Dams and Heavy Snow
Sometimes North Carolina sees heavy snow storms. Though they may be rare, it’s still possible for your roof to acquire what is called an ice dam. An ice dam is when a block of ice forms on the edge of a roof, causing significant damage in need of repair. Ice dams are the result of heavy snowfall that melts, then freezes again, often due to a poorly ventilated attic or uneven temperature control from within the home. In addition to ice dams, the weight of heavy snow has the potential to cause roof damage as well.
Debris
Debris such as tree branches, tree limbs, leaves, dirt, and more can land on your roof from strong winds. This debris can dent or chip the surface of shingles, leaving the underlying roofing materials vulnerable to moisture accumulation that will need necessary repairs.
Can Roof Damage be Repaired?
The good news is that roof damage from extreme weather can absolutely be repaired. If you suspect your roof has suffered storm damage, it’s important to schedule an inspection with a roofing company that offers high-quality inspections and professional repairs to avoid any further damage the next time a storm comes.
What to Do if You Have Roof Damage
If you see signs of roof storm damage such as missing shingles or leaks, there are a few steps you need to take in order to begin the process of having your roof repaired.
Document the Damage
Take photos of any damage you see so that you can use them as evidence when you file your homeowners insurance claim.
Schedule a Roof Inspection
Get a professional inspection completed by Artisan Quality Roofing. Our licensed roofing contractors will assess your roof damage and provide an estimate for repairs, as well as help with any questions you have regarding filing your insurance claims.
Call Your Homeowners Insurance Company
Call your insurance agency and file a claim for storm damage. Roof storm damage insurance claims can be complicated, so make sure you follow all of the steps outlined by your insurance adjuster and read over your insurance coverage so you understand what is covered and what is not.
Schedule Roof Repairs
Hire a trustworthy roofing contractor who has a good reputation and knowledge of how to repair a roof that is damaged by severe weather.
Contact Artisan Quality Roofing for a Professional Roof Inspection
If your home has recently been affected by storm damage from extreme weather, our professional roofing repair company is here to help.
It’s important to assess your roof for damage caused by strong winds, heavy rain or hail, ice and snow, or debris. Don’t make the mistake of ignoring roof damage warning signs that could lead to a full roof replacement.
Contact Artisan Quality Roofing to schedule a free estimate to repair your storm-damaged roof. Call us at 919-906-3791 or fill out our online contact form.
