5 Tips to Spot Roof Storm Damage

Storms can wreak havoc on your home’s roof. Roof storm damage can be caused by heavy rains, strong winds, hail, debris, standing water and other weather conditions. For example, even a lightning strike can potentially cause sustained damage to your home’s exterior. You should do a thorough roof inspection for storm damage after every major storm. Catching storm damage early can help protect the rest of your home, your belongings and your family. If you’re unsure where to start this process, the five tips to spot roof damage from a storm below can help.

If there’s serious storm damage, you may be able to spot it standing in your yard. It should be pretty obvious if there are numerous missing shingles or holes from hail damage. Another obvious sign of storm damage? Missing gutters from high winds. Missing gutters constitute significant damage because they help keep standing water away from your home’s foundation. When water is allowed to pool around the foundation (or even your roof’s edges), it can cause serious damage to your home’s foundation that’s difficult and costly to repair.

Using a ladder against the side of your home, check for missing shingles or missing flashing. See if shingles have curled up at the edges or become broken, even if they’re still attached to the roof. If you notice missing or damaged shingles, contact a roofing contractor right away to repair the problem before it gets out of hand. Remember to be safe when using a ladder to look for roof damage. Don’t ever go up on a roof that could potentially be damaged after severe storms. If there are weak spots, broken beams or other serious structural issues, you could fall through the roof and be badly injured.

If your roof has sustained holes or water damage during severe weather, you’ll be able to tell by looking in your attic or the highest level of your home. Roof damage you might notice includes dark water spots on the ceiling or obvious water leaks. If there are any areas where sunlight is filtering through your roof, this is a warning sign that you need to begin the repair process immediately. If left unchecked, leaks and holes can cause water damage to your home’s lower levels. They can also ruin your belongings and let pests enter your home. Additionally, serious roof problems can allow mold and mildew to grow inside your house. These, along with certain pests (like rodents), are a health hazard to your family and pets.

One easy way to spot damage to your roof is by walking around your yard. Look on the ground to see if wind damage has carried away shingles or other pieces of your roof. If you notice any shingles or roofing materials lying around your yard, take it as a sign to call a roofing contractor as soon as possible. If you have a homeowner’s insurance policy, you may also want to call your insurance provider. Depending on how your roof was damaged, your insurance company may cover some or all of the repairs or replacement costs. Most companies will cover damage to the roof because of a natural event like a hailstorm, heavy rain or high winds.

If you suspect your roof has suffered hail damage or wind damage after a storm, the best thing you can do is schedule a roof inspection. Your shingles will be checked during a roof inspection to ensure they’re all accounted for and in working order. Your roof will also be checked for leaks, structural damage from debris and other signs there’s an issue. If the contractor doing your inspection notices any signs of roof damage, they can immediately schedule repairs for you. After your inspection, you can request a cost estimate to know what to expect.

If you need a reliable roofing contractor for storm damage roof repair, Pinpoint Innovations is here to help. We can assess repair costs, replace shingles, attach new gutters or entirely replace your roof after storms as necessary. Contact us today for a free quote and get the professional help you need now.