Our home’s roofing system protects us and our valuables from outdoor elements. This also keeps us safe from harsh weather such as hail, snow, rain, or extreme heat from the sun. However, even the most sturdy roofs get devastated by severe storms. And the thing is that you can’t easily spot the roof damages after the storm.

As homeowners, it’s crucial to identify any roof damage after a storm to prevent further problems. After you identify the damages, the next step is to fix them as soon as possible to restore your home’s comfort, privacy, and safety. Turning a blind eye to your roof’s issues can lead to structural damage and expensive major roof repair or replacement.

Let’s take a good look at what to examine for after a storm on your roof.

Also, how to recognize the various signs of roof damage.

Inspect Storm Damage To Stay Safe

Safety should be your first priority when checking for roof storm damage. Stay safe by inspecting your home’s exterior first. Stay indoors and call 911 if there are any downed power lines, flooding, or other electrical risks.

If you’ve experienced a winter storm, check for fallen trees, ice dams, damaged shingles, and other debris.

If your home’s exterior is clear from any debris, continue looking for potential hazards on your roof. But be cautious when assessing your roof because it’s one of the most hazardous sections when damaged by a storm.

Once you’ve assessed all the storm damage on your roof, you can now determine the fastest and best way to fix it. However, you might find it hard to check all the parts of your roofing system because it’s far from your line of sight. Suppose you’re worried about your safety when inspecting your roof. In that case, you can hire a professional roofing company to do the job for you.

Read on to learn the various signs of snow, hail, or water damage on your roof.

Identifying Signs of Hail Damaged Roof

Roof damage caused by hailstorms is the easiest to determine on your roof. You’ll clearly notice the tiny ice pellets hitting your roof and accumulating on the ground. They usually leave dents or tears on your shingles.

A hailstorm can cause the following damage to your roof:

Damaged shingles. Hail can crack, buck, dent, or curl roof shingles.
Missing shingles. Severe hail cases can rip-up roof shingles that may cause gaps.
Gutter and downspout blockages. Hail can clog your gutters and drains by accumulating loose asphalt grains.
Damaged downspouts and flashing. Hail damage to flashing or downspouts can dent, hang, or shred them.

Inspect Signs of Wind Damage to the Roof

Fast and strong winds can topple even the most sturdy structures, toppling trees, breaking windows, and causing roof damage. It has the potential to blow shingles off a roof, revealing the roof deck and underlayment. Your house becomes more vulnerable as a result.

Check this type of roof damage if you’ve experienced a windstorm:

Damaged shingles. Strong heavy winds can curl, crack, or blow shingles off the roof.
Clogged gutters. Granules may accumulate in your gutters.
Flat roofs’ damage. Windstorms can cause flat roofs to tear, crack, or develop surface wrinkles and bubbles.

Examining the Roof for Signs of Water Damage

The most difficult to detect are the impacts of water damage on a roof.

Water, after all, can leak through your roof and cause damage from the inside out. Ignoring water damage can lead to serious mold and rot.

Hence, you must quickly spot the water damage on your roof!

It will harm not only your roof but also the structural foundation of your property.
However, you can hire house painters to apply waterproofing paints or sealants to your roofs and ceiling. This will prevent further water leak damage.

Check the following areas for signs of storm-related water damage:

Roof. Severe rain storms can cause shingles to curl, crack, or peel off your roof.
Gutters. Water can accumulate in your gutters and pool around your house. Eventually, mold will grow. As a result, the structural foundation of your home is compromised.
Ceilings. Apart from the roof, it’s a good idea to examine the ceilings in your home. Any watermarks or discoloration on the roof suggest a problem.
Attic. Your attic comes after your roof. So, it’s best to inspect for water damages after a rainstorm.

How Do You Repair Roof Damage? Contact Your Insurance Provider and Hire a Roofing Contractor.

If any of the above damage has been detected and confirmed, call your homeowner’s insurance and employ a roofing contractor.

You’ll be able to handle the situation quickly, preventing additional damage and repairs.

Keep Track of All Storm-related Damage to Your Roof.

Record your proof and note all damages before touching anything.

These can range from comprehensive notes to multiple photos.

To receive the best offer from your insurance carrier, I suggest documenting both the exterior and interior of your home.

Ensure to safe-proof all risks in your home after you’ve documented everything. For example, if you have broken glass windows, cover them up with a wide cloth or board them up if needed.

Submit a Claim to Your Insurance Company

Report the roof damage to your selected insurance company.

It’s best to do this as soon as possible because insurance companies may take some time to process these requests.

Furthermore, most companies impose a yearly restriction on the number of claims that can be filed. To avoid further issues, communicate with your insurance provider by phone or email beforehand.

Regardless, maintain track of your contacts in a file or folder to keep everything organized. Also, include any visual evidence or receipts you obtained along with the procedure. For example, you may be required to present proof of housing if it has left your humble dwelling temporarily uninhabitable.

Book an Appointment With an Insurance Agent and Contact a Reputable Roofing Contractor.

Typically, your insurance provider will set up an appointment with an appraiser for you. They are in charge of determining the extent of the damage to your roofing. However, before meeting with the assessor, obtain at least four contractor quotations to establish a professional reference for the project expenses.

Then, contact reputable roofing contractors to get further information, such as costs and how long it will take them to repair your roof.

Make Your Decision

Your roofing professional may recommend minor repairs or a complete roof replacement, depending on the level of your condition. In any case, you should be able to decide at this time. However, if it meets the city inspection’s guidelines, you should have a fixed and new roof in no time.

Conclusion

Storms can be violent, with lots of lightning and rain. They can be violent at times, with straight-line winds and severe thunderstorms. This usually results in significant damage to your house’s roofing system. After completing the above steps, don’t forget to hire a professional roofing company. In that event, you’ll receive the most professional roofing service available.

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