The roof of a home intends to protect the valuable contents from perils and is built to endure severe conditions. However, these same events, like harsh winds, powerful storms, hail, and flying debris, will take their toll on the structure.
The consequences are not always apparent when assessing the homeowner. The next step would be to have a more thorough inspection to detect the below surface damage and make the necessary corrections. That would require the keen eye of roof repair experts knowledgeable in what to look for.
Before reaching out to a professional roof repair contractor, the homeowner needs to learn to check your home for signs of damage to determine if the structure needs more extensive servicing. Sometimes homeowners are able to fix what they find to be minor surface repairs.
Consider these tips meant for homeowners when inspecting a roof following a severe storm or other harsh events.
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How Do You Know When You Need The Roofing Contractor To Do A Thorough Inspection
Following a peril, a homeowner first wants to ensure the home’s roof is intact. Usually, you can do a visual inspection by walking the house’s perimeter. If this reveals surface defects, a lot of times, homeowners will make what they deem minor corrections.
In other cases, in an effort to be vigilant, the homeowner will avoid making any repairs if these damages have more underlying severe effects.
That would warrant a more detailed inspection by a professional, credentialed roofing contractor who looks below the surface to determine the depth of the problem. Go here for silent signs your roof has damage.
What are some suggestions when assessing storm or other peril damage? Consider these tips before attempting to make repairs on your own.
When assessing damages, take adequate precautions
Following a peril, it’s essential to heed the side of caution when walking the perimeter of the house’s exterior. Ensure the storm has fully passed before heading outside. If there are downed power lines, flooding, or other potential hazards, avoid leaving the house until authority figures deem it safe.
If everything looks clear, pay attention for possible hazards when making your roof assessment. Look out for loose branches on nearby trees, debris, broken or loose shingles from the roof, or possible structure involvement.
The damages might not be readily visible, making the situation exceptionally dangerous. That makes it essential to go slowly and keep your eyes moving. Regardless of the severity, taking these measures after every storm or peril is necessary.
If you feel at all unsafe, contact a professional roofing contractor to inspect the structure.
Look over the surface for “ponding”
When heavy rain strikes, water can form puddles on the roof’s surface where there are uneven places. These areas can develop rust, leakages, or start to tear away. When homeowners neglect settled water like this, the roofing material will begin to deteriorate gradually over time.
The recommendation is to drain standing water before and after a heavy rain to avoid the possibility of damage. Water seeping into the home can lead to severe issues, including the development of mold and mildew.
Hail storms can wreak havoc
Hailstones can create severe damage to anything they strike but particularly to a roof since these are heavy, solid pieces. They’ve been known to create dents in roofing material, shatter windows, and ding the house siding.
When a hailstorm hits your region, an immediate inspection following the incident is crucial to ensure shingles are intact. The shingles could be missing, broken, or “gaps in the pieces.” Or you’ll find “dents, buckling, or cracks.”
The gutters and downspouts should be cleaned out from any potential loose granules of asphalt. These storms are incredibly destructive, with the capacity to “bruise” the structural material creating extensive damage. It can lead to incredible pressure due to the “free falling” of heavy pieces of solid stones.
This is an instance where a thorough inspection by a professional roofing expert would be warranted. The contractor will know precisely what defects to look for and corrections that must be made. They will also know if the storm will cause the homeowner to replace the existing structure.
Harsh winds can be incredibly damaging
Harsh winds can be damaging by themselves, but the debris they kick up and toss around is a terrific hazard. Powerful winds generally accompany heavy storms with the potential for not only wreaking havoc on roofs but uprooting trees and breaking glass windows.
The debris the wind carries with it can smash into the roof, causing the shingles to break, tear, or come loose, leading to leaks.
When winds are heavy and strong, an inspection should follow to ensure the shingles are intact. With asphalt shingles, the granules can blow into the downspouts and gutters, building up if not cleaned out.
Final Thought
It’s vital to assess potential roof damages following any sort of peril. Visually the defects and damages might not be apparent, but that doesn’t mean there are none.
As a homeowner, the objective is to be vigilant in order to extend the structure’s longevity. That would mean contacting a roofing contractor to do an in-depth inspection to find out the extent of the repairs that might be necessary.
From that point, you can reach out to the insurance carrier to file a claim so the roofer can begin making the necessary corrections.
