Follow this advice from the roofing pros to check for and fix damage to your roof after a storm.
Even if a storm didn’t produce a torrent of rain or volley of hail, wind alone can cause enough damage to your roof to warrant repair or replacement. So after a tornado, thunderstorm, hurricane or hailstorm, make sure to check the condition of your roof.
“Every thunderstorm has a straight-line burst of wind,” says Walt Zaleski, a National Weather Service meteorologist. “At 50 to 60 mph, you start seeing damage to homes — trees toppling, power lines coming down, debris blown from your neighbor’s house.”
After a storm passes, make sure to check for roof damage from wind, hail or other sources, document any problems and work with your insurance company and a knowledgeable contractor to fix any issues.
How to spot roof damage
Thunderstorms, tornadoes, hailstorms and hurricanes can tear shingles from your roof and give your roof a beating with tree branches. Follow these steps to check for storm damage to your roof:
• Inspect your attic for leaks or water damage. Also, if any water stains appear on your ceiling or walls, you likely need repairs or a roof replacement.
• Look for signs of storm damage from the ground. Check for missing shingles or missing pieces of metal fascia, including any metal pieces displaced from around your chimney. Also, assess the condition of exhaust pipes, valleys, outer edges or angles where the roof meets the walls.
• Obviously, you’ll notice if a tree fell on your roof. If so, stay out of your home until a professional can determine whether any structural damage occurred. Consider hiring a general contractor or roofer with a general contractor’s license if your home suffered structural damage, as you’ll need more than roof repairs.
• If the storm produced hail, check for roof damage as well as siding damage. Hail damage commonly comes in the forms of dimples, made by smaller chunks of hail that pound the outer layer of shingles.
• Stay safe — avoid going on the roof to check for damage yourself and instead contact a professional roofer.
Locate the right roofer, materials
Find a roofing company that has both a strong claims department and experienced repairmen. Homeowners should avoid companies that offer to pay their deductible.
When repairing or replacing a roof, plan ahead by considering alternatives to traditional asphalt shingles to help prevent future storm damage. Metal or composition shingles resist damage better than traditional shingles. They cost more than the asphalt varieties, but insurance companies might offer discounts on the price of your premium.
At Toledo Roof Repair, we aim to deliver unsurpassed workmanship and cost effective projects by our commitment to employing and supporting motivated, flexible, and focused teams. We understand the importance of our relationships and we continue to stay fair and honest in our dealings with clients, partners, employees, and vendors. Contact us TODAY for a FREE Estimate!
