Your roof is possibly the most vital part of your home’s structure. It sits proudly at the top of your home and shields it from multiple types of damage. Unfortunately, even the roof is susceptible to damage, and storms are the worst offenders. These are the 4 main causes of roof damage after a storm and how you can identify such damage.
Damage From Harsh Winds
The winds that sweep neighborhoods during hurricanes cause the highest levels of roof destruction. Even some of the storms categorized as harsh thunderstorms can produce winds of up to 60 MPH. Those winds are strong enough to disrupt shingles and even tear them off. Water leaks can then creep past the shingle damage and get into the home, exposing you to extensive home repair costs.
Hail Damage
Hail isn’t typically large enough to cause damage, but it happens sometimes. The hail chips are sometimes large enough to dent shingles and disturb their protective covering, which can leave you vulnerable to additional leaks.
Water Roof Damage
Water damage tends to happen to homes and buildings that already have existing issues. For example, you could experience pooling where your gutters are clogged, and puddles can leak rainwater into the weak parts of your roof. Any part of your roof with poor drainage is vulnerable to pooling, which can also bear down on the weakest parts of your roof’s foundation.
Damage From Miscellaneous Debris
Debris damage is another one of the main factors that can cause roof damage after a storm. Sometimes, roof damage happens because of objects such as trees, road signs, trash, and other objects that get tossed about amid a severe storm. These objects can land on your roof and cause massive damage to multiple parts of it.
What Does Roof Storm Damage Look Like?
Knowing how to identify roof damage is the best way to ensure that you take care of the problem appropriately. These are some of the ways you can single out roof damage so that you can take care of it before it worsens:
Wet Spots and Stains on the Ceiling
The first thing you might notice is wet spots on the ceiling. They will be very distinct, looking damp and having dark edges. If the leak is severe enough, you might even notice a bulge in the ceiling.
Black Pits on the Roof
If you examine the roof, you’ll notice that it has black pits. The black pits are most likely from hail damage.
Missing, Dented, or Chipped Shingles
Any signs of chipped, missing, or dented shingles will inform you that a storm has done a number on your roof. You’ll need to get help for this situation quickly so that you don’t suffer any additional damage the next time a storm comes around.
Now you know four ways you can suffer roof damage in a storm and what to look for when assessing your roof for damage. It’s crucial that you contact a roofing contractor at the first sign of destruction so that the two of you can find a recovery solution together.