The immediate aftermath of a severe storm in your neighbourhood is usually obvious. You could be looking at broken branches of trees, scattered patio furniture, or hail on your lawn. Of course, your glance is on the roof. If the driveway doesn't have any gaping holes or damaged shingles, you might feel a sense of relief and believe that your home has survived intact.
Sadly enough, this assumption may turn out to be expensive. The worst form of roof damage is not the one that can be noticed when looking at the sidewalk; instead, it is the insidious, invisible damage that affects the weatherproofing of your home. Gradually, these small problems turn into huge leaks, mould, and rot.
It is important to detect the
signs of storm damage on roof before it is too late to save your investment. These are the five signs that your roof may have sustained damage, despite its flawless appearance at ground level. Some clues may be hard to see, but if you know where to look, you can find them. Despite its flawless appearance from the ground, these five signs indicate potential damage to your roof.
1. Granule Loss in Gutters and Downspouts
The mineral granules, the sandpaper feel of the surface, cover asphalt shingles. These granules improve appearance and protect the asphalt from the sun and fire.
Strong winds and hail damage your roof like sandpaper. They can scratch these granules off the shingles without necessarily shredding them. You can easily find the remnants of this damage in your gutters, as it is difficult to see the top of your roof.
Examine the base of your downspouts following a storm. When you notice an accumulation of what looks like black, sandy stuff, your roof has lost its granules. Although a little bit is typical of old roofs, a sudden rush after a storm means that the shielding coating of your shingles is damaged and that the lifespan of the latter is considerably reduced.
2. Lifted or Creased Shingles
Wind damage is tricky. It does not necessarily tear up shingles; it sometimes only picks them up and puts them down. This is what is referred to as wind uplift, and it breaks the adhesive seal that holds the shingle to the one beneath it.
When this seal is broken, the shingle will flap in future breezes. You could see horizontal lines or dark lines on the face of a shingle, and then you know that it was bent backward by the wind. These
signs of storm damage on roof are severe, as unsealed shingles allow wind-blown rain to intrude under the roof, wetting the deck and insulation.
3. Dents on Vents, Gutters, and Flashing
When you find out whether hail damaged your roof, look at the metal. The impact marks of soft metals are far more apparent than those of the asphalt shingles. Check your roof vents, chimney flashing, and metal valleys.
When you notice the dings, dents, or pockmarks on these metal parts, you are practically assured that the shingles around there were hit by lightning, too. Ensure the gutters are free from external dents. Although a dented vent may appear cosmetic, it can serve as collateral evidence for a professional
storm-damage roofing contractor to prove the date and intensity of the storm for insurance purposes.
4. "Bruised" Shingles
The greatest delusion of all is that the layman frequently fails to notice it. The hail may not break the surface of a shingle, but it may break the fibreglass mat. This is called a "bruise."
The shingle appears fine to the homeowner. A bruise leaves a tender place. In several months, when the sun scorches the roof, that bruised area will lose its granules and dissolve quickly, becoming a hole. That is why it is so important to have a professional
storm damage roofing contractor review the roof, because he will be able to sense these soft spots, which cannot be observed by yourself.
5. Water Spots on Ceilings or in the Attic
The initial externality of damage is sometimes manifested internally. Storm damage may not always result in a flood, but it can cause a gradual leakage.
When it storms heavily, go into the attic. Check the underside of the roof decking to see if there is damp insulation or dark stains. Look in the upper rooms of your house at the ceilings and see whether there is any yellow or brown ring. These spots signify that water has broken the roof system. You should fix it right away; it has already gone around your shingles and underlayment.
The Cost of Ignoring the Signs
One can always defer an inspection, and the statistics indicate that proactive maintenance is less expensive than reactive maintenance. Recent findings indicate that the price of claims on roofs in the United States is almost
31 billion dollars in 2024, and the wind and hail damage constitutes over half of all claims on residential premises. The failure to repair small damages in the present will result in a complete replacement of the roof the next day.
Conclusion
Your roof serves as your home's primary barrier against the elements. Don't assume everything's fine just because the roof is intact after heavy winds or hail. Find the pile of granules, inspect the metals with dents, and look at the interior leakages.
When you notice any of these roof storm damage signs, or just because you need to be at peace of mind, you do not have to wait till the next rain to get the real picture. Contact 5 Stars Roofing today. We are your local, reliable
storm damage roofing contractor. We are prepared to provide a comprehensive, candid analysis of your home's condition.
