Many people are not certain about the last time they took a long, hard look at their roof. Sure, from time to time, you might slightly glance up at the object sitting on top of your home as you are finishing up some gardening duty, but that is far from an inspection.
Your roof is the primary defense of your home against harsh weather conditions and other elements. It shields you, your family and personal belongings from the glare of the sun, sharp-hitting hail, torrential downpour, windswept debris and more. This is the main reason behind the importance of getting a professional roof inspection after a storm event. The elements can take a toll on the condition of your roof and, if left untreated, severely damage your shelter. Even if you live in an area that is not frequently visited by storms or hurricanes, it is still recommended that you call a roofing contractor to conduct a professional inspection at least once a year.
How Storms Can Damage Your Roof
It is detrimental to believe that storms cannot possibly do that much damage to your home. You do not want to skip necessary precautions and end up counting your pennies because you are faced with expensive repairs and maintenance work.
1. Winter Damage
There is no doubt that a freezing storm in the winter season can wreak havoc on your roof. It might not take a long time to produce indications of damage and possible collapse due to the additional weight of the snow combined with fluctuating temperatures. As sleet accumulates in a sub-zero climate, the simple act of melted ice and snow refreezing in small nooks and crannies can be enough to cause shingles to crack and gutters to burst open and overflow. If you experience a grave winter storm, ring your local roofers immediately. You might be able to wait until the weather gets sunnier and warmer, but if you suspect that there is major damage hiding from plain sight, do not hesitate to bring in an expert.
2. Hail Damage
Hail is formed when globs of water freeze together in the glacial upper zones of thunderstorm clouds. Hailstones can pelt down in unthinkable sizes, measuring between five millimeters and 15 centimeters in diameter, and can be round or jagged. In many cases, the impact of hail is more than enough to cause dents on your vehicles and siding, so you can expect that it will not leave sufficient breathing room for your roof, especially asphalt shingles and wood shakes.
Common damage from hailstones is to the metal flashing on your roof installation. Flashing is a thin material that is used to prevent water from seeping into your roofing system — and, consequently, the interior of your home — and to direct the flow of moisture in walls. If the flashing has been torn or dislodged, there is a good chance that the entire roofing membrane will be compromised and encounter persistent leaks.
To see if your roof sustained damage from hail, look for random dings or dents on the roof surface and accumulation of granules in the gutters and downspouts. It is a must to call in a professional after a bad hailstorm has blasted the neighborhood.
3. Wind Damage
Even if it is not a tornado, strong winds can cause serious and costly damage to your roof. One of the biggest problems homeowners face from wind is that it can blow shingles off the roof and leave vulnerable areas exposed. If you let water or moisture reach these areas, you are practically opening up Pandora’s box. Imagine mold growth, wood rot, water leaks, insulation damage and more.
Moreover, strong and high winds can cause large trees to topple over houses and heavy branches to be thrown around in the air. Large fallen trees can completely split up your roof and allow massive amounts of water to enter your home. Even small punctures can be just as detrimental to your roof installation because, when left unchecked, they tend to develop into a bigger and more expensive headache.
Benefits of Professional Roof Inspections
Now that potential damage brings up an obvious level of concern, it is important to understand that professional roofers can offer something vital to resolve such urgent situations. Here are some of the reasons you want a trained eye looking out for you.
1. Can Properly Diagnose Roofing Problems
It is fairly easy to point out large issues, like a sagging roof or broken gutters. However, it is highly unlikely that you will be able to detect every problem from the ground. If there are no visible signs of damage, you might mistakenly categorize the storm as a trivial event, disregarding all underlying problems.
Many indications of storm damage cannot be successfully identified unless you pull out a ladder and climb up to your roof. But even if you take these key steps, you may not know where exactly to look and what areas to assess. A professional roof repair contractor, on the other hand, will be able to properly evaluate the current condition of your roof because they are specifically trained to tackle these circumstances.
2. Does Not Ignore Smaller Issues
There are a lot of small, hidden issues that can occur after a storm has passed. But when you skip a professional inspection and hop on the more evident problems to fix, it is likely that you will miss these issues. Regardless of how persistent or seemingly minor, the damage is, it is best to get it fixed as soon as it is safe. If you fail to do so, you risk larger and more expensive repairs down the road.
After a storm, be sure that a roof repair professional gets to meticulously inspect your roof during a maintenance service. From water leaks to chipped shingles and ice dams, smaller structural damage should never be overlooked and neglected. In addition, professionals know what to look for on both the interior and exterior of your roof, lessening the time spent during the thorough examination.
3. Can Help Handle Insurance Claims
An excellent part of having a professional roofing inspection after a bad storm is that the contractor can help make processing an insurance claim a breeze. For documentation, insurance companies often require photographs along with a substantial amount of proof that there is indeed damage caused by the natural disaster.
During the professional inspection, the roofing contractor will send out a team to investigate the state of your home as well as take pictures of any and all damage to create a comprehensive summary of the inspection results. Since the report is certified, your insurer will not be able to decline it. Moreover, the roofing contractor will give you a cost estimate of the needed repairs and replacements after the inspection, saving you time and money.
Contact Hero Roofing for Quality Roofing Services
After a particularly severe storm has blown through the city, make sure to call the professionals as soon as you get the chance. Hero Roofing is a premier source of top-rated roofing solutions, such as roof inspection, roof repair and roof replacement, in and around Newnan, GA. Our experienced team is committed to helping homeowners restore their storm-damaged home back to the original condition — strong, efficient and comfortable — through industry-leading products and outstanding customer service. Call us today at (833) 365-3707 or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment.
