Storm Damage Roof Repair - What You Need to Know

The USA is battered by more than a thousand tornadoes every year. Add blizzards, storms, and hurricanes, and you have enough roof damage to render the strongest structures obsolete. Hurricane Michael caused an estimated $25 billion in damage, but even regular storms can batter your roof.

Like a chain, your roofing is only as strong as its weakest part, so even one loose shingle can lead to indoor leaks. With the right storm roof repair specialist at your side, however, you might be able to return your roof to its pre-storm condition.

Signs of Wind Damage

Wind doesn’t strike as evenly as you might think. It tends to affect loose shingles around the edges of your roof, which can place all the roofing above them at risk. Missing shingles are the most overt symptoms of storm damage. Because they form an adhesive seal to prevent leaks, even one loss can expose your roof to the elements.

If they’re displaying horizontal streaks, your granules have worn away, too. Wind damage can also cause visible water intrusion: a sign that both your underlayment and shingles have been affected.

If you see unexplained debris in your yard, look up. Your roof might be shedding its protective layer. Cracked soffit or fascia give rodents an easy route into your home, so you’ll need urgent storm roof repair.

Curling and peeling might be relatively invisible, but they’re a sign that your roof might not make it through the next rain. The stronger your decking, the less likely it is that you’ll endure this form of destruction.

Snow and Hail Damage

When ice combines with gales, destruction is sure to follow in its wake. Hail Alley endures nine days of severe hail a year, so every local homeowner should learn to spot ice damage. This form of precipitation can punch holes through your roof, particularly if your shingles have passed their sell-by-date.

Look for missing shingles, broken gutters, and ice dams. The latter are particularly destructive to poorly-maintained roofs, so prevention, as always, is better than cure. If you’ve experienced an ice storm, you might also see ridges of ice around your eaves. These ice dams ruin the efficacy of your gutters, causing pooling that can ultimately become a leak.

Hailstones can also cause bruised shingles, which reveal themselves subtly through dark, softened spots. A bruised roof sheds debris, which you can easily spot at the bottom of your downspouts.

Water Damage

Water created The Grand Canyon, so it’s more powerful than it seems. Once the last raindrop of the storm has fallen, look for pooling on your shingles, flashing, and vent pipes. A simple assessment of your attic can diagnose a thousand ills, so this is the time to climb beneath your eaves.

If your ceiling is damp or you see natural sunlight shining through, your roof needs expert attention. If your upper floor or attic is showing signs of leaks, you need an urgent storm roof repair to prevent your insulation from collecting moisture.

Wet foam develops hazardous mold and mildew that can affect your breathing. Moisture can also render your insulation obsolete, so schedule a roof inspection as soon as you notice signs of water intrusion.

How to Tell if You Need a Roof Replacement

Your roofing is your house’s raincoat—it keeps the elements where they belong: outdoors. Like a bucket, however, one hole can compromise your entire structure, so storm roof repair isn’t always enough. You probably need a roof replacement if:

Repairs can only act as a temporary cure.
Your roof hasn’t been reshingled in years. Every roofing material has its own lifespan, but most common varieties last around 20 years.
Granules are collecting in your gutters and downspouts. Heavy shedding is a sign that your roof has reached the end of its lifespan.
Your flashing is cracking.
You still have cement or tar flashing. These materials aren’t durable, so it’s best to upgrade to a robust metal alternative.
Your roof is sagging. This could be due to trapped moisture or rotting wood.
Your damage is widespread and your roof doesn’t comply with building codes.
A tree or other structure has fallen on your roof during the storm.

Not all damage is worthy of a replacement. Shingles are expensive, so if your roof hasn’t yet reached its sell-by-date, you should try to see out your investment to the full wherever possible.

Roof damage isn’t always obvious to the naked eye, so it’s best to schedule an assessment after every heavy storm. If the wind reached 45 miles per hour or more or your roof is pooling, it would be wise to arrange a professional inspection. As with any structure, a speedy repair can save you a fortune in incremental damage, particularly if you live in a stormy climate.

Need help with your roof? Click for a free roofing estimate from 1-800-HANSONS.