Roof damage should be checked by every homeowner after a storm. Roof damage can still happen, even if there is no visible water in your home.
It might seem tempting to climb on top of the roof. We recommend homeowners not do this. If possible, assess roof damage from the ground. To see clearly, you can use binoculars before using a ladder.
Rain is usually not enough to cause roof damage. Roofs can take a lot more damage if there is wind, hail, or flying debris.
Sometimes roof damage can be obvious to the naked eye. You should still take the time to assess your situation. It can be difficult to identify certain symptoms.
Let’s look at some of the most common forms of storm damage:
Signs and Damage from Wind
Damaging winds refer to winds that exceed 50 miles an hour. To distinguish them from tornadoes, winds associated with severe thunderstorms and hurricanes are sometimes called “straightline” winds. More than half of all severe weather event are associated with wind damage.
Wind damage signs include:
- You are missing Shingles
Shingles with cracked or peeling shingles are at high risk of being damaged by wind speeds exceeding 60 miles an hour. Even though roofing companies offer severe wind protection, the maximum wind speed that a roof can withstand is determined based on a brand new roof.
- Visible Granule Loss
Granule loss can be common with a new roof. Granule loss due to storm damage is visible in distinctive horizontal lines. This is the location of where the shingle seal was damaged. Granules can rub off when shingles are blown around and come in contact with other surfaces.
- Visible Water Infiltration
Wind damage is the most common cause of visible leaks reaching the ceiling of a building. These cases are caused by wind damage to both the roof underlayment and the shingles. This allows water to seep into the attic or upper rooms.
- Loose Debris
You should be aware of any loose debris around your home, such as yard waste and outdoor furniture. This could indicate that something was damaged by high winds. To minimize risk, clear debris as soon as possible and inspect for broken shingle patterns in order to determine impacts.
This post was written by Ted Williams! Ted is the owner of A Old Time Roofing which is the premier roofing contractor in Clearwater FL! Ted is a Master Elite Weather Stopper GAF Roofing Contractor, a double award winner of Best Steep-Slope Contractor from GAF and achiever of Master Elite Consumer Protection Excellence from GAF. He has been serving the Pinellas County area since 1978. Old Time Roofing has a tradition of quality workmanship, servicing residential and commercial properties.