Common Types Of Roof Damage Caused By Storms

Violent storms accompanied by high winds can cause roof damage in many ways. Windy conditions can fling debris onto the roof, leaving holes and gaps that will lead to slow water ingress, which is a major threat to your home.

Performing a thorough inspection after every severe storm can help you detect and repair any Roofing Springdale AR damage. Here are some of the most common types of roof damage caused by storms:

Wind Damage

Strong wind can cause damage to your roof, and it’s important to know how to recognize this damage. There are a few things you should look for, especially if you want to work with your insurance company to get storm damage repaired.

Depending on how strong the winds are, they can be more difficult to spot. Strong winds that reach hurricane speeds can easily blow off shingles or other roofing materials, and even small pieces of debris can cause major problems for your home. The first step is to check for obvious signs of damage, like shingles that have fallen off. If you notice any shingles that have come off, it’s important to call a professional right away to schedule an inspection and repair.

Also, look for any other visible signs of wind damage to your property, like damaged tree limbs and siding. Also, make sure to check for other forms of damage inside your home, such as water leaks and stains on the ceiling or walls.

You may also see some less obvious signs of wind damage if you do a visual inspection of your property. If you see that a section of your home’s exterior has been damaged, it’s important to contact a roofing contractor right away for a full inspection and estimate.

One of the most common types of roof damage is caused by falling tree limbs and other natural debris during high winds. The damage can be minor, such as a few shingle dents, or it can be severe, such as roof punctures or structural damage.

Another way that strong winds can damage your roof is by pulling or pushing against it. This can cause dents and other imperfections in the surface of your roof that can allow water to seep in, causing serious damage over time. The best way to prevent this is by ensuring that all loose objects at your house are secured before a storm hits. This includes anything that could be blown around by the wind, such as lawn furniture, trash cans or recycle bins, and children’s toys.

Water Damage

While water damage may seem relatively minor when compared to other types of roof storm damage, it’s one of the most dangerous. If left unchecked, it can compromise the integrity of a roof and cause severe structural damage to the rest of a building.

Water leaks can appear in a variety of places. For instance, it’s common for leaking water to make its way through the ceiling and into the living space. This type of water damage can quickly lead to mold growth, wood rot, and rusting. It can also compromise the insulation value of a home and result in higher energy bills.

Another common type of water damage is through clogged gutters. If a gutter becomes clogged, the water that backs up from the overflow will spout through the cracks on your roof and into your home or business. It will also encourage the growth of mold, as mold thrives in moist environments.

During a bad storm, water damage can be difficult to spot. It’s important to keep an eye out for stains on the ceiling, damp or musty smells, and a soft or sagging feeling in the attic.

The most obvious sign of roof storm damage is missing shingles or other roofing materials. You should also look for signs of rot around the fascia boards. The fascia is the board that runs along the edges of your roof and connects it to the rafters. This is a vulnerable point of the roof and can be damaged by wind or hail during a storm.

If your roof is made of asphalt shingles, you should look for dents in the shingle surface. While these dents aren’t necessarily indicative of any issues with your roof, they should be documented for insurance claims. Metal roofs are more resilient against damage from wind, but you should check for any rust or gaps in the seams of your roof.

Remember, you should never climb on your roof to inspect it after a storm for safety reasons. Instead, enlist the help of a professional roofer to perform a thorough inspection. They’ll be able to assess the damage without having to get on the roof and can provide you with a detailed report.

Hail Damage

Hail can do significant damage to your roof and other parts of the house, especially if the hail is large enough. The impact can cause dents and cracks in your roofing material, rip off gutters and downspouts, or break your windows and glass. It can also weaken your shingles and expose your roof to water ingress from the next rainstorm. If you live in a hail-prone area, be sure to check your roof after each storm and take action when needed to prevent serious damage to your home.

The severity of hail damage will depend on several factors, including the size and density of the hailstones, the speed and intensity of the wind, and how long the hailstorm lasts. The type of building materials used in your property also impacts how much damage the hail will do. For example, while small hailstones may only leave pockmarks on asphalt shingle roofs, larger stones can crack vinyl siding and cedar wood shake roofing. The position of natural barriers and neighboring structures like fences, landscaping, or tree cover can also impact how much hail can damage your property.

Inspecting your roof for hail damage requires you to get on the ground and look at your shingles and other features on your roof, such as vents, chimneys, and skylights. If you plan to do this yourself, make sure your ladder is in good condition and you have someone helping you to keep you safe. It’s also a good idea to bring some chalk and use it to mark the areas you want to inspect on rough surfaces, such as shingles so that the dents are easier to see.

Once you’ve inspected the ground and roof, look for any signs of hail damage on your window frames and soffits. You might also notice water spots or stains on your interior walls and ceilings if the hail has caused significant roof damage.

The best way to ensure that you’ve found all the possible roof damage is to contact a professional roofer to perform a full inspection of your home. A professional will also be able to recommend the right repair options for your roof.

Ice Damming

Ice damming is one of the main roof concerns homeowners have to keep in mind when the weather gets cold. If ice dams form, they can prevent water from draining off the roof and lead to damage inside the home. The resulting water can damage the attic, insulation, and drywall. It can also cause rot in wood trim, mold and mildew, and ceiling leaks that can stain interior walls and furniture.

Typically, ice dams form when snow melts on the surface of the roof and the rest of the snow freezes into ice. These ice dams then block the water from melting on top of the shingle and flowing down the roof. With nowhere to go, the water backs up underneath the shingles and eventually finds its way into the soffits and walls of the house. Water can flow down shingle valleys and over gutters into the gutter system, or it could find its way into the attic space through ceiling penetrations such as access hatches, light fixtures, chimneys, plumbing pipes, vents, and skylights.

When you get an ice dam, don’t try to remove it yourself by chipping at the ice with a shovel or an axe. This can damage the shingles, which may then fall off the roof. Instead, call in a professional to use steam to remove the ice dam safely and efficiently.

The best way to prevent ice dams is to have a roof with an insulated, ventilated attic space. This will prevent heat from escaping into the attic and causing snow to melt on the roof. Additionally, it’s important to have an ice and water shield membrane installed when the roof is being reshingled.

However, even a well-insulated and vented attic isn’t always enough to prevent ice dams. The most important thing to do is to watch for signs of ice dams and take action right away. Check for leaking water from the soffit or through the attic and into the walls of the house, water spots on ceilings or in the drywall, and rust around the fasteners of wood trim. If you see these signs, contact your roofing contractor. They can work with your insurance company to determine if the roof damage is covered by your policy.