In many parts of the country, powerful storms can arise with little warning and unleash a fury of wind, rain, and hail upon the unfortunate structures in their paths. When you factor in more dramatic instances of severe weather such as tropical storms, tornados, and straight-line wind bursts, it’s amazing that the roofs of most buildings can withstand the abuse they take from nature. However, modern roofing does a great job of protecting residents and their property from the elements.
Unfortunately, even the best roofs sometimes succumb to nature’s wrath and sustain significant damage in the middle of a storm. In some cases, that damage is obvious and manifests as dislodged shingles or heavy debris that perforates the roof surface. However, some effects of storm damage are more subtle and may require a keenly focused eye to detect. Keep reading below to learn about some of the obvious as well as less visible signs of roof damage following a major storm.
Following a major storm, it’s natural to want to get a good view of the potential damage sustained by walking outdoors and surveying the scene. There are some clear signs of roof damage that can be easily observed from outside the home, and with an attentive eye, you can determine if any damage has occurred as well as its extent. For example, an obvious sign of storm damage is damaged or loose shingles. Though shingles are installed in such a way as to limit wind resistance, strong winds can peel shingles back or tear them, leaving your roof vulnerable. Other signs of storm damage that can be seen from inside the house include damage from fallen debris, damaged gutters, lifted eaves, gutter downspouts full of shingle granules, or damaged flashing.
Inside Signs
While an outside inspection of your roof following a major storm is a great starting point, you should also check inside as well for signs that your roof has been compromised. If your roof was severely damaged by wind in the middle of a heavy downpour, there’s a good chance that you’ll see evidence of leaking in the form of stained ceiling and wall surfaces. Dark spots, wet spots, or areas of the wall or ceiling where the paint is blistering or peeling could all be signs that the roof is no longer preventing water infiltration. If the problem is bad enough, you may also experience wet flooring or soggy carpet.
Signs a Roofer Will Recognize
Your initial inspection may turn up obvious evidence that your roof was damaged by a storm, but it’s always good to get a professional opinion from a roofer or roof inspector. That’s because there are some more subtle signs of roof damage that the average person may not recognize that would be visible to a trained roofing professional. During a roof inspection, your roofer will check the underlayment beneath the shingles for damage, as well as the roof decking beneath it. Any signs of damage will be obvious to the trained eye of a roofer. A roofer can also help determine the extent of the storm damage and whether your roof can be repaired or whether a new roof may be required.
If your home has recently weathered a major storm, it’s a good idea to contact a roofing professional to conduct an in-depth inspection of your roof in search of storm damage. While there are many signs that may be visible to the homeowner, other issues caused by storm damage may be more difficult to diagnose by an amateur. To learn more about the signs that your home has roof damage following a storm, contact Findlay Roofing at (770) 516-5806.