Storm Damage: What To Do
Welcome to the Midwest, where storm damage is common. Most folks couldn’t tell you the last time they had a good look at their roof. But your roof is the first line of defense that your home has against the elements. It shelters you from sun, wind, rain, snow, and much more. That’s why it is so vital to get a professional roof inspection after a storm. You need to take care of your roof in order to keep you and your family sheltered. If you live somewhere where there aren’t a lot of storms, it is recommended to get a professional inspection done at least once a year.
Types Of Storm Damage
Even if you think it’s just a mild storm, the damage done to your roof can be massive. Read on for the types of damage a storm can cause.
Winter Storm Damage
Winter storms can cause all kinds of damage to your roof. The weight of the snow is enough to cause damage and possible cave-ins. The fluctuating temperatures also can cause significant damage to your roof. As sleet builds up in nooks and crannies of your roof, shingles can start to crack and gutters can burst. If you experience a particularly rough winter storm, give us a call for a free inspection.
Hail Damage
Hail storms can wreak havoc on your roof. From marble size to baseball size, hail comes down in so many different sizes. The force that hail comes down with is more than enough to dent your roof. The most common type of damage from hailstorms is to the metal flashing on your roof. This can compromise your roof’s membrane and lead to large water leaks.
Heavy Rains
Heavy rain storms can cause your shingles to lose their surfacing over time. If you’ve experienced a particularly wet rainy season, it’s best to get an inspection soon.
Strong Wings
Here in the Midwest, we get a lot of storms that bring in strong winds. Even if it is not a tornado, strong winds can still cause a good amount of damage to your home. The biggest problem that wind causes is that it can blow singles off your roof. This leaves vulnerable, exposed areas in your roof. If water reaches these places, you have yet another set of problems. This includes mold, roof rot, and insulation damage.
Another problem strong winds bring in are the potential for trees to fall. Large fallen trees and other debris can completely destroy your roof, leaving your home vulnerable to the outside. This can also cause large amounts of water to enter your home.
What To Do After A Storm
There are a few steps you should take immediately after a strong storm. The first step is to obviously, call a professional like those at 2nd To None Exteriors, LLC. to inspect your roof and repair any damages. There are a few other things you can do to assess damage and speed the repair process up a little bit.
Walk around the home’s exterior. Note any factors that might require repair.
Take photos of the home’s exteriors as you look for places where roof repair might be needed. Check under the eaves, on the shingles, and near the gutters. If you notice any obvious problems like broken or worn shingles, damaged gutters, tree branches on the roof, or interior leakage of any kind, it’s a sure indication that you should contact professional roofers as soon as possible.
Again, it is smart to photograph and note everything you see. When filing an insurance claim, it helps to have some photographic evidence of the damage immediately after the storm.
Check inside attics and basements for evidence of damage to the roof.
Check inside your attic and basement for any signs of interior damage. Search for water damage and water leaks. This will show you where the damage is on the outside of the roof.
Talk to your neighbors.
Talk with your neighbors and see if any of them suffered storm damage as well. If your neighbor has shingle or gutter damage, the chances are high that you do, too.
The Benefits of a Professional Roof Inspection
The benefits of a professional roof inspection are many. When it comes to the safety and structure of your home, you will benefit from having a trained eye looking out for you.
Insurance claims can be filed.
You will need a professional roof inspection before you can file an insurance claim. We can help you with that, by documenting damage, offering cost estimates and performing any emergency
Unseen damage and smaller issues can be noted and fixed.
Even before filing a storm damage insurance claim, you’ll want to make sure to get any emergency repairs done as soon as possible. A professional roofer can make these immediate repairs and also make sure to look for anything unseen by the untrained eye. A lot of damage that occurs from storms can’t be seen unless you get out a ladder and climb up on your roof.
Even if you do this, you may not know exactly where to look. A professional roof inspection will allow the roof to be fully assessed by a trained eye. If you simply fix the evident damages, it is likely you’ll miss the smaller, hidden issues. It is always best to get any roofing issue fixed as soon as possible. If you don’t, you risk larger and more expensive repairs down the line.
A professional roofer can also help to identify and detect any water damage. This damage is extremely hard to identify unless you’ve been specifically trained to notice it. Professionals know exactly what to look for.
It saves you money over time.
If you choose to skip the professional roof inspection after a strong storm, you choose to open yourself up to the risks of smaller issues. Ignoring these issues can bring a myriad of problems over time, leading to costly repairs. Preventative maintenance is the best way to ensure your roof has a long and healthy lifespan.
You’ll have peace of mind.
Knowing that your roof has been checked by a professional after a storm ensures peace of mind. You have no reason to make guesses of what you think the results may be of a storm. Know the precise estimates when damage occurs and have a professional roofing company there to guide you through the process of an insurance claim.
When To Call The Professionals
After a strong storm has blown through, make sure to call us at (636) 699-0449 or send us a message online so we can help guide you through the process of storm repair. It is also recommended to get an annual inspection, regardless of the weather. We have the experience that you want and need in a roofing company.