Ever wonder
how to tell if your roof has storm damage?
Storms can be relentless, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. Among the first lines of defense against these tempestuous forces is your roof. Yet, after the clouds clear and calm returns, how do you determine if those winds and rains have left their mark above?
Knowing
how to tell if your roof has storm damage
isn’t just about spotting visible signs; it’s about ensuring the safety and longevity of your sanctuary.
In this handy guide, Campo Roof is diving straight into the big red flags that scream “Hey, it’s time to pay attention!” or even “Act now!” We’ll show you what to watch out for so you can make your next move with confidence.
Here’s how to tell if your room has storm damage!
Table Of Contents:
- Initial Roof Warning Signs
- Understanding the Leaks in Your Ceiling
- How to Spot Wind Damage to Your Roof
- Assessing Damage to Different Roof Types
- FAQs in Relation to
How to Tell if Your Roof Has Storm Damage
- Conclusion
Initial Roof Warning Signs
If you’re checking in on your roof consistently, you may begin to notice warning signs of storm damage that can tell you roof damage has occurred. In some cases, roof storm damage may require you to safely get onto your roof and inspect it for trouble. Here are the types of damage that your roof can suffer:
Mechanical damage to a roof from a storm can include missing, cracked, or curled shingles. Strong winds can lift and break shingles, leaving the roof deck exposed. Hail impact can also crack shingles. Flashing around chimneys, vents, and skylights can also be dented or torn away by strong winds and hail.
Signs of Shingle Damage to Look for
Signs of damaged shingles after a storm include missing shingles, visible cracks, dents or impact marks, and excessive granule loss where the shingle substrate is showing through. Shingles may also be curled at the edges or look bruised. On wood shingle roofs, splits in the shingles are a sign of wind and impact damage.
Asphalt shingle roofs have a protective layer of granules on the surface. After a hailstorm or severe winds, these granules often get knocked off the shingles and collect in roof valleys and gutters. A roof with a lot of missing granules looks patchy and worn, and is more vulnerable to UV damage and leaks.
Understanding the Leaks in Your Ceiling
Another clear indication that your roof has sustained damage from a storm is if you see any leaks in your ceiling.
If the wind or hail has damaged your roof, water may have begun to seep through the cracks and holes. Take a walk upstairs to your attic or upstairs rooms and look for any water stains on the ceiling. You might spot them in different ways; maybe as brown or yellow marks, drips and spots of water, or even some mold creeping in.
If you see any of these signs, it may be time for a proper roof inspection. It’s always best to catch roof leaks or roof problems as soon as possible. The damage could escalate and cause even more significant leaks, leading to further damage to your home and more expensive repairs.
What Water Damage Looks Like
After a severe storm, check interior ceilings and walls for water stains. These often show up as brown, yellow, or grey patches on the drywall or plaster. Water stains are a sign that your roof is leaking in that area. The leak could be due to roof shingles missing, cracked flashing, or holes in the roof from flying storm debris.
In addition to ceiling stains, look for areas of bubbling or peeling paint or wallpaper on interior walls. Looks like we’ve got a bit of an issue with water sneaking in, probably thanks to some storm damage that’s taken a toll on the roof. The moisture gets trapped behind the wall coverings, causing them to loosen and bubble or peel away from the wall surface.
What a Sagging Ceiling Means
A sagging ceiling is a serious sign of roof damage after a storm. It indicates a roof leak has been ongoing for some time, saturating the drywall or plaster ceiling material with water. The added weight makes the ceiling sag downward. A sagging ceiling needs immediate attention as it could collapse.
How to Spot Wind Damage to Your Roof
The most common roof damage is wind damage. Strong winds can loosen or break shingles, dislodge gutters, and even cause trees to fall on your roof. This is because the wind puts extra pressure on your roof, which can cause the materials to break down over time.
If you live somewhere that frequently experiences high winds, it’s essential to check your roof regularly for any damage.
To inspect for any wind damage, look for missing or damaged shingles and any holes or cracks in your roof. If you see these signs, it’s important to call a roofing professional or roofing contractor to come and assess the damage. By taking this approach, you’re setting yourself up for success by ensuring your roof stays in tip-top shape and ready to stand strong against any future wind damage.
What to Do After a Windstorm
After a windstorm, safely examine your roof for missing, cracked, or curling shingles. Look for damage to flashing and vents as well. Inspect siding and windows for damage too, as strong winds can blow debris into walls. Check for fallen tree limbs on the roof. If the damage is extensive, contact a roofing professional.
The extent of wind damage to a roof depends on the wind speed. Winds over 50 mph can cause shingles to blow off the roof. At 60-70 mph, old or damaged shingles are at major risk of being lost.
Winds over 80 mph can cause severe roof damage. The direction of the wind also matters, with cornering winds blowing across edges or corners of roofs causing the most damage.
Protecting Against High Winds
If you live in an area prone to high winds, consider a specialized shingle when replacing your roof, such as a class H (150 mph) or class F (110 mph) wind resistant shingle. Architectural asphalt granules perform better in high winds than 3-tab shingles. Other durable choices for high wind areas include standing seam metal and concrete or clay tiles.
After a storm, check for any debris that was blown on top of your roof. Debris could have damaged your roof when it hit or could create additional damage if it’s not removed right away. If there’s obvious damage, such as a hole formed by flying debris or a fallen tree, call a professional as soon as possible.
Documenting Your Roof Damage
If you find roof damage after a storm, document it thoroughly:
- Take photos of the damage from multiple angles.
- Note the date of the storm.
- Keep receipts for any temporary repairs you make, such as covering holes with a tarp.
- Hang onto your paperwork; it can be your golden ticket if you need to file an insurance claim, whether it’s for fixing up damages or going all in on a brand-new roof.
Making Temporary Roof Repairs
If a storm damages your roof, make temporary repairs as soon as possible to prevent further damage.
Cover holes in the roof with a waterproof tarp or plastic sheeting secured with lumber. Repair or replace shingles that are missing. Clean debris from the roof and gutters. These temporary fixes can minimize leaks and protect your home until permanent repairs are made.
Contact your homeowners insurance company immediately after discovering storm damage to your roof. Inform them of the damage and that you have made temporary repairs to prevent further damage.
They will likely send an adjuster to inspect the roof. Provide them with documentation of the damage. If the damage is covered, they will give you a claim number to provide to the roofing company that will handle repairs or replacement.
Assessing Damage to Different Roof Types
On an asphalt shingle roof, look for cracked, dented, or shingles missing after a storm. Check gutters and downspouts for excessive shingle granules, a sign of shingles that may be damaged. Dented or torn flashing is another red flag. Also check for water stains in the attic, indicating a leak from storm damage.
Storm damage to wood shingle and shake roofs includes splitting and cracking of the shingles from hail or wind-blown debris. Missing shingles are another sign, leaving the underlayment exposed. Dented flashing and water stains in the attic are other indicators of damage that needs repair.
Not all signs of storm damage are easy to spot from the ground. Keep your eyes out for the following issues, especially if you have an asphalt roof.
What Hail Damage Looks Like
Hail damage to asphalt shingles often appears as dark spots or bruises where the granules have been knocked away. You may see cracks or circular depressions in the shingles. Metal flashing, gutters, and vents may have dents from the hail impacts. On a wood shingle roof, hail damage shows up as splits or cracks in the shingles.
Hail as small as 1 inch in diameter (about the size of a quarter) can cause damage to asphalt shingles. For wood shingles, hail 1.25 inches and larger poses a damage risk. The larger the hail, the more severe the potential damage, with golf-ball-sized hail (1.75 inch) and baseball-sized hail (2.75 inch) capable of causing significant roof damage.
Keep an eye out for storm damage signs like missing shingles, leaks, and granule loss. Quick action can prevent bigger issues.
FAQs in Relation to
How to Tell if Your Roof Has Storm Damage
How do you know if you have storm damage on your roof?
Check for shingles missing, leaks inside your home, and dents on vents or gutters. These signs indicate storm damage.
What does storm damage look like on shingles?
Storm-damaged shingles often show cracks, bruises, or are completely missing. Be on the lookout for bald spots where granules are missing as well.
How do I know if my shingles have wind damage?
If your shingles are curling up or tearing off, that’s a sign of wind damage. Are there missing pieces after a gusty day? That’s likely the work of the wind.
How do you tell if a house has a bad roof?
Sagging roofs, frequent leaks, and daylight peeking through attic spaces all point to one thing: the roof has seen better days.
Conclusion
What’s the key to know how to tell if your room has storm damage? Vigilance.Being vigilant about checking for signs of distress post-storm isn’t paranoia; it’s preparedness — a way to shield not just tiles and shingles but memories housed beneath them. So next time dark clouds loom large overheard remember: understanding whispers from above could save more than just pennies down below.
