The roof is one of the most important parts of your home — it protects the interior of your home from the elements and keeps you safe! However, this role means it also takes a lot of abuse from outside forces. When storms hit, your roof can be damaged in a variety of ways, some of which require roof repair.
1. Missing Shingles
Shingles are the individual pieces of material that make up the bulk of your roof, and they play a crucial part in keeping your roof intact. But when hurricanes, tropical storms, and even everyday thunderstorms hit, the force of the wind can rip shingles right off the roof.
If the shingles aren’t replaced quickly, any minor damage could become much worse, and costly repairs might be necessary. Fortunately, this type of roof damage is often easy to spot as you’ll likely notice the debris scattered on the ground near your home.
2. Gutter or Flashing Damage
Flashing is the thin metal that keeps rainwater out of your roof, and gutters direct water down and away from your home. Strong winds can loosen the flashing and knock the gutters off their mounts, leaving your roof exposed to water damage. Even moderate winds can carry debris that quickly clogs your gutters, making them less effective at removing water from your roof. Hail can also damage these elements by denting or piercing them, leading to leaks.
This type of damage is often harder to spot as it’s typically hidden under the eaves or on the sides of your roof. But if you suspect that this type of damage has occurred, you should have it inspected by a professional as soon as possible.
3. Loss of Granules
Granules are tiny pieces of material that are bonded to shingles and give them their texture. They’re essential to your roof because they protect the underlying material from UV rays. During a storm, these granules can be stripped away from the shingles due to the force of the wind or hail.
A single storm usually won’t cause significant granule loss, but the accumulated effects of several storms can quickly leave you with a roof that’s vulnerable to the sun. To avoid more serious damage, have your roof inspected and patched as soon as you notice any granule loss. After severe storms, you may notice excess granules in your gutters or on the ground around your home, and this is a sign that your roof may need some TLC.
4. Water Leaks
Strong winds or hail can cause holes or breaks in your roof, allowing rainwater to leak inside. Small leaks can be hard to spot as they may only cause dampness or discoloration. However, if left untreated, these leaks can cause serious water damage to the interior of your home.
Signs that you may have a water leak include water spots on the ceiling or walls, musty odors, or a sudden increase in your energy bill (as the water leak is making it harder for your HVAC system to keep your home comfortable). In serious cases, you may also see beams or walls bowing, bulging, or cracking due to water damage.
5. Structural Damage
Extreme weather conditions like hurricanes and tornadoes can cause severe structural damage to roofs. Heavy winds can tear off entire sections of your roof or knock down large trees that land on it and create large holes. The force of hail or debris can also puncture holes in the roof deck and cause the underlying structure to become unstable.
Structural roof damage is often very easy to spot as it can be seen from the ground. But for your safety, you should have a professional inspect the roof after a severe storm and determine if there’s any hidden damage that needs to be repaired.
No matter what kind of storm-related roof damage you’re dealing with, it’s best to have it taken care of as soon as possible. Even minor damage can worsen over time if left unchecked, leading to costly repairs or even roof replacement. The best way to keep your roof in top condition is to have it inspected regularly and call a professional as soon as you suspect damage. If you’re concerned about possible storm damage to your roof, Roofing & Construction Solutions can help. Serving Winter Park and the Central Florida area, we provide trusted residential and commercial roofing, construction, storm damage, and solar services. Contact us today for more information.
