Roof damage can wreak havoc on a home following a severe storm. Luckily, roof contractors and insurance companies deal with this issue regularly, but having the best roofing and construction company in your back pocket can make all the difference.
Roof repair starts with the homeowner. So how do you learn to identify wind damage to a roof?
Let’s start with a few of the basics of recognizing the signs of wind damage to a roof.
Inspection Comes First
Immediately following a severe storm, make an effort to inspect for any storm damage – especially if you heard debris hitting your roof. That inspection includes the actual roof of your home and the inside to check for leaks.
Roof damage can occur due to lightning strikes, heavy rains, and flying debris hitting your home – not just heavy winds.
But what are you looking for in your inspection? Be on the lookout for anything that can cause roof damage following a severe wind storm, including damaged or loose shingles, cracking, bubbling, or moisture damage.
Signs of Wind Damage to Roof
You should be able to spot if the wind has managed to damage your roof. Here are a few things to look for if you suspect roof damage from wind.
#1. Displaced Shingles
Out of all the things to look out for when identifying wind damage to your roof, displaced shingles are usually the first thing you will spot.
Fully displaced shingles will usually land on the ground around your home, remain in pieces on your roof, or will curl up on your roof. However, displacement may manifest in more subtle ways, such as buckling, cracking, cupping, blistering, or flaking.
#2. Gutter Damage
Your gutters are the first line of defense for keeping water away from your roof lining. Unfortunately, it can be easy for the wind to damage gutters by dislodging or ripping them off the sides of your home. Inspect the perimeter of your home. You may locate gutters on the ground or leaning against the side of your home.
A damaged gutter can compromise the fascia boards and cause water to leak into the roof lining, ceilings, or between the walls and the siding.
#3. Soffit and Fascia Board Damage
As we just mentioned, damage to your fascia boards can be caused by the gutters ripping off the sides of your home. However, a fierce gust of wind can have the power to tear the fascia boards off your home. Soffits see damage during storms as well.
A severely damaged fascia board or soffit can help wind get under your shingles and tear them off the roof. Getting a fascia board replaced is paramount following a severe storm.
#4. Flashing Damage
The flashing of a roof is another critical aspect of the overall structure. Flashing helps prevent water damage by directing water to gutters or off the side of your home. In addition, flashing is put under your shingles to provide another layer of protection.
Unfortunately, it can be prone to failure during severe storms. A powerful gust of wind can rip, bend, or tear a piece of flashing.
#5. Chimney Damage
A chimney is usually a densely constructed portion of your home’s structure. However, depending on the chimney’s age, a severe storm can cause severe damage.
Catastrophic damage is easy to spot, but there are subtle signs your chimney may have suffered damage. After a storm, if you notice water seeping through the chimney or near the joints between chimney and roof, the flashing may have been damaged. Similarly, if you notice water leaking down the chimney itself, then your cap may have suffered damage. If you see cracks in the brick or mortar of your chimney, there may be structural damage.
What To Expect If You Need Roof Repair After a Storm
Chances are, you will need to call a trusted roofing repair contractor for help if you are dealing with damage after a severe storm. However, you’ll also need to contact your insurance to inform them of the issues and learn more about your plan’s coverage.
If you determine help is necessary following your inspection, a team of experts will arrive at your home and perform a thorough inspection to see if any further roof damage occurred.
That rigorous inspection comes with more than a spot check of noticeable damage to your roof. A reliable construction team will use infrared cameras and moisture tests to see if the storm caused any water damage. Then, they’ll check your gutters for damage and clogs to ensure you receive a detailed analysis of any issues.
Following the inspection, customers should get a report and a recommendation on whether the roof needs repairs or to be replaced outright. A good construction team will not leave without touching base on what needs to be repaired and a plan of how much it will cost.
You may ask yourself, “Does insurance cover wind damage to my roof?” It depends on your insurance. A reputable construction team will work with insurance companies to establish a financial solution for you.
Once we all decide on a plan for your repair, A to Z Construction works with you to establish a time frame and how we plan to move forward. Then, once the repair is complete, you will rest easy knowing your roof has been repaired by a group of professionals with decades of experience.
There is no need to worry about cleaning up behind us, either. Our team will clean up around your home, so there is no threat of stepping on a roofing nail after we leave. Our work speaks for itself.
Contact A to Z Construction for More
A to Z Construction is a one-stop-shop kind of company when it comes to storm damage repair, roof installation, and maintenance. So if you feel any way about your roof following a severe wind storm, an inspection by us is an impactful way to reduce your anxiety.
Contact us today, and we will get you set up with a free roof inspection and a full report on what might need to be repaired or replaced.
For quality work and unmatched customer service delivered 24 hours a day and seven days a week, A to Z Construction wants to be your contractor of choice.
