Roof Storm Damage Inspections
How can a storm damage your roof?
You might be surprised at how powerful Mother Nature can be. Not sure how much damage a storm can do to your roof? Read on!
Winter storm damage
Winter storms can be disastrous to your roof. The heavy snow combined with the fluctuating temperatures alone is enough to cause damage and put your roof at risk to cave in. As sleet builds up, the sub-zero temperatures freeze water in all the nooks and crannies on your roof. This can cause gutters to burst and shingles to crack. If you've recently experienced a bad winter storm in your area, give the professionals a call.
Hail damage
Hail can range in size from marbles to golf balls to baseballs. If there's been a hail storm in your area recently, having a professional take a look at your roof is a must. Hail comes down with more than enough force to dent your vehicles, so you can imagine what it can do to your roof. Most commonly, hailstorms will cause the most damage to the metal flashing on your roof. Over time, this can compromise your roof's membrane and lead to large water leaks.
Strong winds
Tornado or no tornado, strong winds can cause major damage to your roof. The biggest issue to watch out for with strong winds is lost shingles. Wind can blow shingles right off your roof, leaving the exposed areas vulnerable. If water reaches these vulnerable places, you're opening up your roof to all sorts of issues—mold, rot, insulation damage, and water leaks.
In addition, strong winds can cause trees to fall and heavy limbs to be thrown around. Fallen trees can completely open your roof. If you've experienced strong winds in your area, definitely inspect your roof for damage.
Heavy Rains
Lastly, persistent and heavy rains can cause your shingles to loosen over time. Experienced a particularly wet, rainy season? It's best to be safe and get an inspection.
Benefits of a Professional Roof Inspection
The potential damage to your roof following a storm should raise concern. It's important to understand what the professionals can bring to the table that you likely can't match. The benefits of having a professional roof inspection greatly exceed the costs and will grant you peace of mind.
Professionals can Asses Invisible Damage
It's possible you will be able to identify certain large issues, but it's unlikely that you will be able to see problems that aren't visible from the ground. Oftentimes, homeowners will simply take a lap around the house and check for any visible signs of damage. If no damage is spotted, they'll think they've successfully survived a storm.
Unfortunately, a lot of the damage that can happen to your roof during a storm is invisible without grabbing a ladder and climbing up on your roof. Even if you do decide to scale your roof (very dangerous if you're not a roofing professional), you likely won't know where exactly to look. With a professional roof inspection, you can relax knowing that your storm damage has been assessed by someone with a trained eye for these exact circumstances.
Smaller Issues aren't Ignored
After a storm, there are oftentimes a lot of small, hidden issues. If you choose to skip out on the professional inspection and just fix the more evident damages, you'll likely miss the out-of-sight issues. Regardless of how large or small the damage is, it's important to get it fixed as soon as possible. If you don't, you risk much larger and more expensive repairs in the future.
When a professional inspects your roof after a storm, they are extremely thorough. Examples of smaller structural damage that the untrained eye often overlooks, include:
- Small leaks
- Damaged shingles
- Ice dams
- Water damage
Additionally, there's no guessing with a professional. They know exactly what to look for on both the interior and exterior of your roof.
Can Help You Handle Insurance Claims
One of the largest benefits of having a professional roofing inspection after a storm is that they make handling an insurance claim easy. Insurance companies will require pictures as well as an extensive amount of proof that there is damage.
During your professional inspection, the Tacheny team will be sure to take pictures of any and all damage found—with a comprehensive summary of what is wrong. All of our reports are professionally certified, meaning your insurance company won't be able to decline the report.
Will Save You Money Over Time
If you decide to skip the professional roof inspection following a strong storm, be prepared to open up your wallet down the road. Hidden or small problems may not seem like a major deal, but they will surely bring about larger issues over time. Preventative maintenance is the best way to ensure that your roof has a long and healthy lifespan.
When to Call the Professionals
After a strong storm has blown through, be sure to call the professionals. No matter your recent weather, it's still recommended to get an annual inspection. Hiring a professional roofing contractor will allow you to save money and time in the long run. The professionals at Tacheny Exteriors have the experience and expertise to perform a detailed inspection. If any damage is found, they will provide you with an estimate on the spot and make recommendations for any repairs needed.
Following the inspection, our experienced roofing contractors will make sure your repair job is done efficiently and without any hidden costs. We always work with longevity in mind. To get in touch with an experienced roofing contractor from Tacheny Exteriors, give us a call today at (651) 213-9221 or visit us at https://mytacheny.com/service/roofing/ for a free estimate.