Roofs protect buildings and homes from the elements, including rain, high wind, and hail. Although many roofing systems are made to be durable, severe weather can cause damage. Roof damage can also occur over the years from wear and tear as roofs reach the end of their lifespan.
Knowing more about common types of roof damage and signs of a damaged roof can help ensure that you take immediate steps to have it fixed, so we’ve compiled a list below of the most common types of roof damage and their tell tale signs.
Wear and Tear to Roof
Your roof can sustain damage over time due to wear and tear. As your roof gets older, it might develop problems, such as loose shingles or damaged flashing. Keep in mind that a homeowners insurance policy usually doesn’t cover this kind of damage. These policies typically cover other types of damage instead, such as damage from storms.
Roof Storm Damage
Severe storms can occur nearly any time of the year. Property owners in some areas of the United States, such as the Carolinas, might not need to worry about ice dams as much. However, tornadoes, tropical storms, and strong thunderstorms can be a bigger concern in these areas. You should have your roof checked for damage after severe weather events.
I. Roof Wind Damage
Strong winds can damage asphalt shingles and other types of roofing material. High wind gusts might make shingles loose or even tear them off completely. Windy conditions can also damage flashing and other roofing components. During wind storms or on windy days, gusts can fling branches and other debris onto roofs, causing cracks, tears, or other damage.
II. Roof Water Damage
Heavy downpours can easily lead to water damage. However, even light rain can end up causing problems. If your roof has any kind of gaps or openings, rain can leak through it, which can cause interior water damage. You can also have water damage around the foundation of your home, which can cause structural damage.
III. Hail Damage to Roof
A hail storm pelts your roof with pieces of ice that can cause damage. Large pieces of hail can make dents in a metal roof. Hail damage can also affect shingle roofs and other kinds of roofing systems.
Signs of Roof Damage from a Storm:
How can you tell if your roof is damaged after a storm? You might notice signs of roof damage while looking up from the ground or while checking your attic and other interior parts of your home. The following are some of the signs you should watch for, especially after adverse weather conditions in your area.
Broken or Missing Roof Shingles
Wind gusts, storms, and other severe weather can tear shingles off your roof or damage them in other ways. Look for shingles or pieces of shingles that are lying on the ground near your home or building. Having broken or missing shingles means your interior is at risk of water damage the next time it rains.
Dented or Discolored Roof Shingles
Dented or discolored shingles are another sign of storm damage. You might have dented shingles from hail damage, or your shingles might become discolored from exposure to severe weather. You should be able to spot these signs from the ground near your building or home.
Wet Spots
Wet spots or water stains inside your home, especially in your attic, can indicate a leaky roof. These spots and stains can form even with a small roof leak, so it’s important to check for them and have your roof inspected as soon as possible. Keep in mind that you can have water stains or wet spots on walls and ceilings that aren’t directly under your roof when you have a roof leak.
Sagging Roof
A sagging roof indicates serious structural damage that requires immediate repairs. Your roof might have extensive water damage from a severe storm that causes this to happen. If any areas of your roof are sagging, have a professional roofer check it right away.
Damaged or Missing Flashing
Flashing on roofs are pieces of metal that protect areas around vents and chimneys from leaks. Bad storms can tear pieces of flashing off your roof or damage it. You’ll need to have damaged or missing flashing replaced in order to protect your roof from water damage.
Damaged Roof Pipe Boots & Roof Vents
Adverse weather can damage pipe boots or vents on your roof. Since these roofing components protrude from your roof, they are vulnerable to wind and water damage. When these parts of your roof are damaged, they can create gaps that allow water to get in more easily.
Steps to Take in Repairing Roof Damage
You can look for signs of roof damage from the ground near your home or building. However, you shouldn’t go on your roof to get a better look for safety reasons. Instead, have a professional roofer come out to your home or building to inspect it and evaluate the damage.
I. Find a Reliable Roofing Company
It’s important to find a dependable roofing company to check your roof for damage. This provides you with peace of mind while also ensuring that roof damage is expertly evaluated and repaired. Look for a roofing contractor in your area with an established history of providing high-quality roofing services. You should look for a licensed and insured roofer who has experience providing residential or commercial roofing services, depending on which type you need.
II. Contact your Insurance Provider to see if you can file a Roof Insurance Claim
Your homeowners insurance policy might cover all or some of your roof repair costs. When you have a damaged roof, get in touch with your insurance provider to go over the details of your home insurance roof coverage. Many policies only cover damage due to certain events, such as severe weather, rather than wear and tear. Keep in mind that you can look for a roofing contractor who works with your insurance carrier to handle your insurance claim.
III. Schedule Roof Repair
When your roofer provides a report on your roof’s condition, schedule repairs as soon as possible. Even if your roof only has a small roof leak, this can lead to significant damage at a later point. Having the necessary repairs done in a timely manner helps protect your home or building from extensive damage or additional damage.
How to help Prevent Roof Damage
You can take steps to lower your risk of needing costly repairs for roof damage. This involves having a roof inspection done on a regular basis. These inspections are an important part of ensuring that your roof doesn’t have any issues that could lead to significant damage, including structural damage. You can also have roof maintenance done to reduce the risk of damage, especially as your roof gets older.
Schedule a Roof Inspection
Having a regular inspection done on your roof can help prevent further damage from occurring. These inspections can be done once or twice a year to make sure that your roof is in good condition. A professional roofer can look for signs of a leaky roof, damaged flashing, loose shingles, or other problems that need to be fixed promptly. Your roofer can then make any necessary repairs to help prevent further damage.
Set Up Roofing Maintenance
Having your roof maintained on a regular basis can help extend its lifespan and reduce the risk of significant damage over the years. A roofing company can perform maintenance on your roof, such as cleaning debris from it and clearing out your gutters. How often your roof needs maintenance can vary, depending on roofing material. For example, a metal roof usually won’t need maintenance as often as a shingle roof.
Contact Leverage Roofing for All Your Roofing Needs!
If you’re looking for a dependable roofing contractor for your residential or commercial roof in the southeastern U.S, please contact Leverage Roofing. Our roofing experts can do a roof inspection to check for damage from storms, wear and tear, or other causes. We can evaluate your roof and make repairs as needed to keep it in excellent condition. We can also help determine if damage is severe enough to consider getting a new roof rather than having repairs done.
Keep in mind that we offer other services as well, including roof replacement, siding installation and repair, gutter repair and installation, and pressure washing. When you need roof repair done, we also work with your homeowners insurance company, which can make the insurance claim process easier for you. Call us for more details about our services.