How To Spot Roof Damage
Roof damage can be serious if not caught in time. It can cause leaks, mold, fluctuating temperatures, and a whole slew of other problems that can affect not only the roof but the entire home. Spotting the signs early can save you a lot of time and money, but how can you be sure that your roof is damaged when you dont know what signs to look for in the first place? Some can be glaring and easy to spot, while others are quite subtle and harder to detect. To better help you find the problems that are destroying your roof, here is a list of the top ten signs that your roof is damaged.
Your Roof Is Old And Warping
Estimating how old a roof is can be very difficult. The easiest way to know the age of your roof is to check on documentation from previous replacements, but that isnt always possible to do.
Sometimes looks can be deceiving when it comes to old roofing. Even if things look normal to the naked eye, its a good idea to have a local roofing contractor or home inspector come out and do a proper inspection of the roof. Underlying issues could be hidden by the shingles that you would have otherwise looked over. If these problems are ignored, it could be a lot more painful to fix later on down the road. Age is a very real and important factor to consider when looking into a roof replacement.
Assessing Different Types Of Roof Damage
If youre checking in on your roof consistently, 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 an inspect it for trouble. Here are the types of damage that your roof can suffer:
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Prevent Major Roof Problems With Platinum Contracting
After a severe storm, its always a good idea to call in a roofer to check your roof for any signs of wear and tear. Spotting roof issues and acting on them early on can allow homeowners to dodge more expensive repair costs in the future. Leaving roof damage to worsen wont just be costly it puts you and your family at risk of injuries.
If you suspect that your roof could be damaged, its time to call in professional contractors. Contact Platinum Contracting and schedule your free roof inspection today! If we find any signs of damage on your roof, we can provide a free estimate on the spot.
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Things To Look For Inside Your Home
Known Water Leaks
If youve noticed any slow or recurring water leaks inside your home, you may have hail damage on your roof.
Water Stains On Ceiling or Walls
Look for any water stains on the ceilings for signs of roof leakage. Look for bubbling paint, where water gets trapped between drywall and paint during a storm.
Water Stains In/Around Light Fixtures
Check out all indoor light fixtures, can lights as these are often more prone to show water leakage.
Water Stains in Closets
Look in closets and other hard to reach areas for water stains on ceilings or walls.
Mold/Mildew on Walls or Ceiling
If you notice mold or mildew on any interior wall or ceiling, you may have a leaking roof.
Attic Water Seepage or Wet Insulation
If you have access, check the attic rafters for water stains and/or wet insulation that point to roof leaks during heavy rain.
Water Stains in Garage
Check the garage ceilings and corners for any water stains, discolored walls, etc.
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Should I Replace The Roof After Hail Damage
The answer is, it depends. Hail roof damage can come in many forms. Depending on the intensity of the hail damage, your roof may simply need a minor repair to replace or restore a few shingles. On the other hand, replacing shingles wont be enough to restore your roof if you suffered major roof hail damage.
In addition to hail damage, our team considers the age of your roof and shingles, the condition of your roof and shingles, and previous damage that may have occurred. If you have a newer roof and shingles, and the hail wasnt severe, we would never recommend a full roof replacement.
Our team will always make the best recommendation to keep you and your home safe and secure after a hail event. In our inspection report, well document any areas of concern and hail damage so you can make an informed decision about whether or not to follow our recommendations for roof repair or replacement.
If you are concerned about hail damage, contact our team. Our process starts with a free, no-obligation inspection. Well show up quickly to assess your damage and get you on the road to repairs. Contact our team for a free inspection today!
What To Do When You Find Roof Damage
Dont touch anything! Take pictures of the damage and make notes of everything you notice. Youll need this for your insurance claim.
Ask a roofer to inspect your roof and assess the damage.
Notify your insurance company, especially if the damage is extensive. But dont worry too much about how to work with them, because most roofers will help you with your insurance claim.
Work with your roofer to replace or repair your roof. Theyll guide you step by step.
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Water Stains On Your Ceiling
Water stains often show up as brown rings or patterns on the walls or ceiling, but they might not show up right away.
A slow leak that begins to soak into the ceiling or wall will leave a stain from the mineral deposits in the water when it dries out again. Depending on the color of your walls or ceiling, it could be hard to spot water stains. If you have a wood ceiling thats brown, or if the lighting in that corner is poor, you might not see the stain at all.
Interior Stains On Ceiling Or Walls
Sometimes, you will find damage on your ceiling or walls, such as discoloration, peeling paint, and mold. Your roof has been compromised somewhere. Sometimes, you might also want to inspect your basement for puddles. Sometimes, when the soffits, fascia, and gutters are damaged, the water is not shuttled away from the foundation and can find its way inside.
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Why You Need A Professional Roof Inspection
Even if you know the common warning signs, its essential to get your roof inspected by a roofing expert for two reasons.
One, most people only search for signs of roof wear and tear from the ground, severely limiting their viewpoint. If they do use ladders to get up on the roof, they expose themselves to a lot of danger especially if the roof is prone to collapse.
Two, by getting a professional to get an eye on your roof, they can spot any sign of leaks or missing shingles that you otherwise wont catch.
How Do I Know If My Roof Has Storm Damage
There are a few things you can do and be aware of to know when or if your roof has sustained storm damage. Depending on where you live, the number and severity of storms can vary greatly. Here in the upper midwest, we are very familiar with severe thunderstorms, high winds, and even the occasional hail storm or tornado. And whenever a severe storm comes through, you will want to know what to look for when you walk around your property the next day.
Storms can wreak havoc on your home when it brings with it strong winds and hail. Your roof, siding, windows, and landscaping are all susceptible to damage during these times, and fast-acting repairs can prevent your home from further damage from leaks or other more severe damage.
Roof damage can look like any of the following:
- Missing or damaged flashing
- Hail damage
Any of these can be tell-tale signs that your roof is damaged and now at risk of leaks and water damage. So you should act fast to get these things repaired before it gets any worse.
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Curling Or Buckling Shingles
Sometimes shingles start to buckle or curl at the edges or corners because of fluctuating temperatures. Curling shingles occur due to inadequate ventilation of your roof and buckling shingles develop because of humid summer temperatures that cause ripples to develop in the shingle as the moisture warps the wood. Both curling and buckling shingles are less sturdy and more prone to being ripped off during inclement weather, and without shingles your roof is left unprotected and exposed to the harsh elements. Dont waste any time if you see signs of curling or buckling in the shingles. Call Beyond Exteriors immediately when this happens and well fix your roof in no time at all.
Sagging Deck And Moisture Spots
If there is a hole in the roof or other forms of damage from the storm, you can expect water to already seep in. A good sign of this is when you look up at your ceiling and see portions that sag and have a darker color. This darker shade is a sign of moisture build-up.
You can take a ladder and climb up to inspect these sagging moisture spots. If theyre wet and soft to the touch, its time to call in professionals to conduct repairs. Not only is your ceiling breaking down but theres a problem up on the roof too.
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Diy Roof Inspection Is Risky
Many FT Wayne homeowners try to climb the roof and look for signs of storm damage themselves. First of all, treading on the roof is risky by itself, especially if youre not agile enough. There are always risks involved of falling off the roof, slipping off the wet roof, which is usually the case after the storm, or damaging the roof further. Property owners should try to assess the damage from the ground level itself using binoculars. Whether they notice anything wrong or not, calling for a professional roofing inspection is a must.
Professional Fort Wayne roofing contractors are trained to look for signs of roof damage across every nook and corner of the roof with a keen eye for detail. It ensures that nothing goes unnoticed, which you cant be sure of when going through the DIY route. Professional roofing technicians have specialized equipment and tools necessary to check and fix roof damage while also checking if theres any damage underneath the roof. Such a comprehensive roof inspection after a storm or hail can help you keep a check on your roofs health and take necessary corrective measures timely.
Assessing Damage To Different Roof Types
Depending on the type of roof youve got on your home, storm damage can show up in a number of surprising ways. In order to best understand what to look for, have a roofer come out for a free inspection of your roof. Theyll tell you what kind of roof youve got, and what you need to be aware of in the future. Take a look at this list of common roof materials and the ways roof storm damage presents on each:
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What Does Hail Damage Do To A Roof
The severity of hail damage to a roof depends on several factors, including:
Type of roofing materials, age of roofing materials, roof slope, quality of construction…
…as well as hail size, hail density, and hail shape and the velocity and angle of its fall.
Hail damage can also be affected by the number of shingle layers on a roof. Second layer shingles are more susceptible to damage than first layer shingles, because the surface directly underlying the shingle is less supportive than dense wood.
Hail damage can either be ‘functional’ or ‘cosmetic’ in nature.
Functional hail damage refers to damage that affects the integrity and longevity of the roof. Cosmetic hail damage refers to damage that does not affect the viability of the roof to perform its function.
In 2013, the American Association of Insurance Services, introduced a “Cosmetic Damage Exclusion” to allow insurers to avoid coverage for cosmetic damage. However, sometimes, a roof that has been functionally damaged will be passed off as only cosmetically damaged by the insurance company.
A qualified, trained roof inspector will know the difference and can assist the homeowner to make sure the insurance designation is properly assigned.
INTERESTING FACT: Baseball size hail stones fall at nearly 100 miles per hour.
Wood shake, clay, concrete and other dense roofing material types can be instantly cracked or shattered by large hail stones.
How Does Wind Damage Your Roof
Some roofs can withstand extreme winds…
…while some older roofs can be damaged by wind speeds below 50 miles per hour.
The severity of wind damage to a roof structure varies depending on several factors, including:
- Type and age the roofing materials
- Presence of flying debris
- Building geometry and shape of the roof
- Building height and orientation to other buildings
- Quality of roof installation
As wind flows around and over buildings, it can produce very high negative pressures creating suction…
And positive pressures creating blunt force pushing on roofing materials, under gables or eaves.
These pressures create tremendous uplift on roofing materials, sometimes tearing the roof off at high speeds.
Suction and uplift near the leading edge of a flat roof can cause roofing materials to bellow upward and tear.
Wind then gets under the resulting “opening” and can tear large sections of the roof off.
Each roof performs differently in wind, and the quality of installation makes a big difference.
On sloped roofing systems , uplift pressures are highest along the windward corners, rakes, eaves, and ridges. Code-compliant materials and wind-specific design engineering play a huge role in roof success or failure during high winds.
Some roof designs are better than others when it comes to withstanding roof wind damage.
When designing a new roofing system…
…it’s important to consult an engineer to validate the full scope of code requirements for the building’s location.
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Sign #: Debris In Gutters
Check your gutters for pieces of asphalt shingles or sand-like granules that are used as a top coat this material protects your tiles, and if granules are falling from your tiles and into your gutters, then it could be a sign that your shingles are deteriorating. Of course, a few loose granules are normal, but if you notice an increase in residue, this may be a warning sign.
The protective coating of a roof tends to slough off due to atmospheric changes, constant exposure to weather, long-term usage and moisture, which causes the asphalt to weaken. Therefore, you should aim to repair tiles and replace their protective coating on a regular basis.
You should also check for debris falling from trees nesting on your roof, as this can cause the coating of your roof to weaken. Therefore, regular garden maintenance is important.
Make sure that you inspect your roof regularly in broad daylight, and if you notice deformed, distorted, curled areas, or tiles bald from their protective coating, then you may need to make some roof repairs. And, if you live in North Yorkshire, give us a call. Wed be happy to have our Harrogate roofers take a look at your property and recommend repairs.
Choosing A Roof Contractor
There are a lot of large corporate companies that say they can get if fixed quickly and they wind up working on it for weeks. We at Dason Fire & Water Restoration are local and care about our neighbors. Always ask to see a business licenses, proof of insurance, certifications, permanent business address and Better Business Bureau rating. We want to make sure that you and your family are taken care of.
For a roof inspection call us today 379-0390 or contact our Oklahoma Office.
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Signs Of Damage On The Outside
If you take a walk around your house, you may see shingles that are curled, loose, or missing altogether. You may not be able to see damaged shingles, but you may notice that the surface of the roof just doesnt look right. Some areas may be higher than others, or the roof may be sagging in one or more places.
If shingles are loose, water can get underneath them. Moisture damage can cause the roof to deteriorate further, and it may need to be replaced.
As roofing shingles become worn out over time, the granules on their surface can wear away, which can reduce the shingles ability to protect your home. The roof may appear darker in areas with fewer granules. Dark patches on the roof can also indicate that moss or algae is present.
When it rains, granules can get washed into the gutters. Check the area around your downspouts, as well as in the yard and on the driveway. If you see a lot of loose granules, that may indicate that your roof has suffered serious damage.
Flashing protects areas that intersect with the roof, such as the chimney and skylights. If the flashing is damaged, that can allow water to penetrate the roofs surface and can lead to damage inside the house.
Checking For Roof Hail Damage At Ground Level
Blown Off Shingles
Look for broken bits or loose shingles that may have fallen off around the house and in the yard. Hail is usually accompanied by high winds. If you see shingles in the yard, you may have wind or hail damage on the roof.
Outdoor Furniture Damage
Take a look at your outdoor furniture. Hail will crack or put holes in plastic yard furniture. It may also chip the paint or splinter the wood on wooden furniture.
Damaged Outdoor Lights
Look for cracked or broken light fixtures in the yard or on the sides of house.
Garage Door Dents/Dings
Check garage doors for dents, dings, paint chips, scuff patterns.
Damaged Swing/Play Sets
Check play sets and swing sets for dents, dings, paint chips, scuff patterns. Look for splintered wood or light discolored spots in the stain.
Utility Shed Damage
Check sheds or buildings for damage to metal roofing, siding, etc. Look closely at the roof of metal utility sheds for dents. Look at shingled utility sheds for small spots where shingles are dimpled or have missing granules.
Dented AC Condenser/Heat Pump
Check the air conditioner condenser unit housing for dents or damage from hail. Check the condenser coil fins for dent.
Window Well Covers
Cracks and holes in window well covers may indicate diameter and quantity of hail.
Dented Dryer Vents or Wall Vents
Dents in the soft metal of various wall vents may point to potential roof damage.
Damage to Fencing
Chips or Dents to Deck Stain/Paint
Damage to Painted Wood Surfaces
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