We’re almost at the end of spring, and the storms are rough and plentiful. With the rain, wind, and falling branches, this can be a bad time for residential roofs. In fact, during this time of year, roofs are common to incur storm damage.
Curious as to whether your roof has suffered roof storm damage? Then read on. Here are the top signs that you’re dealing with roofing storm damage.
Missing Shingles
Perhaps the most obvious sign of roof storm damage is missing shingles. If shingles are missing, it’s likely because they were torn off by either strong winds or falling debris.
Asphalt shingles are fairly commonly ripped off by winds exceeding 50 miles per hour. As such, they’re particularly vulnerable during tornadoes and other high-wind events.
Note that a missing shingle isn’t just an aesthetic problem. If a shingle is missing, there is a potential of water leaking through its past location. This water leakage could result in thousands of dollars worth of damage and could even put you out of your home for a few weeks.
Therefore, the second you notice a missing shingle, you should call up your local roofing company. They’ll replace all missing shingles and ensure that your roof has proper coverage once again.
Ceiling Water Spots
A sure sign that your roof has incurred storm damage is that there are water spots on your ceiling. These spots are damp circles that soften up the drywall over time. They exist due to water leaking down from the roof.
Unfortunately, if you have water spots on your ceiling, your home has likely been damaged. In fact, your electrical system might even be damaged.
That said, if you tend to this problem early, you might be able to keep damage to a minimum. Therefore, as soon as you notice a water spot, you should make a call to your local roofer. They’ll assess the extent of the damage, determine where the water is leaking from, and then make the necessary roofing repair.
If the structural components of your home have been affected by this leakage, you’ll likely need to have your house renovated by a home remodeling company. This will surely illustrate the importance of keeping your roof covered.
Debris in Your Yard
During heavy wind storms, it’s not uncommon for objects to be thrown through the air. In some cases, these objects will strike roofs, resulting in physical trauma.
For this reason, you should assess your property after storms to determine whether any debris was thrown. Keep an eye out for branches, lawn furniture, and the like, as there’s a potential that they struck your roof prior to falling to the ground.
Of course, the existence of debris doesn’t necessarily mean that your roof was affected. But if you see debris, be aware that roof damage might exist.
Lost Granules
Granules comprise the rough surface of a roofing shingle. They’re there to resist the absorption of sunlight and therefore insulate the home below.
Unfortunately, heavy storms can tear granules off the tops of asphalt shingles. When this occurs, the shingles possess a shinier and smoother aesthetic. Unfortunately, they also lose a lot of their ability to resist sunlight.
So, if you see shiny and/or smooth shingles on your home after a storm, you’re strongly advised to call your local roofing company. They’ll replace the affected shingles and ensure that your home is as insulated as possible. This will save you money on energy costs over time.
Indentations
Another sign that storm damage might have occurred to your roof is that there are indentations in the shingles or flashing. This is particularly common during hale storms.
While indentations aren’t necessarily a reason to repair or replace anything, they’re definitely an indication that a closer look is warranted. There’s a chance that the hale damaged portions of shingles or flashing, thus leaving areas of your roof exposed to the elements.
If these areas are exposed, they will need to be covered up with new shingles. Failure to cover them could result in water damage in the future.
Cracked Shingles
When debris is thrown at or falls onto a roof, it’s bound to cause some level of damage. In some cases, this damage will be cosmetic only. However, in other cases, it will be serious and impair the functionality of the roof.
Perhaps the surest sign of this is a cracked shingle. Should a shingle be hit by a falling branch or a thrown piece of debris, it’s got a decent chance of developing cracks.
Unfortunately, the second a crack develops in a shingle, that shingle is no longer capable of doing its job. It can’t block the inward flow of water and can’t provide the necessary level of insulation. Therefore, it must be replaced.
Fortunately, it’s easy to replace a cracked shingle. Your local roofing company can complete the task for you.
Need Help Fixing Storm Damage on Your Roof?
Has your roof incurred storm damage? Need the help of a residential roofing company? If so and if you’re in the Severna Park, Maryland area, we here at Landmark Roofing are the people to see.
We’ve repaired countless roofs throughout the Severna Park area and have encountered all types of storm damage. Regardless of the problem your roof is facing, our skilled and experienced team can combat it.
Contact us now to schedule an appointment!
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After starting his first business at age 26, Artie Hendricks partnered with his best friend Rob Calhan and they have assembled a team of skilled and conscientious friends to be the core of Landmark Roofing. He largely credits his father’s strong and consistent work ethic and his father’s best friend Jerry, who owns a construction company and trained him through his first building experiences. Artie has since advanced through degrees in architecture, auto-CAD and construction management to build a business that prides itself on the care it shows for its work and its customers’ satisfaction.
