Tips For Handling Roof Damage After A Storm
After a strong storm has impacted your community, you will want to take the time to conduct a damage assessment of your property. While it is unlikely that you will be able to do this as thoroughly as professional, this initial inspection will allow you to understand the scope of the damage, the steps for minimizing secondary damage and the urgency for repairs. During this inspection, there are several key parts of the roof that you will want to evaluate.
Inspect The Condition Of The Shingles
Strong winds, hail stones and intense rain can cause the shingles on your roof to suffer major damage. These damages can be in the form of the shingles being removed from the roof, warped, bent or stripped of their exterior granules. Depending on the design of your roof, it may be difficult to see all of it from the ground. If you need to climb on your roof to inspect the damage, you should always make sure that you have a partner with you as they will need to stabilize the ladder and they can seek help if you fall and are injured.
Check The Gutters For Warping Or Loosening
The gutters around the perimeter of the roof will be at a particularly high risk of suffering damages. These damages can range from minor warping to the entire gutter system being torn away from the roof. Without the gutters, water will drain from the roof in an uncontrolled manner, which can lead to serious water damage to the property. If you notice that sections of your gutters have been damaged, you should have them replaced as soon as possible to prevent it from leading to these damages. In addition to checking for structural damages, you should also review the gutters to ensure that they are clear of excess debris as this could lead to clogs other performance problems.
Look At The Interior Attic Ceiling
It can be possible for small objects to become airborne due to the intense winds that storms can bring. When these flying items impact the roof, they may be able to leave small punctures. These punctures may not be easily visible from the exterior, but leaks from them will leave water stains on the attic ceiling. After a storm, you should inspect the attic to look for signs of this problem. While minor leaks in the attic may not seem like a major problem, it can be impossible to know the full extent of the leaking until this problem is inspected and repaired.