Has a Summer Storm Damaged Your Roof?

Summer weather is unpredictable. The skies can quickly go from sunny conditions to severe storms. High winds, thunderstorms, hailstorms, and even tornadoes can quickly spring up. Summer weather extremes can wreak havoc on your home, especially your roof. Therefore, identify and address storm damage quickly. Do you know the signs to look for? Learn about a few indicators and what to do if you suspect storms have impacted your roof.

1. Mangled, Damaged, or Missing Shingles

High-shifting winds during summer storms can cause significant damage to a shingle roof. Some of this damage includes the following:

• Lifted shingles
• Bent or broken shingles
• Crack lines
• Missing shingles

A visual inspection is vital following a severe storm. Even from the ground, you may be able to identify some of the damaged shingles. If you see patchy, discolored, or balding spots on your roof's shingles, check your gutters and downspouts for shingle granules. 

These granule beads are the exterior coating on your shingles that protect the underlying layers of asphalt and fiberglass from exposure to the sun's UV rays and other elements. While you will lose a few granules over time due to the natural aging of your roof, storms can quickly rip off excessive amounts. When your roof loses a significant amount of granules, it is more susceptible to leaks and other damages.

2. Dents on Metal Roofing

If you have metal roofing, you do not have to worry about damaged shingles, but hail can significantly damage your metal roof. Large hail, measuring 1 to 1.75 inches in diameter, can fall between 25 to 40 mph speeds. Extremely large hail that exceeds this size can reach speeds up to 72 mph, but even more minor hail can fall at 9 to 25 mph speeds.

These balls of ice can impact your metal roofing. While you do not likely have to worry about the hail breaking or puncturing roofing materials, it can cause dings and dents. Over time, these dings and dents can impact the integrity of your roof.

3. Damaged Flashing

Even if your roofing materials appear intact, your roof may still have damaged flashing. The flashing is the flat metal material that goes around any openings on your roof. You can find flashing around the following:

• Chimney
• Skylights
• Vents
• Piping
• Gutters
• Roofing valley
• Roofing eaves and rakes

You may also find it around your windows, doors, or any other exterior joint where water needs draining away from. Flashing keeps water from entering your home through openings and cracks.

Severe storms can dislodge and damage your flashing. You may have cracks, gaps, or missing pieces following a storm. Unfortunately, you may not notice the damage until water seeps into your home. 

4. Damaged or Clogged Gutters

Heavy rains and high winds can place debris into your gutters, damaging or clogging them. Clogged gutters cannot direct water off your roof and away from your home. These clogs can cause water to back up under your roofing materials, leading to leaks, mold, and mildew damage.

High winds can also loosen or pull your gutters away from your roofline. If not quickly repaired, you may have to replace your fascia and the damaged gutters.

Storm roofing damage comes in many forms that can often be difficult for the average homeowner to identify. Fortunately, you do not have to.

With more than 40 cumulative years of home improvement and restoration management experience, The Edge Contracting will identify and restore any roofing damage your roof may sustain from summer storms. Please don't wait until water causes additional damage; give us a call today and schedule an appointment.