Weather conditions can cause a roof to sustain damage that isn‘t necessarily immediately visible. Winds of tremendous force, as well as hail, rain, and falling branches are some of the elements that can cause damage by breaking or damaging shingles, flashing, gutters, vents, or even the deck beneath the covering. After a storm, homeowners should approach the situation in terms of safety, doing all they can to document the visible evidence, then have the damage inspected. This makes good sense, as it can prevent water from entering the house, and keep a relatively simple job from becoming more difficult.
Put Safety First
Ensure the area is safe to examine the property. Do not walk on a roof when it is wet, this could be dangerous especially the day after a rain storm or high winds. Fallen tree limbs, contact with electrical wires, rotten materials and roof falls are all potential dangers. The first point of examination should be external observations from the ground. If the damage to the property is considerable the owner should wait for a professional assessment.
Look for Visible Damage
Check from the ground for missing or moved shingles, broken gutters, loose flashing, fallen branches or irregularities in the roofline. Hail can cause pitting or damage that can be difficult to see from the ground. Do not assume, no obvious holes equal no damage.
Check the Interior
Examine the ceilings, walls and any accessible portions of the attic for any evidence of water intrusion following a storm. The presence of water stains, wet insulation, flaking paint or an unpleasant smell of mildew may suggest a breach of the roofing system. You should take extreme care when examining the vicinity of electrical fittings and contacts. Seek professional advice before attempting to remediate the water intrusion.
Document the Condition
Photograph any visible problems on the roof, both interior and exterior damage, as they occur, if possible. Write down the date of the storm and when you initially observed each problem. An experienced roofing professional can use this information to determine what occurred and it will also be helpful when filing a claim with an insurance company. Save all pictures, get estimates, and keep receipts with any other documentation you have.
Arrange a Professional Inspection
Storm damage is often difficult to assess without hands-on experience. A roofing professional can inspect shingles, flashing, roof edges, valleys, vents, decking and other materials for damage. The focus should be on finding the cause and extent of the problem or it may be difficult to determine if a patch done on the most immediately obvious area is enough or if the issue requires a larger solution.
Address Leaks Quickly
If rain has infiltrated, immediate action may be critical. Water can migrate through the insulation, drywall, ceilings, and structural elements of the roof. This can make repairs more expensive and time-consuming. Storm damage roof repair that is professionally done can repair the damage caused by the storm and can keep a roof functioning well. A short-term fix might also be needed.
Review the Gutters
Gutters and downspouts may also be harmed during a storm. Falling branches, gusts of wind and heavy rain may cause gutter sections to come away or become clogged with leaves and other debris. Leaking drains can cause other problems near the edges of a roof and around the foundations. Once the storm has passed, have gutters checked from a safe vantage point and call on experts if any sections become loose, bend, dislodge or otherwise become damaged.
Consider Insurance Documentation
If you have homeowners with property insurance, you must familiarize yourself with your policy and know how to go about submitting a claim for storm related damage. Document photographs and tape/record damaging storm effects and do not discard damaged materials before they are documented (if possible). Remember that different insurances require different procedures. Do not jump to conclusions that every kind of damage is going to be covered.
Do Not Rush Into Replacement
A new or replacement roof may not be necessary if the property has experienced severe storm damage. Repairs to certain parts of the roof may be sufficient, although this is dependent on the age, condition, type of roofing material and the amount of damage sustained to the roof. A contractor will be able to advise the property owner on the various options that are available. If the roof had been close to the end of its service life, a full replacement may be a more sensible option in terms of the long-term investment.
Watch for Hidden Problems
Certain problems from storms may take days, weeks, or even months to become apparent. Sucking air or seepage through minor cracks is rarely obvious until quite some time has passed. It sometimes takes a while for problems like compromised flashing or underlayment to become readily apparent. Even after the storm has passed and repairs have been completed, homeowners should remain alert to potential problem areas on ceilings, attic spaces, and roofing surfaces. New stains, new smells, and new oddities should be reported immediately.
Choose Experienced Help
Homeowners who need help in choosing a contractor should look for experience, insurance, communication, written estimates, warranties and references from former customers. A good person should come to the location, explain what was made and what needs to be done and then answer the questions. Choosing the right person for the job ensures that the repair process will go smoothly and easily for residents who need roof coating houston tx or other types of roofing repairs.
Conclusion
Identifying roof damage and inspecting for it is best to do after taking necessary precautions and making sure you are safe. Homeowners should then look around from ground level and photograph all visible damage. It is then advisable to get an expert inspection of the roof to be sure of the extent of damage and reassess the need for a full replacement. Any leaks or drainage issues should be quickly attended to to avoid increases in the level of damage. With expert advice a homeowner can decide on the most appropriate fix; up or a re-roofed ceiling. Homeowners can then ensure they have acted professionally but without making any hasty decision.
