A roof can appear to be in great shape from the driveway, but when it is actually inspected, a storm damage roof inspection have caused a loss of integrity that will gradually reduce the roof’s life. The hard part is that one.That one is the hard one. Often the damage to the roof is like a slow leak in a boat. This all looks fine right up until the day that you find your socks wet and wondering what happened?
These fingerprints vary depending on the weather and incident: wind, hail, heavy rain or falling branches. Some are obvious. Others are sneaky. It’s easy to spot the missing shingle. An open vent around a seal? That can go undetected for months.
After severe weather, the first rule is: Don’t rush onto the roof. It is easy for many homeowners to be tempted to do some detective work. That’s understandable. Curiosity kicks in. Even so, there are some surfaces that can be slippery and other weak areas that can result in an emergency room trip.
Begin at the bottom.
If you can, go around the property and see if you can spot any clues. A yard that has many shingle pieces in the yard can be a warning sign. Leaky gutters, damaged flashing and broken tree branches should be addressed. Any granules in the vicinity of downspouts indicate that shingles suffered some abuse.
Hail damage should be given special attention. Hail doesn’t necessarily strike dramatic holes in roofing materials. It can also cause small puncture holes in the shingles, which can cause damage over time. Imagine that a boxer is having his body continually pounded. Damage accumulates even if the fighter is up.
Even within the house, watch out.
Signs that may indicate storm-related issues are water stains on ceilings, peeling paint, damp insulation or a musty odor in the attic. This is normally seen long after the clouds have gone. That is why it’s important not to postpone a roof inspection.
Timing matters.
A lot of homeowners don’t begin until they see water is leaking. Water could have gotten through the decking, through the insulation and through the drywall by then. A small repair job could turn into a big job and a big bill.
Professional inspectors are trained to identify problems that don’t catch you. They inspect chimneys and vents for flashing. They study valleys through which water flows automatically during rainy seasons. They examine roof penetrations, gutters, fasteners and seals. A trained eye sees something which nobody else sees.