DREADFUL SIGNS OF WIND AND HAIL DAMAGE ON YOUR ROOF

DREADFUL SIGNS OF WIND AND HAIL DAMAGE ON YOUR ROOF

Even though your roof is built to resist the weather, certain storms are more powerful than others. Roof damage isn’t something you’re likely to worry about or notice as you approach your home. We’re usually relieved to see the clouds clear and the light shine through after a week of storms. But keep in mind that wind and hail damage could have caused significant destruction to your roof during those storms. The roof may have dents, loose shingles, and/or missing asphalt patches. If your roof is old or you believe it may have problems, there are certain indicators to look for, when checking your roof, stay safe by looking via a window within the home or using binoculars from the ground. Also, you can hire a roofing professional to inspect it for any symptoms of damage.

• Roof Wind Damage

 [Photo taken from our customer who has wind damage to their shingle roof]

Shingles can be blown off the roof deck by strong winds. Leaks and other interior damage might result from missing shingles. Other roof wind damage may be difficult to detect, particularly if the adhesive seal that serves as a water-shedding surface is destroyed. When inspecting the roof for damage, always be cautious. When choosing shingles for a new roof, it’s crucial to examine the wind coverage offered by each manufacturer. You’ll need to file an insurance claim if the winds that caused the shingle damage were higher than the manufacturer’s wind coverage. If they weren’t, file a claim with the shingle manufacturer.

Wind can cause damage to a home, something many homeowners are unaware of. High winds can result in hazards such as fallen branches, uprooted trees, and downed power lines on your property and in the surrounding. While these threats are typically associated with a major storm, the wind itself can cause structural damage to your home. When strong winds strike a roof, shingles can loosen and fall off. Although new, secure shingles might be torn away by strong wind speeds. Damage to a roof caused by falling materials and debris, such as tree branches and downed powerlines, is another type of wind damage.

Roofs are particularly vulnerable to wind damage, in part because powerful winds do not strike them evenly. Wind, on the other hand, tends to harm the roof’s edges or sections that are already loose. Winds can readily rip up loose shingles, generating a chain reaction, making certain areas of the roof ideal targets. Falling objects and debris are also major causes of roof damage. Your roof may eventually leak or deteriorate as a result of water exposure after sustained wind damage.

Wind damage warning signs include:

• Shingles are missing. The loss of some or the entire shingles is one of the most obvious signs of a wind-damaged roof. If you notice shingles in your yard or around your house, you should have an expert inspect the area to see what else could be causing you problems. Strong winds can totally pull shingles off your roof, exposing it to the elements.
• Thin horizontal lines about 1-2 inches beneath the shingle above where granules have been worn off; this could suggest that the shingle seal was broken and the shingle was flapping in the wind, pressing against the shingle above it. Shingles must be sealed to each other as one watertight roof deck to be effective against the weather.
• Leaks and indoor signs of roof damage. Going inside your house to look for roof damage may seem illogical, but the clues may be written on the walls. There’s a significant likelihood your roof is leaking if you notice discoloration, moist areas, or peeling paint.
• Roof edge curling due to peeling shingles
• Wind is more likely to cause damage to the roof’s edges and other pressure points. Search for curling shingles where the wind has taken hold and begun to peel the shingles during your inspection. Because shingles keep water out, water damage and a rapidly disintegrating roof will result if they become loose.
• Spots of Granules Missing from your Shingles. Wind, like hail, can cause granule loss. The first place we look for missing granules is in your gutters, because this is where they tend to accumulate.

• Roof Hail Damage

[Photo taken from our hail damage vent customer]

Hail is usually not something you can overlook; it is a widespread weather phenomenon that affects an entire neighborhood rather than a single house. Hail can bruise shingles, leaving an impact that is difficult to notice but can eventually shatter the shingle, allowing water to penetrate. To establish the extent of the damage, you may need the help of a professional roofing contractor. If your roof has been damaged by hail, you must make an insurance claim.  If your hail storm caused widespread damage, roofing contractors who specialize in “storm damage” will be knocking on your door within days of the disaster. As always, use your best judgment when hiring a contractor.

Hail comes in a wide range of shapes and sizes, with many of them damaging roofs and other exterior components. Typical hail damage is not noticeable from the ground and goes unreported by the untrained eye, with the exception of really extreme storm conditions. The same hail that goes unnoticed by the homeowner causes shingles and other structural systems to break prematurely before their expected service life. If you do not have your roof evaluated for damage after a hail storm, it might cost you a lot of money in the future.

Insurance companies impose time constraints on the filing of claims. These time limits are usually one year, but depending on your insurance policy, they could be as short as six months. To avoid filing unnecessary claims, insurance companies want a trained professional contractor to inspect the damage before filing a claim.

Possible hail damage indications include:

• Other hail damage near the property, such as damages in cars or other items on or in your yard
• On the edges of the shingles, there is a characteristic pattern of little round-shaped divots.
• Indentations in the shingle where granules are missing.
• A huge granule pile at the downspout’s end.
• Small Dents in Metal on Roof
• Roof or siding cracks and marks
• Recent Hail Storm in the Area

Effects of Hail Damage:

• Other Exterior Building Items Fail Too Soon
• Manufacturer’s warranties are void.
• Roof System Failure Before Its Time
• Premature Siding Failure
• Accelerates the loss of shingles granules

If you believe your roof has been damaged by a storm and you need a roof inspection, repair, or replacement, contact Ecoshield Roofing and we will gladly assist you and offer you with a free estimate quote.

EcoShield Roofing specializes in roof replacements and repair for metal and shingle roofs. We are a roofing business with all the correct credentials and the required local and state licenses to get your job done right. 

We also offer roof repair and gutter installation to ensure that your roof continues to work properly for years to come. To get started on your new roof, schedule a free estimate now!