Has there recently been a storm in your area? If so, it might be worth checking your roof for signs of storm damage. It’s important to pinpoint and handle storm damage to your roof as quickly as possible to ensure that it doesn’t grow out of control. Damage to your roof can lead to significant complications and expensive repairs. Here are some of the signs that your roof has been damaged.
Signs To Watch For
You might notice there are missing shingles on your roof. Make sure that you look for small gaps in the patterns or areas where your roof has been left exposed. It’s also possible that you’ll be able to see shingle on the ground around your property.
You could also find that the shingles on your roof have been damaged. Make sure that you look for signs that the shingles have buckled, curled, been dented or even cracked.
It’s also worth heading up into your attic. One of the telltale signs of damage to your roof that is a hole that is letting sunlight shine through. If you head up into the attic, a hole like this will be easy to spot and is a clear sign of a repair that needs to be handled right away.
You could also notice that there have been signs of a built up in your gutters. Here, it’s possible that the gutters have collected granules from the asphalt. This can quickly cause the gutters to clog up, leaving them overflowing
It’s also possible that downspouts and flashing have been dented. In extreme weather conditions, these could also be hanging off or missing completely.
You do need to make sure that you are checking for wind damage. If you have a flat roof make sure that you are looking for cracks and tears in the surface or loose cement that is starting to crumble. You might also notice that chimneys are loose with brick that is crumbling.
Water Damage
Do make sure that you check your home for signs of water damage. Water damage will cause a musty smell just forty-eight hours after a storm. You might also notice damp spots on the ceiling and moisture around the windows.
Steps To Take
The first step that you should take is to make detailed notes and take photos where possible of the damage. You can hire a roof inspector to complete this work for you if you require. Don’t complete any work until you have spoken to your home insurance provider.
You should then be able to use the evidence that you have selected to submit your claim. It’s best to do this as quickly as possible because there is usually a time limit. Typically, you will be able to make a claim up to one year after the damage.
Make sure that you meet with a roofing contractor that you trust. They will be able to provide you with an estimate for the storm damage roof repair work that needs to be completed. You should make sure that you have these estimates before you meet with your insurance adjuster.
We hope this helps you deal with storm damage to your roof the right way. If you’re in the Greater Northwest we’d love to serve you! Our roofing contractors and roof installation specialists in Portland, Vancouver, and Salem serve all of NW Oregon & SW Washington. You can get in touch with us at (503) 659-7663 for all your roofing needs.