Heavy storms can wreak havoc on houses, adding their fair share of value to the more than $300 billion of damage caused by natural disasters in the U.S. each year. After a heavy storm hits the Midwest, we get a countless number of calls from people asking, “How can I tell if my roof has been damaged by a storm?” If you aren’t sure whether your roof has been damaged, it’s always best to call in a professional to have it inspected, but there are several telltale signs of storm damage on your roof that you can identify on your own.
Missing Shingles
This is by far the easiest type of storm damage to identify. Heavy winds have the potential to pull many types of shingles off the roof of a house. You may find them somewhere in your yard, or you may even see them scattered across your roof. If you spot missing shingles, you want to have them replaced immediately. Be aware, that there may be damage on the roof, as well, so the extent of the repairs may be more than simply replacing the missing shingles.
Hail Damage
Hail damage comes in many forms. While most hail is too small to damage your roof, larger pieces combined with heavy winds can leave dents, chips, cracks, and even holes in your roof. Some of these holes will not be visible to you while standing in your yard, so it may be necessary to get up on the roof and examine the shingles closely. If you have had large hail in your area and cannot get up on your roof yourself, contact a professional roofing company to help assess possible damages.
Even small holes and cracks can be dangerous because it does not take much for water to seep through and leak into your home.
Creased Shingles
Creased shingles are also hard to identify from the ground, but they are a telltale sign that severe wind has damaged your roof. Creases and folds in shingles are generally caused by heavy winds separating the shingles from the roof, which can bend as they come loose. If this motion is repeated, a crease will form in the shingles, indicating that they are about to detach. Once a few shingles are loose on your roof, it does not take much to pull them free. Even moderate wind will likely brush them off shortly.
Fix Storm Damage Before it Becomes a Problem
Many people misjudge the severity of storm damage, they look at a few missing shingles or small holes and see them as minor damage. While the damage may look minor, it is easy enough to cause a leak during the next rain. It’s never a good idea to let storm damage linger on your roof, especially since it is very likely that your insurance company will cover some of the cost of having it fixed.
Make the Call, Let us Handle the Rest
At Schmidt Roofing, we make the storm damage repair process easy for you. After assessing the damage to your home, we work with your insurance company to see what you are covered for and how much you will have to pay out of pocket. If you think your home has suffered storm damage, get in touch with us today. After a heavy storm hits the Midwest, we get a countless number of calls from people asking, “How can I tell if my roof has been damaged by a storm?” If you aren’t sure whether your roof has been damaged, it’s always best to call in a professional to have it inspected, but there are several telltale signs of storm damage on your roof that you can identify on your own.
Missing Shingles
This is by far the easiest type of storm damage to identify. Heavy winds have the potential to pull many types of shingles off the roof of a house. You may find them somewhere in your yard, or you may even see them scattered across your roof. If you spot missing shingles, you want to have them replaced immediately. Be aware, that there may be damage on the roof, as well, so the extent of the repairs may be more than simply replacing the missing shingles.
Hail Damage
Hail damage comes in many forms. While most hail is too small to damage your roof, larger pieces combined with heavy winds can leave dents, chips, cracks, and even holes in your roof. Some of these holes will not be visible to you while standing in your yard, so it may be necessary to get up on the roof and examine the shingles closely. If you have had large hail in your area and cannot get up on your roof yourself, contact a professional roofing company to help assess possible damages.
Even small holes and cracks can be dangerous because it does not take much for water to seep through and leak into your home.
Creased Shingles
Creased shingles are also hard to identify from the ground, but they are a telltale sign that severe wind has damaged your roof. Creases and folds in shingles are generally caused by heavy winds separating the shingles from the roof, which can bend as they come loose. If this motion is repeated, a crease will form in the shingles, indicating that they are about to detach. Once a few shingles are loose on your roof, it does not take much to pull them free. Even moderate wind will likely brush them off shortly.
Fix Storm Damage Before it Becomes a Problem
Many people misjudge the severity of storm damage, they look at a few missing shingles or small holes and see them as minor damage. While the damage may look minor, it is easy enough to cause a leak during the next rain. It’s never a good idea to let storm damage linger on your roof, especially since it is very likely that your insurance company will cover some of the cost of having it fixed.
Make the Call, Let us Handle the Rest
At Schmidt Roofing, we make the storm damage repair process easy for you. After assessing the damage to your home, we work with your insurance company to see what you are covered for and how much you will have to pay out of pocket. If you think your home has suffered storm damage, get in touch with us today.
