Living in the Southeast, you know how hard our storms can hit! You may have even wondered if the hail or wind caused damage to your roof but didn’t know how to find out. If that’s the case, don’t worry! Ridgeline Roofing & Restoration is here to help with this guide.
Are you in need of a roofing inspection? Trust the Ridgeline Roofing & Restoration team to do the job quickly and effectively! Contact us to get started today!
5 Steps You Can Take to Check for Storm Damage
1. Check Your Surroundings
Before risking your safety and going up a ladder to inspect your roof, the first thing to do is check your surroundings. Examine the surrounding area for fallen trees and debris. If you see holes in your windows, walls, or doors, that’s a good sign something happened to your roof. Check out your roof line as well – if there are dings or gaping holes where gutters used to be attached, you’ve most definitely received damage to your exteriors and roof.
Checking for these things will help narrow down what happened during the storm so you can determine if repairs need to be done ASAP! If you live in Alabama, Tennessee, or Georgia, don’t hesitate to contact our team for a roofing inspection!
2. Check for Shingle Damage
- Check for missing or damaged shingles.
- Look for loose, missing nails.
- Inspect all sides of the shingle for discoloration (orange peel) or curling.
- Check for curling at either end of each piece of metal sheathing; this indicates that water may leak through your roof’s seams – a severe problem!
3. Check for Asphalt & Composition Shingle Changes
Asphalt and composition shingles are two of the most common types of roofing materials. If you need to figure out what kind of roof you have, it’s easy to tell by looking at the color and pattern of the shingles. Asphalt shingles have a distinct black color with a smooth finish; composition shingles are made from layers of woven fiberglass that come in several colors, including brown, gray, and tan.
Composition roofs are more prone to hail damage than asphalt ones because they’re made up of many pieces that can break apart easily during storms or other high-wind events – and once one piece breaks off (or is blown off), others may follow suit quickly after it. Check their condition and see if granules have come off, if there is damage in a non-discernable pattern, and if black marks are left all over your roof.
Seeing this damage from afar can be difficult, so Ridgeline Roofing & Restoration recommends a drone roofing inspection to save time, ensure safety, and come up with solutions quickly!
4. Check for Soffit, Fascia, Flashing, or Chimney Damage
Soffit
Soffits are located under your roof overhang, protecting the home from water damage by diverting water away from your foundation.
Fascia
Fascia boards cover the rafters of your house and help prevent wind-driven rain from entering through cracks in the roofing system or vents.
Flashing
Flashing prevents water from leaking into the home by acting as a barrier between shingles and other components like windowsills or door sills.
Chimneys
Chimneys can also be damaged during these types of storms. When checking for damage, ensure the masonry is intact, and the chimney cap is in good shape.
5. Check for Water Leaks
Water leaks can be a sign of roofing damage. The water can cause mold and rot to grow, weakening your property and making it more susceptible to catastrophic damage. Water also corrodes metal fasteners, screws, nails, and other parts of your roofing system. Electrical short circuits may occur when moisture gets into electrical wiring systems exposed due to hail damage; this can also be dangerous!
It May Be Time to Schedule a Roof Inspection
How often should you have a roof inspection? The answer depends on the age of your home and if it has recently sustained damage, but it’s best to get an inspection done every two years or so.
With our drone roofing inspections, the trained professionals at Ridgeline Roofing & Restoration can tell if there are any problems with your roofing system and offer solutions for fixing them before they become more serious problems down the road.
Contact Our Storm Restoration Experts Today!
If you have yet to have a roof inspection recently, it is time to contact the experts at Ridgeling Roofing & Restoration. These signs can be hard to identify, so having someone with experience look over your home’s roof is essential to determine if damage has occurred. Contact us today to get started!