How to Detect Roof Problems and Repair Damage After a Storm

Regardless of the material it’s made of, your roof is designed to protect your home from all sorts of nasty weather. Unfortunately, hail, high winds and heavy rainfall can cause massive damage to your home.

Here are a few things to check for to see if your roof or home has storm damage.

Hail damage

Even the smallest hail balls can cause massive roof damage. Get up on your roof and check for these things after a hailstorm:

  • Missing or damaged shingles: Older, weaker shingles are more prone to cracking or falling off during a hailstorm. Check to ensure all of your shingles are intact. If not, call a pro to have them replaced.
  • Gutter buildup: Asphalt granules can flake off from your roof due to hail impact. When that happens, those granules often collect in your gutters or downspouts. Look for any accumulation in your gutters, and be sure to clear it out before calling a roof repair team.

Wind damage

High winds can cause trees to crash down onto your roof—but just because you don’t have a tree branch on your house doesn’t mean it’s not damaged. These are some signs of wind damage:

  • Missing, cracked or curled shingles: Just like hail, high winds can take a toll on older shingles. When performing an inspection, make sure all of your shingles are where they should be and aren’t cracked or curled upward.
  • Torn or buckled flashing: The metal flashing around your chimney, skylights or other roofing features is designed to keep the elements out, but when high winds roll through, the metal can tear apart or buckle. When that’s the case, it needs to be repaired or replaced right away.

Water damage

Water doesn’t just cause roof damage—it affects many other parts of your home. Here are a couple of signs that you have water damage:

  • Water accumulation in gutters: Any standing water in your gutters poses a problem because it’s not being redirected from your home and can cause siding or foundation damage if it spills over the edge. If you notice any water after a storm, call a roofing contractor right away.
  • Water spots: Any of the roofing damage items mentioned above can lead to interior leaks, and water spots on your ceiling are some of the first signs of water damage. That water damage will only get worse over time if you don’t act fast.
  • Mold or mildew: Mold and mildew growth are some of the biggest threats from water damage. Not only is mold harmful to your health, but it can also start to eat away at the wood in your home.

Hire our team to inspect and repair your roof

Reach out to the pros at Dowd Roofing Co. if your property has fallen victim to storm damage. We’ll send someone out as soon as possible to inspect your roof and make any necessary roof repairs. Contact us today to get your free estimate.