The Unexpected

We know when storms hit it is hard to know whether they will be mild or severe. In Ohio we experience some of the highest winds with some of our highest winds occuring in the Spring. Tornadoes are not uncommon bringing rain, high winds and hail. Even mild storms can impact your roof if prior damage was not addresed or known. That is why it is important to have roof inspections at least once a year to ensure proper maintenance and care and to prevent any further damage.

Steps to Take

Visually access your roof, if you see visible damage call an experienced storm damage roofer
Check your gutters, vents and windows for dents, cracks or debris
Walk your property if you see debris on the ground theres a good chance there is more on your roof. Call your roofer to get a damage inspection.
Check your attics and ceilings look for signs of water entry or cracks. Call your roofer immediately if you see any wet areas or spots starting to develop. This is a sign of roof damage and if not properly mitigated water can enter your structure and seep into your home causing more damage.

Types of Storm Damage

Wind

High winds can remove or tear shingles, leaving the underlayment, roof deck, or waterproofing material exposed to the elements. During less severe storms, sudden, sharp gusts of wind can lift shingles. When shingles are installed, they’re purposefully overlapped to create a water-tight seal, and this lifting and curling can break this seal, potentially leaving your roof vulnerable to damage from wind-driven rain.

Hail

While hailstorms tend to be relatively short, and rarely last for longer than 15 minutes, hailstones can leave dents or pockmarks in shingles and knock shingle granules loose. This can be problematic because these granules help protect your roof against rain and sun damage. Hail damage can also ruin the pleasing aesthetic appearance of your roof’s surface.

Debris

Depending on how severe the storm was, debris can end up on the top of your roof, everything from small branches to larger tree limbs. Large objects can dent or impact the surface of the shingle, leaving that area of the roof vulnerable to moisture intrusion, whereas lighter branches may not be as much of a problem.

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