Roofers have a tough job. They work at heights, carrying heavy shingles and nailing them to the roof's surface. In addition to working hard, roofers are also very knowledgeable. They can recommend the best roofing material to fit your budget and preferences, and they can make repairs, as needed, to ensure your roof continues to keep your home safe. There's a lot to learn about roofing. We are not professionals, but we consider ourselves to be well-informed, and we share the information we know on this website. As you read, you will learn more about roofing as a profession, and you may also pick up some roofing tips you can use on your own home.
It can be cozy to be curled up safely in your home while a storm rages outside, but the following day you must take stock of your home's roof to ensure that none of the following damages have occurred.
Lifted Shingles
Wind can lift shingles and allow moisture to flow underneath. In some cases, the shingles aren't even damaged, while in others, cracking or creasing may occur. After a storm, walk around your house and verify that all the shingles are lying flat. If any look lifted or out of place, bring in a roofer to repair the shingles so they lay flat. Some cracked and creased shingles may require replacement, while others just need to be realigned.
Twisted Flashing
The metal strips around chimneys and other rooftop items provide a necessary seal against moisture. Wind can lift and twist these strips, breaking the seal they are supposed to provide. Hail can also lead to warped, damaged flashing. When surveying your roof after a storm, locate all the areas with flashing and check for possible damage. Fortunately, flashing can be replaced without the need to replace the entire roof.
Torn Shingles
Wind can rip shingles completely from the roof or even just tear and break the shingles in place. Missing or torn shingles are sometimes obvious from the ground, but you should also walk around your property and check for signs of damage. If you find shingles, pieces of shingles, or nails in your yard, then shingle damage has likely occurred. You need to contact a roofer to assess the severity of the shingle damage. You may be able to replace the missing shingles, or a full roof replacement may be needed if the damage is extensive.
Hail Compression
Hail damage can be nearly invisible to the untrained eye, but it is no less severe than more obvious forms of damage. Hail compresses shingles, weakening their structure so that leaks become more likely. You can sometimes spot it as smooth, shiny spots on the shingles. There will also be granule loss on the shingles, which will lead to large amounts of gravel in your gutters or along the drip lines of your roof.
Punctures
Punctures occur when storm winds cause items like tree branches to break and drop on your roof. A puncture damage is usually pretty obvious from the ground since you will see either the hole or the item that caused it sitting on the roof. If you notice tree limbs or other debris on your roof but aren't sure whether damage occurred, call for a professional assessment.
Contact a roof repair contractor for more help repairing storm damage to your home.