When A Storm Strikes Your Roof: Top Tips

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Shingle Me This: A Roof Blog 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.

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Shingle roofs are susceptible to damage from the elements, in particular, they can be damaged by a strong storm. When a storm hits your home, you need to check for any damage. In particular, you need to make sure that your roof is not letting any water into your house. This article offers several important tips for dealing with this situation.

Inspection

Certain types of severe damage from a storm, such as a tree that has fallen on the roof, are obvious, but often the damage is more subtle. As soon as you can safely do so, it's a good idea to inspect the roof for any issues the storm might have caused. For example, the winds from a storm could have torn or cracked some shingles. A storm can even tear some shingles off the roof.

Another important point is to check for granule loss. Asphalt shingles have granules on their surface that protect your roof from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Storms, especially hail storms, can knock off these granules and make your roof more vulnerable to UV rays. If you see an excessive amount of granules in your gutters, this is a sign that some shingles could need replacing. Also, inspect your soffits and fascia for any signs of problems.

A critical point regarding roof inspections is to only do the job yourself if you can do so safely. If you can't, or are uncomfortable getting on the roof, have a roofing company do the job.

Gutters

Your gutters need to be cleared of any debris or organic matter that they have collected due to the storm. If debris in the gutters causes water to back up onto your roof, an ice dam could be formed. When the ice in an ice dam melts, the excess water can harm your roof decking and lead to wood rot. 

Check for Leaks

When the storm has cleared, it's a good idea to make certain that no leaks are present. Take a flashlight into the attic and check for stains or wetness on the roof decking, insulation, and rafters. If dry weather prevents you from spotting any leaks, you can have someone go on the roof with a garden hose and spray water on various sections of the roof as you simultaneously check for any sign of leaking in the attic. Once again, no one should go on the roof unless it can be done safely.

After a strong storm, contact a local roofer like JCA Construction to have them perform a thorough inspection as soon as possible.

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