Watch Out for These 3 Post-Storm Roof Issues
At any time of year, a storm can roar through your community, potentially causing many kinds of damages to roofs and other home structures. You might feel relieved once a strong storm has blown over, only to find that your roof didn’t make it through the onslaught quite as successfully as your home’s occupants.
Perhaps you’ve just weathered a storm in your neighborhood, you never looked at your roof following an earlier storm, or you’d just like to catch roof problems as early as possible so you can schedule prompt repairs. In any case, recognize the signs of storm-related roof problems. Keep an eye out for these trouble signs.
1. Lost or Damaged Shingles
The sight of detached shingles littering your lawn presents one of the most obvious signs of a damaged, vulnerable roof. The high winds that come along with severe storms can pull shingles right off the roof, leaving the underlayment exposed and making the roof vulnerable to leakage or further damage.
Even if your roof retains all its shingles after a windy storm event, its shingles may have sustained damage that prevents them from doing their job properly. Look for shingles that appear curled instead of lying flat. If the wind lifted the shingles away from their adhesives, they may not provide the necessary protection for underlying structures.
You may have to look a little harder to see evidence of missing roof granules lost during the storm. These granules not only contribute to shingles’ appearance, but they also protect the shingles against UV damage and premature aging. Consider replacing any shingles that have lost their protective granules.
2. Ceiling Stains
If you see discolored water stains on any ceiling in your home, you’ve likely got a leak to worry about. While leaky plumbing pipes can certainly leave water stains, the sudden appearance of such a stain right after a storm should alert you to possible roof damage. An unaddressed leak can lead to termite infestations and structural rot.
Bear in mind that a water leak may not appear readily visible to the naked eye or occur directly over the site of the stain. Water can drip or trickle along all sorts of paths before settling on a final resting place, with pinpoint leaks releasing tiny drops a bit at a time. You need a skilled roofing contractor to locate more subtle leaks.
3. Standing Water on the Roof
Torrential rains can drench a roof quickly and decisively. Fortunately, your roof’s slope and built-in drainage usually work together to direct excess water off the roof and onto the ground. Less fortunately, a storm can interfere with this process by introducing dirt and debris into your gutters, leaving standing water on the roof.
Check your gutters for debris accumulation that may have dammed them up and prevented the normal flow of water through them. At the same time, check these components for any damage that might reduce their effectiveness in the next storm. Once your drainage system works again, the standing water should evaporate.
You don’t have to have a gutter or downspout problem to have a standing water problem following a heavy rainstorm. Tree branches, leaves, and other debris can collect on the roof itself. Damp objects that remain stuck to the roof may trap moisture, creating a standing water problem. Professionally clean your roof.
If you see something you don’t like about your roof’s appearance or behavior in the wake of a storm, contact Jerry Newman Roofing & Remodeling Inc. We can perform a detailed inspection, catch issues the untrained eye might miss, and then perform any necessary repairs to restore your roof’s functionality.