Weather is one of the biggest enemies of your home's roof. But how can you tell if a particular weather event has damaged the roof over your head? In fact, there are a few indicators unique to each major type of weather risk. Here's what you can look for after each.
1. Wind
Unfortunately, extreme wind is a serious risk for roofs. You may see signs of damage in the form of shingles or other roof components blown onto the property. Look around the ground for asphalt granules. And take note of large debris that's been thrown around the property. The farther things have been blown, the more likely they are to have impacted the roof.
2. Rain
Roofs are designed to weather a lot of rain, and by itself, rain rarely causes damage. However, regularly inspect the attic and ceilings as well as both interior and exterior walls for signs of moisture or mold. Also, look for black granules around eaves and downspouts. These asphalt pellets protect shingles. When dislodged by heavy rain, this exposes those shingles.
3. Blizzard
Heavy snow storms cause roof damage in a couple of different ways. The first is by weighting down the roof through sheer volume. The more snow piles up on the roof, the more likely it is to cause structural problems. The second main way is through ice dams. Look for signs of ice dams building up around your eaves, blocking both powdery snow and water from exiting.
4. Hail
A sound roof can withstand small hail storms. So you don't have to get your roof checked every time rain turns to hail. However, look at the size of the hail. Once it reaches close to an inch in diameter or larger, it's big enough to have caused damage to shingles and tile. So assume you have damage at that point.
5. Lightning
An electrical storm is scary, but the good news is that you will generally know if you've had a lightning incident. Direct lightning strikes make a very loud noise, which homeowners generally can't miss if they're home. Indirect strikes also make loud and brilliant impacts.
Where to Start
If you see or suspect that any of these weather events have caused damage to your roof, start by consulting with a professional roofing contractor. They will confirm whether or not there is a problem and help you mitigate its effects. Call today to learn more.