SIGNS OF HAIL & WIND DAMAGE TO YOUR HOME

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One of the first things any homeowner should do after a storm is check for signs of hail and wind damage to their roof. Even if you have no visible damage to your home or roof, the damage is still a possibility. It's not always obvious and it's not always confined to just your roof. You should inspect the entire property for signs of hail and wind damage and see what's covered by your insurance.

While it might be tempting to climb up on the roof, we recommend homeowners avoid this whenever possible. Always try to assess hail and wind damage from ground level if you can. Try using a pair of binoculars to see more clearly before making the decision to use a ladder.

On its own, rain is not usually enough to damage a structurally sound roof. Add hail and wind that will cause flying debris and heavy chunks of ice to fall onto your home, however. This may result in roofs taking a serious pounding.

Sometimes, signs of hail and wind damage is obvious to the eye. Still, you should take your time and look closely when assessing your situation. Some symptoms can be surprisingly hard to spot.

Let’s review some of the most common types of storm damage:

Signs of Wind Damage

Damaging winds are classified as those exceeding 50 miles per hour. Winds associated with severe thunderstorms or hurricanes are often called “straight line” winds to differentiate them from tornadoes. Wind damage is associated with more than half of all severe weather events.

Signs of wind damage include:

Missing Shingles: Shingles that were already cracked or peeling are at major risk of being lost once wind speeds exceed 60 miles per hour. Although roofing manufacturers cover severe winds in their warranty, the estimated wind speed a roof can endure is based on a new, well-maintained roof.
Visible Granule Loss: Some granule loss is common, especially with a brand new roof. With storm damage, granule loss is found in characteristic horizontal lines. This indicates where the shingle seal was broken. Granules rub off as shingles flap in the wind and come into contact with other surfaces.
Visible Water Infiltration: Most visible leaks that penetrate through to the ceiling of the building are the direct result of wind damage. In these cases, both the shingles and the roof underlayment are compromised, allowing water to flood into the attic or the upper rooms of the building.
Loose Debris: Any loose debris you notice around your home – such as yard waste, outdoor furniture, and so on – could indicate something struck your roof during high winds. Clear debris away as soon as you can to minimize risk and look for characteristic broken shingle patterns to assess impacts.

Signs of Hail Damage

Hail forms in strong thunderstorm clouds at temperatures of 32°F and below, the same range at which snow is possible. Hailstones are balls of ice, usually most damaging between 1 inch and 1.75 inch in diameter. Because they are compact, they can punch through solid objects.

Signs of hail damage include:

Missing or Hail-Damaged Shingles: Hail damage can result in immediate loss of shingles that were intact before the storm started. Even if shingles are still present, they may be in need of replacement. Look for cracks and dents with a characteristic round shape showing the location of impact.
Clogged or Broken Gutters and Downspouts: After a storm, clogged gutters should be cleaned out as soon as possible. Water drains from a broken gutter directly down into the foot of the building. In time, this can erode the foundation and make the structure unsafe. Check all gutters and downspouts for bending and dislocation.
Ice Dams: Shingle roofs that have not been maintained correctly are prone to ice dams. Ice dams develop as a result of snowmelt freezing on the eaves of the roof. This ridge of ice prevents additional water from melting snow from leaving the roof and can encourage leaks. Most ice dams are easily visible.

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Whether you are building new homes, re-roofing or repairing an existing roof, painting, installing new siding or any other major project. Choosing a contractor is a critical decision. Why take risks?

As specialists representing every aspect of Commercial & Residential Roofing knowledge, our goal is to give you the very best products, systems and technical support in the industry. Both residents and business owners have trusted their projects to Blue Sky Energy for many years.

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