It’s no secret that extreme weather conditions can take a toll on your home. Hail, high winds, severe storms, and heavy rains can cause serious damage to your roof, leading to costly repairs down the road. If you’re a homeowner, it’s important to know how to check your roof for weather damage. Sometimes, the wind can cause shingles to come loose or even blow away completely.
In extreme cases, the wind can even rip off part of the roof. So, how do you go about checking your roof for damage? Here are some tips:
First, Take a Look at the Roof From the Ground
Are there any missing or displaced shingles? If so, you’ll need to fix them as soon as possible. Also, check around chimneys and other protruding objects. Ensure that there isn’t any significant cracking or buckling in the roofing material. These are all signs that your roof has sustained weather damage and needs to be repaired.
If you can’t see any damage from the ground, it’s time to take a closer look. Get up on a ladder and inspect the condition of your shingles more closely. If they’re cracked, curling, or otherwise damaged, they’ll need to be replaced. A Troy MI roofing company notes that it’s best to leave the actual roof inspection and repairs to the professionals, especially if your roof is already compromised.
Look for Water Stains on the Ceilings and Walls of Your Home
Check for any signs of water damage, such as stains on the ceiling or wet insulation. These are both indicative of a leaky roof that needs to be fixed ASAP. These stains are usually brown or yellow in color and can be large or small. Roofs that have been leaking for a while will often have large water stains.
A leaking roof can become worse during a rainstorm, so it’s important to check for any signs of water damage after bad weather. If you see any stains, it’s time to call a roofing contractor. Check your attic and crawl spaces for any signs of water damage as well. Any missing, damaged, or curled shingles are a clear sign that your roof is already compromised and could already be leaking.
Check Eaves, Gables, and Roof Valleys for Ice Dams or Water Damage
You should also inspect your roof for weather damage by checking the eaves, gables, and roof valleys for any signs of ice dams or water damage. Ice dams can cause significant damage to your roof if they are not taken care of quickly, so it is important to be on the lookout for them.
Eaves and gables are the most vulnerable to ice dams because they are the lowest points on your roof. Roof valleys are another area of your roof that is susceptible to weather damage. If you see any signs of weather damage in these areas, you should contact a professional roofing contractor to have the problem fixed.
Ensure the Flashing Around Chimneys and Skylights Is Properly Sealed
The flashing is the metal that seals the space where the roofing material meets a vertical surface like a chimney, vent, or skylight. If it’s not properly sealed, water can enter your home through those spaces. Severe weather conditions can cause the flashing to become loose or even detach from the surface, so it’s important to inspect it regularly and ensure that it’s still securely in place.
Storms are particularly hard on chimneys, so give that area a close inspection. Look for any cracks or gaps in the flashing and have them repaired as soon as possible. If you have skylights, it’s important to check the seals around them as well. Make sure there are no cracks or gaps where water could enter. Also, be sure to check the sealant around the edges of the skylight itself. Use this opportunity to also carry out some DIY roof maintenance too.
Inspect the Gutters and Downspouts for Clogs or Damage
The gutters and downspouts on your home play an important role in directing water away from your roof and foundation. During storms or periods of high winds, they can become damaged and collect more debris. Inspect them after severe weather to look for any damage that may need to be repaired.
Ignoring any damage to your gutters and downspouts can cause serious problems for your home’s roof and foundation. Again, you don’t have to put yourself at risk if you’re not comfortable getting up on a ladder. Many professional roofing companies will do this inspection for you as part of their regular roof maintenance services.
Watch Out for Trees or Branches That Could Damage Your Roof
Finally, keep an eye out for any trees or branches that could potentially fall on your roof and cause damage. If you have any large trees near your home, it’s good to have them trimmed back, so they’re not hanging over your roof. Even small branches can cause serious damage if they fall during a storm.
These are just a few of the things you should look for when inspecting your roof for weather damage. Knowing what to look for can help you spot potential problems early and prevent them from causing serious damage to your home. After identifying any roof damage, contact a professional roofing contractor for repairs.
