Signs of Storm Damage to Your Roof
1. Missing shingles from storm damage
As you pull up into the drive from a long day at the job, you glance at your roof and notice it’s missing some shingles. You say to yourself “No problem, it’s only a few,” WRONG! This is only the start of a much bigger issue, leaks. As shingles start to break, twist, or blow off, your roof now has less water shedding ability. Water can now start to pool in crevices and penetrate your roof. The water will eventually reach the wooden deck, and then it gets bad. You most likely have storm damage.
2. Hail Marks
Impact marks from hail are tough to see from ground level. One day when you are outside, grab a ladder and inspect your roof. It’s probably wise to have a professional do this. But, if you not afraid of heights then keep reading. Take a look for any hail marks in the shingles. Hail marks are usually anywhere from 1/8″ to 4″. There should be granule loss and usually the felt will be visible through the shingle. Similar to the problems created by missing shingles, these indentions can disrupt water shedding capabilities as well.
3. Lifted Shingles
Lifted shingles are caused by powerful winds and are typically found around the ridge, or the top, of your roofing system. Usually, it takes a trained person to notice lifted shingles but read carefully and you should be able to do this. A nail that has backed itself out the deck and a lifted shingle can have a similar look, but a shingle raised by a nail isn’t caused from wind damage. It’s important to understand the difference between the two because ones damage and the other isn’t. Again, if you are not afraid of heights, safely have a look around on your roof. With your hand, gently pull up on any shingles that look detached or loose. If the shingles lift easy with little effort and a row of shingles lift up with it, which is called zippering, it’s likely that you have some wind damage. On a side note, if you have a roofing system with an extra layer of shingles know that your roof is more susceptible to storm damage. You can check for the extra layer by lightly lifting your shingles at the eve of your roof and looking underneath.
By following this simple guide, you should be able to quickly identify storm damage yourself. If you find storm damage then you may be entitled to a claim approval through your insurance provider. These signs are what an insurance adjuster generally looks for. However, if you are planning to file a claim I recommend that you hire a roofing professional to meet with your adjuster. There are plenty of qualified professionals that will handle your insurance process and replace the roof. I know it may seem simple enough to do this yourself but trust me when I say insurance companies are difficult to deal with. Always get a professional to inspect your roof if you’re not confident in your ability. Good luck and remember that storm damage today means leaks tomorrow.
Learn how to get your insurance company to pay for roof replacement . Learn how to choose a new roofing system .
I offer roofing solutions for all your roofing needs. You can learn how you can get your insurance company to replace your roof here:http://ezinearticles.com/?Your-Insurance-Company-Does-Not-Want-to-Replace-Your-Roof—Learn-How-They-Will&id=7354670. You can learn how to choose a new roof here: http://ezinearticles.com/?Easy-Steps-to-Choosing-Your-New-Roof&id=7290747
Author Bio: Learn how to get your insurance company to pay for roof replacement . Learn how to choose a new roofing system .
Category: Home Management
Keywords: roofing storm damage,storm damage,roof damage,