Spot Roof Damage Before it Spreads

Spotting roof damage early on means you’ll be able to have it fixed early on, which can save you a lot of grief in the long run (like not having the structural integrity of your home being compromised by repeated water damage).

If you’re not really sure what to be on the lookout for (aside from the obvious ‘gaping holes’) here’s a few tips to get you going in the right direction!

1. Once the storm is over and things have dried off a bit, take a few minutes to walk around your house and visually inspect your roof. Regardless of how ‘weatherproof’ your shingles are purported to be, there’s always a chance that wind and hail can overpower them. Be on the lookout for any areas where singles are missing or have peeled away, or shingles with corners and/or edges that look as though they’ve been lifted up. If you’re noticing these things, it’s a pretty good bet that your roof has sustained at least some wind damage. On the other hand, some of the hallmarks of hail damage are black marks on shingles (which occurs when hail hits and knocks the asphalt off), and/or dents on the roof.
2. If you’re wanting to physically get up on your roof to do a more in-depth inspection, PLEASE do so with EXTREME caution (wet roofs are slippery and we DON’T want you falling off!!!). The metal portions of your roof (flashing, gutters) may show hail damage in the form of dents and dings and extremely strong winds can result in pieces being removed entirely. Dent size will give you a relatively good idea of just how big the hail was.
3. If you spot any leaks or signs of water damage on the interior of your home (like wet spots on ceilings or walls), you can assume that your roof has incurred at least some damage. If left untreated, water damage can very easily turn into much bigger problems like rotting wall studs and roof rafters. Even though having a new roof installed isn’t particularly cheap, it can pale in comparison to the cost of replacing and/or repairing all of the other damage caused by water.
   

Now, if none of the above is your ‘cup of tea’, that’s OK – it’s what we’re here for! Regardless of whether or not your roof needs a small repair or total replacement, Golden Rule Contractors are the roofers you can trust to get the job done right!