Have you recently experienced a storm in your area and are now worried about your roof’s condition? Storms can cause significant roof damage, which can be challenging to detect without a thorough inspection.
As your trusted local roofers, we understand the importance of a storm damage roof inspection, as it provides you with the exact condition of your roof and the solutions necessary to protect your home, loved ones, and everything inside for many years.
Unlike other articles that only discuss the major issues, we’ve created a comprehensive guide with actionable steps and expert tips to ensure you’re equipped with complete knowledge of a roof storm damage inspection.
So let’s get started!
Types Of Roof Storm Damage & Tips For Storm Damage Inspections
Different types of storms can cause varying levels of damage to your roof. So in this section, we’ve explained the damage caused by different storms and shared some tips on roof storm damage inspections. This is helpful if you want to detect some damage before the professionals arrive.
Thunderstorms
Heavy rain, strong winds, and hail are typical of thunderstorms. This may or may not cause severe damage to the roof. The scale of damage depends on the size of the hailstones and windspeeds. Lightning can also strike your roof, causing structural damage or fire. So as a homeowner, what should you look out for in a primary storm damage roof inspection?
Tips: After a thunderstorm, check for leaks in your attic and ceilings, missing or lifted shingles, and dents or cracks in your roof. Inspect your gutters and downspouts for holes, cuts, sagging, and any debris that might clog the gutter system. When you’ve made a note of some of the evidence of storm damage, call your local roofing contractor for a free estimate on repairs before the damage spreads to the other parts of your roof or home.
Tornadoes
Tornadoes are violent storms that can cause significant damage to your roof, including lifting it off entirely. However, F1 tornadoes (winds of 70 to 113 miles per hour) are much less destructive, but they can cause roof damage due to flying debris and falling tree branches. This may result in holes and cuts, leading to roof leaks and shingle damage. So, how do you conduct a storm damage inspection in case a tornado hits your town?
Tips: When a tornado hits the area, the damage may be clearly visible on your home, but some damage on the roof may still be hidden. So, the best way to inspect this type of damage is to leave it to the professionals. They’ll check everything from top to bottom and tell you how much it will cost to repair and replace the damaged roofing components.
Hurricanes
Strong winds, heavy rain, and flying debris are common during hurricanes, and they can cause severe damage to your roof, from complete destruction of the roof to even an entire section of the house.
Tips: After a hurricane, it is best to wear protective glasses, gloves, and helmets before you begin with the inspection. Note down which parts of your roof and house are damaged and contact the appropriate professionals. If a hurricane just passed by your area without causing much damage, you should inspect your rain gutters for clogs and shingles for any leaks and damage. You can also use a long hose to pour water over the roof. This will let you know about any tiny cuts and cracks left that may allow water to leak into the attic.
Winter Storms
Heavy snow, ice dams, and strong winds can damage your roof during winter storms. The weight of snow and ice can cause structural damage, while strong winds can lift and remove shingles. In the case of metal roofs, it’s possible that snow and ice might not have caused any severe damage since metal panels are more watertight and sturdy than asphalt shingles and clay tiles. So how do you inspect winter storm damage on your roof?
Tips: After a blizzard or lake effect event, which is common in New York, wait for the workers to remove any accumulated snow and ice from your roof. You will also need to call a roofer to clean the roof before the inspection begins. Otherwise, it’ll be easy to miss tiny cracks, cuts, and leaks on the roof.
Meanwhile, you should check the condition of your gutters and downspouts. In such storms, they are usually frozen and can easily break. Use a heater or heat cables to melt the ice and snow around your house, gutters, and roof. This will also help you identify if there are any leaks.
As your reliable local experts, we always suggest getting a professional storm damage inspection to avoid further roof damage and keep your house more safe and sturdy than before. Otherwise, the maintenance and repairs may become hectic and costly in the long run.
Here’s a more detailed view of how a professional roof inspection can help you identify and repair the biggest hole or tiniest cut in your roof.
Why Are Professional Storm Damage Inspections Better For A Roof?
While DIY roof inspections can help identify obvious signs of damage, professional storm damage inspections are safer, more thorough, and more effective in identifying underlying issues that may not be immediately visible.
Expertise
Professional roofers have the knowledge and expertise to identify even the slightest signs of damage that may go unnoticed during a DIY inspection. They can provide an accurate assessment of your roof’s condition and recommend the best course of action.
Safety
Climbing on your roof can be dangerous, especially if you’re not experienced or don’t have the proper equipment. Professional roofers have the necessary safety gear and equipment to conduct a safe and thorough storm damage roof inspection.
Cost Effective
Identifying and addressing roof damage early on can help prevent more significant and costly repairs down the road. Experienced and reputed roofing contractors can detect and repair any damage before it worsens, potentially saving you money in the long run.
Insurance Claim Help
It’s worth noting that a professional roof storm damage inspection is essential if you plan to file an insurance claim for the damages. Insurance companies require proof of damage before they will approve a claim, and a professional roofer can provide a detailed report and documentation to support your claim.
Additionally, if you delay the inspection and repair process, your insurance company may deny your claim due to neglect or lack of maintenance. Therefore, it’s important to schedule a professional roof inspection as soon as possible after a storm to ensure that your claim is approved by your insurance company.
Peace Of Mind
A professional roof damage inspection after a storm can give you peace of mind when you find out the complete picture of the damage to your roof and know the repair needs in advance. Additionally, if you plan to sell your home, a professional roof inspection can provide potential buyers with confidence in the condition of your roof.
If you live in New York and suspect that your roof has been damaged in a storm, we can help you with our free roof inspection service.
We Offer Free Roof Inspections For Strom Damage
At OConnor Contracting, we’re dedicated to helping our community at all times! If you need expert storm damage inspection services, we’ll offer you a free inspection and estimate. We can also help you with a free consultation if you want to discuss it over the phone.
Our team of professional roofers has years of experience in the inspection, repair, and replacement of roofs damaged by storms. We use state-of-the-art tools and techniques to identify even the tiniest signs of damage, ensuring that your roof remains in top condition and can protect your home from the weather.
Call us at (716)-600-7663 and save your free slot without more delay! Apart from roof inspection, you can also read our previous blog about what steps you can take when you suffer from roof storm damage.
