ROOFING & HOME IMPROVEMENT BLOG
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Insurance
We find that homeowners sometimes are unaware of whether they have code upgrade coverage or if they will need it when we begin working through the process of filing a hail damage insurance claim. So, when it comes back that their roof needs to be replaced according to the latest building codes and they don’t have code upgrade coverage, it comes as an unfortunate, and often expensive, surprise. Read More.
If you’ve come across roofing contractors in the past, you may have seen the phrases like “we’re fully-insured and licensed” on their website, advertising, or marketing materials. This sure sounds nice, but what does it actually mean? And more importantly, why should you care?
Your roof has a pretty important job to do. It’s your first line of defense against the elements and critical to the overall integrity of your home. But, the weather is your roof’s most powerful nemesis. From snowstorms to high winds to hail, storms can be incredibly damaging to your roof.
What weather events cause the most storm damage to roofs?
Hailstorms usually leave behind evidence of their wrath. We’ve all seen broken windows, dented car hoods, cracked siding, mashed plants and even some missing roofing shingles. However, there could be some more subtle signs when it comes to your roof.
Regardless of the roofing material you use, hail can create small fractures in the shingle and weaken the roof as a whole. Over time, this can lead to larger cracks and tears. In addition, depending on how big the hail were and the intensity of the storm, sections of your roof could have been weakened during the madness. Think about it. Your roof just got pummeled over and over again by ice balls.
How can you catch this before it turns into a problem? Make sure that whatever roofing material you’ve chosen for your home is strong and durable and always call for a professional inspection following a hailstorm. Inspections are free and you can get a little peace of mind.
When your roof goes through a windstorm or high winds in general it can loose the tiny granules on shingles that help keep water out. In addition, you roof could straight up be missing some shingles. Missing shingles most definitely leave your roof vulnerable to the elements.
What should you do? Inspect your roof and make any necessary repairs right away. Again, if you’re really concerned about your roof, call your local roofing expert for an inspection.
This one seems pretty obvious but needs to be included. Rain is water, and water is wet. Your roof is regularly exposed to these kinds of conditions and after a while it can certainly take its toll--especially if any other weather event like wind or hail is mixed in there.
What’s our advice? Again, check out your roof after any major storm and be aware of your home. Have you noticed any mold or fungus inside your home or on your roof? Are your heating and cooling costs really high? This could be a sign of a bad roof.
The most common issue when dealing with snowy roofs are ice dams. Ice dams are large ridges of ice that form at the edge of a roof or gutters, and prevent melting snow from running off the roof. When water can’t runoff the roof, it can back-up on the roof and cause leaks.
What can you do? Remove snow from your roof after each storm. This eliminates one of the needed components for ice dams. In the unfortunate event that you discover that ice dams are already present, do not start hacking away at them. The best way to remove them is to have a professional come out to perform a steam removal. Steam removal is effective, non-damaging and much more quiet for your neighbors.
Now, we realize that trees are not a weather element, but during weather events they can be damaging to your roof. If there are branches hanging over or touching your roof, during a storm they could be rubbing the small granules or poking small holes in your shingles.
One way to remedy this is to prune these branches back. A professional arborist is your best bet to making sure that branches are pruned properly and safely. Heavy pruning is usually best done in the tree’s dormant season, so keep that in mind. Again, a professional arborist can be a great resource.
Weather and storms take a damaging toll on your roof. Stay on top of your potential storms and severe weather in your area by keeping an eye on local meteorology reports or using resources such as The National Weather Service. But most importantly, make sure that you're getting your roof inspected after major storms and get the necessary repairs done as soon as possible.
Unsure if your home sustained damage from a storm? Let Greenawalt Roofing Company help! Schedule your free inspection with one of our Storm Damage experts.
Lancaster County and the surrounding areas can see some pretty wild weather, and when the storms blow through the area they often leave behind some damage to homes and property. It’s important that you know how to identify this type of damage so you can properly address it to get it fixed. These are some of the telltale signs that you might need a storm damage contractor.
Roof Storm Damage
The most likely place that you will find storm damage is on your roof, where there is a huge surface area specifically designed to protect against the weather and keep your home and your family safe inside. If you (like the majority of homeowners in the U.S.) have asphalt shingles on your home, they can suffer damage after heavy rains, hailstorms, or high winds and tornadoes. The most common signs of damage to your roofing shingles include:
Missing shingles
Areas where shingles have lost excessive amount of the protective granules that prevent UV damage
Cracked or broken shingles
Rusted or dented flashing around roof protrusions such as skylights or vents
The easiest way to spot hail damage is to look for dark spots, called “bruises”, where the granules have been knocked off. You can also look for signs of shingle damage in your yard, such as pieces of asphalt shingles on the ground or granules in the gutters and on walkways surrounding the house.
Home Exterior Damage
If you have siding, paint, or a similar home exterior material, you might also notice damage to this area following a storm. The sides of your home, like the roof, are susceptible to damage from hail or high winds and also from flying debris. Check your entire home exterior for dents and dings, cracked or split siding, holes, chipped areas, or discoloration after a storm; if you see any of these things, get them checked and repaired quickly.
The Dangers of Storm Damage
Whether it’s damaged roofing or siding, it’s important to discover it early and get it fixed quickly. Leaving damage for extended periods of time can lead to water leaks, mold and mildew growth, and damage to the underlying structure of the roof or walls of your home.
If you think your home may have been damaged by wind or hail, schedule this free appointment to allow one of our storm team members to inspect your property for damages.
