When a storm hits, it can cause major damage to your home. The storm may even collapse your house. Even the most well-built homes can sustain damage from a strong storm. For that reason, you need to inspect your property comprehensively if you want 100% assurance of its structural integrity.
Yes, it’s not always easy to know when something is wrong with your home. But with so many properties suffering incredible damage during a storm, it’s important to know the signs to know if something’s wrong. A good place to start is the roof. After all, the roof is the one place of your house that endured the brunt of the stormy weather.
If you’re still in the process of storm restoration and haven’t identified signs of damage on your roof, then you might be in for a stressful time.
Read on to find out everything you need to know about spotting roof damage after a major storm. You will also learn how to avoid common roof damage mistakes so you can get back to enjoying your home and property faster.
Let’s get started.
Check If Part of The Roof Is Exposed
One of the first things you should do is confirm if there’s roof exposure. This means checking to see if any of your roof tiles are visible and if any of the framings are coming down. If you don’t find any visible sign that something could be wrong but aren’t too sure, call a professional to assess the situation and ensure that everything is in good condition. The keen eye of an experienced contractor might make all the difference.
Look For Damaged Roofing Material
One of the most important things you can do after a storm is to check for broken materials such as wood or shingles. When damaged, these materials can pose an incredible danger to the occupants of the house, be it your pets or family members.
Broken roofing materials also present the perfect opportunity for water to enter your home and cause damage. In order to determine if there’s damage around a certain area, you might need to open up the spot and look at the inside.
If there is water inside, it means that the window has been broken and you should call a roofing contractor in San Antonio to do any repairs or replacements as needed. The good news is some materials like wood are easy to fix but don’t bother if they’re too broken to be repaired.
Look For The Presence Of Stormwater In Your Roofing
The first and most important thing you need to do is to look for the presence of stormwater in your roofing. When stormwater accumulates in your roofing, it can create a dangerous situation for both you and your property.
Stormwater infiltrates your home through infiltration points, such as seams, gables, and rooflines. The water can also cause structural damage to your home and if this damage is not treated properly, it could lead to future problems. This happens when water seeps into cracks in the tiles and starts to soak through the metal.
So, you want to try and see if there’s any water seeping through the cracks in your home.
However, take note that stormwater can be incredibly deceptive and you might not notice it's there until it’s already too late. You can be extra vigilant by checking for discolouration on certain areas of the roof or if your roof is abnormally sinking.
Sagging Decks and Gutters
One of the earliest signs that something might be wrong with your roof is if your deck or gutter starts to sag. This occurs when the weight of the rain and snow causes the metal skin of a roof to stretch, revealing water and ice inside.
This can lead to leaks and a loss in functionality, which can result in dangerous levels of moisture in your home which can compromise your health. It can also cause potentially dangerous flooding and eventually lead to a collapse if the issue is not sorted out.
If you notice that your gutters have begun to sag, it’s important to immediately call a professional to help fix it. The sooner you can get someone on-site, the better - not only because you may be able to save money on repairs, but also because there may be time for other repairs (like patching up any water damage) before another storm arrives.
Identifying a Good Roofing Contractor in San Antonio
Roofing is an important part of any home or business, and it’s important that you make sure it’s in good condition immediately after an intense storm. By doing so, you can avoid any potential problems and start restoration as soon as possible.
But finding a good roofing contractor can be challenging, and it can be even more difficult if you live in a place like San Antonio, where there are so many roofing contractors that you can’t possibly know who is good and who isn’t.
As such, try and identify a professional who has experience with roofing and storm damage. After all, not all roofing contractors do the same roofing jobs. By checking their field of expertise, you can be sure that your contractor will use the most appropriate tools and techniques for the job at hand. They will also know what materials are available, and how much different roofing techniques cost.
Even if you’re not sure who to trust, you can still ask for references. Ask to speak to a previous client to get a better idea of their character. Be sure they’ve completed quality work and have references to support their reputation.
To Sum It Up
When a storm hits, everyone rushes to get inside and stay safe. But how they treated their homes after the storm can tell even more about them. If they act sloppy and don’t put safety first, another storm may not be as forgiving and will almost certainly take a very different course. In that case, you need to know how to spot roof damage after a major storm. The pointers highlighted above should help you avoid avoidable stress and headaches.
