Every year, Colorado seems to get at least one severe hail storm that leaves cars dented, roofs damaged, and homes in need of major repairs, no matter what type of roofing material is installed on the house. As with any type of structural damage, the faster you get the problems fixed, the less risk you have of the issues worsening, doing long-term damage to your home. However, if you’re like most homeowners, spotting hail damage to your roof and your home can be a challenge. Your trusted Arvada roofers explain a few things to look for when inspecting your house after a storm.
Exterior Inspections
Once the weather clears, the first thing you should do is inspect the exterior of your home for damage. Walk around the perimeter and inspect your siding. If there are loose panels, you’ll need to have them repaired as soon as possible Water can easily get trapped between the siding and the wall, causing mold, mildew, and water leaks that can impact your home’s wiring. While inspecting the siding, try to look at your gutter system. Large hailstones can crack, dent, and bend the metal, leaving you without the proper drainage your home needs during rainstorms.
Inspecting the Roof
Since hailstorms often come with intense rain and wind, you’ll need to thoroughly inspect the exterior of your roof. From the ground, look for missing shingles that may have been dislodged by the storm. Missing shingles leave the protective roof underlayment exposed to the elements and increase the risk of water damage making it inside the home. As a general rule, it’s best to let a roofing contractor reinstall and repair missing shingles as without proper installation, they can easily fall off again, further increasing the risk of water damage.
Once you’ve determined whether or not your home lost shingles during the storm, take a few steps back so you can see the entire roof line with ease. Look for shingles or roofing panels that are starting to lift up, bend, or curl under. High winds, like those common on the Front Range, can cause shingles to lift up, exposing the underside to moisture during storms. Over time, the shingles often curl up, creating an opening for water and wind to slip beneath the shingles. While damage may not be immediate, letting an experienced roof repair team fix curling shingles is highly important to preserving your roof system.
To inspect the condition of individual shingles, you’ll want to schedule a formal roof inspection to fully assess the extent of the damage. However, if you’re curious or want to have a better understanding of the types of repairs that may need to be done, you can inspect the roof yourself. If you’re comfortable using ladders or walking along the roofline, inspect the shingles for signs of pitting or bruising. If the hail hit your roof hard enough, you’ll likely see dents along the surface of some of the shingles. On others, you may notice a slight discoloration (bruising) caused by the granules being worn smooth by the impact.
Additionally, you’ll want to look at the flashing around chimneys, skylights, and your ventilation system. Though the shingles and roofing material will likely bear the brunt of the damage, the flashing may show signs of wear as well. After all, hailstones that are large enough to dent shingles or metal roofing are large enough to dent the flashing. Look along the metal stripping for signs of dents or cracks and make sure each piece is still flat against your roofing materials. Even if the flashing seems to be in good condition, it may no longer sit flush with the roofline, allowing water to soak into the underlayment when unrepaired. If anything looks out of place, schedule an estimate with a roofing contractor flashing, like shingles, should always be installed by a professional to fully protect your home from damage.
Interior Inspections
Even if the exterior of your home appears to be undamaged, you’ll still want to make sure the interior of your house is safe from water leaks. Be watchful for signs of water damage inside your house. Look for peeling or bubbling paint in the exterior rooms as it could indicate elevated moisture levels inside the walls. Every few weeks, especially during the peak of storm season, check the attic for signs of damage you may have missed immediately following the storm. Check the rafters for moisture and look for mold or mildew growth in the insulation. Even small amounts of moisture can lead to major problems and force you to file a claim with your homeowners insurance provider. Keep in mind, even if you don’t see these visible signs of damage, you may notice an increase in energy bills as damaged roofs cause your home to become less energy efficient over time.
What Happens If You Find Damage?
When it comes to roof repairs, taking care of the damage quickly is the most important thing you can do. The sooner you hire a contractor to fix the damage, the better off you’ll be. When you do schedule an appointment, your contractor should give you an estimate on all repairs, making note of the damage in each area of your roof and your home. Then, they’ll discuss the options with you, whether the repairs are as simple as replacing a few shingles or as extensive as requiring a full roof replacement. Should you file an insurance claim, your insurance adjuster may recommend a particular roofing company, but you do not have to take their recommendation. You’re free to work with the contractor you trust most, whether your insurance company recommends them or not.
Don’t let a hailstorm leave you in a lurch. Schedule a roof assessment with Arvada Roofing & Construction and let our experienced contractors give you peace of mind knowing that your roof is in good condition. Our experienced team understands that no homeowner wants to deal with water damage and we’ll work with you and your budget to keep your home in good shape for years to come.