What do I look for if I think my roof is damaged?
You think your roof is damaged and that may be worrying you a bit more than you may like. As the homeowner it is great to know what to look for in terms of damage. Also great to know why spotting damage is important.
Now damage to a roof can be a cause for headache later down the road. Damage that isn’t taken care of in a timely manner can start to cause leaks. Getting into the home and damaging the interior, causing more problems. Insulation problems, drywall problems, and possible build up of mold.
So there’s 2 types of damage you should be looking for on your home. Storm damage and natural deterioration of shingles.
Here’s what to look for when it comes to roof damage.
What does storm damage look like?
Here in Minnesota we get wind and hail storm at least every couple of years. So it’s best to know what to look for after the storm passes by. Knowing what damage looks like is important so you and your contractor can be on the same page on weather there is enough damage to get a roof replacement.
The first and most obvious damage is wind damage. When strong winds come through they sometimes break the sealant bond between shingles, causing bending or an entire shingle/s being blown off.
Blown off shingles are dangerous because now water can get into the home.
Bent or creased shingles are also dangerous because they are now compromised. They aren’t protecting your home as intended anymore.
Hail damage, now the visibility of this all depends on the size of the hailstone. Larger stone impacts you may be able to tell from the ground, but the smaller sized hailstones you will need someone to climb on the roof and inspect it.
The first thing you want to look at are the soft metals (vents, valleys, gutters) if these have dents on them then most likely your shingles will be damaged as well.
What you’re looking for on shingles is bruising or punctures to them.
What is natural damage to shingles
Natural damage occurs over time. The constant heat and sun exposure during the summer. The snow and ice during the winter. All of this causes wear and tear on your shingles. Here’s what look for in natural causes of damage.
Granule loss and bald spots. Over time the weather and age causes the color particles (granules) to fall off the matting of the shingle.
Once enough of the granules fall off, the fiberglass matting gets exposed, compromising the shingle.
They’ve lost a layer of protection. Making those areas susceptible to future damage.
Another sign of aging and damage is cracks and blistering. These are caused by just the natural aging of the shingles. The constant heat and weather elements they’re exposed to deteriorate the shingle over time.
In essence finding damage on your roof isn’t fun but it is good to know what it looks like. Weather it be of an aging roof with granule loss and cracking causing the roof to look old and not in good shape. Or hits from a hail storm causing you to file an insurance claim. Look for these signs and get them taken care of before they become a hassle in the future.
If you can’t tell from the ground that there’s damage and aren’t comfortable with climbing on your roof. Please contact a professional that will help you out. Someone who will inspect your roof, take photos, and explain to you what the best route to take is.
At Pro Works Roofing we help homeowners through the whole process, answering any questions you have.
612-434-8791
651-492-5003
office@proworksroofing.com