There’s a good chance you’ve experienced some severe weather in the United States. Storms can cause damage to roofs and other exterior surfaces, including tornadoes, hurricanes, and hailstorms.
What to do after a storm
What can you do to your roof after a storm? This resource guide will help you understand the different types of roof storm damage.
Types of Roof Storm Damage
Wind
Gale-force winds (which are between 39 and 54 mph) or hurricane-force winds (which are categorized by meteorologists at 74 mph or more) can cause visible damage to your roof. High winds can cause shingles to be ripped or removed, leaving the roof deck, waterproofing material, and underlayment exposed to the elements.
Even in less severe storms, wind can whip shingles up and lift them. They are purposely overlapping to form a watertight seal. This can cause roof damage due to wind-driven rain.
Hail
Hailstorms are usually short-lived and last only 15 minutes. However, hailstones can cause damage to shingles or shingles granules. These granules protect your roof from rain and sun damage, which can prove to be problematic. Hail damage to your roof can also affect the attractive aesthetic appearance of your roof.
Standing water
Poor drainage can cause standing water problems on roofs after heavy rainstorms, particularly in unlevel areas. Clogged gutters can cause rainwater to build up under your shingles. This allows water to seep into the underlayment and roof deck.
Debris
Dependent on how severe the storm is, debris could end up on your roof. This can include small branches and larger tree limbs. Large objects can damage or dent the roof’s surface, making it vulnerable to moisture intrusion. However, lighter branches might not pose as much problem.
This post was written by Reggie Reed! Reggie is a state-certified roofing contractor and co-owner of Reggie Reed Roofing, the best Roofing Contractors Pinellas County. He is a 4th generation roofing contractor. RR Roofing offers a wide variety of roofing services for residential homes, apartment complexes, condos, commercial buildings, churches, and more. Reggie enjoys dedicating his spare time to helping underprivileged youth in his community and traveling with his family and friends.