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What Do Severe Storms Do To Your Home?

After severe storms pass through Texas, particularly those with strong winds and hail, homeowners are warned about the many dangers of roof damage. But you shouldn’t just trust the word of a roofing company in Tyler, Texas. Knowledge is the key to understanding when and how to replace your roof.

That said, it is important to know what severe storms can actually do to your home.

Let’s start with the roof itself, which is fully exposed to the elements and acts as the first line of defense for your home. If the wind gusts are strong enough, a storm has the power to rip shingles from your roof, leaving that layer of protection with potentially harmful gaps. It is easy to spot missing or broken shingles because the pieces will likely be littering your yard.

A look at missing shingles on a roof.

Hail damage might be harder to detect, especially from the ground. Larger pieces of hail will leave bruises or holes on shingles. They appear as dark spots or dimples on the roof surface. It is difficult to say how big a hailstone must be in order to cause damage. That really depends on several factors — from the quality of your roofing materials to the slope of your roof. But, generally, anything above one inch is cause for concern.

A roof that has been damaged by hail or high winds leaves your home vulnerable, even to less severe storms. These damaged areas can turn into leaks. Every light rain that passes over your neighborhood could send water into your living area, ruining the ceiling and walls, or your family’s personal belongings down below.

Simply put, treating roof damage as soon as it occurs is the safest way to protect your home — and everything inside.

A look at hail damage on a roof.

Water leaks are easy to spot, since you can inspect the damage without even going outside. First, check your attic for dripping. You may be able to hear this during a storm. Wet insulation is a sign that there is likely a leak. Also, search for discoloring on your walls and ceilings, or areas where the paint is bubbling. This could be a sign that water is getting trapped within the drywall. You may also notice (or smell) mold or mildew, another sign of a potential water leak.

Along with shingles, other parts of your home’s exterior could be damaged during a severe storm. Look for dents or dings on metal vents or chimney covers. The same can be said about any aluminum siding, metal garage doors, gutters, downspouts and outdoor air conditioning or swimming pool equipment.

There are obvious signs of storm damage as well. Cracked or broken glass on your windows and doors will be easily noticed. As one should expect, skylights are especially susceptible to breaking during a hail storm, and that could lead to a myriad of problems in the room directly below. Outdoor lights may also be destroyed by large hail. Wood fencing could become splintered.

Any of these problems could indicate possible roofing issues which are challenging for the average homeowner to identify.

Let experts like the ones at Stonewater Roofing inspect your home for storm damage.

If you think that your home might have storm damage, what should you do?

First, be safe. Unless you are trained at spotting roof damage and have the proper equipment to do so, it is not smart to climb onto the roof of your home. Let an expert handle this dangerous task. Contact a reputable roofing company, like Stonewater Roofing, to visit your home and perform a FREE damage assessment.

Do not call your insurance company first. Let the professionals at Stonewater Roofing determine what parts of your home need to be fixed, document the true extent of the damage and create an accurate estimate for the repairs. We make the process hassle-free and are proud to be The Leader In Insurance Claim Approval.

Stonewater Roofing genuinely wants to protect you and your family. Call us to speak directly with one of our trained staff members if you have any questions or concerns.