Tag Archive for: Leaks

Even Light Rain Can Cause Damage To Your Roof

It’s easy to understand how large hailstones can cause damage to the roof of a home or business. The hail is large and heavy, and falling from the sky at an extremely fast rate. But did you know that even a light rain can be absolutely devastating to the roofs of some buildings?

It might sound silly, but it’s true.

If you have not had your roof replaced recently, then you most likely have some sort of hail damage. Texas sees hailstorms often. Just earlier this month, parts of East Texas were hit by hail as a line of powerful storms pushed through the area. It’s those prior storms that set your home or business up to be damaged by light rain.

Hail can leave bruises on a roof’s surface. The experts at Stonewater Roofing can help you identify these dark spots or dimples on your roof. A hail strike leaves these areas weakened and creates divots where rainwater can accumulate. In time, the divots erode to become holes. Now, instead of collecting rainwater, you will start to hear the ‘drip, drip, drip’ of a leak — even when there’s just a light shower.

Damaged shingles on a home.

A single leak may not seem like a huge problem, but it should not be underestimated. Soon, that leak could become significantly larger, ruin the insulation in your home or business, create discoloration or weak spots in the walls and ceilings, and wreak havoc on the living space or work area below.

Many things happen under a roof. Meals are shared. Business is done. Memories are made. Don’t let a small leak become a big hassle and interrupt the things that matter most. Let the highly trained experts at Stonewater Roofing take a look at your home or business and make sure that you’re safe from the next storm, no matter how small it may be.

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.

The 7 Most Disastrous DIY Roofing Mistakes

Stonewater Roofing’s expert technicians have inspected thousands of roofs in the East Texas and DFW area over the last few years. In that time, we have seen a lot of DIY roofing and remodeling projects go horribly wrong on windows, doors, ventilation, siding and, of course, roofing. In no particular order, we present the seven worst DIY roofing mistakes which homeowners perform that can lead to more problems.

  1. Reroofing by adding a new layer of shingles: We’ve torn off roofs with three layers of shingles before. The homeowners usually site that they just wanted a new color or that their previous roofer told them it was okay and a money saver. All it takes is the old bottom layer to have issues and the whole roofing system fails. This may be the worst thing we’ve seen, particularly due to the wasted money spent on the short-lived second and possible third layers. Of the worst roof repairs homeowners perform, this one can cost the most in the long run.
  2. Trimming all parts of a tree except for those overhanging the roof: Perhaps the roof makes it too hard to reach branches with an extension trimmer, or perhaps it’s just negligence. You never want branches hanging over your roof. This is asking for clogged gutters that fail and moss growth on the shingles.
  3. Power washing roofs to remove moss: Some homeowners take this a step further and sprinkle bleach on the affected area. Both of these roof “cleaning” techniques are highly destructive to shingles, not to mention unsafe!
  4. Cleaning gutters from the ground: It’s easy to spot a gutter that was improperly cleaned with an extension poll or extension hose. Sludge is often built up thick in the worst points possible. It then takes just a few bits of debris to cause a plugged-up gutter. It can literally snap, burst or break free from the roof. In some cases, we’ve seen gutters take pieces of the roof with them when they collapse.
  5. Pulling up shingles to look for leaks: Yes, most people wouldn’t do this, but it’s been done before. We often see caulking and other repairs under shingles during tear-offs. This is just asking for more leaks!
  6. Adding or repairing skylights: This is not a great DYI idea unless you are a window installer for a living. Skylights are one of the leakiest components to a roof. If not properly installed, they can wreak havoc on your roof, ceiling and room below.
  7. Doing anything to ports, vents or chimneys: This follows skylights as being something left to a professional. Chimneys feel particularly safe to work near, which is why the roofing around them tends to suffer.

There are a few rules to roof maintenance. They are constantly broken and end up costing homeowners more down the road. We hope you avoid the following:

  • Walking on your roof, no matter the grade
  • Power washing your roof or gutters
  • Patching leaks from the roof surface
  • Ignoring overhanging trees

Always seek a professional before combating roofing issues on your own, so that you don’t make these DIY roofing mistakes. What you may save now could cost you a great deal more in the future.

The professionals at Stonewater Roofing are highly skilled and experienced with exterior renovation, roofing assesment and installation. We can perform a free in-depth inspection of your roof, let you know its condition and provide a free estimate for its replacement.