How to Spot Roof Damage After a Storm

Severe storms can move through quickly, but the damage they leave behind can linger—especially when that damage isn’t obvious to the eye. In the aftermath of a major weather event, it’s always wise to have a look at your home’s condition, and it’s especially smart to focus on your roof given its importance to your protection as well as your property’s curb appeal. Your roof may have been affected by the storm’s high wind speeds, heavy rain, or flying debris, but the damage may be difficult to see for yourself at first glance. And if that quick glance is all you give your roof, there’s a chance that some minor, underlying issues can soon become major ones, whether that’s a big leak or even structural damage that is costly and time consuming to fix.

So, how do you make sure you can spot roof damage after a storm? Let the experts at Lifetime Roofing give you some tips so that you can properly evaluate your roof the next time severe weather rolls through Michigan.

Start With a Ground-Level Inspection

The easiest and safest course of action in the immediate aftermath of a storm is to inspect your roof from the ground. Safety is key, which is why any thought of climbing onto your roof to inspect it is unwise. Rather, you can have a look at your roof and check for common signs of damage, keeping an eye out for missing, cracked, or curled shingles, pieces of material scattered on the ground, bent or detached gutters and downspouts, or branches and/or leaves sitting on the roof. If anything appears unusual, it’s likely your roof was affected by the storm. And while this step in the process is far from the end, it’s important so that you have an overview of the situation without putting yourself at risk.

Check for Warning Signs On the Interior of Your Home

In addition to the inspection you can do of your roof from the ground level outside your home, you can also check on the interior of your property for possible signs of damage to your roof. Because sometimes, the first signs of roof damage appear inside rather than on the surface of the roof itself. Check your walls and ceilings for water stains or discoloration, bubbling or peeling paint, and damp spots or sagging areas. If any of those issues are present, you may have a problem with your roof. Plus, if you have access to your attic, you’ll want to look there for damp or compressed insulation, sunlight coming through the roof boards, and musty odors or signs of mold growth. The presence of any of those problems may also indicate that there is underlying damage to your roof.

Schedule a Professional Roof Inspection

After you’ve had your own look at your roof’s surface and the interior of your home (and its attic), you’ll want to turn to a team of roofing experts for a thorough roof inspection. This is important, as trained and experienced eyes may be able to spot roof damage that you didn’t see yourself. Not only that, but a professional will have unique methods and equipment to employ in order to complete the inspection. And when they’ve fully assessed the situation, you can expect a thorough explanation of their findings, complete with documentation of everything they found. That can come in handy if you’re planning on filing an insurance claim. In some cases, you can even rely on your professional roofing contractor for assistance during the claims process.

Causes of Roof Damage During a Storm & What to Look Out For

There are different elements of a storm that can impact the condition of your roof. Wind damage is one of the most common issues, as strong gusts can lift or remove your roof’s shingles, exposing the layers underneath the system. Hail damage might be harder to spot, but it can be serious considering the dents and bruising hailstones can leave on your roof’s surface. Along the same lines, debris impact can be an issue to be aware of, as falling branches or airborne objects may crack, puncture, or dislodge your roof’s materials.

Water damage is another major concern during a storm. If your roof already has weak spots, water can seep into the system and cause leaks, rot, and mold growth over time. Of course, water damage can also affect other aspects of your home and cause costly damage.

The Team to Turn to for Your Storm Damage Repairs & Roofing Needs

When you need a Michigan-based team you can trust to provide you with a professional roof inspection and storm damage repairs, Lifetime Roofing is the name to know. Our thorough inspections and unparalleled roofing expertise can be a major help to you in the aftermath of a storm, plus we can provide you with reliable assistance as you work your way through the insurance claims process. The aftermath of a severe weather event can cause enough stress for you and your loved ones, and our team takes an immense amount of pride in easing that stress by providing first-class customer experiences to the homeowners we work with in our local communities.

Reach Out Today

If a storm has recently impacted your Michigan home and you want Lifetime Roofing to visit for a roof inspection or possible storm damage repairs, we’re here for you. Contact us today to schedule an inspection as soon as possible.