Roof Repairs After a Storm

You can’t avoid it. Storms, hurricanes, tornadoes, hailstorms, and even simple rains are all natural occurrences. They happen without warning and we can’t predict them. We do have weather forecasts which basically tells us probabilities and likelihoods but never for sure.  We hope that it doesn’t happen to us though because, one, we don’t want to our lives to be endangered and  second, we are not looking forward to the damages it can cause.

Among all the things to worry about, one of your concerns should be the roof repairs after a storm. Why? Because your roof is your home’s first line of defense against natural disasters and the most vulnerable part of your home exposed to weather. Roofs are designed to resist typical wind and rain but not extreme winds and hailstorms. After a storm and its damages, assuming everyone in your family is unharmed, you should have it repaired right away. These are the steps you should take prior to contacting a roofing contractor.

First, how does wind, a natural force, damage something so sturdy? Most wind damage starts its way on the edges of roofing systems where it is most vulnerable. The winds then loosen the roofing material to the point of misalignment. Further strong winds then push the misaligned roofing material which will eventually result in a peeling effect. The damage starts small and grows through repeated wind cycles, usually over time. Worst, rain can then get in. 

Unlike interior damage and external damage however, inspecting your roof system damage involves more effort. Sometimes, you might even be required to climb up a ladder on a potentially unstable damaged structure. So we strongly advice that you proceed with caution and, as much as possible, do not attempt to survey the scene alone.

In the process of inspecting a roof after a storm, you should see to it that the attachments are still secure and of course, check whether a portion of the roof was blown away or not. Note also that windblown debris tend to accumulate and clog drains and downspouts so do inspect your roof for these. In extreme situations where only a roofing contractor can repair the damages, roof openings should be temporarily covered with tarpaulins to minimize rain damage. We also recommend that  you shut off electrical power, natural gas, and propane tanks to avoid fire or explosion in your damaged home.

Again do not attempt to inspect damaged roofing alone. Wear boots, a long-sleeved shirt, and work gloves. Work with someone and be patient. Your home might not be the only one damaged in the whole neighborhood. Also, don’t get your hopes down and focus on making your home safe again for you and your family.