Whether your roof has suffered major damage from natural disasters or deteriorated in appearance over time, it must be repaired. Any delay will only result in more moisture inside your home and even more costly repairs later.
The first step is to do a ground-level inspection. This should include looking for damp stains, mold, dark streaks, and the like.
The most common reason to repair a roof is water damage. Whether it is a leak that hasn’t quite made its way to your home or a more serious problem that has already caused water to seep through walls, floors, and ceilings, you want to get the problem fixed as soon as possible to prevent further damage.
A leaking roof is usually the result of damage that has occurred to the shingles, felt underlay, or decking. But it could also be a sign of faulty workmanship or an issue with the gutters, chimney, or attic vent. In many cases, it’s just a matter of age, but other times, the damage can be caused by severe weather.
Heavy rains can soak shingle edges, creating pockets that can cause the materials to break down and start leaking. Snow or ice can have similar effects, especially when it is left to build up in a place for a long time. This can cause the shingles or tiles to break down, rot, and sag. This can then lead to water penetration into the building.
In the case of a roof leak, a qualified professional will be needed to find and fix the source of the water penetration. They will likely look at the on-roof surface using various methods, as well as examine inside the roof to check for any flaws that might be a point of entry. If you suspect a leak, you can try to find it by getting into your attic or crawl space, and taking high-resolution pictures of the area. Look for damp spots, stains, and any signs of standing water that would indicate a leak.
Once the source of the water leak is found, it can be stopped from spreading further by putting a tarp over the affected area. It is a good idea to use a thick tarp that extends at least four feet beyond the problem spot and up to the peak of the roof. This will ensure that any water that gets into the attic will be trapped and not allowed to pool and potentially cause more damage.
Fire Damage
There’s no denying that fire damage is one of the most expensive and devastating kinds of damage to property. It takes very little to completely destroy a home and it can cause loss of life. This is why it’s important to ensure your house has proper smoke and heat detectors. In addition, if you have trees or stacks of wood in close proximity to your home you should consider having them removed to help prevent a fire from starting.
Even if your roof doesn’t burn in a fire, it may be damaged by the flames and intense heat from them. Also, if your roof has been exposed to the elements after a fire there’s a good chance that it will be impacted by wind, rain and other weather conditions. This can lead to leaks in the roof and other areas of your home.
If you’ve experienced a fire in your home, it’s very important to hire a team of professional restoration experts. They will work to restore and clean all parts of your house, including the attic. They’ll remove debris, scrub walls and floors, dry all materials and install new flooring as needed. They’ll also treat for any chemical contamination from the use of water or other chemicals used to extinguish the fire.
During the drying process they’ll use commercial equipment to eliminate any remaining water and dry out structural timbers, flooring, sheetrock, and framing. This will also minimize mold and rust as well as the risk of structural damage.
After the attic is cleaned and the scrubbing, drying and stain removal has been completed, the rebuilding process can begin. The timeline for this will vary, as it depends on how extensive the repairs are.
If your attic has been affected by fire, you’ll want to have it properly inspected before proceeding with any roofing project. This is because it’s likely that the wiring in your attic or roof will have been affected by the fire. If your breaker box keeps tripping or your lights keep flickering, you should have it professionally inspected as soon as possible.
Severe Weather Damage
Severe weather conditions like storms, flooding and tornadoes can damage your roof. It’s not always easy to tell when your roof is damaged but it’s important to find out and make the necessary repairs as soon as possible so you can avoid further, costly damage to your property.
After a severe storm, you’ll need to do an inspection on your roof if you suspect there may be damage. Start by ensuring it is safe to go outside and that the area surrounding your home is clear of fallen trees, electrical hazards or other dangers. Look for damage from the ground and also check in your attic and throughout your home.
Depending on the severity of the storm, your insurance provider will likely send an adjuster to walk through your property and evaluate the damage to your roof. This is when it’s critical that you document all the storm damage to your roof with pictures and a list of any missing shingles. This will help your claim get processed faster and you’ll be able to have your roof repaired sooner rather than later.
In addition to missing shingles, you’ll want to keep an eye out for other signs of damage that are harder to see. For example, if your roof is made from metal, hail can cause dents. These dents can lead to leaks down the road if the affected areas aren’t repaired quickly. You’ll also want to watch for ice dams during winter storms and ensure water is draining properly away from your property.
Once you’ve assessed the damage from both the ground and in your attic, it’s time to call a roofing contractor. A trusted roofing restoration company will perform a thorough evaluation of your roof and provide you with a quote for repair. Choosing a new roof that’s rated to handle your region’s harsh weather and designed with the proper slope will help protect your property for the long term.
Storm Damage
After a severe storm, your home can suffer damage from wind. This is often difficult to see from ground level, but can affect everything from your roof to the surrounding landscaping and asphalt. When left untreated, damage from winds can even affect the structural integrity of your home. If you believe your roof has been damaged in a storm, it’s important to call a roofing professional to conduct a thorough inspection.
The most common sign of roof storm damage is missing shingles. These can appear in a large area or can be concentrated around protrusions like chimneys, vents, or valleys. You should also look for metal flashing on your roof that may have been ripped or dented from the force of the storm. Finally, you should inspect inside your home for any evidence of leaks, which can be caused by roof shingle damage and can affect walls, ceilings, insulation, and lumber.
When assessing roof damage, you should only go outside after the storm has passed and is safe to do so. If you need to climb your roof, be sure to do so using proper ladder safety and follow appropriate roofing procedures. If you haven’t already, wait for your insurance adjuster to arrive before starting an inspection on your roof. This will allow the professional to walk you through your homeowners insurance coverage and how a repair or replacement can be handled.
Once you’ve completed an inspection of your roof and have determined that it has sustained storm damage, contact your homeowner’s insurance agent to file a claim. You’ll need to provide pictures of the damage to the insurance company and wait for a claim adjuster to visit. During the adjuster’s appointment, you can ask them to bring a contractor with them to help with the assessment of the storm damage to your roof. This can ensure you receive the full compensation you need to repair or replace your roof.