If you own a home or a commercial building in Texas, you know our storms can be sudden, severe, and ultimately devastating. Hail, high winds, heavy rain, and flash floods can cause serious and lasting damage to your property from its roofing to its foundation. This is why it’s so important that we take all our Texas storms seriously the moment after they happen, that we know what to look for when properly inspecting roof damage, and that we take the steps needed to repair and prevent further damage.
After a building withstands the trauma of a storm, it’s not easy to tell where to begin when assessing roof damage – but it’s vital that you don’t miss the tell-tale signs that your roof may need repair or replacement. In this process, you can preserve your property’s original value by taking the right steps to check your property inside and out.
Read on to learn what you should look for initially after a storm and how to know when it’s time to call a roofing specialist to take a closer look.
Interior Roof Check
Start with the attic.
If your home has an attic, this is the first place you need to check to see if you have serious damage. This isn’t very difficult – all you need is easy access to the attic space and a good flashlight. Your light source will be instrumental in this step because you’ll need to check for fine detail – so make sure you have a quality flashlight. After all, a more expensive flashlight that will give you the right light to check for damage in your attic is much cheaper than the cost of replacing your entire roof.
Now that you’re in your attic, there are four signs of roof damage you need to check:
- Light leaks from the outside
You don’t even need a flashlight for this. If you see any light coming in through your roof, you’ll need to have it addressed immediately. Light leaking in from outside means moisture will also leak in.
- Any sagging spots
Look for dips or sagging in the roof. This means there are probably structural problems, which are usually caused by outside pressure or moisture damage to your roof’s wood.
- Dark spots or trails
If you see any dark areas or dark trails, it’s a sign that moisture is penetrating your roof also likely creating mold. This can cause serious long-term problems to your roof and the inside of your residence.
- Leaks or signs of water damage
If you find a leak or any water damage, you need to call a roofing service immediately to help patch and assess the extent of the damage.
If you find any of these four issues when inspecting interior damage in your attic, it’s important that you call a professional roofer to either repair or replace your roof.
Exterior Roof Check
Now, let’s look into inspecting roof damage from the outside.
The other way to check on the state of your roof is to get up there and look at the external damage.
Be careful while doing this. Make sure you have a sturdy ladder, make sure it’s secured, and be very cautious while you’re up there. Try not to walk around on your roof, as this is also very dangerous – especially if there is damage to the wood or the tiling.
Check for these five signs that your roof may need to be repaired.
- Damage
Look for obvious damage to your roof. Look for shingle splits, cracks, and warping. Tiles can also be broken by hail. These are signs that your roof needs repair – especially if it’s an older roof.
- Moisture
Look for moisture problems in the shingles and wood of your roof. If moisture is allowed to pool and not run off your roof naturally, it can cause mold and damage on the outside and the inside of your home.
- Shingle granules
Older shingles tend to shed granules over time. If they’re too old, you’ll be able to see excessive amounts of granules in your gutters. If this is the case, you need a new roof.
- General wear & tear
Check the materials around any chimneys and vents. As these wear down over time, you should make sure they don’t need to be replaced.
- Drainage
Make sure all gutters and downspouts are well-maintained and functional.
Next Steps
If you’ve found any of the above issues when looking at your roof, we can help. At Sage, our experts offer a complete inspection of your building and work with your insurance provider to make your home or building feel like new. Call us directly at (972) 420-6500 for a free consultation.
