Roof Damage After a Storm

9/19/2022 (Permalink)

After a storm, your first instinct may be to check your house for wind or hail damage, climbing up on the roof can be dangerous.

Indoor Inspections

Performing an indoor, room-by-room inspection after a storm is not only safer than getting on the roof but can detect many signs of roof damage or water leaks without having to climb a ladder. Start your inspection on the side of the house that received the brunt of the storm’s intensity—which is usually in the direction from where the storm approached—and work your way across the house. Check in the corners and around the bases of light fixtures and ceiling fans for signs of moisture. If the sun is shining, go up into the attic and look for sunlight passing through the plywood. If you see light, this may indicate damage to your roof’s deck, which could cause leaking and water damage. While up in the attic, use a flashlight to look for dark stains in the corners or streaks along the inclined edges. These marks could be caused by leaks coming from damaged areas or through the ventilation.

Outdoor Inspection

Even though it’s not safe to climb up on the roof, there are still several ways you can safely look for storm damage from the outside.

1. Walk around the house to see if any shingles or other roof materials are on the ground.

2. Look for tree limbs or other storm debris on the roof.

3. Do a visual inspection of the roof from the ground with your eyes, binoculars, or even a camera drone.

4. Does the flashing on your chimney or vents look bent or detached?

5. Do you see any missing, curled, or cracked shingles?

6. Are there any dark patches caused by granule fallout?

If you do see damage, call in the professionals at SERVPRO of Streamwood, Bartlett, West Chicago And Warrenville as soon as you can.

Other Dangers to Avoid

Using a ladder or walking around on your roof aren’t the only dangers you should avoid after a storm. To make sure you stay safe, keep away for these situations.

• Don’t walk or drive through standing water. Not only could it be contaminated with harmful bacteria, but it might also be hiding debris or sinkholes.

• Don’t touch downed power lines. Call the fire department or the utility company to deal with them.

• Don’t clear debris without protective clothing. It could be riddled with rusty nails, broken glass, or other things that can be hazardous to your health.

• Don’t climb trees to remove broken limbs—this could be even more dangerous than getting on the roof!