Roofs: They're Definitely at the Top!
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Roofs: They're Definitely at the Top!

You can say a lot of things about roofs, and most of them might be true. But one thing that nobody can argue with is that roofs are tops. This statement can be taken in several ways. A roof does for the top of your home. It can also act like a "top" or lid for your home, keeping the rain out. Then, there's the third meaning, which is the one we happen to like the most: roofs are the best. (People say things are "tops" when they really like them.) Since we like roofs so much, we've decided to write about them, and you've discovered the blog where we do that.

Roofs: They're Definitely at the Top!

Are You Safe If Your Roof Doesn't Leak After A Storm?

Brian Riley

Dealing with an intense summer storm can be stressful. Even if you don't live in a part of the country that typically experiences hurricanes, tornadoes, or other forms of extreme weather, even a run-of-the-mill thunderstorm can be damaging. Your roof often takes the brunt of the abuse, and hail, wind, and even driving rains can result in costly repairs.

While you might want to breathe a sigh of release when the clouds pass, storm damage doesn't always make itself immediately apparent. Unfortunately, many homeowners believe that everything must be okay if their roof doesn't leak after a storm. In reality, roofing damage can be far more insidious and require closer inspection.

How Do Storms Damage Residential Roofing?

There are three ways that summer storms typically cause damage to roofing:

  • Wind and Blown Debris
  • Hail
  • Rain

While you'll probably notice if wind physically lifts the roof off your home, there are plenty of other ways wind can damage a roof. These generally occur on roofs with existing damage or weak points. For example, wind can catch under weakened shingles, loosening them and creating a potential entry point for water. These areas won't leak immediately, but they're likely to lead to future water damage.

Hail tends to be a more severe and obvious form of punishment for your roof. Large or wind-driven hail pellets can knock the asphalt granules from your roofing shingles, weakening them and exposing their backing. This damage also rarely causes any immediate problems, but the damaged shingles are drastically more likely to fail in the future.

Finally, rain alone can create problems, especially if you have an older roof or one weakened by wind or hail. Heavy rains tend to find their way into weak points, whether those be areas of damaged flashing or weakened asphalt shingles. Once under your roof's outer layer, moisture can seep into the underlying deck. While this water may not drip into your house, it will ultimately affect the structure of your roof.

When Should You Evaluate Your Roof?

You don't need to call in a professional every time it rains, but you should consider hiring an expert to inspect your roof after any extreme weather event. Annual inspections are also a good idea since a professional roofer will typically be able to recognize the signs of storm damage even long after the storm passes.

Scheduling these inspections can allow you to catch damage from storms before it takes your roof beyond the point of no return. Locating, identifying, and repairing storm damage is the best way to extend the life of your roof and ensure that severe weather doesn't ultimately lead to a costly roof replacement.

Reach out to a company like Brandon J Roofing to learn more.


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