The roof is one of the most important parts of the structure of your home, and because of that, maintaining it should be high on your priority list. Overtime, your roof is likely to take in some damage, whether that is from harsh climate conditions, storms, or normal wear and tear, when issues do arise with your roof, early detection is key in preventing further damage and higher repair costs. Various types of storms can do damage to your roof, so we have compiled a list of common signs of storm damage so you can do your part of early detection.
Hail Damage
One of the most common types of roof damage in Texas is hail damage. In fact, according to the Insurance Information Institute, Texas was the leading state in hail damage claims in 2019 with 192,988 claims in the year alone. To give some perspective, the number 2 state had only 69,742 claims which is over two and half times less than Texas.
There are several ways to know if you might have hail damage. Hail often leaves behind evidence on other areas of your property, not just your roof. If you notice dents to the roof and/or hood of your vehicle or to any other part of your yard or house, your roof likely has damage as well. If you notice any of your shingles are cracked, you will want to call for a professional inspection. Even small cracks can lead to leaks that can cause a wide range of issues for your home if gone unrepaired. Other signs of hail damage include bruising, which often looks like small dark spots that are soft to the touch, missing granules from the shingles which would have likely been knocked off from the hail, and dented or damaged gutters or siding.
Wind Damage
Heavy winds can do a lot of damage to your roof, so if your region is prone to wind storms or tornadoes, these clues are important to know. Most manufacturers actually have a wind warranty where they will replace the damaged shingles if the wind is below a certain speed (this speed varies from company to company), and if the wind speed was over their covered amount, you would then want to make an insurance claim.
Wind damage usually affects the shingles, and one major sign of this missing shingles. Missing shingles should be repaired as quickly as possible. Another sign of wind damage is creasing, which looks like a dark line running across some of the shingles. This creasing happens when the seal is broken from the shingle and the wind causes them to rub against the bottom of the shingles above it. It’s important that your shingles are properly sealed down to avoid leaks and further damage, so if you notice any creases, you will want to call for a professional roof inspector to assess the extent of the damage. This will not only give you the peace of mind that comes along with a properly working roof, but early detection can also save you a lot of money by avoiding massive repairs down the road!
