Roof damage and leaks

Roof damage after a storm can leave your roof with subtle damage that can actually start a leak. Unfortunately, many leaks are not discovered until significant damage has been done. Hopefully, we can share enough knowledge here to help you understand when to be concerned about roof damage so you will know when to call on a professional roofing contractor that is an expert at detecting problems while they are still manageable. Professional roofers are able to contain that damage and prevent leaks from occurring.

For most companies, roof inspections to assess roofing damage are free. Naturally, any damage that is attributed to a storm can be filed as a claim with your homeowners insurance. The detailed inspection report that you receive from the roofing company serves as the ideal documentation that you will need to file a claim. In fact, reputable roofing companies will be more than happy to help you with the claim process. Chances are that they are familiar with many of the insurance adjusters in your area. It is also wise to remember that most insurance policies have established a time limit to file a claim for storm damage.

Simple signs of roof damage

Quite naturally, hailstorms can cause significant damage to your roof. Surprisingly, most of it is not all that obvious. Check for dents in the metal flashing and the lead boots on your vent pipes. Check the long trays of your gutters. Look to see if they are filled with mineral granules that used to be on the shingles. This means that a process called “degranulation” has taken place. It may not mean that the shingles are no longer any good, but it is a sign that your shingles have begun to degrade.

Roof damage is not always obvious

Many roofs that are damaged can look just fine to the untrained eye, but they could be completely compromised by storm damage. There are cases when there was absolutely no visual evidence of storm damage, such as missing shingles, yet there were several leaks found in the roofing system. An example would be sealing strip damage. The shingles have a sealing strip layered between them. During a storm, the wind may blow the shingles far enough to break this strip without removing the shingle. After the storm, the shingles lay back flat onto the roof, and your roof looks normal. However, if the sealing strip is damaged, sometime within the next year or two your roof will start leaking.

Professional roof inspection in Greensboro, NC

As you may have learned, assessing a damaged roof is best left to professionals with the necessary training and expertise. Triad Installations of Greensboro, NC, has been inspecting, repairing, and installing roofs in the Triad area for over 29 years. They are more than happy to help you with filing insurance claims. Most importantly, they will stand behind their roof repairs with a workmanship warranty. Call them today to schedule an appointment so they can assess your roof damage.