Storm Damage Roof Repair in Charlotte NC

Storm damage to roofs is not exclusive to hail damage. High winds, driving rains, and torrential downpours all have potential to cause damage. High winds can blow off or crease shingle tabs leaving nails, shingle side joints or decking exposed and vulnerable to leaking. Driving rain and heavy downpours can create circumstances in which imperfect roof design or application cause roof failure. Hailstorms can dislodge shingle granules which function as a UV protectant, and can fracture the fiberglass mat, which makes up the structural core of the shingles.

Any of these weather events can shorten roof life, expose vulnerable roof components, or cause immediate leaks.

As long as it can be performed safely, we recommend routinely inspecting your roof system after a storm. This initial self-inspection regimen can be performed without a ladder, without climbing the roof, and without the dangers that go along with them. Leave the roof walking to professionals. Here is what we recommend…

Interior Inspection. Inspect your attic with a flashlight immediately after major storms and look for the following:
-Fresh moisture stains on the roof decking.
-LISTEN for dripping. Often in a dark attic, it is easier to hear a drip than to see it. Listen quietly and if you hear a drip, follow the sound with the flashlight to find the source.
-Light coming through the roof deck. It is common to see light around attic soffit vents and some pipes, but if you see light coming from another area, you may have a roof puncture or popped nail to repair.

Exterior Inspection after wind or rain storm. After the storm has passed and the sun is out, walk around the exterior of the home and look for the following (binoculars could help!):
-Missing shingle tabs or shingles that appear to be sliding down the roof slope.
-Branches, limbs, or excessive debris on the roof.
-Torn shingle tabs on the roof, in the gutters, or on the ground.

Exterior Inspection after hail storm should include inspection items after wind/rain storm, plus:
-Granule loss check: Go to your gutter downspouts and look for heavy amounts of shingle granules at the water exit points. Hail can dislodge significant amounts of these granule which can lead to shortened roof life.
-Dent check: Walk around your home and look for dents in thin metals on your property. Gutters, downspouts, aluminum mailboxes, and copper deck railing caps are great places to look for hail impact points. If dents are present in light metals, there is a good chance your shingles too have been adversely affected. Ensure this is done on all sides of the home, as hailstorms often come from a primary direction. If you fail to check all sides of the home, you may not see the damage!

Of course, you can always call the roofing professionals at CRS to inspect possible roof damage, but anytime you notice any issues in a routine roof inspection, we strongly urge you to call. This keep you safely on the ground and allows a roofing specialist to do what he/she does best!

If a large limb falls through your roof or something catastrophic occurs, quickly contacting your insurance company can be a wise first step. If a smaller hail or wind event occurs however, we recommend having a roofing professional inspect the roof prior to contacting your insurance company. It is better to gain confirmation from a roofing contractor that you do indeed have wind or hail damage prior to filing a claim rather than filing one and realizing there is no damage.

In summary, performing routine roof checks, especially after a storm, and simply being aware of what to look for, are important components to preventing small roof issues from becoming big roof issues. If you suspect you have a roof issue, big or small, let us know and we will take it from there!

Call our team of professionals at Charlotte Roofing today at 704-680-6546 for more information on storm damage inspections!