How Storms Can Damage Your Roof Construction

However, even the lightest rainstorms can cause damage to your home. Here we’ve outlined the most common ways storms bring damage to the roof below:

• High Winds: The most common form of destruction for a homeowner’s roof is high winds. High winds are common in most storms and are capable of tearing away shingles causing the underlying roof deck to be exposed. Besides removing shingles, wind can also cause shingles to curl up making your roof susceptible to problems from rain.
• Rain: Rain is common with most storms and is fully capable of slipping into the cracks and holes that develop due to missing shingles and damaged roof layers. 
• Hail: Balls of hard ice that range from as small as a pebble to as large as a baseball. This form of precipitation is responsible for leaving behind dents, pockmarks, and other types of impact damage. When impact damage happens, the granules within the shingles become dislodged. This removes the natural protection against rain and sun damage shingles provide.

Signs You Have Roof Damage

Chances are that with most storms your roof is perfectly fine. After all, even the lowest-quality roof installations are primarily designed to withstand storms. However, this is only true to a point, and over time the roof becomes weaker and more susceptible to damage. This is exacerbated in areas with frequent storms.

A list of the most common types of roof damage is provided below:

• Material Problems: This involves the flashing, which is the metal responsible for connecting everything together. The chimney, skylight, additional stories, and more are all connected by flashing, which can become corroded or crack after storms. After a storm has occurred is the time to check on your shingles and verify that the granules are intact and have not been removed or forced into a curled position. For the homeowner, that has tile instead of shingles, they will want to check for any cracks in the tile.
• Trees and High Wind Damage: In some storms, it’s possible for tree limbs to hit the roof. A good rule of thumb for avoiding this is to trim away any branches that are within 10 feet of the home. In the event that wind speeds were unusually high, you will want to check for debris along with any cracks or holes in the roof. In addition, check for broken fascia boards and other roofing materials that indicate damage.
• Wildlife: Wildlife such as squirrels, rodents, insects, birds, and other creatures can find shelter during storms in nooks and crannies in your roof construction. Animals and insects can cause major damage to the rooftop. When inspecting the roof for signs of wildlife it’s important to check the attic for cracks and holes where tiny animals might have burrowed in and taken up residence.
• Moss and Fungi: A good sign you have roof damage is when there are moss and other fungi growing on the roof. This usually occurs because the shingles have become loose enough to allow water to remain trapped instead of draining away like they are supposed to. When inspecting the roof, it’s recommended to check for any signs of trapped moisture.