The roof of your house is the main shelter. Like any front-line force fighting to protect us relentlessly our roof does the same throughout the year sheltering us from all the heat, storms, winds, and hail and snow. Roof repair can be expensive and timely repairs are equally important otherwise a damaged roof can cause further damage to the structure. A good roofing company will carry out maintenance checks as per their schedule and update you but you need to keep an eye out as well when cleaning your roof.
Contents
How can the weather damage the roof?
Weather in Michigan is unpredictable and the roof of your house takes a beating 365 days consistently protecting you from the extremities. While it does protect you, it takes some effect too and needs to be repaired before leakage starts. Considering the stormy weather your roof can undergo various types of damages. Your roof can be dented, broken, or have missing shingles. It is important you ask for a professional to do the inspection after the storm to help you survive the next one. Make sure to clean out the roof from any debris, plants or anything else brought in by the storm, clear the snow, and open the gutters. The weather outside should not be felt inside which can only be done if you maintain your roof.
Types of weather damage
There are different types of damages that weather can do but some of the common ones are:
- Wind damage: Wind damages your roof the most and the damage caused is not easily visible. The shingles of your roof can turn into flying debris that can damage your roof or land into your neighbor’s roof damaging it as well. Shingles can either come off leaving empty uncovered patches open for leakage or curl up or slide onto the other shingles leaving the unprotected roof. Inspect your roof after a windstorm to watch out for these and any debris that you see should be cleared out. If a patch is left uncovered it can cause water retention ultimately leading to leakage.
- Hail damage: Hailstorms can cause damage for sure. Small hails can cause dents while the bigger ones are likely to cause structural damage and break your gutters as well. Make sure you inspect your roof after a hailstorm to watch out for any damages.
- Rain damage: Rainfall is the biggest of all the issues in roofing. Excessive rain with windstorms or hailstorms can be very damaging. The water can leak in causing those pale patches on your roof. Water retention causes leakage and a broken gutter water flow can also damage the shingles. Make sure your gutters are cleared and flowing and those patches are covered up because followed by heavy rainfall is the attack of moss growth which badly weakens your shingles and affects their durability.
- Snow damage: Snowfall isn’t a problem but it becomes one when the snow keeps piling up it eventually dampens the upper layer and moisture is not good for most of the materials used in roofing solutions. Now with the fluctuating weather, another issue is that when the piled up snow starts to melt, the water starts to go into patches, crevices or flashing also under the shingles. This melting snow then becomes ice again with a temperature drop blocking the gutters, freezing it with the shingles and patches and the spaces between the shingles making them slide leaving more area vulnerable once this snow melts. This results in water leakages and poor insulation in return increasing your power bills and structural damages. The ice dams can break your gutters and flashing and would require immediate repair before the next storm hits.
- Sunlight damage: Strong sun causes UV damage to the shingles. The shingles start to dry up leading to curling and cracks. When the shingles are warped up they become ineffective.
What storm damage might look like?
Sometimes storm damage is very visible and easy to catch but at times you can’t see the damage unless inspected by a professional or till it starts showing the damage it caused to the structure. You should be expecting to see missing shingles, curled up or broken shingles, granules in the gutters, broken gutters and flashes. You can even expect dented shingles with broken patches and dents in the roof if you’re heavily surrounded by trees and a broken tree lands on your roof. In cases of rain storms you can also expect loose or pealing sealant. Water damage along the ceiling or the attic is also visible after a rainstorm. Water wells are also an indication that damage is done and water is being retained. You can expect to see missing flashing along the ceiling, vents and other places. In case of snow, watch out for ice dams and clear out the snow. Clogged gutters can easily be broken and cause water retention leading to leakage. Snow on the edges breaks the shingles which then curl up.
Some Facts about Roof Leaks:
- Rain falls diagonally: as the rain is produced by the clouds many think that rain falls in a straight direction, this is a huge misconception. Why? Because it is the strong winds that decide the direction of the rain. There are many chances that the rain may fall in the same direction as your shingles due to which the water can seep underneath the shingles causing a leak. Worry not! Professional roofers will make sure that the roof is protected in such a way that no matter what direction the rain falls, your roof stays protected.
- Leaks don’t start with water: unless and until there is water dripping no one usually would notice a leakage. However, it is not always the water that is the cause of leakage rather it is the sunny and hot weather to be blamed. As soon as after the first rain, the roof is dried up by the sun as the sunlight keeps hitting the one spot it weakens and ends up making a hole. Therefore, in the second round of a storm is when you will realize a leakage in the roof.
- The hole might be located somewhere else: it is possible that you may not end up identifying the right source of leakage. Several times, water dripping from the kitchen roof does not necessarily mean that the hole is in the kitchen roof; it could be coming from the living room’s roof. Water ends up traveling from one place of the ceiling to another. Hence, it is essential to hire a professional roofing contractor to identify the actual source point of the leakage.
- Maintenance and repair are affordable than a replacement: as being property owners one always looks for saving money. While doing this we might overlook numerous issues like roof maintenance. As we might not see any visible damages we end up ignoring the roof inspections. This can lead to such roof damages which will cost more than it would have cost in roof maintenance. It is important to hire an expert to carry out monthly maintenance than having to replace the whole roof that would cost a fortune.
If you are based in Michigan then we can help you get free estimate for your roofing issues.It is always recommended to hire a professional roofing company in Northville MI who carries out regular roof maintenance checks without you alerting them considering the weather and the contract. A roofing professional can check for required repairs more thoroughly and will know where to look. However, keeping a close eye and carrying out cleaning yourself helps you maintain and keep an eye too.