In Missouri, we experience a wide range of extreme weather conditions. From intense summer squalls to freezing winter ice storms, the potential for roof damage is a significant concern for homeowners. According to the National Weather Service, severe weather events caused 1,057 fatalities, 2,546 injuries, and $24.3 billion in damages in 2021 in the United States.
Weather patterns are changing due to various factors, such as global warming, atmospheric aerosol saturation, and natural variability. These changes have led to increasingly higher rates of roof storm damage to properties over the last ten to twenty years, making roofs damaged by weather more prevalent than ever. Whether you want to safeguard your roof against potential disasters, or your roof has already suffered damage, our team is here to get you the assistance you need.
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What Can Cause Roof Storm Damage?
Tree Limbs/Debris
Nearly everyone has experienced or heard a horror story about large tree limbs crashing through the roof of a house, but even if it seems like your roof has survived a storm unscathed, smaller debris can roof storm damage as well. Smaller debris impacting your shingles can cause cracks and fractures, which if large enough can allow moisture to seep underneath. Even if the cracks are very small, they still threaten the integrity of your roof and allow future weather events to worsen the damage.
Small debris like branches, twigs, and leaves left on your roof can clog up and damage your gutters and the edges of your roof, causing degradation. If left up there through the winter, they can freeze and cause ice dams to form, preventing water from draining and allowing it to seep into the roofing materials, or even fall off and hurt someone. Even if left up in the warmer months, the debris can hold moisture against the roof, causing damage, and allowing mold and pests to flourish that can ruin the appearance of your roof.
Wind
Even if your house avoided collecting debris during a storm, the wind itself can cause significant damage to your roof. Wind hitting the side of your house travels up the wall until it impacts the edges of your roof, creating uplift pressure. This pressure acts to pull up your shingles, causing them to lift and curl. Roof shingles are overlapped to create a waterproof seal, and this lifting can break this seal, allowing water to seep in.
Shingles that have been lifted are then more likely to catch the wind and lift even more to the point that they can be torn completely off in a strong enough gust. Even moderate winds can weaken the integrity of your roof, slowly lifting shingles or knocking protective granules loose.
Hail
Hail isn’t fun for anyone, and not only can it dent your car, but it can cause significant hail damage to your roof. The most common roof hail damage is the loss of granules from your shingles. Granules are a coating of ceramic or natural stone that acts to protect your shingles from the weather. If these granules are knocked loose, the shingle material underneath is exposed, causing it to age prematurely and allowing future weather events to cause further damage.
There are even more dangers when facing especially large or violent hail. Hail larger than a 1/2 inch has a lot of force behind it, and these impacts can degrade the seals in between your shingles or the fiberglass mat that sits underneath them. In extreme cases, hail can even crack or break off entire shingles.
Snow and Ice
Winter storms not only bring cold temperatures and heavy snowfall, but also a whole set of problems that can potentially cause significant damage to your home. One of the main issues is the accumulation of snow and ice in your gutters. When debris blocks the flow of water, melting snow cannot drain properly and begins to pool. This standing water can freeze and create an ice dam, leading to even more serious problems.
An ice dam poses a two-fold risk. Firstly, it can fall off your roof, posing a danger to anyone below. Secondly, the melting and refreezing process can occur multiple times, allowing water to seep under your shingles. This can lead to leaks inside your house and even cause mold to form. The constant freezing and thawing can also weaken the integrity of your shingles by creating tiny cracks that gradually expand.
Furthermore, the weight of accumulated snow and ice, if left unattended, can put a significant strain on the structure of your roof. Over time, this added stress may weaken the roof, making it more susceptible to damage.
Rain
Rain isn’t as troublesome on its own, but over time heavy rains can wear down the edges of your roof. Ideally, your roof should be waterproof, but if your roof has already suffered damage from other sources, the water can soak into these spots and start the process of leaks or mold formation. This can be exacerbated if your gutters are clogged, causing the water to pool and giving it more time to seep into damaged areas. If you are seeing a leak inside your house, chances are your roof was already damaged and the rain is just soaking in through these spots.
Does My Roof Have Storm Damage?
Your house has weathered another storm, but your worried it took some damage. What do you need to look for? While minor roof storm damage and aging might not be obvious without a more thorough inspection, there are several things that you can keep an eye out for after a storm.
The first and most obvious thing is leaks or water damage inside your home. If water started leaking into you house during the storm, or you see dark spots appearing on the ceiling or walls, there is definitely some damage that needs to be addressed.
Another easy thing to look out for are damaged or missing shingles. Your shingles should all be overlapping and lying flat against your roof and should all be of a uniform color. If you notice any missing shingles, light or dark spots, or places where the shingles are curling off the roof, it is time for repairs.
Finally, inspect your roof and make sure there is no standing water or accumulated ice. If there is, it is imperative that you clean your gutters to let the water drain as soon as possible to prevent further storm damage.
If you see signs of damage, chat with our team and we will make the inspection and repair process easy for you. After a particularly nasty storm, even if you don’t notice signs of damage you may want to schedule an inspection by a professional, especially if you have an older roof that hasn’t had a recent examination. If your roof has storm damage, follow these steps right away, and be sure to chat with our team and we will make the inspection and repair process easy for you.
How To Prevent Roof Storm Damage
Storm damage to your roof is not ideal, and some preventatives measures can go a long way. Whether you are preparing for thunderstorm season in the spring or winter storms later in the year, there are several things a smart homeowner can do to help prevent roof storm damage.
Regularly trim trees near your home so that when severe winds or ice come, you don’t end up with limbs and branches hitting your roof. Clean your gutters and downspouts to prevent water and ice buildup on your roof. Ensure that your attic is properly insulated, as heat escaping into your attic can help melt snow or ice on your roof, aiding in the formation of ice dams.
Along with these simple tasks, the most important thing is to have your roof inspected regularly and repair any preexisting issues before the storms hit, as the weather will only worsen these problems and potentially create even storm damage to be repaired. If you are ready to schedule an inspection, get in touch with us now!
Conclusion
While any severe weather events can cause damage to a roof over time, some are worse than others. Be particularly aware of extreme winds, hail, and large build ups of ice. Keep your eyes open for the signs of roof storm damage both inside and outside of your house and perform regular maintenance to help mitigate the effects of severe weather. Finally, make sure to get your roof regularly inspected by a professional to ensure there isn’t already damage that could be greatly exacerbated.