7 Signs of Hurricane Damage to Your Roof
The North American hurricane season usually begins in June, and with over 60% of all hurricanes occurring in September and October, it is vitally important for residents of South Carolina to spot-check their roofs yearly, regardless of a hurricane occurrence.
Whether your roof is composed of shingles, tile, metal, or another material, you’ll need to try and do a thorough check of your roof after a hurricane storm.
Read the quick checklist below to determine whether your roof has suffered any damage resulting from a hurricane.
1. Debris on the Roof
Check visually for fallen trees, tree limbs, debris, or other objects. These objects can cause your shingles to tear, fall off, or cause a hole in your roof.
Be cautious in using a ladder to check for damage. You should always have someone next to you when conducting a superficial surface inspection.
2. Fallen or Loose Shingles
Strong hurricane winds exceeding 74 mph and walls of heavy rain might shatter more than just a few shingles. Upon a visual inspection, it could be an urgent time to call for a further roof inspection and repair if you see cracked or missing shingles.
3. Damaged or Separated Rain Gutters.
If you notice that the gutters were pulled from the side of your roof, this could cause further damage to nearby areas. For this reason, be sure and check your gutters regularly for blockage.
In heavy hurricane rains, your clogged gutter might overflow and pool back onto your roof, causing additional damage to the shingles.
Schedule an appointment with Sea Island Residential to install seamless gutters and/or gutter guards, preventing clogs and reducing overall maintenance.
4. Attic Moisture
If your home has an attic, take a flashlight and inspect it for any wet areas. Be sure to inspect not just the roof sheathing but the attic walls as well, as this warning will indicate a leak somewhere on the roof.
Note the position of the wall leak and then try to identify the roof exterior location above the moist wall. If your home has venting inside your attic, the rain can quickly penetrate surrounding areas, making it much more important to inspect the ridge vents.
5. Damaged Eaves
An eave is the edge of the roof that overhangs the exterior siding. Roof eaves can be both decorative and practical. High winds can make a roof prone to lifting when it hits under the eaves.
Damage to the eaves can ultimately cause roof damage and insect damage. Spot-check each eave surrounding the home.
6. Soffit, Fascia, Gutter, or Flashing Damage
It’s not just the shingles that take a battering during storms—look out for signs of damage on the other areas around your roof, too. Soffits, fascias, gutters, and flashing can suffer too, and they’re all designed to keep water away from your home's interior.
Wind can cause fittings to come loose, gutters and downspouts can clog with storm debris, and flashing can shift out of place, breaking the seal.
7. Ice Dam Formations
A common roof problem relating to winter snowstorms is the formation of ice dams. These develop when the snow on the roof melts due to escaping heat from the attic space. The water then refreezes when it hits the colder roof edges, eaves, and gutters.
The continuing thaw and freeze cycle results in the ice dam growing quickly and moving back up the roof. If you don't deal with this ASAP, the ice can break under shingles, pull down gutters, and won't allow the gathering melting snow to fall off the roof. This process can lead to internal water damage, and it can be dangerous when the heavy blocks of ice eventually break off.
Keep an eye out for the early signs of ice dams forming, as they’re trickier to remove safely once a heavy buildup of ice has formed. It's a good early indicator if you see small icicles forming on your eaves and gutters.
What To Do After a Hurricane Damages Your Home
If you don’t know what to do immediately after damage from a hurricane, check out our blog about what to do.
If in doubt, a thorough inspection can be conducted by Sea Island Residential to assess your roof’s condition and provide a free and fair quote for repair.
Sea Island Residential is also a member of a special state program known as South Carolina Safe Home, where you may qualify for up to $5,000 to make your home more weather-resistant.
Introduced in 2007 by the South Carolina Department of Insurance, the SC Safe Home program is designed to help homeowners be proactive about hurricane damage prevention. Qualified homeowners may receive matching or non-matching grant funds to retrofit their homes to make them more resistant to hurricanes and high-wind damage.
Does your home qualify?
● Yes, if the home is located in the coastal region of South Carolina
● The home must be owner-occupied; and
● Site-built or manufactured/modular; and
● The home must not have existing, extreme previous damage; and
● The home and homeowner together have not previously received and utilized an SC Safe Home Grant
● Create a New Application Here for 2023.
How to Maximize Your Storm Damage Claim
Document Damage and Contacts
Going outside and checking for damage is actually necessary before you file a claim. Some insurance companies won’t hesitate to deny your claim if there isn’t sufficient evidence.
Take a detailed log on the damage done – this includes pictures of your roof, siding, gutters, and any parts of the exterior that may have suffered damage.
If you contact anyone to check on the damage because you’re not sure what to look for, be sure and keep phone calls, each person’s name, and any information from any professional inspectors. The more information you log, the better.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Contact your insurance company immediately after a storm or hurricane. The longer you wait to contact them, the better chance of them denying your claim.
Understand What Your Policy Covers
If a storm or hurricane hasn’t happened yet, and you’re not sure about your insurance company’s policy, it’s a great idea to have your agent go over the coverage and limitations.
For example, let’s say the damage to your home makes it temporarily uninhabitable, and you need to check into a hotel for a few days or longer. Do you know if your insurance company will cover it? Make sure you keep your receipts for these expenses, as proof will be needed if your insurance company ultimately will cover that cost.
Rely on Expert Contractors Who Can Help You With Insurance Filing
Dealing with insurance companies is draining and frustrating. Why not let Sea Island Residential help you with your claim?
Future Prep: Learn How to Tarp Your Roof & Prepare Your Home
Here’s the basics you need to tarp your roof before the next hurricane strikes:
● 2x4 wood boards
● Thick polyester plastic or tarp
● Common nails or staple gun
● Hammer
● Ladder
● Gloves
● Safety glasses
● Utility knife
Tarping Process
Start by unrolling the plastic out. Take a 2x4 board and wrap the end of the plastic around it. Staple or nail the plastic to secure it. Roll out enough plastic or tarp to cover the width of the damage. It’s always a good idea to roll out extra just in case.
After you’ve rolled out enough plastic or tarp, follow these steps next:
● Cut the tarp with a utility knife
● Staple or nail the tarp or plastic to another 2x4, just like the first side.
● Using a ladder, place your tarp on the damaged area with the 2x4s stretched from end to end.
● Using 3¼ inch nails, hammer the 2x4s into the sheath of the roof to keep it in place.
● Check to make sure the structure is secure after completion.
Call & Schedule a Roofing Inspection Today!
Whether you need a roof inspection, replacement, or insurance claim assistance, be sure to contact us for an appointment and a free estimate!
In addition, if you need a new roof, ask us about our exclusive CertainTeed Roof Warranty with SureStart PLUS 4-Star protection, extending coverage for up to 50 years.
We also specialize in installing Velux skylights, siding, windows, and doors. Don’t delay! We’ll help you protect your investment.
Call our roofing professionals today!
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