A powerful winter storm can create havoc for your home. From downed power lines causing outages to fallen trees around the property, many homeowners experience problems that result in expensive repairs. With all the other damage that you need to repair after a snowstorm, you might forget about checking your roof. Unfortunately, many roofs experience trouble after storms and it goes unnoticed until it is too late.
After your next winter snowstorm, don’t forget to check for the following roof damage.
Look for exterior damage
One of the most obvious signs of roof damage is exterior damage. If you had loose shingles or problems with roof caulking before a storm, there is a chance that a bad winter storm can cause further damage. Head outside and look for any visible damage to your roof. Missing shingles, cracked shingles, and loose gutters are problematic — failure to fix them could cause your roof to start leaking. If you spot any exterior damage to your roof, clear as much snow and ice off of your roof as possible to prevent leaking. Then, contact a professional roofer.
Look for moisture in attic
Another place you’ll want to check for roof damage is up in your attic. Sometimes, melting snow and ice from storms seeps under shingles. Eventually, this water can work itself into your house if there are leaking points in your roof. One of the places to check for leaks is in your attic. You can check for moisture at any point during or after a storm. Signs of moisture in your attic is an indication of a leak somewhere on your roof. Moisture can lead to mold and wood-rot, so you’ll want to plug the leak and improve ventilation.
Check drainage system
If the drainage system around your home is clogged or if parts of were damaged during the storm, there is a chance melting snow or ice might instead end up leaking into your attic or basement. If you spot any part of your drainage system that was damaged in the storm, repair it immediately. If you know any of your gutters or drains are clogged, unclog them as soon as possible. Most gutters and drains become clogged in autumn because of falling leaves. You should check your drainage system each autumn and resolve any problems before the first snowfall.
Check for sagging ceilings
Never ignore a sagging ceiling. Sagging ceilings or a creaking roof are a sign that your roof is in danger of collapsing. A collapsed roof can be devastating to your entire home. All roofs have a maximum weight limit. When roofs become overburdened with snow and ice, they become over-stressed. If your roof isn’t well-constructed or has poor drainage, your chances of it collapsing increase. Any time you see ceilings start to sag, immediately go up to your roof and start shoveling off the snow. Once you have managed to lighten the load, you’ll want to contact a professional roofer.
Seeking professional help
Don’t hesitate to seek professional help if you suspect you have roof damage. Getting help from a professional roof can prevent further damage from occurring. Professional roofers will help with roof repairs, as well as fix shingles. Most professionals list their services on their website; check out lichfield-waterproofing.co.uk for an example. If roof damage also caused interior damage, you’ll also want to reach out to a professional carpenter to fix walls and ceilings. Fixing roof damage can be expensive; don’t forget to check with your insurance company to see what is covered under your plan.
Prevent costly repairs
Roof damage is never a fun problem to deal with, even if the damage is minor. And finding out that your roof needs to be repaired in the middle of a snowstorm is especially devastating. To help prevent costly repairs caused by snowstorm damage, you should have your roof inspected each autumn. During roof inspections, a professional will check for bad shingles and any other concerns. Figuring out you have roof damage in the autumn is better than realizing it in the middle of the winter; you’ll have time to make repairs before the first snowstorm.
In summary
Snowstorms can damage your roof, which results in moisture seeping into your home and causing interior damage. Especially bad snow storms can cause your roof to collapse. To help prevent costly repairs, contact a professional any time you suspect you have a roof problem and get into the habit of having a yearly roof inspection.
