Storms rip off and damage thousands of roofs every year. They also contribute to billions of dollars worth of damage to homes. Quick stat time. The Insurance Information Institute reported, “State Farm paid out over $3.1 billion in hail claims in 2020, according to an April 2020 analysis by the insurer. Texas was the state with the most hail claims paid for auto and home insurance, with $474.6 million in losses, followed by Illinois ($394.2 million), Minnesota ($259.2 million), and Missouri ($236.9).” on claims following just hail storms. This doesn’t even account for other disasters like tornadoes and hurricanes.
Giving your roof the best possible protection against storms is one of the best things you can do. However, it isn’t always in a homeowner’s budget to replace their roof with one that is more ‘storm-proof.’ The typical situation homeowners find themselves in is that their roof is a few years old, a storm strikes, and repairs or a replacement is needed for the structure to be sound once more. At this time, if a replacement is recommended, it is a great opportunity to review available options. In many more cases, repairs are the answer. It all depends on the type of damage done to the roof. Let’s explore the types of roofing damage further.
Types of Roofing Damage Caused By A Storm
Storms can be vicious. Some have a soft pitter-patter of raindrops that provide the backdrop for the most amazing sleep ever. Others are frightening and will have you and your family running for shelter in the basement, bathroom, or wherever you can find coverage. It is those storms homeowners should worry about when it comes to their roofs. Severe storms bring high-speed winds, hail, and debris that can all affect the condition of your roof.
Hail
If you live in the Midwest, such as Missouri, Texas, or Oklahoma, chances are you’ve experienced hail at some point. The National Geographic Society defines hail as “Hail is supercooled water, which is refrozen in the atmosphere, before falling back to the ground as a sizable ice ball. Hail can cause severe damage to life and property, like this minivan’s windshield. Imagine balls of ice, some small, some the size of grapefruits, crashing to the ground in a storm.”
When hail hits your home, it can do a great deal of damage. Hail will dent, ding, crack, and put holes in your roof. As you can imagine, these types of injuries can result in water damage to the home. A water leak in the roof is an archnemesis for homeowners and their homes. Water damage restoration can cost thousands on top of roof restoration. That makes it critical to address storm damage ASAP. Emergency tarping services can drastically reduce the risk of water damage.
Fallen Tree Branches
Tree branches will scrape an asphalt roof. This can cause shingles to fly off, crack, or tear. This can leave your roof vulnerable to water damage and critters. Even if you haven’t seen water leaks yet, it’s important to contact a roofer after a storm to evaluate its condition. Most insurance companies have a 6 to 24-month rule for repairs or replacements. After this time, they may not pay.
Missing Shingles From Wind Damage
If you look at your roof after a storm, you may be able to notice missing shingles. If so, this can certainly leave your home wide open to pests and water damage. Anytime shingles are missing, you need to get with a roofing contractor for possible repairs or a replacement, depending on the severity.
Gutter Damage
Storms have a way of doing damage to gutters as well as the soffit and fascia of the roof. If you notice your gutters are hanging on by a thread or completely off of your roof, you’ll need to contact a roofing restoration company for repairs or a gutter replacement.
Granule Loss In Asphalt Roofs
Sometimes you’ll notice granule loss on an asphalt roof. Asphalt shingles are made of layers of granules. They protect the home’s roof against UV rays. Though you’ll lose some granules over time, high-speed winds and hail can speed up the process. To check for granule loss, look at your roof for indented lines in the shingles. You can also check for granules in your gutter or downspout.
When To Contact The Roofer
After a severe storm, we highly recommend contacting your roofer for an inspection. If you’ve noticed granule loss, missing shingles, cracks in your shingles, or signs of water damage, this is also a key indicator you may need repairs. Most roofing contractors will be able to coordinate insurance claims as well as talk to the adjusters. Ultimately the goal for most roofing companies is to give customers the best solution for roofing damage. That could mean a roofing replacement or repair.
Consider Upgrading Your Roof If Needs Replacement
Has the moment come when you need to replace your roof? This can be unexpected, or you might have seen it coming. Regardless, replacing a roof is one of the largest residential roofing investments you can make. We encourage homeowners to consider the best roof possible. That means examining manufacturers, roofing types, warranties, and pricing. Most roofs are built to last at least 15 years, with some ranging over 50! For example, if you live in the Dallas area and need a new roof, you’ll want one that can protect against storms—particularly hail. Metal roofing from a brand like DECRA offers superior protection against dents, dings, and other potential damage hail can bring.
Don’t be hasty when it comes to choosing a new roof. If you’re getting a replacement as part of an insurance claim, it’s also good to know that the insurance company will put money towards whatever roof you want. However, they won’t cover the cost of what it would be to replace your roof with similar materials. You’ll have to pay the difference. It can be well worth it, though, going from an asphalt roof to a premium metal roof.
