If your home has been damaged by a storm, you may be wondering what to look for on your roof. Wind is an incredibly destructive force that can destroy the structural integrity of your home in seconds.
The good news is that a quick inspection after a storm can catch damage before it becomes more serious. We’ve put together a guide to help you identify the most common signs of storm damage and how to detect them.
Damage to the Fascia
The fascia, along with the soffit, is an important part of your roof that needs to be well maintained. It helps protect your home from pests, weather damage, and other problems that can lead to costly repairs.
Fascia boards are long wooden boards that run along a house’s roof edge and connect to the ends of the roof rafters, gutters, and trusses. They are a finishing layer that provides a smoother appearance to the roof’s edges and helps prevent water damage and other issues.
When a fascia board is damaged, it can cause serious problems for your roof and the rest of your home. It is important to take note of signs that you may need a new fascia board and act quickly to have it repaired or replaced.
One sign that you may need a new fascia is if you notice that the paint on the board has flaked or cracked. This is a problem because it can give water access to the wood and can result in moisture damage. If left unchecked, this can lead to rot and other serious problems like mold and mildew that can threaten the integrity of your roof and home.
If your fascia board has rotted, you will most likely have to replace the entire section of fascia. That will likely be the most expensive part of any repair or replacement job, because it will also involve removing and reinstalling the gutters.
This can be a difficult task to do, especially if you don’t have a lot of experience or know someone who is very skilled at it. If you do decide to try a fascia board repair on your own, be sure to wear gloves and safety gear.
You will also want to make sure that you remove any hardware attached to the fascia board before attempting to replace it. That will help ensure that the new fascia board is positioned correctly and that it will be properly screwed into the rafters.
There are several factors that can cause rotting fascia boards. Age is a common culprit, but it can also be caused by accidental damage. For example, if the fascia board gets hit by a tree, it can rot and break into pieces. Likewise, insects and animals that chew on the boards can also cause problems.
Damage to the Shingles
Shingles are your roof’s first line of defense against rain and wind, protecting your home from moisture intrusion. When they begin to wear down or deteriorate, your roof may need repairs or replacement.
Some shingle damage isn’t a problem at all, but others can lead to serious issues that will ultimately affect your home. Some common signs of damage to your roof include missing or damaged shingles, discoloration, and cracking.
If you spot any of these things, it’s important to address them right away to prevent mold from developing inside your home or structural damage. It’s also a good idea to hire a professional to inspect your roof and determine whether it needs repair work or replacement.
Another common sign of shingle damage is the loss of shingle granules, the black sand-like material shingles are topped with. If you see this granule loss after several rain storms, it could be an early warning sign that your shingles are nearing the end of their lifespan and need to be replaced.
It’s important to note that even small granule loss can cause a leak if it’s not addressed. This is because the granules help keep water from getting trapped between the shingle and your roof sheathing.
In severe weather, hail can impact your shingles and cause them to break. This can be difficult to detect, but it’s worth paying close attention to the dents and impact marks you see on your roof.
If the dents and impact marks are large enough, they’re often called “hail damage.” It’s a good idea to contact your insurance agent or a roofer as soon as possible if you notice any of these signs.
Other indicators of a shingle that has been hit by hail are bruising on the shingle, a significant loss of shingle granules, and dark spots on your shingles. The granules that are lost in this way can be very easy to spot, but the rest of the shingle’s appearance may make it more difficult to identify.
Hailstones are small balls of ice that form in strong thunderstorm clouds at temperatures that are 32degF and lower. They are extremely damaging when they’re thrown at your roof, typically between 1 inch and 1.75 inches in diameter.
Damage to the Gutters
Gutters help channel rainwater and snowmelt away from your home’s foundation and basement. However, they can become damaged and need repair if you don’t take care of them regularly.
When rainwater overflows from your gutters, it can cause significant damage to your roof and the surrounding structure. In turn, this can lead to a wide range of expensive problems.
Clogged gutters are one of the most common causes of roof damage, as they prevent water from draining properly. This can result in roof sagging, cracks, and leaks that can compromise the integrity of your home’s foundation.
If you’re unsure of how to clean your gutters, contact an experienced gutter specialist for advice. They can recommend a maintenance schedule that fits your budget and needs.
Leaves and debris can clog your gutters, leading to leaking, mold, and other issues. The longer you wait to clean your gutters, the more debris will build up in them and block water from flowing properly.
In addition, clogged gutters are a prime breeding ground for insects and pests. Mosquitoes, spiders, ants, snakes, and other creepy crawlies love the wet conditions that dirty gutters create.
When you notice a buildup of clogged leaves or debris in your gutters, call for professional help immediately. This will prevent the buildup from becoming a larger problem and causing major structural damage to your home.
You should also be on the lookout for cracks and dents in your gutters. These are a sign that they’ve been damaged by high winds.
Gutter sagging can be caused by loose fasteners that can’t hold the weight of water. If the sagging is severe enough, you’ll likely need to replace your entire gutter system.
Leaf damage on your roof is another common reason for gutter replacement. These leaves are heavy, and they can weigh down the shingles on your roof. They can also trap moisture and warp the shingles, which can reduce their lifespan.
If you suspect any of these signs, contact a roofing contractor right away. They can conduct an inspection and provide you with a quote for gutter installation or repairs.
Damage to the Soffit
The soffit is an important component of your roof. It protects the rafters from moisture and rot and creates an attractive finish on your home. The soffit also helps keep rain water away from your home’s foundation.
Soffits are made from slim wooden boards that are painted or stained to match the trim on your home. Over time, paint and stain can wear off soffits and fascia. This is especially true if the boards are exposed to sunlight.
Another factor that can contribute to damage is pests. Small rodents and other critters can find their way into the spaces between your soffits. These critters can cause a variety of problems, including the development of fungus and mold.
If you notice any of these issues in your soffits, you should have them checked out immediately. If you don’t, they can become a breeding ground for these pests, which could lead to further damage and infestation.
Wooden soffits and fascia boards are often subject to dry rot, a type of fungus that thrives on wood fiber. This can spread from other parts of the roof to your soffits and fascia, causing them to rot quickly.
It’s difficult to detect dry rot on your own, so you should call a professional to inspect your soffits for this issue. If the soffit starts to separate from the fascia board, it may have dry rot.
Soffit and fascia damage is often caused by leaky gutters, which can cause water to seep in between the soffits and fascia boards. Repairing this issue will usually involve cleaning out the gutters and replacing the damaged sections of soffits.
Once the soffits and fascia are cleaned out, they should be treated with a water repellent to prevent further damage. You can do this yourself, or you can have the work done by a qualified contractor.
Keeping your soffits and fascia in good shape will help them last longer, as well as protect the rest of your roofing system from water and wind damage. If you notice any signs of damage, contact the team at Woodbridge Home Solutions to get the help you need.
