Storm-Damaged Roof? Here’s What You Need to Know

There are a few main storm-related effects that could impact your roof—and by contrast, your property—but these will vary by region. Here are common damages you might experience:

• Wind damage to a roof: Wind damage is one of the most common causes of roof damage. Strong winds are capable of loosening shingles and causing gaps to form. In some cases, shingles can even be ripped right off your roof. This is especially frequent for those that often feel the effects of hurricanes or tornadoes.
• Hail damage to a roof: Hail can pelt roofs like thousands of icy bullets, causing cracks, dents, and loose shingles. It makes sense that hail the size of baseballs can damage your roof, but many don’t realize just how destructive smaller pieces can be over time—even those the size of quarters are enough to warrant repairs.
• Rain damage to a roof: While rain itself might not threaten your roof much, it can work its way into cracks and crevices created by other means. Without tending to these leaks, water can cause a moldy roof, rotting, weak spots, and other issues.
• Debris damage to a roof: If your property happens to have tall trees nearby, it’s at risk of falling debris. Powerful winds, lightning, compact snow, and freezing rain can all break branches that fall or blow onto your roof. The damage can be anywhere from non-existent to severe.
• Snow and ice damage to a roof: Snow won’t cause any issues for a roof that’s properly cared for, but the sleet and freezing rain that often come with it certainly can. When water freezes to a roof and expands, it can cause certain spots of a roof to become brittle and form cracks. Frozen gutters or those packed with snow can also become weighed down and, in severe cases, are at risk of collapsing.
• Lightning damage to a roof: Lightning is rarely an issue regarding roof damage from a storm, but it happens occasionally. The heat from a lightning bolt can melt part of your roof and break away shingles, requiring extensive repairs.