Signs Your Roof Was Damaged from a Storm

The beautiful state of Michigan is known for its Great Lakes, icy cold winters, and natural beauty. But it is also prone to harsh weather and storms — thunderstorms, floods, blizzards, and the occasional tornado.

Roofs are designed to withstand all types of weather, including storms, but intense winter storms can damage even the strongest roof.

Any roof damage that is left unchecked can lead to extensive water damage on the roof and structural damage to your home. The earlier that your roof is checked for damage and repaired, the better it is for your home or business.

How to Inspect for Roof Damage from a Storm

After a storm has cleared, the first thing to do is check for damage. This analysis does not mean scaling the roof to check — leave that to the professionals. However, there are telltale signs of roof damage from a storm that you can look for.

Different storms cause different types of roof storm damage, and our list of things to check for will help you identify any problems and have them repaired quickly. 

Start at Ground Level

After a storm has passed and it’s safe, the first place to check for roof damage is outside. Check for debris such as downed tree limbs, vehicle damage, and window damage. This kind of damage to your property commonly indicates that your roof has also been damaged.

Evidence of roof damage visible from the ground includes shingles or roofing tiles that are missing and damage to the chimney. You should also be able to identify displaced, broken, or cracked shingles on the roof.

The interior of your home needs to be checked for any obvious signs of water damage or leaks. Start with the attic and look for wet spots and stains on the walls or the ceiling. Keep an eye out for damp carpet or flooring. Make sure that every room in the home is carefully checked.

Roof Damage from Wind

Roof damage from wind often involves shingles being blown off. The easiest way to inspect a roof for wind damage is by looking for missing shingles and fallen tree limbs.

Strong winds can rip shingles off the roof, which can lead to damaging water leaks. It’s easy to spot missing or broken shingles but not as easy to see if the adhesive seal that provides a water-shedding surface to the roof is damaged.

Roofing cement that is damaged by the wind will be loose or crumbling, and damaged chimneys will have loose brickwork.

If you’re curious about how to inspect a roof for wind damage, if there is a broken tree limb or branch on your roof, or if you see any of the above signs of wind storm damage from the ground, you need to have a roofing expert check for damage.

Roof Damage from Ice Storms

Michigan receives an average of 66 inches of snow per year and can experience major winter storms. A significant winter storm can last for one to several days, bringing freezing rain, high winds, heavy snow, and extremely cold temperatures.

Roof damage from winter storms can be particularly damaging to your home. Frozen trees can split and fall onto your roof, and heavy icy rain can cause structural damage. After an ice storm, make sure to check your roof for:

  • Missing or damaged shingles
  • Bent or damaged gutters
  • Dented metal on the roof, flashings, or the gutters
  • Missing granules — check the gutters, downpipes, and the area around the house for the tile granules
  • Broken tree branches

Roof damage from ice storms or winter storms can be extensive and lead to further complications. This damage requires prompt investigation and repair by industry professionals who are experienced in working with roof damage from winter storms.

Roof Damage from Water

Roof damage from water can be identified in a number of ways:

  • Water leaks or flooding in the home
  • Attic insulation that is damp or wet
  • Missing, broken, or damaged shingles on the roof
  • Water entering the home through the fireplace via the chimney
  • Gutters that are leaking
  • A ceiling that is discolored or stained in patches or spots
  • A strong, musty smell in the attic or elsewhere in the home

Even small patches of unrepaired water damage will continue to worsen. Small leaks lead to rotting and encourage mold growth. Mold is very harmful to your health, as well as being unsightly.

Leaks can hide between walls and be difficult to detect, but roofing experts know where to check for damage. If you have any of the above signs of water damage to your roof, call a professional for a thorough investigation.

Roof Damage from Hail Storms

Hail storms are usually short-lived, but they can cause serious damage to your roof. In the US, hailstones as large as baseballs have been reported, but even small hailstones can be harmful.

Roof damage from storms will affect the outside of your house, leaving dented guttering and downspouts, as well as damaged siding and window sills. Common signs of roof damage from hail storms include:

  • Broken or cracked shingles
  • Displaced granules
  • Dented or cracked roof vents or chimney covers
  • Split wood shingles
  • Dents in metal roofs
  • Gouges and cracks in roofs made of slate or clay.

Some roof damage from storms may look cosmetic, but punctures, granule loss, and bruising can be more serious than they look. After a hail storm, a thorough investigation of your roof by a roofing expert is the only way to identify the real extent of damaged areas that require repair. 

Roof Replacement

There are times that storms in Michigan are so destructive that a roof repair is not possible. Even small areas of roof damage from a storm can be so problematic that a roof replacement is the only option. It’s vital to have the damage investigated as soon as possible after the storm to reduce further damage and costly repairs.

Roof replacement may be the best option if you have leaks, mold issues, or significant structural damage. After an inspection of the damage is carried out by a licensed roofing technician, an insurance claim can be lodged. Your roofing expert will recommend the best replacement for the roof and will carry out the work according to code.

Roof Damage and the Effects

There are many signs of roof damage from storms, as shown in the roof damage examples above. It can be tempting to ignore what seems to be small areas of roof damage after a storm or to put it off until later.

However, the damage to the roof must be attended to immediately. Ignoring roof damage after a storm will cause larger problems, including:

  • Mold penetrating the roof and causing significant health concerns
  • Cold drafts in the home
  • Leaks that will cause ceilings and walls to rot
  • Increased energy bills 
  • Damaged insulation
  • Exposed electrical wires that create a fire hazard
  • Costly structural damage to your property

A careful investigation of your roof by a specialist is the only way to determine whether your roof has been damaged by a storm. These signs of roof damage from storms will not fix themselves. Instead, they will cause further damage to your property.

Four Seasons Kanga Roof — Roofing Specialists

Your roof is an investment. The roof of a home or business protects what is inside, and it needs to be looked after. Roof damage from a winter storm can cause mild or extensive damage and should never be ignored.

Four Seasons Kanga Roof are specialists in all roofing repairs, maintenance, installation, and replacement. We are a family-owned business and have worked diligently to become Michigan’s preeminent roofing contractors.

Our team offers competitive pricing, quality work, experienced technicians, and first-class customer service. We are passionate about customer satisfaction, and we guarantee that our work will meet your expectations, or we will make it right. Call us at Kanga Roof today for all of your roofing needs.