Residential homeowners already know that storms can bring damage to their roofs. Heavy rainstorms, hail storms, winter storms, and thunderstorms all bring their share of damage and issues. Thunderstorms, however, are one of the most common storms that bring roofing damage that can lead to residential roof replacement. Here are some of the damages a thunderstorm can cause and what to be aware of when you check for damages.
Heavy Winds
Heavy winds can cause a lot of damage to your roof. The heavy winds and rains of a thunderstorm can lift your shingles, rip shingles, and tear off pieces of the roofing and gutters. As the wind damages the roof, it can expose the roof to the rainwater the thunderstorm brings along with it. This means at the end of the thunderstorm, you could find something as mild as missing shingles or something as major as full holes and breaks into the roof itself. Small areas that experience this type of heavy wind damage can be repaired, however, larger areas will need a residential roof replacement.
Hail
You may not think of hail when you think of a traditional thunderstorm. The truth is, even a mild thunderstorm can bring hail quickly. Hail can cause breaks in your shingles and specifically small holes that may be hard to see. These holes and dents can give a space for water to settle or pool. If the thunderstorm is during the winter months, the holes and dings can give snow and ice a place to settle. If ice settles into these areas, it will cause an expansion which can damage the roof further.
Debris
Debris is going to happen during a thunderstorm. The most likely debris is also the most dangerous for your roof. Limbs, branches, and leaves can all cause issues with your roof and damages that lead to replacement. For example, limbs and branches can fall or be thrown by the heavy winds so hard they break through the roof and into your attic space or living area. Leaves can find their way into ventilation fins or into the gutter. If they are not removed they can cause build-up and prevent these roofing attachments from working properly. If you notice damage from any of these issues, contact your roofing contractor.
If you have recently looked over your roof, and you have found several problems or damages, contact your roofing contractor. They will assess the roof for any thunderstorm-related damage or damages you may not have seen previously. These damages, and their severity, will determine if the roofing contractor needs to perform a repair or a full residential roof replacement. They will advise you of your choices and help you determine which plan is ideal for your roof damages and needs.
For more info, contact a company like Four Seasons Roofing & Repair Inc.
Once you watched someone put a roof on a home, you have a much deeper understanding of what's involved in this sort of work. Roofing is not easy. There's a big mental component since the roofers need to decide how how many shingles to use, how to best lay them out, and so forth. Then, there's the physical aspect of roofing. Lugging packages of shingles onto the roof is not easy, and nailing them down take a lot of work, too. With that in mind, we welcome you to read more about roofing on this blog. Let the articles inform your opinion of the profession.