Assess Damage
After a severe storm, it’s important to thoroughly inspect your roof and look for any damage. Start by doing a visual inspection of the roof from the ground using binoculars or a drone if available. Look for any missing, cracked, or damaged shingles. Shingles that are missing granules or have cracks are more susceptible to leaking. Also check the roof flashing around chimneys, vents, and valleys where water can seep in. Flashing can become dislodged or peeled back during high winds.
Make sure to also check places where water pools, such as low spots and areas with poor drainage. Ponding water can lead to accelerated roof wear. Leaks may show up as dark stains or moisture on ceiling drywall inside the home. It’s a good idea to go inside and check for any signs of water intrusion like damp spots or drips, especially after a heavy rainstorm. Don’t delay – identify any damage right away before further deterioration occurs.
Clean Debris
After a severe storm, it’s important to remove any debris that has accumulated on your roof and in your gutters. This includes branches, leaves, dirt, and any other material that was blown onto the roof. You’ll want to thoroughly clean off the roof surface as well as clean out the gutters.
Use a ladder and soft broom to gently sweep off the roof. Be extremely careful working on a ladder, especially if the roof is wet. Remove all debris so you have a clean surface.
For the gutters, use a small trowel or spoon to scoop out leaves, sticks, and dirt. You may need to disconnect the downspouts to fully clean out the gutters. Rinse with a garden hose if needed.
Getting the debris off is crucial to allow rainwater to properly flow through the gutters and downspouts. Clogged gutters can lead to water damming up and causing interior leaks or even gutter damage. After a storm, make this cleaning a priority.
Inspect Interior
After a severe storm, it’s important to thoroughly inspect the interior of your home for any signs of water damage or leaks. Pay close attention to ceilings and walls, looking for water stains, discoloration, or sagging drywall. These can indicate roof leaks or other storm damage.
Carefully examine ceilings and walls near any plumbing fixtures like bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, etc. Also inspect ceilings below roof overhangs, skylights, chimneys and other roof protrusions. Water stains may not appear immediately, so continue monitoring over the next several days after the storm. Small leaks can develop into major damage if left unaddressed.
Use a moisture meter to check for damp areas that may not show obvious signs of water intrusion. Look for bubbling or peeling paint and plaster, which occurs when moisture is trapped behind walls. Damp drywall will turn soft and crumbly when pressed.
Don’t neglect to inspect for leaks around windows, doors, attic hatches, electrical fixtures/outlets, and crawl spaces. Water can travel and cause secondary damage far from the original source.
Document any evidence of leaks with photos. This provides important documentation for insurance claims. Place buckets under drips to minimize further damage.
Promptly fixing roof leaks before structural damage occurs is critical after a major storm. Schedule roof repairs as soon as possible if interior inspections reveal leakage. Take preventative measures like covering furniture and electronics in case of additional rain before repairs can be made. Monitoring for interior water damage in the days following severe weather helps avoid costly repairs down the road.
Check Attic
After a severe storm, it’s important to check your attic space for signs of damage. Carefully go up into your attic and look around for any daylight or water entering the space. Sunlight peeking through means there are likely holes in your roof that will need patching. You may also notice water dripping from the roof decking or pooled on the attic floor.
Leakage into the attic can cause serious problems if left unaddressed. The water can lead to mold growth, ruined insulation, damage to ceilings and walls below, electrical issues, and more. Catching roof leaks quickly is key to prevent further destruction.
Some steps for inspecting your attic:
- Use a flashlight to visually scan the underside of the roof decking and rafters for any sunlight or moisture. Look for water stains, drips, or wet areas.
- Move any insulation out of the way to inspect the roof sheathing more closely. Damaged or missing shingles may allow openings for water intrusion.
- Check around vents, skylights, chimneys, and other roof penetrations. These areas are prone to leaks.
- Make sure insulation isn’t blocking soffit vents, which can cause moisture buildup.
- Look for sagging rafters or ceilings, which may indicate water accumulation.
- Check for musty odors that signal mold or mildew.
Document any damage found and take photos if possible. Contact a roofer to make repairs as soon as you can. Leaving attic leaks unattended risks further harm to your home. Regular inspections after storms can help detect issues early.
Schedule Repairs
If your roof has suffered major damage after a severe storm, it’s important to call a professional roofer right away to make temporary repairs and prevent further damage. Look for missing, cracked, or lifted shingles, as well as any water stains or leaks inside your home, which likely indicate roof damage that requires immediate attention.
Call Ja-Mar Roofing & Sheet Metal and explain the situation. We will send out a team to inspect the roof and make necessary repairs to stabilize things until more permanent work can be done. Some repairs they may do include:
- Replacing missing or cracked shingles with comparable temporary shingles to stop leaks. This provides a waterproof barrier until the roof can be fully replaced.
- Securing loose shingles by nailing them back down. Wind can lift shingles and leave nails exposed, allowing water intrusion.
- Applying tarp or plastic sheeting over damaged areas that are leaking water into the home. This will stop the leaks until repairs can be made.
- Installing temporary flashing to seal any gaps or holes in roof valleys, vents, or joints. Proper flashing prevents leakage.
- Clearing debris like tree branches or leaves out of gutters and drains so water can properly flow off the roof.
The goal is to stabilize the roof, stop any interior water damage, and buy you time until the roof can be fully assessed and repaired or replaced. Don’t delay in calling a professional to avoid further deterioration of the roof. Make temporary repairs quickly after a storm for best results.
File Insurance Claim
After a severe storm, it’s important to file an insurance claim for any damage to your home or property. Here are some tips on filing a claim:
- Document the damage. Take photos or video of any damage to your home, property, or belongings. Focus on damaged roofs, siding, windows, vehicles, fallen trees, flooding, etc. Take photos from multiple angles and get close-ups of the damage.
- Contact your insurance provider to file a claim. Call your insurance company or agent to start the claims process. Most insurers have 24/7 claims hotlines. Be prepared with your policy number, details on what was damaged, and the cause (hail, wind, tornado, etc).
- Provide documentation. Your insurance adjuster will request documentation on the damage. This includes your photos, any police reports if trees or debris blocked roads, copies of receipts for temporary repairs, etc. Compile this in advance to submit with your claim.
- Obtain repair estimates. Your insurance company will need licensed contractors or roofers to provide repair estimates. Get multiple estimates for full repairs or roof replacement to support your claim.
- Keep records of all correspondence. Log all calls and interactions with your insurance provider. Follow up any verbal conversations in writing via email to document the claim process.
- Understand your coverage. Know what damage your homeowners or roof insurance policies cover so you fully understand what your claim may or may not include.
- Be patient. The claims process can take time after a major storm due to high volume. Work constructively with your insurance provider and adjuster.
Thoroughly documenting damage and clearly communicating with your insurance provider is key to successfully filing a claim after storm damage. Keep organized records and be persistent following up to get your home repaired.
Make Temporary Repairs
After a severe storm, it’s crucial to make temporary repairs to your roof as soon as possible to prevent further water damage to your home. Here are some tips for temporary repairs:
- Cover damaged areas with tarps – Use heavy-duty, waterproof tarps secured tightly with ropes and weighted down on all sides. Focus on covering holes, missing shingles, and gaps where water can seep in.
- Install plywood patches – For larger holes or missing roof segments, cut plywood to size and secure it over the openings. Use construction adhesive and nails to hold it in place temporarily.
- Apply sealants – Caulk cracks and open seams with silicone or roof sealant as a waterproof patch until permanent repairs can be made.
- Divert water – Create temporary drainage paths with plastic sheeting or flexible downspout extenders to redirect water away from damaged roof segments.
- Reinforce weak areas – For sagging or soft spots, install bracing with 2x4s on the inside to provide stability and prevent further collapsing.
- Check interior for leaks – Go inside the attic and upper floors to look for daylight shining through and catch leaks early before major damage occurs. Place buckets and towels to catch dripping water.
Making quick temporary repairs as soon as possible will help minimize the extent of water damage to your home until full roof repairs can be scheduled. Focus efforts on vulnerable areas first to protect your most valuable assets.
Replace Damaged Shingles
Take a close look at your roof’s shingles after a severe storm. Wind, hail, and debris can all cause damage to shingles, leaving them cracked, missing, or lifted up. Replacing individual damaged shingles is an important repair to make after storm damage.
First, purchase replacement shingles that match your existing ones in color, style, and material. Make sure to buy extras in case more damage is uncovered during the repair process.
Use a pry bar to gently lift up any damaged, loose shingles so you can slide the new ones underneath. Remove old nails and discard any cracked pieces. Sweep debris off the roof deck first for a clean surface.
Slide the new shingle into place, aligning it with the surrounding shingles so the exposure length remains the same. Make sure the edges overlap properly over neighboring shingles. Nail the replacement shingle into the roof deck using roofing nails.
Apply roofing cement under the corners of the new shingle if they don’t lay flat. Press down firmly to seal the edges. Inspect the roof repair when finished to ensure the new shingle is secure and blended in. Make any needed adjustments.
Replacing damaged shingles right away protects your home from leaks and further interior damage. It also restores the roof’s overall appearance until more extensive repairs can be made. Monitor the roof in case additional shingles become loose or cracked over time after the storm.
Check Flashing
Flashing is the thin metal sheets installed around roof joints, valleys, vents, chimneys, and other protrusions to prevent water seepage. After a severe storm, strong winds can rip flashing loose, leaving gaps for water to enter.
Carefully inspect the flashing around all roof protrusions. Look for sections that have come loose or pulled away. Signs of loose flashing include gaps, buckling, cracks, or tears in the metal. Flashing that is no longer properly sealed can allow rain and moisture into the attic or walls.
Use a rubber mallet to gently tap any loose flashing back into place. For flashing that is damaged or will not stay secured, you may need to apply roofing cement or a sealant underneath to reattach it. Replace any flashing that is too damaged or worn to seal properly. Properly secured flashing is crucial to prevent leaks after storm damage.
Schedule Professional Inspection
After completing any repairs and replacements to your roof, it’s crucial to have a professional roofer inspect everything. Even if you were able to do repairs yourself, have an expert come take a look. They will be able to spot any issues you may have missed.
A professional inspection after a storm is the best way to ensure the integrity of your roof and home. The roofer will check for any remaining damage or weak spots. They can also properly assess the condition of the roof decking and make sure there are no leaks. It’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your home’s roof.
Schedule the professional inspection about 1-2 weeks after you finish repairs. This allows time for any issues to become apparent. Don’t wait too long though, as you want to address any problems as soon as possible.
When meeting with the roofer, be sure to point out all repairs and replacements you did. Also mention if you noticed any interior water damage. Ask them to pay close attention to those areas and the roof edges. Review the results of the inspection together. The roofer can advise if additional repairs are needed.
Taking this important final step gives you peace of mind. You’ll know your roof is secure after withstanding the storm’s damage. A professional inspection also provides documentation should you need to file an additional insurance claim. Protect your home investment by having Ja-Mar Roofing & Sheet Metal check over repairs after severe weather.
