{"id":845,"date":"2021-11-19T14:28:40","date_gmt":"2021-11-19T19:28:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jlbuilding.com\/?p=845"},"modified":"2023-05-05T15:27:58","modified_gmt":"2023-05-05T19:27:58","slug":"roof-storm-damage-checklist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jlbuilding.com\/blog\/roof-storm-damage-checklist\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Create a Roof Storm Damage Checklist"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re a homeowner, chances are you\u2019ve encountered your share of rough weather over the years. Even in relatively temperate climates, inclement weather like hailstorms, driving wind and rain, and even tornadoes or hurricanes can cause serious storm damage to your roof<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After an intense storm, it\u2019s a good idea to conduct a quick inspection of your home\u2019s exterior surfaces to check for any damage. This blog will explore<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> how to inspect your roof for storm damage<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and important next steps, should you find any major damage.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Different Types of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Roof Storm Damage<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When creating a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">roof storm damage<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> checklist, it\u2019s important to understand the effects of different types of weather on your property and how to spot the telltale signs of damage that often accompany them. Below is a list of the most common elements that often cause damage to your home\u2019s roof.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wind<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Signs of wind damage to a roof can take the form of loose or missing shingles, chimney issues, curling or peeling shingles, granule loss, damaged soffit or fascia, and indoor leaks.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How wind speeds interact with a given structure will vary, but you\u2019ll find general rules of thumb below:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>25-30 mph:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Large branches may move, but little to no damage is likely to occur to your roof.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>30-40 mph:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Whole trees can sway back and forth, though it\u2019s unlikely this will cause any major debris to circulate in the air.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>40-45 mph:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Twigs and small branches may break, increasing the likelihood of small debris making its way onto your rooftop.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>45-55 mph:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Larger branches and weak limbs may break, and slight structural damage may occur if your home is around a lot of trees.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>55-65 mph:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Moderate structural and tree damage may occur.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>65+ mph:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Heavy to severe structural and tree damage may occur.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hail<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While hail the size of tennis balls is rare in much of the United States, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/money\/reviewed\/2021\/07\/07\/how-protect-your-home-car-and-more-hail-damage\/7871763002\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">hail storms are responsible for property damage to crops and homes<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> every year. In the case of your roof, the impact of a hailstorm can crack shingles and lead to water damage in your home.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After a hailstorm, if you notice dents on your vehicles that are parked outdoors, plants stripped of their leaves, or damage to your home\u2019s siding, you\u2019ll want to inspect your roof for possible damage as well.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Water<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The most common sign your roof has sustained water damage may actually come from looking at your home\u2019s ceiling. If you notice leaks, spots on the wall, or wet stains, you\u2019ll want to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jlbuilding.com\/contractors\/find\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">contact a roofing contractor ASAP.<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Excess water often makes it into the interior of your home\u2019s structure due to loose or cracked shingles and damaged rafters.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ice Dams<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After a heavy snowfall, ice dams are caused by warm air in a home\u2019s attic causing the snow to melt on the roof above it. When this happens, water runs down the roof and refreezes once it reaches the colder end of the roof, forming a mount (or dam) of ice at the edge. At first, ice dams are no more trouble than icicles are hanging off the edge of your roof.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, during the warmer parts of the winter day, water melting off the roof behind the ice can get blocked up and seep under the shingles and into your home\u2019s exteriors. The best time to stop ice dams is before winter comes. Start by inspecting your roof for damaged shingles (more on that below) and plugged gutters, as they\u2019ll make it easier for water to sneak into your roof.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shingle manufacturers\u2019 warranties will often require the use of protective equipment called ice and water shields (sometimes called ice and water protectors) during the roof installation process. This is a waterproof membrane developed to protect vulnerable areas on a roof from ice and water damage. Ice and water shields are made with polymer-modified bitumen. Another option is to lay down heat cables to help water flow off your roof instead of under it. Heat cables attach to your roof and melt channels of snow and can help provide a path for snowmelt to drain off your roof instead of pooling behind an ice dam.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Debris<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Debris &#8211; such as falling trees, branches, or even building components like shutters, vents, satellite dishes, and nails from other people\u2019s properties &#8211; can cause damage to your roof when blown around by heavy winds.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-847\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jlbuilding.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/image6-1024x724.jpg\" alt=\"An image of a person on a ladder inspecting shingles on a home's roof.\" width=\"1024\" height=\"724\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.jlbuilding.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/image6-1024x724.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.jlbuilding.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/image6-300x212.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.jlbuilding.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/image6-768x543.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.jlbuilding.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/image6-1536x1086.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.jlbuilding.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/image6-952x673.jpg 952w, https:\/\/www.jlbuilding.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/image6.jpg 1999w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to Inspect Your Roof for Storm Damage<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Did a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">storm blow shingles off your roof?<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Are you noticing gutters filled with debris? If you\u2019ve just experienced a rough storm and think your home will benefit from a quick inspection, you\u2019ll find a list of the major items to inspect and how to spot potential damage to them below.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When assessing damage, try using a pair of binoculars instead of climbing on the roof yourself, as this can be very dangerous. As best you can, try to estimate the general square footage of damage and note any specific areas that have been damaged. This will help you communicate the situation to a roofing contractor and your insurance company.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Commonly Damaged Areas<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To help you make a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">roof storm damage inspection checklist<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, we\u2019ll review the major parts of a home\u2019s roof that often experience damage during severe weather.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Exterior Shingles<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shingles are your home\u2019s first line of defense against heavy wind, rain, and debris. When examining your roof\u2019s shingles for damage, pay close attention to curling or cracking shingles, as well as any missing ones! If you decide to do a preliminary inspection of your roof yourself, be careful not to step on the roof, as the structure may be weak depending on how much damage was inflicted during the storm.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Roof Vents<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You may be wondering what your roof vents are and where they\u2019re located. Roof vents are systems that allow air to circulate through the attic and extend the life of the roof while regulating indoor temperatures.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After a storm, roof vents may be blocked by debris, have loose vent caps\/covers, or suffer from diminished water sealant due to damaged flashing. Chances are, you\u2019ll know if your home has them or not, but here is a picture of a standard roof vent:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-848\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jlbuilding.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/image4-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"An image of a black metal roof vent on a roof.\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.jlbuilding.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/image4-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.jlbuilding.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/image4-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.jlbuilding.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/image4-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.jlbuilding.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/image4-1536x1023.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.jlbuilding.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/image4-1011x673.jpg 1011w, https:\/\/www.jlbuilding.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/image4.jpg 1999w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gutters<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After a storm, your gutters may be clogged with leaves, twigs, and other debris. When gutters get backed up, water can get under the shingles and start to leak into the interior of your home. A storm with heavy winds may even cause a gutter to become detached from your roof. Along with clearing your gutters of any post-storm debris, we recommend pressing on and shaking your gutters a bit to see if they feel loose.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ceilings<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Has a rainstorm caused a leak in your roof?<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> If so, you\u2019ll want to head inside and see if any water spots or leakage have formed on your ceiling, as <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jlbuilding.com\/blog\/house-siding-options-moisture-management\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">water can become trapped in a house\u2019s siding and make its way into the structure of a home<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> if allowed to persist. If you have an attic, you\u2019ll want to pay careful attention, as this is one of the first places water damage will typically form.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to Get Emergency Roof Repair After a Storm<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your home\u2019s roof has been seriously damaged by a storm, you should contact a roofing contractor ASAP. You should also inform your insurance company, as they\u2019ll likely send out an adjuster to survey the damage and provide a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">roofing insurance claim for any storm damage<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> your home has suffered.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re not able to get a contractor or adjuster out to assess your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">roof\u2019s storm damage<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> immediately, here are some ways you can temporarily <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">repair a storm damaged roof<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and help mitigate further damage in the meantime:<\/span><b><\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Cover holes with a plastic tarp. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If the damage to your roof is able to be reached and covered without endangering yourself, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Cover-Waterproof-Tarpaulin-Canopy-Standard\/dp\/B07D9T6ZGG\/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&amp;keywords=plastic+tarps&amp;qid=1635184756&amp;sr=8-1-spons&amp;psc=1&amp;spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFGSVE4OE1DNzBZUlgmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTAyNzEwNzZHTE1RWkozNktPUFgmZW5jcnlwdGVkQWRJZD1BMDY0NjMyNjNKVTAyRVI4NlU4QlAmd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGYmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">try covering cracked shingles or holes in your roof with a plastic tarp<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to prevent water damage inside of your home.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Place buckets inside as needed. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you can\u2019t access the area of your roof that\u2019s allowing the water inside, placing a bucket under the hole &#8211; while not ideal &#8211; is still better than nothing. The last thing you want to deal with is having to pay for a new floor in addition to your roof.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Don\u2019t climb on the roof. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While it\u2019s tempting to climb on your roof to conduct minor repairs, doing so can be extremely dangerous. A roof that\u2019s suffered damage because of heavy wind and rain may be weakened by moisture and loose shingles, and it may not support you if you try to climb on it.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-849\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jlbuilding.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/image5-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"An image of bucket collecting water from a leaky roof.\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.jlbuilding.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/image5-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.jlbuilding.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/image5-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.jlbuilding.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/image5-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.jlbuilding.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/image5-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.jlbuilding.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/image5-1196x673.jpg 1196w, https:\/\/www.jlbuilding.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/image5.jpg 1999w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/b><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Should Your Roofing Contractor and Adjuster Assess the Damage Together?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When possible, we recommend having an experienced roofing contractor and adjuster assess the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">roof storm damage<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> together to determine the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cost of a roof repair to fix storm damage.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> If a major storm has recently rolled through your area, some insurance companies may bring in out-of-state adjusters due to the influx in property assessments.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While this is not done with ill-intent, these professionals may not be aware of zoning rules and local building codes specific to your state or county. A roofing contractor familiar with your area can help guide the process to ensure the roof is repaired and replaced to code.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Roofing Contractors for Storm Damage<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Excessive damage to a roof isn\u2019t something to repair by yourself, as it can prove extremely dangerous, especially in unsafe conditions. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Working with a roofing contractor experienced in working with homeowners and storm damage <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">is essential. A trusted contractor has the knowledge, tools, and safety equipment needed to accurately assess storm damage to your roof and repair it as needed.<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wondering how to get an emergency roof repair after storm damage?<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> At J&amp;L, we partner with top contractors who specialize in roofing. To learn more, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jlbuilding.com\/homeowners\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">visit our homeowners page<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and reach out to us for help.<\/span><\/h5>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you\u2019re a homeowner, chances are you\u2019ve encountered your share of rough weather over the years. Even in relatively temperate climates, inclement weather [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":846,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"rank_math_lock_modified_date":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-845","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-roofs","8":"entry"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jlbuilding.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/845","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jlbuilding.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jlbuilding.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jlbuilding.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jlbuilding.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=845"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.jlbuilding.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/845\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jlbuilding.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/846"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jlbuilding.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=845"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jlbuilding.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=845"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jlbuilding.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=845"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}