A roof serves as a physical barrier between your home's interior and the outside environment. Any damage that your roof sustains could allow moisture to infiltrate your home.
Storms can be very unpredictable, and they have the potential to wreak havoc on the structural integrity of your roof. You should always check for roof damage after any major storm.
1. Assess the Damage
You should start your inspection by assessing any damage your roof may have sustained in a storm. This typically involves a thorough visual inspection of the surface of your roof.
You can use binoculars to gain a more detailed view of the roof in order to identify any areas that have been damaged in a storm. Check for missing or broken shingles, exposed roof decking, or discoloration. Note these areas so that you can refer to them in the future.
2. Begin Temporary Repairs
Once you have identified the areas of your roof that have sustained damage in a major storm, you will want to begin making temporary repairs to control the spread of damage.
Temporary repairs often include securing a tarp over any areas of your roof where shingles are missing and the plywood roof decking is exposed. Inside, you may want to use buckets to prevent water from dripping all over your carpets and furniture.
The purpose of temporary repairs is to mitigate damages until a licensed roofing contractor can make it to your home to complete permanent repairs.
3. Contact a Roofing Contractor
Only a roofing contractor should be trusted to permanently repair any roof damage that occurs during a storm. When a major storm rolls through an area, multiple homes can sustain damage. This means that local roofing contractors will have their hands full making repairs. You should contact a professional roofer as soon as you verify that your roof has been damaged by a storm.
The sooner you reach out for professional help, the sooner a roofing contractor can be dispatched to your home. Timely repairs will help you avoid any problems with mold or rotted wood caused by moisture seeping in through a damaged roof.
A roof that has been damaged by a storm can pose a threat to the integrity of your home. Take action following a major storm to identify the damage and perform any needed temporary repairs. Then, contact a local roofing contractor for help fixing your roof.