What Are The Hazards Of Storm Damage on Roof?
When a storm hits, it can be both breathtakingly beautiful and incredibly deadly. While the sound of rain tapping against your windows or the sight of lightning illuminating the night sky may seem peaceful and serene, their lasting effects on rooftops can be catastrophic. Whether through wind damage, hail damage, or water penetration, storm damage to roofs is unfortunately all too common. This blog post will explore the most common hazards that result from storm damage on roofs and what should be done to avoid them from occurring to you!
The Hazards of Storm Damage on Roof
1. Structural Damage: Storms can cause severe damage to the structural integrity of a roof, such as missing shingles or tiles, broken support beams and trusses, compromised sealant and caulking around flashing points, and damaged gutters or downspouts. These issues may lead to leaks that can cause rot in the walls and ceilings of your home.
2. Water Damage:
Heavy rains associated with storms are also capable of causing extensive water damage to your home's interior and exterior areas due to overflowing gutters, blocked drainage systems, or loose shingles allowing water into your attic space or other parts of the house. This damage is often accompanied by mold growth, increasing health risks if left untreated for extended periods.
3. Wind Damage:
High winds accompanying some storms have been known to tear off entire roof sections due to their inability to withstand pressure from gusts greater than 50 mph (80 km/h). Torn roofs leave homes vulnerable not only against further wind attacks but also to rain flooding rooms inside a house and potential entry for pests like birds and rodents who will use it for shelter during cold winter when temperatures drop below freezing point at night time in certain regions.
4. Hailstorms: Often accompanied by high winds, hail stones can dent metal roofing materials leading them more prone to water seeping through cracks.
5. Lightning Strikes: Lightning strikes pose a serious risk to people standing outside during a storm and to electrical systems connected directly to buildings. They might enter through wires creating sparks of a fire resulting from short circuits. Thus damaging property extensively within minutes, depending intensity strike hitting the surface area exposed material coming into contact with it.
Prevention and Mitigation Strategies
When it comes to severe weather, your roof is one of the most susceptible parts of your home. High winds can tear off shingles and send debris flying, while heavy rains can lead to leaks and flooding. And if a tree falls on your roof, the damage can be catastrophic.
That's why it's so important to prevent storm damage to your roof in the first place. Here are some tips:
- Inspect your roof regularly for signs of wear and tear and repair as needed.
- Keep trees trimmed and remove any dead branches that could fall during a storm.
- Ensure your gutters are clean and in good condition to properly drain water away from your roof.
- If you know a severe storm is coming, protect your roof by covering exposed areas with plywood or tarpaper.
Conclusion
As you can see,
storm damage
on roofs can be costly to repair, and its effects can potentially lead to further damage. Regular roof inspections must be conducted to reduce this risk, and any necessary maintenance is immediately actioned. Ultimately, taking preventative measures against potential storm damage will definitely save you time and money in the long run - so make sure you keep an eye on your roof!
