Bad weather can seriously affect the structure and stability of your roof, leading you to need storm damage repair at unexpected times. From heavy rain and wind to hail or snow, inclement weather strips and damages your roof’s surface over time. To help you get ahead of roofing storm damage and prevent those emergency calls, read about the five types of severe weather and how each affects your roof.
Five Types of Severe Weather and How They Impact Your Roof
1. Heavy Rain
From summer squalls to thunderstorms, your roof has to weather heavy rain for much of the spring, summer, and fall months. Because rainstorms are common in the southeast – where we operate in Georgia, Florida, Alabama, and Tennessee – we commonly see roofing damage including:
- Pools of water
- Mold and mildew
- Algae growth
- Wood rot
- Vegetation in gutters or along the roof
- Roof leaks
If your roof is not regularly inspected for issues like shingle damage or leaks, rainwater can penetrate your roof deck or underlayment, causing significant damage to your attic, ceiling, or walls. Even a small leak can lead to extensive damage! The best way to ensure that your roof is consistently in great shape to withstand heavy rain is by scheduling regular roof inspections and maintenance. A professional roofer can identify potential signs of an issue that could cause a roof leak during a major storm.
2. High Winds
Another bad weather stressor for roofs is high winds. Even if you don’t live in an area that sees tornadoes or hurricanes, high winds during storms can still cause significant damage to your roofing over time. Not to mention that wind can blow debris and tree limbs onto your roof.
Damage from high winds can be the most difficult to detect. However, high winds may become the reason you need a full roof replacement if the issues aren’t addressed quickly. Some of the most common signs that you have wind damage include:
- Missing shingles
- Cracked or loose shingles
- Curling or lifted-up shingles
- Debris on your roof
Missing, curling, or loose shingles expose your home to water and pests, potentially causing expensive interior damage. Flying debris like tree branches can also puncture your roof. That’s why it’s important to schedule an inspection if your area experiences a major storm with high winds.
3. Hail
Hail is roofing’s worst enemy. Whether it is pea-sized or golf-ball-sized, hail does the most damage, the fastest. Depending on the length of the hail storm, you may accrue enough damage for extensive roof repairs or even replacement. As roof inspectors, we most commonly see these issues after hail storms:
- Small divots in the shingles
- Loss of shingle granules
- Black circles discoloring the shingles
- Split shingles
If you think your roof has sustained hail damage, it’s important that you call for an inspection quickly. Hailstorms are one of the most common reasons that homeowners file insurance claims, and we can help you get the best coverage for your roof repair or replacement.
4. Snow & Ice
Frigid temperatures and high moisture can lead to ice and snow, creating extensive problems for your roof. Although ice and snow are not quite as common in Southern states like Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, and Florida, we still see enough to worry about how ice and snow affect roofing. Common roofing damage from snow and ice include:
- Ice dams
- Cracked shingles
- Sagging from the added weight
- Leaks from thawing snow and ice
We always recommend having a plan for removing ice and snow from your roof in case of an emergency. It is also a good idea to have a professional roof inspection before cold weather sets in so you can repair small issues to your roof before they become major problems.
5. Temperature Fluctuations
Extreme temperature fluctuations are part of life in Southern states like Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, and Florida. Some days may start in the 30s and be in the 70s by mid-afternoon. These temperature fluctuations cause immense stress on your roofing materials, creating faster wear and tear related to:
- Loose or striped shingle granules
- Curling or detached shingles
- Holes in roofing
- Fading or discolored shingles
Investing in quality roofing shingles is the best way to protect your roof from temperature damage. Designer and luxury shingles from Certainteed are the ones we recommend to our customers because they are long-lasting and come with great warranties.
Call Perimeter Roofing for Storm Damage Repair
If you’ve experienced storm damage to your roof because of any bad weather issues, let Perimeter Roofing partner with you for fast, reliable roof repairs. We serve four states, including Georgia, Alabama, Florida, and Tennessee, with top-rated roofing services. Over the last decade in the business, we’ve seen it all when it comes to rain, snow, and hail damage, and we are here to serve you with the best. Contact us to book storm damage repair near you!