When a hurricane passes through your area, you are always glad to come away with a home that is still intact. However, that does not mean your home may be completely damage-free. In fact, hurricanes tend to inflict damage on roofs more than any other part of a home. Once it’s safe to do so, it is vital that you check your roof for signs of any damage. If you’re wondering how to perform this important task, here are some helpful tips to keep in mind.
Look for Debris
Even if you don’t have large trees near your home, hurricane-force winds can carry large limbs or other types of debris many miles, where they may strike or land on your roof. When checking your roof after a hurricane, begin by looking for any debris that is still on the roof. Also look for any holes that may now be in your roof, since these will need to be fixed right away.
Loose Shingles
If you don’t notice any tree limbs or other debris on your home’s roof, your next step should be to look for any shingles that may be loose or missing. When hurricane-force winds blow through, shingle roofs are prone to having shingles become loose and fly away. If any shingles are loose or missing, contact a roofing contractor to get repairs going as soon as possible.
Bubbles and Blisters
While checking for loose and missing shingles, don’t overlook the shingles that appear to still be intact. In many situations after hurricanes make landfall, shingles may still have varying levels of moisture seep underneath them, which can lead to leaks and structural damage to your home. Should you notice any shingles that look like they have bubbles or blisters on them, have them checked right away to see if they need to be replaced. Additionally, if you have skylights in your roof, check to see if the seals around them are still watertight.
Don’t Forget the Gutters
Finally, make sure you give your gutters a close look while assessing any damage to your roof. First, check to see if your home’s gutters are still firmly secured to your home. Next, look for any signs that parts of your guttering may be broken or damaged in other ways.
If you take these tips to heart and conduct a thorough damage assessment of your roof after a hurricane, you can spot any damage right away and make sure repairs or replacements are done in a timely manner.