The roof is a major part of your home that takes a beating from rain, high winds, and hail. When the weather causes damage, quick-acting repairs prevent further problems like leaks and rot.
Some obvious signs of roof damage include shingle granules in your gutter, water spots on your ceiling, and damp attic walls. If you notice any of these issues, contact Roofing Companies Colorado Springs for an inspection and repair.
Water Damage
Here in the Midwest, we are very familiar with severe thunderstorms and high winds that can cause damage to your home. Water damage is one of the most common types of damage that can happen during these storms. It can be caused by the wind blowing debris across your roof or by rain or hail that lands on the roof and soaks into your home. Water damage repair is a process that includes water extraction, cleaning of the affected areas (including drywall, carpet and other flooring, paneling, shelving, and cabinets), disinfecting, and methodical drying of the affected structures to prevent mold or mildew growth.
The first step in determining whether your home has sustained water damage is to walk around your property and note any signs of moisture or damage. Make sure to take plenty of pictures so that you can use them when filing a claim with insurance or hiring a roofing contractor for repairs. Once the professional arrives to inspect and tarp the severed areas of your roof, they will be able to tell you how extensive the damage is and how long it will take to restore your home to its former glory.
Keep in mind that this isn’t the same as flood damage, which is often covered under separate homeowner’s policies from water damage. The distinction is that water damage occurs as a result of sudden external forces that cause immediate damage, while flood damage happens gradually over time from accumulated and slow-moving waters.
Leaks are the most common source of water damage in homes, and it is essential that you look for any leaky spots on your roof. Water stains on ceilings and walls, rotting wood trim or fascia boards, and sagging decking or rafters are all indicators of roof leaks that need to be repaired. Checking the attic for any shingles that have fallen off and any granules that are collecting in your gutters is another good way to detect leaky roofs.
Storm Damage
Storms are a homeowner’s worst nightmare. They bring powerful winds, rains, and hail that can damage the shingles on your roof and leave you with leaky walls and ceilings. The good news is that the damage caused by storms is usually covered by your homeowners insurance. The key is to recognize the damage and get it repaired as soon as possible.
It is also important to note that sometimes the damage caused by a storm doesn’t immediately show up inside your home. For example, if your roof is damaged by hail, it’s not always easy to spot. You may need to look in your attic or on the living space ceilings to see any damage.
You should also look for any areas of the roof that seem to be weakened or missing shingles. If you notice any shingle edges sticking out of the roof or gaps around skylights, vents, chimneys, and walls, you need to contact your roofing contractor to repair them right away.
If you do find any storm damage on your roof, make sure to take pictures of it and write down what you found. This will help you file an insurance claim if necessary. It’s also a good idea to get multiple estimates from roofing companies before meeting with your insurance adjuster. This will ensure that you’re receiving a fair assessment and the most accurate estimate for your roof repairs.
The best way to ensure your roof is protected from damage is to have a professional roofer inspect it before and after each storm. This will keep your roof in top condition and protect the interior of your home from water damage. Besides, it’s much cheaper to prevent damage than to fix it after the fact. So, if you notice any signs of damage during or after a storm, don’t hesitate to call a roof repair expert right away.
Animal Damage
Animals of all sizes can cause damage to a roof, siding, gutters, and other parts of the home. From the smallest bats to the largest pileated woodpecker, they all bring their own unique problems and needs for animal damage repair. While squirrels and raccoons often create small holes that need soffit repair or attic repairs, larger animals like deer can chew through soffits and support beams in the attic resulting in water damage, structural damage, or even electrical fires.
The most common form of animal damage is from opossums, raccoons, or squirrels who will gnaw through shingles to gain entry into an attic or roof space. They may also chew on eletrical wires, remove and soil insulation, and rip open vents. These types of animals can cause extensive and costly damage in a very short time, making wildlife control services important for preventing further damages.
A professional wildlife control expert can perform wildlife damage repair as well as identify potential areas that will need repairs due to future damage. A good way to prevent critters from entering your property is to keep food in sealed containers and garbage away from the house and yard. Trimming trees and removing any overhanging branches can help as well.
Animal damage repair is very similar to storm damage repair in that you will need to find and seal any entry points for the animal. Typically these spots are on the roof, wooden soffits and fascia boards, or the siding of the structure. The best tool to use for these repairs is a metal flashing or roofing screw, as caulk and other materials will just not hold up to the rough conditions created by the critter.
The sooner that wildlife damage is repaired, the better. The longer it is left unrepaired, the more likely it will be that other critters will try to take up residence in your roof space, or even worse, the structure itself. While the critters are inside your house, they will gnaw and claw their way through anything, including your drywall, flooring, or electrical wires.
Roof Leaks
A leaky roof is a serious problem that needs immediate attention. Moisture trapped inside a home for any length of time can lead to mold, mildew and other problems that affect indoor air quality and damage wall and flooring coverings, wood framing and ceiling tiles. It can also create a fire hazard and increase energy costs by ruining insulation. If the mold and water damage are allowed to continue, they can diminish your property value and decrease your home’s marketability.
A leaking roof can often be identified by water stains on the interior walls or ceilings, but there are other warning signs, as well. A sagging bulge on the ceiling is one sign of a water leak, especially if the bulge has been there for some time. A puddle in the attic is another sign of a leak.
Leaks can occur near any penetration or projection through your roof, including vents, skylights, chimneys and plumbing vent pipes. They can also happen at the peaks and valleys where the slopes of your roof meet. It is a good idea to check the flashing that covers these penetrations for cracks or damage on a regular basis.
The best way to find a leak is to use a flashlight in the attic and look for areas that are darker than the rest of your roof. Then, trace the dark area to the source of the water. Water often travels down the underlayment and into the shingles, so it’s important to find and fix the source of the leak.
If you’re not sure where the leak is coming from, ask a professional to inspect your roof. He or she will look for a wet spot in the attic and may need to remove parts of the ceiling to get to the underlayment. In addition, he or she will look for evidence of a leak, such as a musty smell or water stains on the walls and ceiling. Those signs will help him or her determine whether you need to replace sections of your roof. Then, he or she can recommend the proper repair procedures.
