When homes are built the intention is that they will withstand the elements and protect the inside from the crazy weather that happens occasionally. Sometimes, though, the elements will break down the exterior materials of your home and can cause damage. Here are some of the ways that storms can affect your roof, and what to look for to determine if any damage has been done.
 
Water Damage
Storms almost always include large amounts of precipitation coming down on your house, so water damage is common after a storm. While lots of water can cause leaks or floods in your basement or around your foundation but that much water can also seep through any cracks or openings on your roof and cause damage to your attic or even ceilings. If water builds up, it can cause mold to grow and it can compromise the structure of your home. It’s important to check for water spots forming on your ceiling, if you do see sports it might be a good idea to call in a roofing contractor to asses the situation.
 
Wind Damage
Water isn’t the only part of a storm that can cause damage to your roof. When big storms come through your area, high winds can have a big impact on the roof of your home. As your roof ages sometimes the shingles can start to come loose and high winds can cause them to tear from your house. If this happens it can leave your home exposed to other elements since shingles are meant to provide a layer of protection. In addition to ripping shingles from your house, high winds can also cause large tree branches to fall on your home, particularly damaging your roof. Even if the tree branch doesn’t break through the roof it can still cause damage like causing cracks between shingles which could lead to leaks down the road.
 
Hail Damage
Hail doesn’t happen in all areas often, but when it does it can cause serious damage. The reason hail damage is often so severe is because hail is actually small, formed chunks of ice that come pelting down at your house and car. If the shingles on your home are old, or perhaps were lower quality when you installed them, hail can actually cause them to crack. When shingles crack they expose the layers underneath to water and wind. Water can find its way into your home and potentially compromise the structure of your home, cause water damage to walls and ceilings. If you are worried about hail causing damage to your roof, making sure you install shingles that have a class IV impact resistance. It’s also important to inspect your roof after a storm so that you can catch any small issues early before they become bigger problems.
 
When storms get severe it can be scary, and you want to make sure you’re safe first. After the storm has passed, though, it’s important to check the roof of your house because a storm can cause some serious damage even though the roof is meant to protect your home from the elements. Doing a quick check can help locate small problems quickly so you can deal with them as soon as possible. 
Up next – How insurance works when it comes to your roof