In the wake of a fierce storm, it’s a good idea to assess property damage right away. If you’re a homeowner this extends to your entire house. Unfortunately, the area of the house that’s often hardest hit by storms is the roof. So what are the correct and safe methods to inspect your roof for storm damage? Follow these three steps to diagnose your roof’s condition without letting yourself become a casualty of the storm.
1. Keep an eye out for leaks from the inside.
Storm damage is often dramatic, but sometimes it’s more insidious. You may not know there’s anything wrong with your roof until a leak appears. If you have an attic, you should go up and inspect the inside of the roof from there right after the storm. Check for leaks about once a week thereafter, especially when it rains.
2. Use ladders safely.
First, observe all you can from ground level. After a bad storm you can often see missing, misplaced, bent, or crooked shingles without ascending a ladder at all. Second, only climb a ladder if you are in top physical condition and your family agrees that it’s safe for you to do so. Otherwise stay at ground level and use binoculars. When climbing, have someone reliable hold the ladder. At this stage it’s helpful to clear the gutters of leaves and other debris that accumulated during the storm. Keep an eye out for a layer at the bottom of the gutter that looks like the gritty stuff on your shingles. (If it’s there, it’s not on your shingles anymore, which means they could be considerably damaged.)
3. Be very cautious about walking on your roof.
First of all, never walk on a tile roof. The tiles could break, causing additional problems and making storm damage repair even more difficult. Second, if you have a shingle roof, use gentle shoes such as tennis shoes to minimize the impact of your steps. It’s okay to walk on a shingle roof if you’re careful. Indeed, it’s often unavoidable if you need to clear a big branch off or if you have an actual hole in your roof that you need to tarp over while waiting for repairs. However, you should still take extra care. Stay away from the edges of the roof, and always have another person with you while performing emergency patching work.
Using these three tips, you can safely inspect your roof for damage after a storm. These inspections help you accurately represent your roof repair needs when you contact us for repair or replacement after a storm. Happy inspecting and remember to stay safe! Click here to schedule your free appointment.
