What to do After a Storm Hits Your Roof
Stormy weather is an unavoidable part of life here in the Pacific Northwest. Heavy rain, wind, and the leaves and debris they bring can take a toll on Seattle roofing. Most of Western Washington and the Puget Sound see consistently heavy rains for about half or more of the year and receive over 42 inches of rainfall on average. Depending on where you live, your home and roof could be more vulnerable to the elements. Falling debris and tree limbs can damage a roof and potentially allow leaks to form. Homes in highly wooded or coastal areas are usually at a higher risk for roof damage from storms. It's important to be proactive after severe weather hits your home and address any damage quickly to avoid additional problems and costs. In addition to the immediate damage, storms can cause - leaves, branches, and other debris will build up preventing efficient gutter drainage and cause overflows. Even if no roof damage is obvious at first, a closer inspection and cleaning will often reveal things not seen from the ground below. With more stormy fall/winter weather moving in, it's an excellent time to revisit what steps to take after a storm occurs to assess your roof’s condition, check for leaks, and ensure your roof and gutters are performing optimally.
What’s the damage?
The first thing to do after a storm hits your roof is to assess it for any damage that occurred. With winds reaching 60, 70, and even 90 miles per hour during storms in the Seattle Area - trees and branches can fall on a roof causing damage to roof materials and creating penetrations. High winds can dislodge shingles exposing the roofing underlayment and materials underneath. As you comb over your roof for any visible signs of damage be sure to take plenty of photos, as these will likely be useful to both your roofing contractor and homeowners insurance agent (if needed). The attic is a critical component of a healthy roofing and ventilation system and should always be included in a post-storm roof inspection. If any penetrations, leaks, or moisture damage has occurred, now is the time to address it to avoid mold, mildew, and costly avoidable repairs. If any leaks are found, and water is coming into the attic - a bucket or large cooking pot are perfect for catching water that may be coming in. Placing a bucket underneath the leak will catch any dripping water and prevent damage to your ceiling, lights, electrical, and more.
Find out What's Covered
Once you’ve assessed the damage and contained any leaks in the roof, it’s a great time to contact your homeowner’s insurance agent to find out what is and what is not covered under your policy. Whether your roof is simply in need of a small roof repair or requires a full roof replacement, it's best to have a clear picture of what your insurance provider will be covering in this incident. With this knowledge, you can reach out to a local roofing contractor such as Valentine Roofing for an estimate to repair or replace your roof.
Know Your Warranty
When you purchase a new roof you will typically receive a warranty from both the roofing contractor as well as the shingle or material manufacturer. These should always be registered by the contractor at the time of installation to ensure validity. It’s important to understand what these warranties cover so that you’re not caught off guard later on. Some roofing warranties only cover the cost of the materials or manufacturing or just installation defects, and not storm or weather-related problems. If you are unsure of the roof’s warranty coverage, your roofing contractor can clearly outline what is covered under your roofing contract.
Contact a Local Roofing Contractor
Once you’ve conducted your visual assessment, secured any leaks, and contacted your insurance agent - it’s time to find a professional roofing contractor to secure an estimate for your storm roof repair or roof replacement. No matter the extent of your roof’s damage, Valentine Roofing always recommends to get three quotes from various local roofing contractors. This ensures that you have all of the information you need as well as the knowledge of all your material options so that you can make the best decision for your family and home. When a storm hits it can throw leaves, branches, and debris all over your roof, gutters, and landscaping below. The extend of any damage to the roof is often unknown and not always easily visible by an untrained eye. When leaves, branches, and debris are covering your shingles, it makes a roof inspection more difficult and could be covering potential underlying issues. A roof cleaning and visual inspection by a local roofing contractor like Valentine Roofing will ensure that your roof and gutters are free of any leaves, debris, and are performing efficiently and protecting your family from the elements. A visual inspection of your roof after a storm will help identify any potential areas of concern, locate leaks, and determine the remaining lifespan of your roofing material. Valentine Roofing offers annual roof maintenance programs as well as one-time roof cleanings. Every roof cleaning by Valentine Roofing includes debris and moss removal, a moss and algae treatment, gutter cleaning, a visual inspection, and before and after photos so you can see for yourself the impact a roof cleaning will make on the life of your roof. Our storm cleanup roof cleanings always include a full visual inspection to detect any leaks, penetrations, or damaged shingles that need to be addressed. Not only will a post-storm roof cleaning make your roof shine today but it will also protect and defend your investment for years to come, extending its lifespan and increasing its efficiency. If you’re in need of a roof cleaning and inspection service after a storm hits your home, contact Valentine Roofing today for a quick and easy estimate.
