Signs That You Need to File a Storm Damage Claim

You’ve probably heard this piece of advice many times: always perform a roofing inspection after every storm. In today’s post, local roofing company American Roofing & Construction, LLC explains how this can help you identify signs that indicate you may be eligible for a storm damage claim.

Why Inspect Your Roof?

People often picture torn-off roofing and severe flooding when talking about storm damage. This type of damage is considered as extreme, and would—quite obviously—be eligible for storm damage claims. Many other types of storm damage are not quite as visible from the ground, and require a closer look.

Some homeowners make the mistake of assuming their roof is fine because, from the ground, it looks fine, only to suffer the effects of unrepaired storm damage much later. As a homeowner, you’re not expected to climb your roof when inspecting it. All you need is a good pair of binoculars and a notebook to record your findings. A good roofer will help you with filing your claim later on once you have confirmed that there is storm damage.

Types of Storm Damage

There are three types of storm damage that you have to look out for:

Wind Damage — Wind exceeding 50 miles per hour can cause damage to a standard asphalt shingle roof, and can increase the impact of other types of damage, as in the case of hailstone impact or wind-driven rain. Signs of wind damage include horizontal creases on the shingles, which indicate the shingles being pulled from the edges during a storm. Weaker shingles get torn clear from the roof.

Impact Damage — Impact from hailstones and airborne debris can result in cracks or round dents on the shingles. Hail damage looks very similar to asphalt shingle blisters—the latter of which is considered “cosmetic” damage and is generally not covered by insurance—and often requires closer inspection by a roofing professional.

Water Damage — This is the type of damage that can have long-lasting effects on your home. Water infiltration can result in moisture-related deterioration of the roofing structure and mold growth. Indoor signs of water damage include water stains on the ceiling, clumping insulation and high humidity levels in both the indoor space and the attic. Exposed decking and underlayment indirectly indicate water infiltration, and should be further inspected by a roofing professional.

American Roofing & Construction, LLC is your leading provider of roof repair and installation services. Give us a call at (251) 379-9712 or (205) 223-2469. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment.