Roofs play a key role in protecting people’s homes and belongings. The roof is a home’s first line of defense against the elements. Roofing keep moisture outside where it belongs while deflecting wind and falling debris. When installed properly and accompanied by the right accessories, roofs also help improve energy efficiency and interior comfort levels. Roofing aids in protecting not only the interior of the home, but the exterior walls, siding, foundation, and other structural components. Those are a few of the key reasons choosing the right materials and keeping the roof in optimal shape is essential.
Despite your best efforts, though, things can go wrong at times. No one can control the weather or be completely prepared for the unexpected. Severe weather can cause extensive damage. Storms can happen at any time of the year, and no home is invulnerable to their effects. Because of that, numerous homeowners need roof repair following severe weather. Still, many people are unaware of just how detrimental storms can be to a home’s roofing. We want to help homeowners fully understand the types of damage storms can cause and the possible extent of the destruction.
Wind Damage
High winds are among the most devastating environmental issues for roofs. Hurricanes are notorious for ripping roofs off homes and leaving them completely vulnerable to extensive water damage and other problems. While Colorado isn’t exactly known for being affected by hurricanes, numerous other types of extreme weatherproduce high winds across the state. Wind from tornadoes and severe storms can cause shingles to lift from their underlying materials or even blow them away altogether. That can lead to quite a few other damaging issues as well as significant repair costs. That’s only part of the picture.
Flying Debris
Even minor storms can send tree limbs and other debris crashing into a roof. The stronger a storm is, the larger and heavier the flying debris may be. When it comes to tornadoes, the risks are even greater. Some tornadoes are strong enough to send lawn furniture, playground equipment, and other large items hurtling through the air. This debris has the potential to tear off shingles, break tiles and shakes, and destroy the underlying roofing materials. If so, the resulting damage to a home can ultimately go even further.
Hail Damage
Most roofing materials are designed to withstand hail to an extent, but they can’t always hold up to the hazards of giant balls of ice crashing down from the sky. Hailstones vary greatly in size and weight, but even smaller pieces can dent vehicles and break glass. Some of the largest hailstones on record are six inches or more in diameter and weigh more than a pound. That much width and weight can certainly destroy a roof. Hailstones don’t have to be that large to cause significant roof damage, though. After a severe thunderstorm that produces hail, you may find that your roof came out worse for wear.
Falling Trees
High winds can easily cause trees to break or topple, but that’s not the only type of weather that’s known for bringing trees down. Long periods of heavy rain saturate the soil. In turn, trees’ roots may not be able to hold them in place. This could allow trees to fall onto your roof. When you combine overly saturated soil with high winds, the possibility of this happening increases significantly. Dead and diseased trees are hazardous as well. If an unhealthy tree is too close to your house, it doesn’t have to be exposed to high winds and excess moisture to come tumbling down onto your roof. Keep in mind, in many cases, the damage from falling trees isn’t limited to the roof.
Winter Weather
Winter weather is a serious concern for Colorado homeowners. Storms can dump 60 inches of snow or more on homes throughout the state each year. That much accumulation places a great deal of strain on a roof. Even those that have been reinforced to handle the extra weight have been known to collapse under the pressure. This can cause widespread damage to a home and even place its inhabitants in danger.
Snow is only one winter weather problem local homeowners have to contend with. Ice can cause plenty of damage as well. It can cause roofing materials to crack or break. At the same time, continuous cycles of melting and refreezing can create ice dams. Ice dams can work their way underneath roofing materials and into the attic and walls. From there, they can lead to water damage and additional problems.
Water Damage
Water damage is one of the most common problems stemming from severe weather. High winds, flying debris, falling trees, hail damage, and winter weather can all allow excess moisture to enter homes. If left to its own devices, this moisture can cause mold and mildew growth and decay. It’ll eventually damage your walls, ceilings, flooring, and other elements of your home. This, alone, can lead to thousands of dollars in remediation and repair costs. The longer moisture is allowed to invade your home, the more extensive and costly the damage will be.
All Things Considered
As you can see, severe storms can cause a great deal of damage due to high winds, rain, hail, snow, and ice. If you don’t have the damage taken care of quickly, it can lead to more serious and expensive problems. While homeowners insurance will often cover at least a portion of the cost, it won’t cover any damage that occurs due to lack of maintenance and prompt attention to minor repairs.
Protect your home with the right roofing materials from the beginning to help prevent storm damage. Having your roof inspected at least once per year is recommended to help catch repair needs early. You may also want to have your roof inspected following severe storms even if there’s no obvious damage. All these measures will go a long way toward reducing the risk of storm damage, increasing the likelihood of your insurance provider covering repair costs, and keeping additional destruction to a minimum in the event your roof is damaged during severe weather.
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