When we had the idea to start writing a roofing blog, we decided we didn't just want to do it — we wanted to nail it! Alright, that's enough roofing jokes for now. We'll move on to a more serious matter: telling you what this blog is about. This blog is a place where we'll share information about roofers and about the work that they do. Now, that may sound like a pretty narrow topic, but we can assure you that it is not. The roofing world is changing quickly with options like solar roofing becoming more prevalent. With these trends, there is always something new to write and learn.
After a strong storm hits, the chances of there being damage increase. You really can't call roofing contractors out every time there's a storm if you live in an area where storms are a regular occurrence; that's expensive and inconvenient. However, you don't want to let damage go unrepaired as that could lead to leaks during the next strong storm. So, is there a way to tell if your roof is damaged by looking at it yourself? In many cases, the answer is no.
Only the Visually Obvious Signs
Damage to your roof would have to be visually obvious for you to detect it. Broken or missing shingles, cracked tiles, badly bent metal—all of these indicate something is wrong and a roofer needs to come out and fix the roof.
The problem here is that you might not be able to see all of the roof from your vantage point, even if you are up on a ladder and checking out the roof at eye level. So, you might think the roof is OK while there is really a patch of damage hidden from view.
Moss and Algae Can Be Deceiving
If your roof has moss or algae on it, that can hide damage, too. Now, moss and algae themselves are bad for the roof, and having a roofing contractor clean that off as soon as possible is a very good idea. In the meantime, that moss and algae can hide damage and make you think all is well.
You Won't See Everything
Damage caused by hail, for example, sometimes isn't visible to your untrained eye. Small cracks and divots in shingles aren't always easy to see, so again, you could be staring right at the damage and not realize it.
Then How Do You Know?
If you don't see obvious damage, how do you know if you need to call a roofing contractor? One clue is in what your neighbors are doing. If you see a lot of them having inspections done, that's a good sign you need to call, too. And, if the hail or other damaging item was fairly large, it would be a good idea to call. Heavy rain itself doesn't really necessitate a call, but falling branches, large hail, and very strong winds (which can blow shingles off the roof) are generally signs that damage is a likely result. In these cases, calling for an inspection is the safer choice.
For more information, contact a local roofing contractor.
Share2 August 2022
