Hurricanes are scary. They don’t only cage you indoors for a significant amount of time, but they also cause a lot of structural damage. With trees and poles falling down, the damage is even greater than what a hurricane is capable of. This deadly combination of powerful winds and heavy rains has the potential of wreaking havoc on your housing structure as well. And the first victim of this combination is usually the roof – since it is the exposed part of your house.
To what extent can a hurricane damage your house depends on the severity of the storm. However, some of the most damages caused by the hurricane are listed below:
- Leaks in the roof.
- Cracked, torn or detached shingles.
- Hail damage to shingle, including dents and removal of protective granules
- Water and wind damage to the roof deck and underlayment
At the time of the hurricane, you cannot possibly do anything to prevent the damage. However, after the hurricane, you should waste no time in inspecting your roof. Here are some tips that can help you inspect the roof in an efficient manner.
1. Clear All Debris
It is possible to delay the inspection of the roof. If there is no visible damage, you might assume that your roof is safe. However, it is important to carry out a thorough inspection of the roof before making any assumptions. The first step to do so is to clear all the debris – leaves, branches, etc. – on the roof. Sometimes, the debris hides significant issues that remain undetected for so long, resulting in huge damages in the future.
2. Inspect Your Gutters
It is important to check if there are any shingle granule in your gutters. Also look for any dents on the gutters. Remove the obstructions from the gutters, if any, and make sure that the water is flowing down the gutters just fine. However, be careful while inspecting the gutters if there are collapsed power lines nearby. Gutters can conduct electricity and any negligence and turn out to be quite dangerous.
3. Check For Leaks
Small leaks could remain undetected for a longer time. If after removing the debris you cannot spot any leaks, you should grab your flashlight and resume your search. From the inside of your house, look for water stains on your walls and ceiling. These stains also indicate a possible leakage on the roof.
4. Check Your Attic
Even if you couldn’t find any damage on the surface of your roof, you must inspect the attic as well for leaks or water spots. Check the attic’s insulation and look for any signs of standing water in the corners and crevices of the attic.
Summary
Hurricanes are notorious for causing a great deal of damage to the roofing structure. The wind and water damage, sometimes, can result in heavy repair expense. After the hurricane, the first thing that you should do is to see if your roof requires any repair work.
