3 Subtle Forms of Hurricane Roofing Damage

Hurricanes aren't typically subtle events. Anyone who's been through a significant hurricane will know that these storms often come with an immense and humbling amount of force. As a result, it's not uncommon to see dramatic footage of homes with roofs ripped clean off or trees falling on and crushing homes. 

While severe damage isn't unexpected during a hurricane, there are sometimes more subtle effects. Since your roof must take the brunt of the force from these awe-inspiring storms, it's often the first place you'll notice real trouble. If you've recently been through a hurricane or any other severe storm, keep an eye out for these three subtle but potentially disastrous forms of damage.

1. Shingle Damage

Your shingles are more than just an aesthetic choice. The shingles on your roof form the final layer of the roof's environmental barrier, ensuring your roof can protect your home from water and wind. Since they're your first line of defense, they also tend to be the first area to experience problems. Heavy winds or debris impacts can loosen, damage, or remove shingles, especially if they're already weak.

It can be hard to notice one or two missing shingles and even more challenging to spot cracked or loose shingles. Even if you can't see any damage, you'll want to perform a thorough inspection of your roof following a storm. Leaving shingle damage unaddressed can provide a path for water to enter your home or cause significantly more expensive and severe damage to your roof.

2. Water Infiltration

Water can make it past your roofing shingles for various reasons, including old or weak shingles and loose flashing. High winds can also push water into places it wouldn't usually go, allowing it to find weaknesses that might not be a problem under other circumstances. Always check your attic and other areas for signs of leakage after a storm.

If you notice water entering your home, don't hesitate to contact a roofing professional for a complete evaluation. Water damage can escalate quickly, so resolving the problem as soon as you can is the best way to protect your home.

3. Weakened Flashing

Flashing keeps water away from vulnerable parts of your roof, such as anywhere that two angles meet. Wind should normally flow over flashing just like water, but extreme winds or already damaged flashing can create problems. Once air can get underneath the flashing, it's easy for the wind to pull it loose from your roof and make a prime opportunity for water to enter under the shingles.

It's a good idea to have a qualified roofer check your flashing (and all other parts of your roof) following any storm, but you can look for signs that your flashing is out of place or missing nails. Damaged flashing will inevitably allow water to enter your home, so it's critical to deal with this problem as soon as you can.

If you're worried about your roof and an incoming hurricane, contact a roofer near you. 

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