Hailstorms can cause a lot of damage to rooftops whether they’re asphalt, metal or wooden shingles. Lots of people don’t get their roofs inspected after a storm, but they soon regret it when those roofs start to leak.
Signs You Definitely Need an Inspection
If you see visible shingle damage, tree limbs or other debris on your roof, you need to contact a professional roofer right away. If your gutters were recently cleaned, check them for shingle granules. On your home’s topmost level, look at the ceiling for signs of water damage. That means you have a roof leak caused by hail. If your gutters or siding have dents, that’s another sign that you need a professional inspection. On the other hand, if you don’t see any of these things, your roof is probably fine.
Whatever happens, don’t try to perform the inspection yourself. You should especially avoid climbing up if the roof is wet, visibly sagging or damaged. Leave the inspection to the professional roofers. Also, make sure to take pictures of all the damage you can see if you’re filing an insurance claim.
What Is the Inspector Inspecting?
Professional roofers will check both inside your home and outside for signs of damage. The first order of business is usually the gutters, and they’ll be looking for shingle granules and signs of misalignment. They may check your siding for visible paint chips or cracks.
Next, the roof itself. The roofers will climb up themselves, or they may send a remote-controlled drone up and view the damage from a screen. They’ll check the shingles for any damage or missing pieces, and then they’ll move on to the flashing to see if there are any bends, dents or gaps.
Anything Else?
They’ll also check your chimney vents and pipes for signs of broken seals or dents, and if you have an old brick chimney, they’ll look at the brickwork. They’ll also go inside to check your attic and upper rooms for signs of damage, and they’ll look at your skylight if you have one.
And When It’s Done?
Once they climb down off the roof, professional roofers will present you with an inspection report showing what they’ve found, what needs fixing, and how much it’ll cost you or your insurance company.
A thorough inspection may seem unnecessary, but if your expert finds any damage, it can save you a bunch of trouble down the line. Just remember to look for a trusted professional roofing company before a storm hits. If you live in Mill Creek, WA or a surrounding area and need roof inspection services, make your first call to North Creek Roofing.
