02 Nov How to know if your roof was damaged by a Hurricane
There is nothing that puts your roof to the test like a hurricane. Between 100+ MPH winds and constant flying debris, even the strongest of roofs undergo damage. Don’t believe us? Hurricane Matthew damaged the roof of NASA’s rocket launch facility at Cape Canaveral when it went through. Since most of us don’t have NASA-quality roofing, those in the Palm Beach area likely experienced roofing damage.
That damage isn’t always obvious either. Just because your roof is still attached to your house, doesn’t mean that it isn’t in need of immediate repair. The sooner you know, the better, especially when dealing with insurance claims. If you haven’t inspected your roof for damage, follow this checklist.
1. Do NOT climb onto your roof
Many people’s first instinct is to hop onto their roof to look for damage, but if your roof is damaged then you’ll be put in immediate danger by standing on it. Let a professional onto your roof to perform an on-site roof inspection. There are alternative ways to inspect your roof without hopping on it. If you have a drone with video capabilities, doing a quick fly-by of your roof will help you spot any obvious damage. Even selfie sticks can be repurposed to help you take pictures of your roof without stepping foot on them. When in doubt, reach out to your local roofing contractor to schedule an inspection.
2. Attic Inspection
If your roof is damaged or leaking, the first place you should look is your attic. Water stains and leaking water will give you a clear indicator of damage on your roof. Be sure to look for any discoloration or water lines on your walls as well. This type of check can be performed in just a few minutes, so it’s a quick and easy diagnosis technique.
3. Look for signs of damage on your property
With shingle roofing (popular in Palm Beach and Broward County), there is often physical evidence of damage. The high winds of a hurricane often rip off entire shingles, so looking for shingles or other debris on your lawn may be evidence of roofing damage. Metal and composite shingle roofing is much more resistant to damage, so take this into consideration when performing your inspection.
Hurricane Matthew caused millions of dollars worth of damage to houses in the Palm Beach area. If you live in near Boca Raton, visit us to ask about a roofing inspection and what you can do to protect yourself from roofing damage.
Visit our Contact page and fill out the online form, or call us at 561-475-2379. We’ll be sure to return your call if you can’t reach us and end up leaving a message instead. You’ll see why we’re the best roofers in our area.