After a spell of windy weather in Clearwater, Florida, it is important to have a good look at your roof. As the roof is the most exposed part of your house, it will usually take the worst damages. A DIY roof inspection will give you a rough idea about the damages. However, you will have to seek the help of a professional to assess the comprehensive damage.
Roof Issues in Clearwater FL. – The Roofing Company
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Exterior inspection
The effect of wind is not uniform on your roof. Certain parts of the roof will catch most of the force of the current and be affected seriously. The extremities of the roof and the ridges are the most vulnerable areas on your Clearwater roof. The structures that protrude from the roof, like chimney and vents are also likely to be affected.
1. Damage to shingle
The most evident damage that can be noticed by an exterior inspection is missing shingles. You can see if some shingles are blown off. Strong wind can get under the loose ends of the shingles and lift them. These lifted shingles may leave seepage ways into the roof. If the windy weather persists these shingles are likely to fly off. Strong gales will also curl the ends of the shingles. Another likely damage is the loss of granules. This can be easily detected by inspecting gutters and downspouts. The loss of granules will eventually cause the deterioration of the shingles.
2. Damage to roof-top structures
Any structure standing on the rooftop will be caught in the wind. The chimney is the most likely part that is affected. If you notice that the stance of your chimney is not straight, you can be sure that the sealant at the base of the structure is affected. The roofing cement or caulk is destroyed and the cracks and crevices thus formed are potential leak trajectories. The roof vents are other structures that stand in the way of the wind and get destroyed.
3. Damage to soffits and fascia
These are structures that are at the periphery of the roof. These structures are installed there for preventing water from entering your roof. Since that happens to be at the edges, they are apt to be destroyed in strong winds.
4. Damage to flashings and valleys
Flashings are metal sheets that are affixed wherever there is a joint on the roof. If there happens to be a loose sheet or a small gap, the wind lifts them further making the gaps wider. Water can seep through them Valleys occur where two sections of the roof join. Here also metal sheets are fixed to facilitate free flow off. If the shingles of these areas are loose, the wind will lift them away and the valley covers will be displaced.
5. Gutters
Gutters are also affixed at the edges of the roof and so the wind affects them. They may be torn off from their holders. They leave plenty of room for water to enter the roof.
Internal inspection
Inspection of your walls, ceiling, and attic can also point towards some serious wind damage to your roof. Apart from these, if your energy bill escalates suddenly, you can suspect wind damage to your roof.
1. Signs on the walls
If you see the paint on your walls crack, bubble, or peel off, it shows that water has seeped into the walls. This means that the previous storm has damaged your clearwater, Florida roof. One possibility is that the seals at the places where the roof structure is attached to the walls are not intact. Another possibility is that the strong wind has affected your roof so that a slight displacement has occurred. In both cases, water can enter the walls.
2. Signs on the ceiling
Dark patches or spreading discolorations on the ceiling show that the wind has affected some parts of your roof and water has found its way into your attic. A professional roofing estimate will reveal the damage.
3. Signs in your attic
If you feel that your attic is showing signs of moisture build-up, it means that water has started to seep in through some parts of your roof or the ventilating system has been compromised by the strong wind. A professional inspection will give you a clear picture.
4. Escalating energy bills
After a serious storm, if you find your energy bill has gone up, it shows that some serious damage has occurred to your roof. It can be some kind of roof leak or damaged vents. The bottom line is that your attic ventilation and insulation are not functioning correctly. You must pay the utmost attention to the above signs. If you ignore the initial signs, it can be very costly later. The damages like these start as minor issues but later grow into something much more serious. It ultimately results in damaged property and unnecessary expenses.