In the event of a storm in St. Petersburg, Florida, your roof will be the most affected part of your house. The storms can wreak havoc on your roof. The fact is that wind does not affect the roof uniformly. It depends on the direction and the nature of the wind. Some are strong gales and others are more like short gusts. Some are accompanied by heavy rains or hails. All are destructive in their ways.
The extremities and ridges of your roof will be affected more than the other parts of your home. The damage usually starts at the perimeter and as the storm advances this will spread to the other parts of the roof. You should make it a point to have a detailed inspection after a storm in St. Pete. This inspection can be DIY or from a professional roofing company. If you decide to make it a DIY affair, you should know what signs of damage to look for.
1. Shingles
Shingles are the first concern during a roof inspection. The strong wind may blow off some of them. Curling, cracking, and break-offs are the usual problems that can occur. Unless you replace them as soon as possible, besides water damage, pest invasion is a serious issue.
2. Flashings
The wind and rain will enter if there is the slightest gap between things. If there are no gaps the persistent wind may create gaps between the flashing sheets and the adjacent shingles and thereafter it will lift the metal sheets to form bigger fissures through which water will enter. Damages to the flashings can be detected during the DIY roof inspection. These breaches should be remedied immediately to rescue your St. Petersburg, Florida roof from some serious water damage.
3. Sealants around chimneys and vents
The roofing cement or other sealants that are used around the bases of chimneys and vents can be damaged by strong winds. Cracks will form and pieces will be blown off. This will leave gaps for water to seep in. If such breaches are noticed, they should be resolved without delay.
4. Sidings
Storms usually affect the sidings by breaking and blowing off parts of the siding boards. If by chance, there is a loose board, it is easy for the wind to rip off the rest. This will let in a considerable amount of water, if not corrected almost immediately.
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5. Soffits and fascia
These structures happen to be at the extremities of the roof. They are installed to protect the perimeter of the roof. Once the wind tears off parts of these structures, water damage is a certainty. The DIY inspection can expose these damages and they can be remedied easily.
6. Tree damages
Tree damages are the extreme possibilities in the case of a storm. If there are trees around your house, the storm may uproot some of them on to your roof causing extensive damages. Even if there are no trees nearby, flying tree limbs pose a great danger. You can be proactive before the stormy season and prune all the vegetation in the vicinity to avoid serious tree damages. Once the roof has taken damages, there is no way other than to look to a professional roofer for help.
1. Compromised roof structure
Apart from the very visible damages, your roof may suffer integrity issues. This will reduce the robustness of your roof. You will need an experienced roofer to detect this and suggest the remedy.
2. Shortened service life
After a storm, you will do well in engaging a professional to have a detailed check-up of the roof. If some of the rafters or other minor structures are compromised, they should be repaired on an emergency basis. Unless they are remedied, they will affect the predicted service life of your roof.
3. Depreciation of your house value
The storm-affected roof may not retain its former elegance. This will reduce the curb appeal of your house and thus affect its resale value. So, it is better to seek the help of a reputable roofer for a proper assessment.