3 Ways Storms Damage Your Roof

Your roof is designed to protect your home from storms, but sometimes the onslaught can be too much and damage may occur. Storm damages in Georgia tend to fall into three main categories—those caused by wind, hail, or rain. Fortunately, damage can often be avoided. When it can't be, it is possible to fix your roof and make it better able to withstand future storms.

1. Wind

High winds of any type, including those due to hurricanes and tornadoes, can cause a lot of damage to asphalt shingles on a residential roof. The issue isn't just the wind, it is also the debris that is blown around by it.

Roof Uplift

Roof uplift occurs when a high gust of wind hits the wall of your home and then pushes upward under the eaves. In severe cases, uplift can tear off entire sections of the roof, including shingles and the decking boards beneath. Repair means replacing all the loose and missing roof components. Uplift can be avoided by reducing eave overhang and installing hurricane strapping to help hold down your roof.

Shingle Damage

Shingles are the most common wind-damaged roof component. High winds can rip off shingles or cause them to ruffle if they aren't adhered well. Shingles can also crack or split, either due to direct wind exposure or from impacts caused by wind-blown debris. Wind damage from shingle uplift can be spotted by the horizontal crease that forms on the surface of a damaged shingle.

2. Hail

Hail storms can destroy a roof, although the damage isn't always immediately obvious. The best defense is to install hail-resistant shingles when it's time to replace your roof.

Shingle Compression

Although a severe hail storm can crack and tear off shingles, especially on older roofs, even minor storms can cause damage. Compression damage occurs when the force of the hail strike compresses the shingle layers and knocks off the protective coating of granules on the shingle surfaces. Compressed shingles will eventually begin to crack and leaks will form. Replacing the damaged shingles is the best repair option.

Flashing Damage

The metal flashing around rooftop penetrations like chimneys—along with flashing used to seal roof valleys and similar features—can become badly dented and warped by hail. Warped flashing doesn't lay flat or seal well, so leaks can form around it. Flashing with minor damage may only need to be resealed to the roof, but major damage means it's time to install new flashing.

3. Rain

Whether it's a hurricane-induced downpour or a simple summer thunderstorm, rain can lead to a couple of issues on your roof. Fortunately, these can usually be avoided with timely maintenance.

Back Flow Leaks

When water flowing off the roof hits an obstruction, it can temporarily flow backward and underneath any shingles that aren't completely adhered on their leading edge. Back flow leaks most commonly occur near the eaves due to clogged gutters, but they can occur anywhere on the roof where there is an obstruction. Keeping the gutters cleaned out and removing leaves and fallen debris from the roof will typically prevent this problem.

Water Pooling

Any low spot on the roof can cause a pool of water to collect. The valley junction between opposing roof planes is a common location area for water to pool. Proper guttering along with smooth flashing aids water flow along these valleys. Water may also pool behind rooftop penetrations, such as along the upper edge of a skylight. Shuttles can be installed to route water around these types of obstructions.