We’re in the middle of it now: Regular afternoon thunderstorms and the threat of hurricanes linger for the next four months.
While there are many things you can do to prepare your Bradenton roofing for storms, in the end, the weather is going to do what it wants to do. For many local homeowners, the usual summer pattern goes something like this: Prepare, pray, patch and repair (and repeat as needed).
The key now is to keep an eye out for signs of storm damage. Sometimes, roof issues happen suddenly and can go undetected for weeks and even months. And all that time, they’re only getting worse. So it’s important to be aware of potential problems, so that when you see them, you can get them looked at by a professional Bradenton roofing contractor ASAP.
Here are some signs your roof has suffered storm damage—and what you (and we) can do about it.
Missing Shingles (and/or Shingles on the Ground)
This is perhaps the most obvious sign of storm damage, and one that’s often misunderstood. No, missing shingles do not automatically mean that your roof is leaking, but they are a big deal that needs to be fixed ASAP.
And don’t assume the shingles in your yard came from the neighbors’ place. You can’t always spot where they came from when you’re standing on the ground.
An unprotected patch of underlayment leaves your roof wide open for big issues from water infiltration as well as poor insulation. Even if you don’t get a leak at first, that moisture causes rot and mold, which means even bigger problems later.
Shingles detach from your roof most often from wind damage, but that doesn’t mean it’s entirely the wind’s fault. Roofing defects, poor installation, and low-quality shingles can all make your roof much more susceptible to shingle loss.
So not only do you need those shingles replaced, but you need a qualified, professional roofing company (Bradenton hurricane experience is a must) to inspect your whole roof for weaknesses.
Clogged Gutters
It seems harmless enough: Storms blow around leaves and debris, and the rain washes it down into your gutters.
But when your gutters clog, they’re holding pools of water adjacent to your roofing materials, which promotes rot. Worse still, your roof was not designed to keep out water from underneath, which is exactly the challenge a clogged gutter presents.
Gutter Damage
Anything that damages your gutter hit close enough to have damaged your roof, too. Metal gutters display dents and damage a lot more obviously than the wood and asphalt of standard shingle roofs. So if your gutter is suddenly damaged after a storm, it’s best to assume your roof has sustained injury as well.
Granules in Gutters or Flower Beds
For shingle roofs, granules actually serve an important purpose. Those little mineral flecks help to protect your roof from UV damage, and they also prevent overall wear on the shingles themselves.
So when you start seeing granules in your gutters or the flower beds alongside your home, they’re certainly not where they need to be. It’s time for an expert inspection to see what kind of toll the weather has taken on your shingles.
Branches and Debris on (or Near) Your Roof
Just like a missing shingle, a superficial crack or dent in your roof won’t necessarily show immediate leakage inside—but the damage is still there. Any time a branch falls on your roof, there’s a chance that it’s pierced that all-important outer layer, allowing moisture to creep inside to the underlayment, the wooden deck, and then into your home.
The same is true when large piles of leaves and other debris gather, especially in your roof’s gutters, and aren’t immediately washed away. Those piles are essentially sponges that capture water and then hold it against your roofing material. That’s a recipe for rot.
Professional Bradenton Roofers are On Call for Storm Season
It’s scary to realize your roof has been damaged, especially in the middle of Florida summer and the constant onslaught of rain and storms. This is our busy season as a Bradenton roofing company, so we can’t always attend to repairs before the next rains hit.
What we can do, because we care about our neighbors, is tarp your damaged roof securely and effectively, so that your home doesn’t sustain any more damage before repairs can be performed. That’s all part of the Blue Collar commitment to our community.
From Parrish to Venice, from Longboat Key to Lakewood Ranch, roofing contractors with three generations of experience are here for you—especially during storm season.
