Common Sources of Damage to Your Roof During a Storm

A strong roof is key to protecting your house. Varied weather changes can be hazardous at any time of the year. Severe storms can damage your roof in several ways, opening your home to unexpected issues. Your family and home can be protected if you know the risks.

Here’s how storm damage can affect your roof:

1. High WindsEmpty heading

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Strong winds can cause severe damage to your roof. This can cause the following types of roof damage:

• Missing shingles
• Gutter issues
• Leaks

Strong winds can remove and tear shingles, exposing the roof deck, underlayment, and old shingles to the elements. Rain driven by the wind can cause your roof's shingles to lift and curl by destroying the seal that holds them together.

Although most shingles are rated to withstand high wind speeds, shingle roofs take a beating during heavy storms. Up to 50 mph winds could potentially cause damage to your home or business.High winds can also cause damage to your property by scattering tree limbs and debris. Trees can also fall on your home, car, or roof.

2. Hail StormEmpty heading

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Most roofing materials start to be harmed when hail is about an inch in diameter. Tiny pockmarks or dimples are the most common hail damage to shingles. Along the edges, hail can also knock shingles or tiles loose. 

Additionally, the length of the hailstorm plays a significant role. A roof may be fine during a brief burst of hail, but a sustained hailstorm with hail around an inch in diameter can seriously harm a roof and lead to extensive repairs or replacement.

In general, metal roofs are more waterproof than other roofing materials. Large hail, however, can dent some metal roofs, depending on the material and design of the roof. Because it is a soft metal, copper is particularly vulnerable to hail damage. 

After a hailstorm, check your metal roof for dents if you have one. Steel roofs, the most popular metal roof, use a zinc or zinc alloy coat to help keep the material from rusting. A sufficiently large cut or dent can pierce this coating, which will cause rust and, eventually, a leak.

3. Heavy RainfallEmpty heading

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Heavy rainfall can cause water to accumulate on your roof faster than it can be absorbed. This can lead to leaks and, ultimately, damage to the roof. Additionally, heavy rain can cause trees and other vegetation to fall onto the roof.

Especially heavy rain over long periods of time could potentially wash away some of the materials applied to the roof to protect it from water, leading to even more damage.