27 Mar 3 Almost Invisible Signs Of Roof Damage
We’ve all been there. A rough storm blows through, and you hope more than anything that your home (which is probably your most important investment) was not damaged. A week or two goes by… no leaks. No damage you can see from your front yard. That seems good, right?
The problem with storm damage is that unless you are taking a much closer look, it can slip by unnoticed for a long time. Because the damage degrades your roof’s ability to protect your home, you may eventually start to see leaks and loose shingles, but never have the opportunity to make an insurance claim. If you wait, you could be in a situation where you are replacing your roof sooner than you expected, all paid for by you, and you alone.
It never hurts to do a quick inspection after a storm. It only takes a few minutes, and it could save you thousands of dollars down the road. Here are some signs of storm damage that often slip by, unnoticed…
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Shingle Bruises
While a loose shingle is easy to spot, shingle bruises can only be seen upon close inspection, and they are among the number one things we see when we are up on roofs. Bruises are characterized by small, dark places on the shingles where a piece of hail hit the roof and caused the granules to come loose. As soon as you see a few bruises, you should be calling for an official no-cost inspection.
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Nicks & Dents In Soft Metals
Many homes have soft metals that are high up, so trying to see nicks and dings from the ground is nearly impossible. You’ll need to take a much closer look by examining the metal for dents and paint chips. If you see dents across the soft metals of your home, your roof most likely has hail damage. Dents in your soft metal is a good indicator that you should be taking a closer look for shingle bruises as well.
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Loose Granules
Roofs tend to start to lose granules over time, but if you went from not seeing granules in your downspouts to seeing piles, it’s time for an inspection. Granules are easy to spot, but are one of the things that homeowners tend to miss when looking for storm damage because you see them on the ground and in your gutters.
The Dangers Of Ignoring The Signs:
If some of these telltale signs are sounding all too familiar, the good news is that you can get a no-cost inspection that will determine whether or not your home has storm damage. Even if the storm happened a month or two ago, you may still be able to get insurance coverage for the damage. Don’t wait, though. Insurance won’t cover costs of damage that occurs as a result of property neglect. For example, if your roof has a leak from storm damage, and the leak results in moisture that causes mold, your insurance company is unlikely to help you pay to get everything fixed.
Take a minute and call our team at Hoosier at 317-677-4755 or fill out our online form to schedule your no-cost inspection. Our schedule is flexible and you can trust our team of experts to help you determine whether or not you’ll need roof repairs or replacement. Don’t worry, our process also help you maximize your insurance coverage.
We look forward to helping keep your home and your family safe from the effects of storm damage!