
The pictures we see of winters in and around Cincinnati, Ohio may look peaceful with all the white snow. But the storms that bring the snow, along with the spring storms and more can leave a homeowner needing roof storm damage repairs, even replacement.
How do you know when you need roof storm damage repairs?
Storms of all types can damage the outer layer of a roof which allows water to seep in. This can lead to roof leaks and that can lead to mildew, mold, and worse. If roof storm damage repairs aren’t addressed early enough, this can lead to needing a roof replacement, which is much more expensive.
Not only can roof storm damage repairs be expensive the longer they’re avoided, but the structure of the home becomes compromised. This includes drywall, electrical, and multitudes of other problems, and more. Some indicators that your home needs roof storm damage repairs include:
- Broken, cracked, curled, loose, or missing shingles.
- Asphalt shingles lying around on the ground near the foundation.
- Signs of water leaks inside the home such as water stains, buckled or peeling paint, or warped wood.
- Dented or damaged gutters
- Debris and broken tree branches on the roof.
- Exposed nails.
- Damaged, loose, or missing flashings.
What are the dangers of a damaged roof?
Some homeowners will file a roof storm damage repair claim with their insurance company and then take the money and go on vacation or do some other type of ‘frivolous’ spending. While a vacation from Cincinnati, Ohio to the Bahamas may sound wonderful after a cold winter, it isn’t the best choice. When you opt to spend that insurance claim money on something other than roof storm damage repairs, you could experience the following:
- RISKING THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY
The smallest roof leak can become a severe roof leak, leading to weakening roof framing, wood deterioration, and more, the beginnings of structural damage. The longer the leak is allowed to go unaddressed, the more serious it can become.
- FIRE HAZARDS
Roof storm damage roof repairs left unaddressed are leaving any electrical wiring in the attic is a threat to the safety of your home and family. You shouldn’t try to do this type of repair yourself, always use the services of a licensed electrician.
- HEALTH CONCERNS
A big consequence of not having roof storm damage repairs done is the development of mildew and mold growth. Both will keep spreading throughout the entire structure, weakening the roof & walls. Mold will create respiratory issues for members of the household or irritate those who have respiratory problems already.
How much damage does a roof need to be replaced?
The basic rule of thumb for most insurance companies is when there is a 25% surface area of the roof or larger, roof storm damage repairs are insufficient and the roof needs to be completely replaced. However, this can change depending on where the roof storm damage is located and how severe the damage is.
For instance, a tree limb on top of the roof would necessitate a new roof. Or if the damage is a hole in one area of the roof, the insurance adjustor may recommend the entire roof be replaced. The age of the roof can have a bearing on the decision too.
Can half of the roof be replaced?
It is physically possible, but not recommended in most cases. When only part of a roof is replaced, it will age differently than the rest of the roof. This isn’t just a matter of aging roofs but the aesthetics too. The newer roof will be a different color than the original roofing.
Can you repair just parts of the roof?
Again, this is determined by the insurance adjuster and a roofing contractor. In most cases, if the storm roof damage repairs needed is no more than 25% of the roof surface, then yes, partial repairs a enough. As we stated above, the age of the roof, the severity, and the area of the roof damage are factors in the decision.
In Conclusion
The roof on your home is an important level of protection for your home, the most important investment you have. It is the crown on your castle and protects your belongings. When there are roof storm damage repairs needed, it is important to have them addressed sooner rather than later. After the unusually hot summer that we’ve had in this area, have your roof inspected before the winter weather sits in, and get any roof storm damage roof repairs made soon.
Going forward, walk around your home looking for possible damage after any significant weather event, at any time of the year. If you have any possible signs of roof storm damage repairs needed, have a professional roof inspection done and then call your insurance company to file a claim.