storm damage

The roof is an essential component of any building. Besides protecting from harsh weather conditions, your roof keeps the structure safe and secure. However, when severe weather strikes, your roof can receive significant damage, and hail is one of the most damaging elements. Additionally, asphalt shingle roofing is particularly vulnerable to hail damage. The shingles can be easily cracked or even torn off, leaving the underlying structure exposed. In this blog, we will explore the different types of hail damage that can occur on an asphalt shingle roof. So, what kind of hail will damage an asphalt shingle roof? Let’s dive in.

First, What Kind of Hail Will Damage an Asphalt Shingle Roof?

Let’s get the short answer out of the way right away. Hail that’s a half-inch in diameter may be reason to call a professional roofer for an inspection – especially if strong wind is involved. However, if the hail is closer to an inch in diameter, count on damage and plan for repair work.

Damage that Hail Does to an Asphalt Shingle Roof

1. Bruising

Hail can cause dents or bruises on an asphalt shingle roof, leading to a loss of granules from the shingle surface. This can result in weakened shingles, which are more susceptible to damage from further hailstorms or other extreme weather conditions.

2. Cracking

Hail can also cause cracks in asphalt shingles, leading to leaks and other water damage. Even small cracks can allow water to penetrate the shingle. This can lead to damage to the underlying structure of the roof.

3. Puncturing

Larger hailstones can puncture through the surface of asphalt shingles, leaving holes that allow water to seep into the roof. This can result in significant damage to the underlying structure of the roof, as well as damage to the interior of the building.

4. Granule Loss

Asphalt shingles are coated with small granules that protect the shingle from UV rays and other environmental factors. Hail can dislodge granules from the shingle surface. As a result, this can weaken the shingle and leave it vulnerable to further damage.

5. Shingle Displacement

Hail can also cause asphalt shingles to become displaced from the roof, exposing the underlying structure to the elements. This can result in water damage to the roof and interior of the building, as well as potentially compromising the roof’s structural integrity.

Conclusion

In conclusion, hail can cause significant damage to asphalt shingle roofs, including bruising, cracking, puncturing, granule loss, and shingle displacement. If you suspect that your roof has been damaged by hail, it is important to have it inspected by a professional as soon as possible. Timely repairs can help prevent further damage and extend the life of your roof. Therefore, homeowners must invest in high-quality roofing materials that withstand severe weather conditions, including hail. By taking proactive steps to protect your roof, you can help ensure the safety and security of your home or business, even in the face of extreme weather.

For a complete hail damage inspection of your roof, call Chattanooga Roofing Co. today. We’ll be glad to help!

Protecting yourself from a storm begins with a solid roof. While your roof is generally excellent at keeping you safe from the elements, it can be severely damaged by a severe storm. Worse yet, you won’t be able to see much of the roof damage from the ground. However, a professional roof inspection can help find and assess storm damage. Moreover, your contractor can respond swiftly and effectively to any repair or replacement needs. Keep reading to discover some of the benefits of a professional roof inspection to assess storm damage.

Key Benefits of a Professional Roof Inspection

1. Monitor Roof Stability

The first thing your roofer does is check the roof’s stability. But what does that mean? This means a roofer inspects the condition of the rafters, joists, bracing, and any connecting hardware. Extreme weather conditions like heavy rain, snow, or hail can be violent. For that reason, an inspection is especially crucial right after a big storm has passed.

2. Check for Leaks

A leaky roof is one of the worst problems and is every homeowner’s worst nightmare. Leaks in the roof may go undetected until a severe storm blows through and water begins to drip through your ceiling. The presence of discoloration, such as brown stains on the walls or ceiling, is an indication of water damage. Regular expert roof inspections are the best way to avoid this. Having your roof inspected regularly will boost your chances of spotting leaks before they cause major damage.

3. Spot Unseen Issues

When a storm passes through, it can be tempting to climb up on a ladder and have a look at your roof for damage. This is not a bad idea if you feel safe doing so. While this is useful for spotting large, apparent problems, it often misses the smaller, less evident problems that cost the most. When you hire a skilled roofer, they can spot even the smallest issues and offer solutions. It’s possible for the inexperienced eye to miss problems like small leaks, broken shingles, and missing flashing. However, a professional inspector won’t let that happen.

4. Review Shingles

Have you got a lovely shingle roof? Asphalt shingles are a popular roofing material due to their low cost and high durability. However, they are not indestructible. A professional roofer can check the condition of your roof and shingles to ensure they are still holding up. Storms can cause shingles to become loose, damaged, or even come off entirely. It’s important to make sure the shingles are fitted correctly so there are no leaks in the roof later on.

By now, we’re sure you’re aware of the benefits of a professional roof inspection – especially by a qualified inspector. For a complete, all-points inspection of your roof, call Chattanooga Roofing Co. today. We’ll be glad to help!

When a rainstorm or other natural disasters damage your roof, you may wonder how to file an insurance claim and get your roof damage covered. It can also be challenging to determine the types of damages homeowner’s insurance covers. For that reason, you may be hesitant to seek professional help, given the cost associated. That’s why we prepared this post: to help you understand how to get roof damage covered by insurance. Keep reading to learn more.

How to Get Roof Damage Covered by Insurance

Roof damage can occur at any time, in any place. However, no matter the circumstances, it can be a scary experience. Depending on the extent of the damage, there’re a few essential procedures you should follow.

1. First, ensure that you and your family are safe. In Chattanooga, TN, high winds are common. Also, you may see hail, tornadoes, and flooding, among other forms of severe weather. Therefore, you should first ensure everyone’s safety.
2. Make sure that there is no risk of further severe weather. If there is, seek appropriate shelter. This is more important than fixing roof damage fast. In addition, if your roof has big leaks, putting a tarp on it (when it’s safe to do so) can help prevent further water damage to your property.
3. Check your property. Fully document any damage you can observe. Take note if you observe any loose, missing, cracked, or damaged shingles. Then, if you find it safe to do so, climb a ladder and take pics of the visible damage. Otherwise, ask a professional to do that.

Some Tips on Filing a Roof Claim

• It’s crucial to file your insurance claim correctly if you want to get compensation for the roof damage.
• The first step is to call your nearby contractor and ask them to assess the damage. They can provide you with a repair estimate you can use for your insurance claim. In addition, some contractors will actually do some of the hard work of dealing with your insurance company.
• Carefully read your policy to ensure there are no surprises when you speak with your insurance company.
• Don’t put off filing for too long. The sooner you act, the greater your chances of receiving financial assistance for roof repair.
• Also, never let family members or friends perform roof repairs without a qualified contractor’s direct supervision. Making these repairs yourself may lead to more damage, cost significantly more in the long run, and can violate some warranties or insurance coverage.
• Lastly, if you’re unsure of your home’s coverage for insurance purposes, speak to an agent with your carrier. Always confirm your coverage before making a claim.

Is your roof damaged? Are you looking to have a new roof installed? Maybe the rain Spring brings is starting to leak through your roof. You’re probably asking yourself, “Can roofers install a roof in the rain?” Well, the answer is: certainly not without many risks. While certain roofing tasks require less than a day, re-roofing a typical home can take several days. It’s better to postpone any repairs or installations until the weather clears and the roof is dry. A slippery roof can endanger workers and raise the risk of property damage as well. Professional contractors will advise you to wait until the weather is clear, even for inspecting the area.

Can Roofers Install a Roof in the Rain?

Here’s why our roofers won’t install a roof in the rain.

1. Shingles May Not Adhere Properly to Wet Surfaces

A new roof can potentially fail due to a damp installation. Slippery surfaces and high humidity may make it difficult for shingles and other roofing materials to adhere effectively. Moisture can be trapped inside your roof if the shingles or flashing are damp when they are installed. This can lead to mold, damage, and other serious issues. In addition, when there is a lot of moisture in the air, materials can expand or contract. This can result in bumps and ripples on the roof surface.

2. It May Void Your Warranty

Manufacturers of roofing materials offer warranties on their goods but not on the installation. The manufacturer is not accountable for the harm that improper workmanship may cause. This is because specific rules exist for how materials and shingles should be fitted.

If a roofing installer chooses to work in less-than-ideal weather, your manufacturer’s warranty may be voided. This could result in expensive repairs down the road.

Be Cautious on Wet Days

There are times when you may have to make a short-term fix or perform maintenance on a rainy day. If there is a leak or water damage to the roof, you may need to fix it quickly. It is critical to do good research about the installer who will be helping you during this difficult moment. When a storm passes through an area, it frequently attracts unscrupulous contractors attempting to defraud naive, worried householders.

For that reason, call Chattanooga Roofing Co. for assistance. We’re local and our reputation for quality and honesty precedes us.

Like many homeowners during thunderstorm season, you might be asking “how do I protect my roof from summer storms?” Aside from the heat, we also need to deal with storms during the summer. You need to prepare your home. Why? Because these storms cause strong winds and heavy rains that could wreak some serious havoc on your roof. The roof serves as your first and last line of defense against extreme weather. For that reason, you need to make sure it can withstand the strongest of storms. The goal is to prevent water and property damage.

How Do I Protect My Roof from Summer Storms?

The first thing you need to do is to inspect your roof. Look for leaks inside the house, and watch out for damaged shingles from the outside. Also check the exterior features of your roof for damage. This includes your chimney, vents, skylights, fascia, and soffit.

If you are not able to conduct a full inspection, you can ask a roofing company to do a professional assessment on the current state of your roof. Doing so allows you to spot problems early on and have them fixed. That way, your roof will be 100% able to protect you when the next storm rolls in.

The second step is to clean your gutters. Your gutters won’t be able to successfully divert rainwater away from your house if they are clogged. To ensure that water comes off easily from your roof during a heavy downpour, remove fallen leaves, loose asphalt granules, and other debris from your gutters. You also need to trim the trees on your property to prevent branches from falling on your roof in the event of a heavy storm.

Secure exterior furnishings in the event of a storm. Your patio furniture, hammock, flower pots, external lights, and many more should be secured in their place or be brought inside so as not to damage your property.

The last – and most important – step is to call Chattanooga Roofing Company at (423) 888-0258. Any small problem – a small leak, a torn shingle, or a broken skylight – can turn into a bigger one if left unattended. Hiring a roofer will save you money in the long run because you’ll have a roof above your head that can withstand extreme summer storms.

Storms are a way of life here in Chattanooga. You’ve probably experienced first-hand how storms can wreak havoc. Protecting your home and your loved ones should be a priority once a storm comes rolling in. Keep reading to discover how to make your roof stormproof – as much as possible. You may be able to do some of these tasks yourself. However, you may wish to call a professional roofer for repairs.

How to Make Your Roof Stormproof

1. Check for Leaks

Small leaks that have gone unnoticed or ignored can become larger holes in the middle of a storm. They can cause damage to the underlayment. They can also compromise your roof’s structural integrity in the long run.

2. Check the Shingles

If you see a couple of shingles that are loose or starting to fall apart, you need to call a professional roofing company. They’ll reinforce the old shingles with newer ones.

3. Trim the Trees

If you have trees with long branches that hang over your home, you need to have them cut down before the storm. These can be easily blown off in the middle of strong winds and heavy rain. As a result, they could damage your roof in the process.

4. Clear Gutter and Downspouts

Check to make sure your gutter system is clear from debris. The gutter system ensures that rainwater flows steadily from the roof to the ground. However, if it gets clogged, it will cause water buildup that could enter the soffit and fascia of the roofing system. In addition, it could cause erosion around your foundation.

5. Keep Up with Insurance & Warranties

During storm season, study your home insurance’s policy coverage. Also, make sure that your insurance documentation and any “before” photos are safe. This way, you can make a strong case when you file for a claim.

6. Contact a Roofing Professional

Ask a roofing company to evaluate the current condition of your roof. They’ll be able to identify roofing issues you may have missed during your own inspection. You can also request regular roof maintenance so that you can catch any issues and have them fixed before they get worse.

Chattanooga Roofing Company can check the integrity of your roof and conduct repairs to ensure it will hold up during the storm. Just give us a call at (423) 799-2173 to book an appointment.

No homeowner wants to go through a roofing emergency caused by hail, but sometimes Mother Nature has other plans. Chattanooga is no stranger to extreme weather disturbances like hailstorms. In order to prepare for the worst, you need to know the facts about hail roofing damage.

Unfortunately, plenty of homeowners in the area find themselves at a complete loss on what to do in the aftermath of a hailstorm. Here are some of the things to do so you won’t be caught flatfooted next time there’s a hailstorm.

3 Facts About Hail Roofing Damage

1. Expect the Worst

Both wind strength and density of hail can contribute to the roof damage. Hail can cause shingles to break apart and granules to form, resulting to shortened shingle life. Hailstorms also come with strong and heavy winds, which can blow off shingles and other roofing materials.

2. Document the Damage

After a devastating hailstorm, your first order of business is to inspect the roof for damage. Take note of the date and time of the storm. Take photos of the entire property including the roof and yard.

This will come in handy when you file a claim for insurance. Remember that hail melts, so it is important to have photos to back up your claim.

Don’t wait too long to file the claim because most insurance companies have an expiration when it comes to filing hail roof damage.

3. Conduct an Inspection

You don’t need a leaking roof to have hail damage. Granule loss, shingle cracks, and exposed fiberglass mat are some of the signs that your roof has been damaged by hail.

However, most of the time the damage is not visible especially when you’re looking at the roof from the ground. It will take a trained eye to spot the damage. This is why it is recommended to have your roof inspected by a professional to know the full extent of the damage.

What to Do After a Hailstorm

Now that you know the facts about hail roofing damage, don’t allow inclement weather to destroy the things you have worked hard for. A ground level inspection is not enough to detect the damage done to your roof.

If left untreated, even a minor hail damage can lead to leaks, ice dams, mold damage, or electrical issues. All these things will eventually lead to roof replacement, so it is best to nip problems like this in the bud.

No matter what Mother Nature throws your way, you can depend on Chattanooga Roofing to help you deal with hail roofing damage. Call us today at (423) 799-2173 and we’ll help you put things back together and protect your home from the harsh elements by making it stronger.