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Roof Repair

5 Reasons to Get Roof Inspection Service after Heavy Rainfall

After a heavy rainfall, you might be concerned about the puddles in your yard or leaking in your basement, but another place you might want to turn your attention is to your roof. The roof over our heads—that one barrier between us and the open sky and whatever havoc Mother Nature has for us—often needs attention to remain a solid barrier of protection against the wind and rain.

There are many reasons to schedule a regular roof inspection service on your home. One of these reasons is to protect your investment to ensure that your roof lasts for as long as possible, because replacing it can be one of the most expensive repairs on your home. Compared to other home repairs, replacing your roof is in top 3 most expensive repairs you will have while you live in your home.

Another reason for regular inspections on your roof is to determine if there are any signs of leaks, dark spots, sagging, or curling shingles—all indications that you may want to schedule repairs or a replacement to your roof—which will reduce the amount of damage to your home. Also during a regular inspection, vegetation can be removed from the roof, which if left, can grow up under shingles and cause leaks and damage.

Inspections of your roof can also determine whether gutters are clogged, which leads to leaks and improper drainage on the roof. This is something you want to take care of to protect your roof. Overall, the regular care and inspection of your roof is important to knowing that your home is well maintained and structurally sound to keep you safe.

It’s not only important to schedule regular roof inspections and roof repairs, but also after harsh weather, such as heavy rainfalls. When this happens, it weakens the overall structure of your roof system, creating the possibility of further damage to your home. Not all damage to the roof is evident, a roof inspection service can find hidden problems and the need for roof repair, that otherwise you may not become aware until months later—when larger issues have already developed.

 

5 Reasons to Get a Roof Inspection Service After Heavy Rainfall

When harsh weather comes along and you suspect you may have damage to your roof, a professional inspection will help determine whether your roof has been compromised and needs repairs. Because some damage is hidden and difficult to detect without the proper training and equipment, it is wise to contact a professional roofing contractor for an assessment after a heavy rainfall. Here are 5 solid reasons to inspect your roof:

 

Protect the Structural Integrity

Small problems that are left undetected can easily become very big problems after some time. In order to protect the structural integrity of your home, it’s important to keep up on your roof inspection service. If there has been water infiltration from a leak, it is much simpler to repair that small local damage right away, then to wait and then be forced to replace the entire roof as the problem grows over time. Since leaks are not the only signs of damage, a roof inspection service can find other important red flags, such as granule erosion, mold growth, and peeling paint.

 

Initiate an Insurance Claim

There is a limit to the amount of time that insurance companies allow for making a claim. If you suspect damage, having it inspected sooner rather than later increases the likelihood that you will have the necessary proof to submit a claim.

If you have recently had a heavy rainfall or storm, and you suspect that you may be able to make a claim on your insurance, there are some things you can do directly after the storm to ensure that your claim goes through. One thing is to note the date and time of the storm so that it correlates with local weather reports. Another smart thing to do is to take pictures around your property of the aftermath of the storm, including hail stones if there was hail. Put the hailstones next to a tape measure to record the size. Take pictures of the roof and any missing or torn shingles. Look in your attic for any signs of leakage—this evidence will dry up and be undetectable if you don’t record it. This evidence can be added to your claim.

 

Obtain an Estimate for Roof Repair

If there is damage to your roof after a heavy rainfall, most roofing contractors will give you a free estimate for a roof repair. They will be able to detect if there is moisture in places that are not visible to the untrained eye, and will have the tools necessary to properly inspect the property for damage.

 

Ensure Safety

Of course, the best reason to stay on top of potential damages to your roof is the safety and wellbeing of everyone who lives in the home. The roof is protection for you and your loved ones, and you want to be proactive when it comes to keeping up with potential hazards that may result from an unsound roof.

One of the hazards to you or your family is the possibility of mold growth due to water leakage from a damaged roof. Mold growing in your home can cause many physical ailments and allergies. In people who have mold allergy, being exposed to mold (at work, home, or outdoors) causes the immune system to overreact. Symptoms include cough, itchy, watery eyes, and hives. People who have asthma may experience wheezing and difficulty breathing. To prevent these symptoms, people with mold allergies need to live in an environment that is free of mold—addressing issues in your leaky roof will keep your loved ones safe from a reaction to mold.

Aside from safety, one thing that homeowners may not consider when deciding whether to call a professional for a roof inspection service after a heavy rainfall is how much less frustrating their lives will be down the road. Problems that are discovered and addressed now by a simple inspection will end up saving you from huge frustrations from a leaking roof and the mold damage that results. Instead of frustration, you will end up saving yourself time and money, as well as prolonging the life of your roofing system.

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