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How To Handle Roof Storm Damage: Full Guide

Posted on July 22, 2022

Estimated Reading Time : 7 Min.

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How To Handle Roof Storm Damage: Full Guide

Storms, no matter the intensity, can cause significant damage to your home. Different types of storms can have a significant impact on your roof, and they can also reduce your home’s structural integrity. A storm can hit your home at any time, and this is why you need to be prepared at all times.

In the following blog, we share with you an effective guide that will help you to learn a lot about roof storm damage.

We will cover the following topics:

  • History of Midwest Storms
  • Types Of Storm Damage
  • Steps You Need To Take After Storm Damage
  • Why Contacting A Roofing Contractor Is Important
  • How Can Clear Cut Xteriors LLC can help you

History Of Midwest Storms

When it comes to extreme weather conditions, the Midwest has been always a victim of major storms. Minnesota particularly has historically been hit hard by Mother Nature. The tornadoes of 2011, 2013, and 2017, and even the winter storms of 2014 have all had devastating effects on homes throughout the region.

Let’s take a look at some of the other most damaging storms and extreme weather conditions in the Midwest region of North America that occurred in the last 2 decades.

These weather events can result in loss of life, and catastrophic property damage every year. They often occur without much prior warning, which can impact how significant the damage will be. Below we have described these storms in detail.

Types Of Storms

Storms are a part of life, but they can cause a wide variety of damage to your home. It’s important to know the signs of storm damage in order to prevent further problems from occurring. By understanding each type of storm damage, and its potential consequences, you’ll be able to quickly identify when repairs are necessary. It will also help you make an informed decision about how best to proceed with your insurance claim.

Here are the major storm types:

Wind

Wind storms are one of the most common types of storm damage that are prevalent throughout North America. In some areas such as Minnesota and Wisconsin, light winds can slowly take the form of a fierce storm, and can wreak havoc on your home’s roof. Wind damage can be caused by high winds, strong storms, and even hurricanes.

Here are some signs of damage of wind storms:

  • The most common form of wind damage is when your roof shingles are damaged and need to be replaced.
  •  If you have a flat roof, the tiles may have been lifted up from their original position, and will need to be put back into place.
  • Wind damage can also cause windows to break or become cracked, which requires extra time and money to repair.
  • Windstorms can cause trees and shrubs around your home or business property to fall, sometimes landing on your roof.

What Can Be Classified As A Wind Storm?

According to various experts, Storms with speeds equal to or exceeding 70 miles per hour are considered dangerous. Also, winds between 40-54 miles per hour can tear across the surface of your roof and cause visible damage (gale force winds).

Rain Storms

Rain can sometimes be beautiful, and provide a sense of calm and peace. However, a strong rain storm can result in a lot of discomfort, both for you and your home.

Rain storm damage is one of the most common type of storm damage, and it can happen in a variety of ways. Rainwater can seep through your roof and cause leaks, or it can flood your home by getting into gaps around the foundation. It’s important to keep an eye out for the signs of rain storm damage, so that you know when you need to contact a professional contractor. Here are some other signs:

  • The most common damage is water intrusion, which happens when water gets inside the walls of your home.
  • Rain can causes mold growth and mildew if it’s left standing on the roof of your home for too long.
  • A damaged roofing system can allow water to enter your home, through the attic or other rooms in your home.

Hail

Hail storms can be somewhat common in Minnesota. Hail is a type of solid, ball-like precipitation. Hail is a collection of ice crystals that forms in clouds and falls to earth, often during spring storms. Hail can range in size from as small as a pea, to as large as a softball!

Hailstones can fall at speeds up to 100 mph, and can cause significant damage to your roof. They usually form when a warm updraft picks up water droplets and carries them higher into the atmosphere, where they start to cool off and freeze.

The following are some of the ways hail storm damage can occur:

  • The first is by the weight of the hail itself. If enough hail falls on your roof, it can cause it to cave in or leak. Dents in vehicles, roofs, and siding are common after a hail storm.
  • It can break your home’s windows and doors, or even the skylights.
  • It can cause damage to gutters and downspouts, due to large pieces of ice falling off of them (the ice will break into smaller pieces when it falls).
Storm Damage

Image Source: lumenconstruction.com

Steps To Take After Storm Damage

Now that you know the common types of storm damage in the Midwest, you can learn how to prepare for these accordingly. A severe storm can strike at any time, and it is always best if you are well prepared.

If you witness a storm, instead of panicking, it is best to keep calm and follow these steps.

Take Necessary Precautions

You may have heard the age-old quote, ‘prevention is better than a cure’. This applies to storm damage treatment as well. First, you need to wait for the storm to pass. Going outside of your home while the storm is still in full form is not the best ideas. When the storm passes, here are the things you need to do:

The first step to dealing with your roof is to take necessary precautions. If you’re in an area prone to severe weather, make sure you have an emergency kit ready. This kit should include items like flashlights, batteries, water bottles, and nonperishable food items.

Then make sure that your family is safe and away from any potential dangers. It is important that you first check the inside of your home before moving outside. The next step is to inspect your home for damage, and be sure to shut off all electrical power. This is essential as it will help prevent short-circuits and other electrical problems.

Prevent Further Damage

Strong roofing systems can withstand mild storms, however, sometimes the effects are so harsh that it can completely damage your home. After a storms passes, usually immediate help is not possible. During this time, it is best to take steps to make sure your home is as safe and secure as possible. Getting things fixed quickly can help you take control of the situation temporarily, and prevent further damage to your home.

Temporary fixes can include the following:

  • After you’ve shut the power off, you can start assessing the damage.
  • If there are any small holes in your roof, you should cover them with a tarp or blanket until they can be fixed.
  • If there are larger holes, it’s best to cover them with plywood and seal it off with an appropriate adhesive.
  • You can also place a bucket if you spot a leak, so that it does not damage the inside of your home.

Call Your Insurance Company

The effect of storm damage can vary. Sometimes the damage is mild and you can fix it yourself, without needing to make a significant financial investment. However, if the storm was strong, and you detect that there are more serious damage, it is best to contact a professional roofing company. Many of the repairs may be covered by your insurance company, so you must make sure to identify all damage as quickly as possible.

Call your insurance provider and describe the damage to your roof. Ask if they need any more information from you before they can send an adjuster to inspect the damage. If it is possible, try and document the damage with pictures or a video.

If you’re not sure if your policy covers wind, hail or other types of storm damage, ask your insurance agent or company representative. They will be able to tell you how much coverage you have, and what is the best way to file a claim.

An adjuster is the person that the company will send to assess the damage. He/she is responsible for approving the amount of the claim to the insurance company. They will visit your home, do an inspection, and send a report to your insurance company.

Call A Roofing Contractor

There are some things you can do quickly to help prevent further damage, but repairs need to be made by a professional roofing contractor.  A roof is one of the most important parts of your home, and it serves as the first layer of defense against inclement weather. After a storm, some of the damage can be severe, and it may require repair or even a complete replacement. Working on your roof can be risky, especially after a storm, as the chances of slipping and injuring yourself increase during this time.

This is why you should call a professional roofing company for help.

Need Help With Storm Damage Repair?

If you live in Minnesota or Wisconsin, and your home has suffered roof storm damage, then it is best to call a roofing contractor as soon as possible.

However, finding the right roofing company is not an easy task. At the time of storm damage, this can be even tougher. This is why the team at Clear Cut Xteriors LLC are here to help! After a storm, we can take care of all your roofing needs.

We are the best roofing company in Mid-South, and we have years of experience working with homeowners like you. We’ll make sure that your home is repaired as quickly as possible.

We offer the following emergency services:

 

We’re committed to making sure that every customer feels heard and cared for throughout the process of getting their roof repaired or replaced. We want all of our customers to be happy with the service we provide, and we work hard on every job from start to finish to ensure this happens. Contact us today at (651) 340-3410 to learn more.

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