Florida storms wreak havoc on your roof, but it’s nothing a reliable roofing contractor can’t fix. If hail, heavy rain, and strong winds ruin your structure, don’t panic; follow these steps to get it back in the best condition.
Florida Storms Can Cause Long-Term Roofing Issues
The sunshine and warm weather in Orlando, Florida, isn’t the only thing the region is known for. There are also occasional rain showers that bring hail and heavy winds. When a severe weather event damages your property, you have to spring into action. A lot goes into addressing roof damage, including scheduling a thorough inspection and navigating the roof insurance claim process. And the additional stressors and obligations can become overwhelming.
Storm damage is inevitable, and the best thing you can do is be prepared and informed. When you know how to handle a situation before it occurs, you’re more likely to make educated decisions and save yourself lots of time and money in the long run.
What Classifies as Storm Damage?
Multiple outdoor elements, including strong winds, excessive rain, and hail, fall under storm damage. Each of these conditions causes issues with your roofing structure. Depending on your roofing materials, weather damage can manifest in different ways. However, regardless of what caused the damage, it’s important to know what kind of issues each one can cause:
Strong Winds
Winds are pretty powerful during a storm, especially in hurricane-prone areas like Florida. If they can knock out power lines and cause electrical outages, it means you should be mindful of wind damage to roofs. According to the National Hurricane Center and Central Pacific Hurricane Center, winds exceeding 74 miles per hour are detrimental to your structure; roofing materials can either lift from the roof deck or be completely torn off.
Strong winds can also send heavy branches or trees crashing onto the surface. The impact of debris can crack or puncture the roofing materials, leaving your building vulnerable to moisture and pest invasion. For these reasons, you should never underestimate the effects of strong winds.
Excessive Rain
If water seeps into your roofing membrane, it causes several issues. When it rains for days on end, your roof gutters can’t drain run-off water fast enough. Eventually, the constant downpour begins to saturate the roofing materials. As a result, you may notice stains on the walls and ceilings and a pungent odor. These are signs of mold, which is not only unsightly and smells unpleasant, but it’s also harmful to the building’s indoor air quality (IAQ) since it’s toxic to inhale.
The most common weather damage is a roof leak. If the internal layers of your roofing system are exposed, this makes your roof more susceptible to deterioration. Leaks are unsafe for a couple of reasons. First, if waterfalls into electrical outlets, it can spark and cause a fire. Second, wet floors from leaking roofs create a slip and fall hazard that your business is liable for.
Hail
Unless you have Class 4 or IR (impact-resistant) shingles, your roof is vulnerable to the damaging effects of hail. Although hail storms tend to be quick, they still leave dents, holes, and splits on the surface. Hail pellets can even knock shingle granules loose, damaging the roof’s sun reflectivity. Hail damage can also ruin the building’s curb appeal to a certain extent.
What To Do After Storm Damage to Your Roof
Dealing with roof storm damage is challenging, but you may have greater peace of mind if you know what steps to take in advance. Keep calm during the storm, and as soon as it stops, take action:
Assess the Damage
If you’re not a professional, it’s best to refrain from climbing onto your roof and analyzing the damage yourself. Instead, use a pair of binoculars to get a closer look at your roof. Also, be sure to take note of your surroundings. If there are roofing materials scattered across the premises, it’s a telltale sign of structural damage.
Notify Your Insurance Company
After you’ve taken a look for yourself, you can give your insurance company the best possible detailed description of the damage. Contacting your insurance company right after the storm is pertinent in your claim filing process. Letting damage linger or neglecting to report it can leave you financially responsible for any repairs needed. Any structural damage must be documented as soon as possible so you can get the most financial assistance you need.
Get Repairs Immediately
It’s wise to get the roofing issues from water damage, hail, and heavy winds addressed as soon as possible. Otherwise, minor problems can worsen and lead to an expensive and untimely replacement. When issues are caught early on, you can get restoration or repairs promptly, which is much more affordable than fixing severe weather damage.
Don’t Hesitate To Call New Image Roofing After the Storm
New Image Roofing has seen all kinds of weather damage caused by hail storms and even hurricanes. We’re equipped to handle any roofing challenges our customers bring us. When you call on us for help, New Image acts with a sense of urgency to alleviate your stress, answer your questions, and transform your roofing system.
Commercial businesses across Orlando, Florida, trust us. No matter your market, our various building specialties meet the needs of many. We take pride in our dynamic expertise and extensive capabilities. Give New Image a call today to learn more about our services and how we provide a sense of refuge after a storm.
