Why You Should Have a Professional Roof Inspection After a Storm

As far as inclement weather goes, any Memphian can tell you that we get it all: hail, thunderstorms, snow, and even tornados. Even if a storm lasts only a few minutes, it can cause a surprising amount of damage to your roof. The fact that your roof is one of your home’s first lines of defense against the elements is just one reason why you should have a professional roof inspection after a storm; in order to keep your family sheltered and safe, you need to take care of your roof. Read on to learn more about why the team at Pinnacle Roofing recommends that you should have a professional roof inspection after a storm!

What damage can a storm cause to my roof?

If you’re thinking that a storm couldn’t possibly do that much damage, think again. You would be surprised at how much even the mildest of inclement weather can damage a roof, especially if the roof is older.

Winter Storm Damage

Winter storms can wreak havoc on your roof. Heavy snow, polar gusts, and fluctuating temperatures can cause damage, leaks, and possible cave-ins. If water freezes on your roof, shingles can crack and gutters can burst, which will only lead to worse problems down the line.

Strong Winds

Obviously, tornados will damage even the strongest roof, but even a strong wind can still cause damage to your home and roof. The biggest problem from wind is that it can rip shingles off your roof, leaving vulnerable exposed areas. And if water reaches those vulnerable places, you could face a whole other set of problems, including mold, roof rot, water leaks, and insulation damage.

Strong winds can also topple trees or send heavy limbs flying, which could crush or penetrate your roof. Large fallen trees can completely open your roof and allow massive amounts of water to flood and weaken your home. Even if it’s on a smaller scale, small punctures can be just as detrimental.

Hail Damage

Hail can reach incredible sizes and speeds, and, if your roof is pelted by an entire hailstorm, damage is practically inevitable. Most commonly, we’ll see damage to metal parts of roofs, like flashing, vents, and gutters—though hailstorms put your whole roof at risk and can compromise the integrity of your shingles. 

Heavy Rains

Heavy and persistent rain can compromise the integrity of your shingles over time, reducing their ability to keep your home safe and dry. If you’ve experienced a particularly wet rainy season, it’s better to be on the safe side of things and get an inspection.

Benefits of a professional roof inspection

Now that you have an understanding of what damage can be done to your roof, it’s important to understand how calling in the professionals can benefit you. The benefits of having a professional inspection far surpass the costs, and include:

Catch invisible damage

While you’ll probably be able to notice any larger issues, it’s a fact that most people don’t have the know-how to assess invisible damage, like leaks or roof rot, until they’re causing other problems in your roof. After a bad storm, a lot of people will go outside and simply take a look around. If there aren’t any visible signs of damage, they might think their roof survived, when in fact it’s a ticking time bomb.

Unfortunately, a lot of damage that occurs from storms can’t be seen unless you get out a ladder and climb up to your roof. Even if you do this, you might not know exactly where to look or what to look for. A professional roof inspector will be able to use their trained eye to look for damage, visible and invisible.

Won’t miss smaller issues

It’s not necessarily a bad idea to hop on a ladder and inspect your own roof. You’ll probably be able to notice major damage and call in professionals to fix it. However, a storm can cause a lot of small, hidden issues that you simply might not notice. 

When you get a professional roof inspection, our expert inspectors will perform a thorough inspection that will catch all sizes of issues before they become issues, including small leaks, damaged shingles and ice dams. Our team knows exactly what to look for on both the exterior and the interior of your roof, and can save you time and money down the line.

Accurately assess water damage

Water damage is notably hard to identify until it’s leaking through your roof into your home. Even if you have what it takes to get on your roof and make a thorough self-inspection, it’s extremely hard to identify if you haven’t specifically been trained to do so. Our team is trained and knows exactly what to look for in order to save you hassle and keep you dry.

You’ll save money over time

It may seem more cost-effective to just self-inspect and ignore smaller problems, but it’s more likely than not that strategy will come back to haunt you down the road. Professional roofing inspections can extend the lifespan of your roof by helping you quickly address minor issues before they become major issues. Preventative maintenance is the best way to go to ensure that your roof has a long and healthy life.

Can help handle insurance claims

One of the best parts of having a roofing inspection from Pinnacle Roofing after a storm is that we make insurance claims easy for you. Insurance companies require pictures along with an extensive amount of proof that there is any amount of damage for coverage, and trusting a professional ensures that there will be more than adequate documentation and explanation to satisfy your insurance.

During your professional inspection, the Pinnacle Roofing team will take pictures of any and all damage, along with a comprehensive damage. All of our reports are professionally certified, which means that your insurance company has to accept it. Additionally, we’ll make a cost estimate while we inspect your roof, which can save you time and energy in the long run. Eliminate complications, delays, and hidden fees by trusting Pinnacle Roofing.

Avoid injury

According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, 500,000 people are treated for ladder-related injuries every year, and 97% of all falls from ladders happen at home. Avoid adding to that statistic by trusting a professional to inspect your roof. Our team has the equipment, training, and experience necessary to keep ourselves safe while we help keep you and your family safe!

Keep your family safe and dry with Pinnacle Roofing

After any strength of storm has blown through Memphis or the surrounding area, don’t hesitate to give us a call. If your house hasn’t weathered any particularly rough weather, remember that it’s recommended to have your roof inspected annually regardless of the weather! The professional, friendly Pinnacle Roofing team has the experience and expertise to provide you with a detailed roofing inspection so you can be sure your roof is in good shape. If they find that you have any damage, they’ll be able to provide you an estimate on the spot and make recommendations for any repairs needed.

If your home is in Memphis or the surrounding area and you want us to inspect your roof, get in touch. We look forward to helping you out and keeping you safe, dry, and warm!