Roof Damage: Signs and Next Steps

Updated: Aug 31, 2023

The roof is one of the most expensive investments in any home. A good roof brings out the beauty of the house while preventing rain and snow from getting in. However, since it’s the most exposed part of the house, the roof is prone to damage thanks to all the debris and external focus, such as storms and objects falling on it.

Some common signs of roof damage include missing shingles, bubbling paint, and water stains on the ceiling. Other common signs are discolored shingles or light coming through the roof. Such damages require you to take quick action and do roof leak repairs before the problem escalates and becomes expensive to repair.

Luckily, roof repair experts are just a call away. Live Oak is roof repair experts who specialize in roof replacement, roof repairs, gutters, and exterior maintenance. We only work with professionals to offer the best products and services on the market.

We exclusively offer quality Owens Corning roofing products to all the customers that we work with. Their products come in a variety of styles, colors, and components. The products allow Live Oak Roofing + Exteriors to give you the best workmanship and keep your home as strong as an oak!

So, are you ready to learn the different types of roof storm damage and signs to look out for? Read on!

Signs And Causes of Roof Damage

You don’t have to be an expert to know if your roof is no longer in optimal shape. Some of the signs of roof damage are very easy to spot. The most common signs of roof damage include:

Sagging Roof

Your roof can sag when it’s old and about to reach the end of its lifecycle. Your roof can also sag because of a poor installation if you choose inexperienced roof repair professionals. Additionally, the roof can sag if the wood is weaker or the rafters are damp.

A sagging old roof can’t stand heavy storms or rains. To prevent this, you must do a sagging roof repair. Make sure you choose the right roof repair team to avoid future problems like ceiling leakage.

Missing Or Loose Shingles

Another sign that your roof is damaged is loose or missing shingles. The shingles can be damaged by heavy rain, hail, or winds, especially if they are already damaged or have cracks. Missing shingles can give way for water to get into your house, causing ceiling leakage damage.

Missing shingles can be difficult to spot from the ground. To identify this, walk outside the house after the storm and look for missing or broken shingles. You can also use a ladder to have a closer view of the roof and examine the extent of the damage.

The best thing to do is repair the shingles since they can lead to serious damage when left unattended. You can cover the area with a large tarp before the repair team comes to replace the missing shingles on the roof.

Cracking Shingles

You can also check if the shingles are cracking after heavy wind or rain. Shingles also tend to crack or curl when they get old. For new roofs, cracks normally occur due to wind damage.

You can replace the cracking shingles to help extend the roof's life. However, when more than one shingle is cracked, the best solution is to replace the whole roof to prevent serious problems.

Discolored Shingles

After a heavy hailstorm, roofs tend to discolor around the shingles. The leading cause of roof discoloration is when hail hits your roof, making the shingles burst. This makes the dark asphalt layer visible underneath.

You can see the dark color through the damaged shingles or missing granules. The roof can sometimes have dark patches, a sign of mold growth on the shingles. But you have to take a closer look to notice the discolored roof.

Since discolored roof shingles damage the shingles, it’s good to do repairs on time.

Higher Energy Bills

Another sign of a damaged roof is having to pay electricity bills higher than normal. Remember, when the roof is damaged, it will affect the heating and cooling system in the house. For this reason, the air conditioner will have to struggle to maintain the internal temperature of the house.

High power bills can affect your budget, so you have to maintain the roof properly. Proper roof maintenance will prevent insulation problems, making your home comfortable to stay in. It will also help you to avoid paying your electric bill higher than it should be.

Light Shining Through the Roof

You can also notice light coming into the house through the ceiling attic. This is a sign of an underlying problem, possibly because of broken or cracked shingles. When the shingles can allow light in, the chances of rainwater getting in are also high.

Your house will also be damp, and wind will pass through the opening, destroying your things. Consider replacing the damaged shingles to prevent light from coming in through the roof. If not, replace the whole roof to have a newer, long-lasting solution.

Shingles Granulation

You should also look for shingle granule remains when suspecting roof damage. The asphalt shingles have granule layers that prevent UV rays from damaging the roof. Usually, the roofing granule concentration reduces with time.

However, when there are hailstorms or stormy weather, the roofing granule loss will be large. The right sign of roof shingles losing granules to watch out for is a thin, horizontal indentation on the shingles.

Alternatively, you can look for a huge pile of granules in the gutters or downspouts. Note that the granules from the shingles are coarse and look like black sand. The best solution is to replace the shingles with serious granulation to avoid weatherproofing effects.

You can file an insurance claim within 6 to 24 months to have the problem sorted out and reduce your expenses.

Internal Water Damage

Additionally, you will notice internal water damage in the house when you’ve got a damaged roof. Check for water damage on the interior walls or ceiling. Check for water staining on the ceiling after the storms.

You can go to the attic and use a flashlight to look for discoloration or dampness on the walls, lumber, or insulation.

However, if you don’t check the issue immediately, you’ll notice mold growth or mildew on the walls, which can affect your health. When you see internal water damage, the first thing that should come to mind is a damaged roof.

So, don’t hesitate to call the water damage repair team to fix the roof leak. But mold growth or mildew can indicate poor roof ventilation or underlayment. Do the necessary water damage restoration to avoid spreading the issue to other areas.

Damage Around Roof

You can also tell when the roof is damaged if there is visible damage around it. It could be that the chimneys, vents, or pipes are damaged and bent. The chimney can spoil after a strong storm, allowing water into the house.

You can spot the changes from the ground, but work with a chimney expert to correct them. Don’t forget to check if the roof is damaged in the process, as it can lead to more problems.

Storm Damage

Roof storm damage can be visible through broken shingles or missing shingles. The storm damage can be due to hurricane-force winds of 74mph or more. It can also be caused by gale-force winds of between 39-54 mph, which destroy the roof or tear the shingles.

But less strong winds can lift or curl the shingles. Remember, the shingles create a water-tight seal after overlapping installation. When they bend or lift, the seal breaks, which increases the chances of the roof being easy to spoil.

Hailstorms usually last 15 minutes and can break the shingles or loosen the shingle granules. When granules are removed from the shingles, the roof won’t have sun and rain protectors. Moreover, the roof won’t look beautiful as it should.

Storms can also cause debris to fall over the roof. Things like trees falling over the roof will break the shingles, allowing water to get in. Light will also get a get-in route, affecting how your house looks. Don’t forget that water can also get in through the space.

And if your roof doesn’t have good drainage, you’ll experience waterlogging in the gutters after rainstorms. This water can force its way through the shingles and into the walls, causing moisture-related problems.

What’s Next?

It’s best to book a roof inspection with a professional team to prevent any further damage to the roof. But before the experts can work on your roof, make sure you take all the safety precautions.

Remember, the storm can damage the power lines and leave debris around the house. So, ensure there are no dangerous powerlines or flash floods.

Do the following if you suspect hail damage to the roof:

Check out for any visible damage around the house, especially on the roof. You can assess if the chimney is broken or shingles are damaged. Don’t forget to look at the windows, gutters, and roof vents.
Cover the damaged roof as you wait for the inspection team to arrive. Use a tarp to prevent water from getting in to cause further harm. Ensure you take notes and pictures for use during an insurance claim.
Also, look out for fallen trees, missing fence posts, or damaged lawn furniture outdoors. You can also check your patio or decks to see the hailstorm damage. Remember the ceilings and attics for leakages.
Remember, your roof can look good from the exterior, but it’s damaged inside, leading to leaks or other problems later. The ceiling light fixtures and your attic should also undergo an inspection for water leaks and spots.

It’s advisable to fix loose or missing shingles as soon as possible to reduce roof repair costs. If left unattended for a long time, the problem can escalate and become even bigger and more costly to repair.

However, you have to be careful because sometimes the missing shingles might be a sign of a serious problem. Make sure to call a roofing contractor to carry out a roof inspection and advise on the right cause of action.

Call Your Insurance Company

If the roof is discolored, a quick inspection will help you identify the problem. After that, you can make the necessary roof leak repairs.

However, if you feel there is serious damage after ice damage to the roof, don’t hesitate to call the insurance company. In such a case, contact your home insurance provider to file a claim as per their requirements.

Liaise with your representative to help you file the claim and take notes, plus take photographs of the storm damage. With this, you will get good compensation. You can also work with the insurance company’s assessor or inspector to assess the real damage the roof has undergone.

When your claim is approved, the next thing to do is look for the best roofing contractor with experience with insurance claims. However, there are instances when your insurance provider can request that you work with a local roofing contractor to inspect the storm damage.

The contractor should take the right pictures and send them to the insurance company. From there, the insurer will send an adjuster to do another inspection, depending on where you are from.

Work With a Professional Roofing Contractor

If you are sure of serious roof storm damage, the best thing to do is call a trusted roofing contractor to fix the roof leak. Hire Live Oak roofing contractors specializing in roof replacements, leak repairs, and exterior maintenance.

We offer the best products and services using Owens Corning roofing products to all of our customers. The Owen Corning roofing products are available in different colors, styles, and components, allowing customers to choose what they want.

Furthermore, we do high-standard work that ensures your roofing lasts longer and your house stays in shape. We will fix the sagging roof, replace the missing shingles, and do any other work you want to be done after the ice damage to the roof.

Bottom Line

There are different types of roof damage, including missing shingles, bubbling paint, water stains on the ceiling, and discolored shingles or light coming through the roof. If you notice any of these signs, it is important to contact a professional roof repair expert in order to fix the problem before it gets worse.

Live Oak are roof repair experts who specialize roof replacement, roof repairs, gutters, and exterior maintenance. We only work with professionals to offer the best products and services on the market.

Keeping Your Home as Strong as an Oak