You don’t need me to tell you that your roof is the most important part of your house. After all, if the roof is damaged, everything under the roof is in danger.

A properly installed roof can last a very long time and can survive attacks from natural elements. But eventually, your roof will show some wear and tear due to age. This is to be expected, as nothing is meant to last forever. 

However, in some cases, your roof might suffer damages that need to be addressed immediately. In this case, they should be fixed, and promptly too or the entire roofing system might suffer from it.

What Is Considered Roof Damage?

The answer to this depends on the mood your insurance adjuster or ladder assist is in. I have seen some insurance companies replace roofs with no damage and I have seen other insurance companies deny roofs with tons of damage.

For a roof to be considered damaged, it should not have reached its longevity limit. This is one of the first things your insurance company will take into consideration before paying to replace your roof (this is also a good time to see if you have an ACV or RCV policy).

But to summarize what is considered roof damage, check for missing shingles (wind) or impact marks (hail) on your shingles, gutters and surrounding flashing.

How Do Roofs Get Damaged?

Most of the time this is caused by wind or hail but sometimes the damage can be intentional. We have seen roof damage that was done by a child throwing a baseball on the roof and another case where a homeowner took out a hammer and beat his roof up trying to get a new one. Regardless, when you notice shingles are missing or damaged, it is time to call out a roofer.

Storms are by far the most common reason roofs are damaged., so if you are living in a location prone to storms then it might be a good idea to check out the damage the storm might cause to your roof after each occasion. When looking for damages, there are certain signs to look out for. These signs will tell you if your roof is damaged and how fast you should act to avoid further disrepair. Some of these signs include:

• Flashing is bent or missing.
• Shingles that are missing or have been damaged.
• Vents or pipe boots showing impact
• Dents in your gutters
• Shingle grains are missing.

When you notice these signs after a storm or any other serious weather event, then it might be a good idea to get your roof checked out by a local expert. And if it is found that the roof is in a state of disrepair, then it should be fixed as soon as possible. A damaged roof is inconvenient to repair, but if left unattended, it can lead to far more substantial damage to the rest of your house, so it should be treated right away.

Types Of Roof Damages

Although your roof could be having some of these issues due to the fact that they have outlived the outer limits of their expected years, there are times when damages to your roof are a result of external factors, then it counts as roof damage and it comes in various forms. Right now we are going to tell you the forms of roof damage and what to look out for in each form.

• Mold/Moss On Your Roof

When your roof is holding moisture often this can be a breeding ground for mold and/or moss on your roof. There are shingles that prevent this type of growth but you will need to research all the shingle manufacturers to see what products are on the market.

If the damage is minimal, I would suggest just cleaning your roof with an approved roof cleaner.

• Missing or Broken Shingles Due To Wind Damage

3-tab shingles are only rated for 60 MPH winds while architectural shingles can withstand almost double that. Regardless, when a wind storm comes through, shingles can break and sometimes be torn off the roof altogether. 

• Hail Damaged Shingles/Vents

Most of the roof replacements I have been a part of are because of hail damage. Most of the time hail damage can not be seen from the ground. If you are able. I would suggest climbing up on your roof with a ladder making sure you are utilizing a fall protection harness. Carefully inspect all the metals and shingles. However, when you can see impact marks on your shingles, it is time to call out the adjuster.

• Structural Damage

I left the worst for last. This damage is usually due to a tree falling on your roof. When this happens, your roof may buckle, slant, or have other strange problems. This is a major issue that frequently necessitates a major repair undertaking to address. However, ignoring it might lead to major consequences.

Now that you have seen the different types of damage your roof might sustain, and that some damages are more common and more threatening than the others, it is important to note that leaving any form of damage unmanaged will lead to further damage and may eventually cause the roof to break down.

The good news though is that roofs can be repaired and if the damage is not that much, it can be done within a day. If the roof has gotten too bad then maybe you should see a replacement. To find out the next line of action, you need to take a few steps. Document the level of damage you can see, if you can you should take pictures too. Then call a professional and schedule an inspection.

This will give you a clear picture of the situation and prepare you for the next cause of action. They will probably give you an estimate, and if you like what you see then schedule a repair, sit back and let them do all the job. Make sure to get a professional to handle the repair for you. After the repairs are done, you can go ahead and enjoy the newly repaired roof. However, do not forget to schedule routine maintenance.