Post-Storm Roof Inspections: What Every Homeowner Needs to Know
A severe storm just rolled through your neighborhood, leaving a trail of downed branches and flooded streets. While you’re relieved that your family is safe, a new anxiety begins to set in: what about the roof? In Central Texas, storms can pack a powerful punch with high winds and hail, both of which can inflict serious, and sometimes hidden, damage to your home's most critical line of defense.
Knowing what to look for after a storm is crucial. Acting quickly can mean the difference between a simple repair and a catastrophic failure leading to major interior water damage. At Graduate Contracting—where we are not only roofing experts but also licensed insurance adjusters—we want to empower you to safely assess the situation and take the right steps.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through a post-storm inspection, helping you identify potential damage and know exactly when to call for professional help.
Immediate Steps: Safety & Documentation First
Before you even think about the roof itself, your priority must be safety. Carefully navigate your property and take these initial steps.
- Prioritize Safety: Walk your property's perimeter and check for immediate hazards like downed power lines, fallen trees, or broken glass. If you see downed lines, stay far away and report them to your utility company immediately.
- Document Everything: Before moving or cleaning up anything, use your smartphone to take date-stamped photos and videos of any damage to your property (trees, fences, etc.) and the debris left by the storm. This initial documentation is invaluable for any potential insurance claim.
- Check for Interior Leaks: Quickly check the ceilings on your top floor, inside closets, and around light fixtures. If you see active dripping or new, wet stains on the drywall, place buckets underneath to catch the water and call a professional roofer for an emergency tarping service to prevent further damage.
Your Safe Inspection From the Ground
You can spot a surprising amount of damage safely from your yard. Under no circumstances should you get on a wet or potentially damaged roof. Grab a pair of binoculars and walk the perimeter of your house, looking for these specific signs of wind and hail damage:
Wind Damage Checklist:
- Missing or Lifted Shingles: Scan all roof slopes for shingles that are completely gone or have their edges/corners flipped up. A lifted shingle has a broken sealant strip and is a primary entry point for rain.
- "Creased" Shingles: Look for a distinct horizontal line where granules have been worn off. This indicates the shingle was violently bent backward by the wind and is now severely weakened.
- Damaged Soffit and Fascia: Check the trim, vents, and boards along the eaves of your roof, as wind can easily tear these elements loose.
Hail Damage Checklist:
- Dented Gutters, Vents, and Flashing: This is the most obvious sign of hail. If your soft metal gutters, downspouts, and roof vents are dented, your shingles have almost certainly been damaged as well. This is key evidence for an insurance claim.
- Damage to Other Property: Check for dents or chips on your A/C unit, window screens, and siding. This serves as collateral proof of the storm's intensity.
- "Bruised" or "Bald" Spots on Shingles: Hail impacts knock off the protective granules, leaving a "bruise" that exposes the underlying asphalt mat. This damage, often invisible from the ground, compromises the shingle and drastically shortens your roof's life.
The Professional Assessment: When to Call the Experts
If your ground-level inspection reveals any of the signs listed above, it is critical to call a trusted, local roofing contractor for a professional inspection.
- A Hands-On Inspection is Non-Negotiable: Our trained experts will safely get on your roof to perform a detailed, hands-on assessment. We will identify hail bruising, check the integrity of sealant strips, and inspect all flashing for damage that is impossible to see from the ground.
- Comprehensive Photo Documentation: We take detailed photographs of every instance of damage, providing you with the clear, undeniable evidence required to file a successful insurance claim.
- Expert Insurance Claim Assistance: As licensed adjusters, we speak the same language as your insurance company. We can help you navigate the entire claims process, from filing the initial claim to meeting with the adjuster on-site to ensure all damage is identified and that you are treated fairly.
A post-storm roof inspection is not something to put off. The damage from one storm can leave your home defenseless against the next one.
If you've experienced a recent storm or suspect your roof has sustained damage, don't wait for a leak to confirm it. Contact Graduate Contracting today to schedule your FREE, no-obligation storm damage inspection.
Why Metal Roofing is Your Summer MVP
Here in Texas, we understand the art of staying cool. We seek out shade, embrace the power of air conditioning, and know the precise time of day to avoid the blistering sun. But what if one of the most significant upgrades to your home's cooling efficiency wasn't in your living room, but on top of your roof? Traditional roofing wisdom has always emphasized the importance of ventilation. However, technology has evolved far beyond simple vents. Today’s modern roof ventilation solutions are smarter, more powerful, and more efficient than ever, offering homeowners a significant advantage in the fight against summer heat and high energy costs. At Graduate Contracting, we’re committed to installing not just roofs, but complete roofing systems that enhance your home's performance. Let's explore the cutting-edge ventilation tech that can transform your home's energy efficiency. Moving Beyond Basic Vents: The Power of Active Solutions For years, passive vents like ridge and soffit vents have been the standard, relying on natural convection to move hot air. While essential for a balanced system, they can sometimes struggle to keep up with the intense, radiant heat that builds in a Texas attic, where temperatures can exceed 150°F. This is where modern, active ventilation solutions make a world of difference. Solar-Powered Attic Fans: Your A/C's New Best Friend Imagine having a dedicated fan working all day to pull superheated air out of your attic, without costing you a single cent in electricity. That’s the power of a solar-powered attic fan. These innovative fans are fitted with their own solar panels, allowing them to run entirely on the sun's energy. On the hottest, sunniest days, when your attic is at its most extreme, the fan works at its peak performance, actively pulling hot air out and drawing cooler, fresh air in through your intake vents. The impact on your home is twofold: Reduced A/C Workload : By aggressively cooling your attic, a solar fan dramatically reduces the amount of radiant heat seeping into your living space. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a cool roof can lower cooling demand by 10-15%. An actively ventilated attic has a similar, powerful effect, meaning your air conditioner doesn't have to run as long or as hard to maintain a comfortable temperature. Significant Energy Savings : A reduced A/C workload translates directly into lower utility bills. Studies have shown that solar attic fans can reduce a home's cooling costs by up to 30%. It’s one of the smartest home improvements for generating a tangible return on investment. Smart Ventilation Systems: Technology That Thinks for Itself The latest frontier in attic ventilation is "smart" technology. Smart attic fans are equipped with built-in thermostats and humidistats that allow them to operate with precision. Temperature Control : You can set the fan to automatically turn on when the attic reaches a specific temperature (e.g., 95°F), ensuring it only runs when needed. Humidity Sensing : More advanced models also monitor humidity. This is crucial for preventing moisture buildup in both summer and winter, protecting your roof's structure and insulation from the threat of mold and rot. App-Based Control : Many smart fans can be monitored and controlled directly from your smartphone, giving you complete control over your home’s attic environment. The Foundation Still Matters: Advanced Passive Vents Technology hasn't just improved powered solutions. The design of traditional passive vents has also seen significant upgrades. Manufacturers like GAF and Owens Corning have developed advanced ridge vents with external baffles and weather-blocking filters. These designs improve airflow efficiency while offering superior protection against wind-driven rain, snow, and pests—ensuring your ventilation system is both effective and durable. Graduate Contracting: Your Partner in Energy Efficiency Upgrading your attic ventilation is more than just installing a new fan. It requires a holistic approach to create a balanced and effective system. The team at Graduate Contracting has the expertise to assess your home's specific needs, considering factors like attic size, roof design, and existing intake ventilation. We can help you determine if a powerful solar attic fan, a precision smart fan, or an upgrade to your passive vents is the right solution to maximize your home's energy efficiency. By integrating modern ventilation technology into your roofing system, you're not just getting a new roof; you're getting a cooler, more comfortable, and more cost-effective home. Ready to see how much you could save? Contact Graduate Contracting today for a free consultation and learn how modern roof ventilation can slash your energy bills.